Google Plus Sign-In versus Facebook Login on Third Party Websites
On February 26, 2013, Google announced the addition
of an application sign-in to the
Google Plus (Google+) platform that provides the ability of Google Plus users
with options to sign in via an Android or iOS device, or even a desktop (or
laptop) computer with
an emphasis on simplicity, security, and the prevention of “social spam”. The intent is for Google Plus users to log
into third party websites using Google account log-in information in
a manner similar to that used by Facebook Login and Twitter Login. Gmail,
YouTube or other Google service users will be able to log in to these same
websites as would Google Plus users. Google’s sign-in process can employ 2-step
verification by using the password and mobile phone in conjunction.
Google
Plus is trying to simplify app usage to facilitate website access through
either a mobile device or a desktop (or laptop) computer; Android users can
install the mobile version of the app upon logging into a third party website.
Google Plus users have the “Circles” feature to help them decide with whom to
share something. Google Plus also limits apps’ updates and activities to areas
where it is deemed to be relevant. Google Plus friends now have the ability to
engage an interactive post in their Google+ stream whereby they can click
inside the app with options for buying, listening to, or reviewing (as the case
may be) what their friends shared. The
app uses a “call to action” button. Google Plus users can decide whether or
not to display their app activities on their Google+ profile.
Many observers think that these changes to Google
Plus Sign-In are a direct challenge to Facebook Login. Thomas Claburn,
Editor-at-Large of Information Week,
agrees with this assessment but takes things a bit further by providing some
of the back story between Google and Facebook. Claburn reminds us that Google started “Friend
Connect” in late 2008 at around the same time that Facebook launched Facebook
Connect. Facebook Connect became Facebook Login over time and Google shut down
Friend Connect in March 2012 as Google Plus became more entrenched since its launch on June 28, 2011.
As of December 2012, Google was claiming that 500 million people had registered
for Google Plus (with 135 million actively engaged in Google+ content streams
or post and 235 million indirectly interacting with Google+ through the 1+
buttons. Claburn also pointed out that Seth Sternberg, Google+ Director of
Product Management, stated that Google
Plus apps do not engage in frictionless sharing
of updates, a concept associated with Facebook
and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg.
In January 2013, Global
Web Index reported that Facebook
remained the most popular social network with almost 700 million active users
(or 51% of monthly active usage) in the final quarter of 2012 (who either used
or contributed to a website in the past month). Google Plus moved into second
place with 343 million active users (or 25% of monthly active usage) with
Twitter at 288 million active users (or 21% of monthly active usage – a 40%
increase from the second quarter to the fourth quarter of 2012, and the
largest growth rate of the social media services). Similarly, YouTube
(owned by Google) also commanded 21% of monthly active usage or approximately
280 million active users. Obviously, some overlap in membership and active
usage has occurred between Google Plus and YouTube. Google Plus participation
has the potential for further growth if more active YouTube users also become
active Google Plus users.
Here are some of the third party websites that
are accepting the Google Plus Sign-In:
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