Google+ Gets a Major Redesign … And Other Hot Topics

These days, it seems like major redesigns have become just another part of life on social media.

But while all this change can certainly be frustrating, more often than not something good does come out of it.

This week, it’s Google+ that’s getting a new look. With 40 new features coming along with it, this is a redesign social media users should be excited about.

Pinterest is also introducing some new features that we think you’re going to like.

Read about these top stories and more in this week’s marketing news roundup.

1. Google+ gets a major design, announces more than 40 new features

Google announced some big changes for Google+ this week, as part of its annual Google I/O conference.

Among the biggest changes coming to Google+ is a complete redesign of the Google+ content feed for both desktop and mobile. Depending on the screen size and orientation — and what kind of device you’re using — there will be one, two or three columns. The new multi-column stream will be more visual than ever, with images displaying larger and prominently on the screen.

Google also introduced some impressive new features for photos on Google+:

• Auto Backup: Google+ will now automatically backup all photos uploaded on mobile.
• Auto Highlight: Google+ will suggest the best photos from albums you decided to upload.
• Auto Enhance: Google+ will automatically “auto-enhance” images that are uploaded. These enhancements are designed to fix a variety of image issues, such as brightness, contrast, saturation, structure, noise and focus problems.
• Auto Awesome: Google+ will automatically create a GIF when it detects any photos of the same subject.

Bottom Line: If you’re a Google+ user already, you have plenty to be excited about. In just the last week, Google introduced a total of 41 new features and it’s clear that they have big plans for the social network.

If you’ve been on the fence about getting started on Google+ it may finally be time to give it a try. With more than 190 million users, the potential for success is certainly there. And while it may never become your go-to social platform, there’s plenty to be gained from trying something new.

2. Pinterest adds mentions, notifications to mobile

Pinterest released updates to its iOS and Android apps this week, including new mobile features such as search suggestions, push notifications, and the ability to mention friends in posts.

As part of the update, Pinterest also added a new “Send” button that will let users share pins directly with other Pinterest users.

Bottom Line: I decided to reach out to Constant Contact Corporate Community Manger, Danielle Cormier to get her thoughts on the latest update from Pinterest.

“I think the best feature of the update is the ability to tag influencers in the pin description. Facebook, Google+, Twitter and more recently LinkedIn and Instagram all have this feature so it’s nice Pinterest jumped on board. It’s a pretty intuitive function most social media users are already accustomed to and it will be useful for tagging influencers, growing your network, giving credit and increasing more personal engagement.”

3. [STUDY] Vines are shared 4x more than other videos

According to a study from video technology company Unruly Media, videos created with the new Vine app (Vines) are shared four times more than other online videos.

The study, which looked at data from over 10 million Vines during a one-month period, also found that Vines are now being shared at a rate of five-per-second on Twitter.

Bottom Line: While it’s unlikely that Vines will ever be replacing “traditional” online video, the study does provide an interesting look at how social media users are responding to Vine.

It also provides a good example of the type of videos you might want to create if you’re looking to extend your reach and generate shares from your target audience. While longer video content may have its place in your marketing strategy as well, more often than not, its shorter videos that will give you the best chance to make an impact on social media.

Check out our free guide to online video, Show it Don’t Tell It: How to Use Video to Engage Your Customers, Members, and Prospects

4. Facebook adds star rating recommendations to desktop pages

Since the introduction of Facebook Graph Search, ratings and recommendations have played an increasingly important role in how users find businesses and places in their area.

Previously, ratings had only been available via mobile and were primarily used when someone checked in at a specific location. But now, Facebook is bringing star rating recommendations to desktop pages, giving users the ability to rate place-based pages (i.e., pages for restaurants, bars, salons, retail stores) on desktop as well.

Bottom Line: Rating and recommendations have already begun to play an important role in how Facebook helps users find local businesses in their area. As Graph Search continues to evolve, businesses will need to use any advantage they can to get discovered and attract new customers.

Encouraging fans to recommend and review your business could be a perfect place to start.

Here’s what else you’ll want to know about Facebook’s Graph Search.

What news stories caught your eye this week? Let us know in the comments below.