Google’s Secret Social Media Weapon
If you haven’t heard, Google is shutting down G+. Some are taking this to mean that they have forfeited the social media space to Facebook and Instagram. But most people don’t know that Google already has a killer social media app. In fact, I’ve been using it as my main form of social media for the last few months. Of course, I’m talking about Google Calendar.
How to use Google Calendar as a social app:
- Use your Google Calendar to track your life.
- Share your calendar with your friends!
That’s it! Let’s look at some of the strengths and weaknesses of Google Calendar as a social media app.
Pro: Creating events and inviting people is easy.
Obviously.
Pro: No ads or click-bait
This is pure unadulterated social content. Everything you see is relevant to you or your friends. No fake news (unless you count that 2-hour slot blocked off for “studying”).
Pro/Con: Busy interface
You can only add a handful of people before the interface gets too noisy. On the other hand, this forces you to choose the people who are most important to you.
Pro: Increased intimacy
Your friends will know what you’re up to, hour by hour. You’ll never have to catch up or let them know where you’ve been.
Con: Accidental increased intimacy.
Nobody else needs to know that you scheduled a cry session after devouring two pints of ice cream last Wednesday night.
Con: Very inconvenient to share anything other than events.
Technically, I could probably fit a blog post into the event description, but it’s a bit of a square peg/round hole.
As you can see, Google Calendar can be a powerful social media tool, if used correctly. Along with their dominant chat app, Google Docs, Google is poised to maintain their grip on social media for the time being.
