Google Plus vs Facebook For Business – Who Wins?

By on October 22, 2012

Lately I have been testing the waters, comparing Google Plus social networking to Facebook for business and it seems that Google is very different. Of course I use Facebook extensively for both online and offline businesses but my paths are changing quickly. It may well depend on the business you are in as to which social network you decide to use.

Nobody can deny that Facebook has had a major impact on today’s business world especially since it has globalized the need for online marketing but with the rise of the Google social networking site, Google Plus, there has been a little bit of confusion on which of the two social network mediums are truly built to maximize a company’s online business presence. There are many reasons why the Google social networking site is catered more for business opportunities than its competitors and here is a quick discussion on how and why this rings true.

Google Has Heavy Artillery 

The very first thing that anyone should consider when comparing the Google social network to other competitive social networks like Facebook and Twitter is that Google already owns the most powerful search engine used today and they also own the most widely used video hosting website as well, YouTube. Every online business today makes the effort to ensure that they rank high on Google’s search engine and this little detail can make or break whether a business will succeed or not and the same goes for companies utilizing the video marketing opportunities that YouTube offers. Google Plus utilizes both of these to their full potential since they are all owned by the same company.

There have been studies that have connoted that a Google Plus profile page for a company highly affects their personal business page on Google’s search engine page ranking system so why settle for any other social network when a Google Plus page will automatically give you a strong SEO advantage? Other social networks require you to continuously build links and to update your posts and links every so often but the Google social networking site will do it for you just by creating a profile page. This leads to a second advantage why the Google social networking site is perfect for businesses.

Google Plus is Easy

Google Plus is really easy to start. More than 70% of online users already have a registered Google email account and all it takes to create a Google Plus page is to hit the Google Plus tab on their control options on the very same page when they log in to their email. From there Google Plus guides them in a step by step process for them to complete their profile page. It is that quick and easy.

Google plus is must for anyone building a website or running a business period. I would always include Google Plus on my social media checklist.

Google Communication 

The features that Google Plus has are stronger reasons for businesses to consider it as a strong online tool. Google Circles is an option that allows you to organize your contacts into different types of groups based on relationships and personal preferences. The Circles option allows you to keep track of how you relate to your contacts. The best thing about it is how it affects building traffic; your company profile page may only have a few hundred people connected to it but one contact in a Circle has over a few thousand contacts on their page and this one person can cause an automatic ripple effect in bringing in people to generate page traffic. This then leads to Google Hangouts and Huddle.

Unlike Facebook that uses a very plain instant messaging system on the bottom of the screen, the Google social networking site uses its own chat system that works very much like the professionally used and preferred Skype platform. Google Hangouts is generally a chat system that utilizes instant messaging and video chat between individuals and with groups through the aforementioned Google Circles feature. This gets even better with Google Huddle that is mimics Skype’s collaborative group chat sessions. This is a very important feature for online businesses because now they can opt to converse with clients through Google Plus where the client has instant access to basic information of the company on the profile page instead of having to request the client to get on Skype for a business meeting.

Facebook Says Leisure - Google Says Business

The features that the Google social networking site Google Plus are not the only things going for Google Plus. Other major factors affecting its standards as a medium for online businesses also reflect on its structure that contradicts a lot that Facebook had stood for.

A good example to give a clearer picture is how Facebook markets itself using a lot of social interactive activities and video games which utilize in-game currency for companies and users to generate profit but Google Plus goes several steps beyond to feature a more mature, business-oriented platform that is designed right from the start to be a “big boys” kind of social network that is professional in presentation as much as it is in function. Facebook, despite all its success, still presents itself as a hip trend for teenagers and the younger people while the Google social networking site presents itself as a major source for business and entrepreneurship.

Google = Less Clutter

There are still other reasons why the Google social networking site is much better for businesses. It is devoid of all the clutter that ruins Facebook’s interface since you can neatly organize what goes on your Google Stream (which works similarly to the Facebook Wall), you actually have stronger privacy controls like being able to control who can tag you on photos and videos, you have a single site to interact with so you can get Google Plus to chat with business associates and check your email at the same time, you don’t need to worry about SEO strategies because you are using a Google tool the moment you built your profile page and you are completely free of cluttering advertisements that plague other social networks.

Facebook vs. Google+: A Guide to Brand Pages [INFOGRAPHIC] - Pardot Infographic

Embedded from the Pardot Blog

If you investigate the Info-graphic above, you can see that the most popular brands on Google Plus are in fact a world away from what is popular on Facebook.

Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus all have their own thing going with completely different aspects to their structure. Where Facebook is a better medium for interaction with friends and Twitter as a strong means to build quick news updates with thousands of people via Tweets, the Google social networking site Google Plus is a definitive place for online businesses to maximize their online presence and to connect on a relative platform with thousands of clients while retaining all the simplicity and features of a great social network and email system.

About Mitz

My name is Milica Pantic but everyone calls me Mitz. I am addicted to internet marketing and making money online. Who wouldn't want to live that life? I started out with one website as a hobby and now have over 20. Building websites and making money online is not that hard. You have to actually take action to make money...that is the biggest hurdle! :)

62 Comments

  1. Riki

    December 5, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    If I choose, I will choose Facebook, because in my Country especially my friend not many people use Google Plus.
    Riki recently posted..Britax Car Seat

  2. Bryan Ring

    November 29, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    Google plus is very convenient for local business owners like myself. Sure Facebook may get you more traffic initially, but in the long run G+ will benefit your blog or website.

    I mean first, this is a Google product, so which is Google going to index first? Facebook? No! Of course Google will continue to spy on FB to stay ahead of the game, but clearly have a lot of catching up to do.

    You are right, G+ is less cluttered, making a better user experience. Thx Mitz!
    Bryan Ring recently posted..Lawn Care Website Traffic

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  4. Clarkmartin

    November 20, 2012 at 8:35 am

    Excellent and important post. If Facebook is really wanting to battle against Google they have an ally and enemy in Microsoft, and I’m not too sure how long that alliance can hold up. Microsoft has plenty to gain from a long term relationship but has a proven track record of bitter break ups.
    Thanks for share it.
    Clarkmartin recently posted..CEE LO Sexual Assault Accuser Had Long History with Singer

  5. Rieke

    November 6, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Some time ago I would’ve voted for Facebook, but this update they did where you now have to pay to reach all of your “fans” changed things quite a bit. I’m about to try google+ now.

  6. ryan

    November 6, 2012 at 7:53 am

    ts very terrific article to grasp that one is best for Business between Google and & Facebook. I’m 100% agree that Google Has significant Artillery. really Google and is significant than facebook & there also are several fascinating & engaging options than facebook! another issue that “Christina” same in her reply. Facebook show a link as no follow whereas a link is share however Google and doesn’t show a link as no follow. Its an enormous totally different between Google and & facebook.
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  7. ryan

    November 6, 2012 at 7:51 am

    There is little doubt that Google+ is less difficult and appears litter free. On the opposite hand Facebook is full with numerous stuff. I currently pay longer on Google+ than Facebook. That’s an enormous amendment for last 3-4 months on behalf of me.
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  8. ryan

    November 6, 2012 at 7:49 am

    There is little doubt that Google+ is simpler and appears litter free. On the opposite hand Facebook is full with varied stuff. I currently pay longer on Google+ than Facebook. That’s an enormous modification for last 3-4 months on behalf of me.
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    ryan recently posted..Qurbani Appeal 2012

  9. Bram de Haas

    November 4, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Great infographic, I enjoyed it a lot and it was very useful. Liked the wink to the Bing campaing :)
    Bram de Haas recently posted..iPad Mini Case Top 10 updated Sun Nov 4 2012 7:04 am EST

  10. Kristine

    November 2, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    Each platform is unique and versatile in their own way so I would probably direct my marketing campaign in such a way that I would be able to leverage both. Thanks for the highly informative share :)
    Kristine recently posted..Hello world!

  11. Lauren

    November 2, 2012 at 11:22 am

    Hi Mitz,

    Its really wonderful article to know which one is best for Business between Google Plus & Facebook. I’m 100% agree that Google Has Heavy Artillery. Actually Google plus is Heavy than facebook & there are also many interesting & attractive features than facebook! One more thing which “Christina” said in her reply. Facebook show a link as no follow while a link is share but Google Plus doesn’t show a link as no follow. Its a big different between Google Plus & facebook.
    Lauren recently posted..Bayside Water Taxi Miami Beach – BiscaynExpress.Com

  12. Patrice

    October 31, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    Great article and infographic. I like Google+ because photos and videos appear bigger and better. I also like creating circles to better control who sees what. Thanks for sharing.

  13. Jay cutler

    October 31, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    Hi,
    This really nice article. I think Facebook wins the race for popularity,But I would also say that Google well knows how to make the best use of its products and it is very easy to use.
    Thanks for the sharing.

  14. Raghu

    October 31, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I prefer facebook. I get more traffic through it. Google doesn’t provide me with many users

  15. Rinkesh

    October 31, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    Facebook any day, will beat Google. I haven’t seen any one who is addicted Google Plus. BTW, nice comparison.
    Rinkesh recently posted..How To Make Pasta

  16. Kevin

    October 30, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    I’ve registered accounts with all three networks (FB, G+, Twitter) and I have to agree, each one has its own thing going and can be used for different approaches business-wise. Google+ still seems kind of underrated, but I guess this will change in the near future.

  17. Abhishek

    October 29, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Wonderful infographics, Mitz..I have a liking for both FB and Google plus, but I guess FB surely has a upper hand over Google plus and it surely has the benefit that it was introduced earlier. But Google plus has a long way to go..

  18. Richa

    October 29, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Great post Mitz..Loved the infographic.. I would say that the popularity of Facebook is hard to beat and Google plus still haven’t got that popular. But I would also say that Google well knows how to make the best use of its products, so it will be interesting to see how things will turn out in future.

  19. Nishant Srivastava

    October 29, 2012 at 1:14 am

    I think facebook wins the race this time, because google plus is still new and people are not using that much, google plus helps to increase traffic indirectly but facebook gives direct refferals to our products,blogs and websites.
    Nishant Srivastava recently posted..Don’t Irritate People by Cheap Publicity

  20. Jean-Luc

    October 28, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Google is trying to force us to use google plus, but it seems to me that google plus is just an empty village…
    People have it but don’t use it, except for putting a +1 on their own content
    Jean-Luc recently posted..Acquisition de PFO2

  21. Glenn

    October 28, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    Great post, thanks so much for sharing.

    I think most businesses will use a combination of both; however, I can help thinking that Google+ will win the day in the end. After all Google will have the ability to shift the odds in their favor….

    Thanks again for sharing.
    Glenn recently posted..Is Your SEO Copywriting Damaging Your Image?

  22. Anton Firtich

    October 27, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    Google+ is way nicer for business but sadly still pretty much dead compared to facebook
    Anton Firtich recently posted..the manliest breakfast

  23. Rohan Advani

    October 27, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Facebook rocks for us , if we are promoting something , perhaps the audience can be connected well on facebook rather than on Google Plus, still people are not that comfortable using Google + . Facebook is the homepage for many and it does wonders!!!!
    Rohan Advani recently posted..5 Recently-Launched Cars You Can Buy This Diwali

  24. Corey

    October 27, 2012 at 8:07 am

    Both have their merrits. Facebook seems to drive more traffic, but Google+ is necessary to add rich snippets to your blog posts in the search engines which is very handy. I would use both.

  25. AG Infosoft

    October 27, 2012 at 3:23 am

    Google+ is getting better. May be even better than Facebook. It recently got to the 50 million mark in 88 days which Facebook took around 3 years. Even the latest feature of being able to download original full version of user uploaded photos is something uniq among all social networking sites
    AG Infosoft recently posted..Bad Links – How to Tackle this Problem

  26. Teres Speer

    October 26, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    I use both FB and Google+:I came to the same conclusion you have: social vs biz. Hope you have a tutorial on building InfoGraphics…you seem to have everything else I’ve been looking for.Yesterday I was wishing for a Checklist of what to do BEFORE I start a site: and there you were this morning w/ exactly what I’d put out to the Universe last night. Mucho Thx, Chica. I’ve never ‘Followed’ anyone; you are my first. I’m officially a fan.

  27. Amit Chahar

    October 26, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Facebook = Good to engage customers.
    Google = Good to increase search rankings.
    Facebook= Good for customer service.
    Google=Good to organize hangouts in a personal way.
    Overall, I believe both are important in their own way.

  28. Fatima

    October 26, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    I find both Google and Facebook equally beneficial for social networking. You have made quite a good analysis here. Thanks for sharing.

  29. Bia

    October 26, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    I have to say that you write the articles in a very easy way. Google plus comes loud behind and in a few years..who knows? Facebook remain really popular and everyone enjoy.
    Bia recently posted..Tooth Whitener: Bleaching Toothpaste

  30. Chaitanya

    October 26, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Nice post! Thanks for sharing with others.
    I like both g+ and fb but My vote goes to facebook :)
    Chaitanya recently posted..Compare the best domain registrars

  31. akhilendra

    October 25, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    i think google+ is more business oriented, Facebook is more of a social networking site for personal use, so though it is used by businesses, it is still a site for personal use. Google has been focusing a lot on their social network venture and that’s why they have provided really cool tools for businesses. My vote goes to Google+ for business. Thanks for sharing this.
    akhilendra recently posted..Paid Traffic-Is It Worth To Buy Traffic?

  32. Shane Ryans

    October 25, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    I have yet to dive into Google + too much yet, but after seeing this I know I have got to more into it. The infographic is what really hit home.
    Shane Ryans recently posted..Why keyword negatives are important

  33. Matt Hayden

    October 25, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Yes, I think that Google Plus is the better social network for business.

    I joined not so long ago and I’ve found it more elegantly designed than Facebook. I really like the fact that you can categorize your network into circles, then share different types of content with each. (I’ve heard it’s possible to do this with Facebook. But if so, it’s difficult to find out exactly how.)

    And Facebook’s search engine is just pathetic. Finding what you’re looking for on Google Plus is of course much easier.
    Matt Hayden recently posted..Is registering a .au domain a must for a business?

  34. John Mak

    October 25, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    Great article. It is vital to use Google Plus and Facebook for every kind of business. Success comes from networking, communication, connections, quality people, quality services.
    Thanks for sharing.

    John Mak
    Web Publisher – Author
    John Mak recently posted..Is My Computer Vulnerable To Internet Security Threats?

  35. Julian King

    October 25, 2012 at 10:48 am

    From my point of view, there are both useful but totally different. Facebook is more notorious and has way more active users, where Google Plus has a simpler user interface. In addition, taking into account that Google has put a significant weight on the +1, we cannot just overlook G+.
    Julian King recently posted..Adirondack chair plans free

  36. Ravi Singh

    October 25, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Hi,
    You have shared an interesting and informative post. I think that Google plus is better than Facebook because Google plus is social networking sites and Google is search engine. when you click +1 button then you get the one value to that website and search engine count in important of that website. So I think that Google is better than Facebook.

  37. vogupek

    October 25, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Nice infographic.
    Google+ use mostly IT Professional and Facebook Fane Page in every Field.If you Business relate to information technology then focus on Google+ Other Facebook Fan Page is better.
    vogupek recently posted..Weight Lose Tips After having a baby – After Pregnancy Tips

  38. Adam

    October 24, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    I think, facebook is better in doing business and marketing.. Google plus seems like towards that.. It will mature soon when achieve 500 mln user and will evolve to become like facebook..
    Adam recently posted..Berjalan Kaki 5,700km Demi Menunaikan Haji

  39. Pavel

    October 24, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    I completely agree that Google says business and Facebook is more for leisure. In tersm of advertising though, facebook advertising can be very effective for companies targeting teens and tweens, since they are the demographic that uses facebook the most. In terms of setting up company pages though, Google is a lot better because it offers SEO advantages that facebook doesn’t.

  40. Rajkumar Jonnala

    October 24, 2012 at 11:45 am

    Hi mitz,

    Well according to me, i prefer and recommend facebook first for business growth. Although i have experienced the business growth of using social media marketing on facebook.

    And while talking about google plus, its also have some importance as its google product and have search preferences.

    thanks for the informative article.
    Rajkumar Jonnala recently posted..Technical Specs and Review of Samsung Galaxy Note 2

    • mitz

      October 26, 2012 at 6:27 am

      Hi Rajkumar
      I have been using Facebook for a few years now but I can see the potential of Google plus. Thats where we can network with others closely. One problem with Facebook is that there is a lot of spam and non real users. But of course I still use Facebook and probably wont stop either. :)

  41. Robert Koenig

    October 23, 2012 at 11:23 pm

    I like seeing all the important stats broken down into the infographic. It’s still hard to make the call in Google vs. Facebook. It’s probably all dependent upon the kind of business you run.
    Robert Koenig recently posted..Big Rig Crashes on I-5 Stop Traffic

  42. Andrea

    October 23, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Both social media platforms are effective tools and I could not pinpoint which one is better than the other. Why not utilize both? Anyways, thanks for plotting the 2 sides here.

    -Andrea
    Andrea recently posted..blog

  43. Luis

    October 23, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    That infographic really made everything easier to understand, and I have to say it swayed me over to the G+ side. As far is it comes to business. The fact that (in my case) the people I have on G+ actually post meaningful content consistently also gives it a boost in my mind. In the end I think both have their place, but Facebook will always be the giant of social networks.
    Luis recently posted..Benefits of WordPress as CMS

  44. erda

    October 23, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    This article is not great. Firstly as a ‘for business’ article it explains nothing to do with how to present your brand on Google plus vs facebook and seems obsessed with G+ and barely even mentions facebooks features. Also, i think when you said ‘you don’t need to worry about SEO strategies because you are using a Google tool the moment you built your profile page’ it terribly naive. Do you think companies can simply set up a G+ page and expect the SEO strategy to be complete?
    Unbalanced article, no proper comparisons made. Even if G+ was better than Facebook for business (very dubious assumption) it would still have some flaws. One that comes to mind immediately is lack of customers there. Which is a major issue that wasnt discussed at all.

  45. Javi

    October 23, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Facebook has traffic, and a LOT of it! 1 billion people are now on FB – which roughly translates to 1 in every 7 people on earth being on Facebook! For me, FB wins simply due to this!
    Javi recently posted..Adding Images and Videos on Your Blog – A List of Best Practices to Follow

  46. Raina

    October 23, 2012 at 7:22 am

    Love the infographic. Most businesses have a Facebook page, but I think many are missing out on a great opportunity to reach people in a different way by not also having a presence on Google+. I really like the way that once you’re logged into your Google account, you can manage all of your associated accounts easily and seamlessly. Awesome tips on how to make the most of each site and the way people use it.
    Raina recently posted..How Cloud Services Has Affected The Ease of Music Production

  47. Soniya Sharma

    October 23, 2012 at 6:47 am

    Hello, Really its very interesting Post. In my opinion Facebook much better for the promote the business as compared to Google plus. Both are effective. but Facebook is most. Well thanks for sharing with us.

    • Bhushan

      October 23, 2012 at 9:33 am

      I am not so much agree with you on that point.Have you forget that many facebook accounts are fulled with culpable and nasty???
      I also suggest that google plus is more clear and glaring.
      Bhushan recently posted..Inventory Management Software

  48. ryan

    October 23, 2012 at 5:32 am

    I never knew that such a service existed! That sounds like a great help. We have numerous WordPress blogs we maintain, and this will be a wonderful help, especially the backup part. Thanks for the post!
    ryan recently posted..App Empire Review and Discount Rebate Offer

  49. Elena

    October 23, 2012 at 3:56 am

    I really think that Google and Facebook serve different purpose, but no matter how much Facebook tries to become more and more important, it still can not compete with Google. I am not a big fan of Facebook myself. I think because of Facebook virtual communication starts replacing real people’s communication. But I think it’s hard to imagine our lives without Google search any more. Thanks for your article!
    Elena recently posted..Incredibly Funny Church Jokes

  50. Josh McCreery

    October 23, 2012 at 3:37 am

    Google+ and Facebook are two powerful social media networks but for me Facebook wins the battle. I did signed up for a G+ account and used it for a while but the changes (for me) we’re too complicated. When Facebook for me is easy and hassle free. I like the infographics too, it states a lot. Very good post Mitz.

  51. abhishek gupta

    October 22, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    yes it is true that goggle plus is better than facebook due to its style and clearance and i support ur words
    abhishek gupta recently posted..High PR Dofollow CommentLuv blogs List

  52. Maja

    October 22, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Off course there is no alternative of Google + in the field of online business.I think this comparison has raise the real importance of Google +
    Maja recently posted..Massage at Hair Salons

  53. Julia Spencer

    October 22, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Google Plus is really useful and easy in usage. I use it from the very beginning, and I’m much satisfied with it

  54. Steven Jude

    October 22, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Personally, i believe that google plus is more business-oriented than facebook. Thus, if you are interested in making business interactions and/or connections, then google-plus is the way to go.
    Steven Jude recently posted..Sleeping In Style: Luxury Lagos Hotels | What Makes A Hotel “Boutique”? | What To Expect In A Luxury Hotel

  55. Rhett

    October 22, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    There’s some great data in that graphic. In my opinion, facebook’s time is limited. They have yet to prove to the business community that they’re business is worth the investment by investors. Their stock is trading at an all time low. Google has a lot more money and is in the process of building google+ to be one of the easiest and best social networks around. There are some great things coming from google, so stay tuned.
    Rhett recently posted..Google Nexus 7 Tablet Review

  56. Chris Lynn

    October 22, 2012 at 11:43 am

    I don’t think Google Plus is not still a competitor for Face Book but Google is trying it’s best to Elevate Google Plus over Face Book with the help of Google Search.
    Chris Lynn recently posted..Google Disavow Links – Recover from Pengiun update

  57. christina

    October 22, 2012 at 11:10 am

    Hi Mitz,
    its wonderful article to know which one is better & best between Google Plus & facebook for Business. Both are Social Media network & both have different dignity & value in their own ways. well my vote goes to Google plus, yes Google plus is best & effective social media network more than facebok ! I have seen that facebook show no follow link while a link is shared on facebook but it doesn’t show on Google Plus. Google Plus shared link are do follow & its biggest different between both social media network & due to this Google Plus is more effective & valuable than facebook for Business.
    christina recently posted..Fish Jumanji Charters

  58. Bhushan

    October 22, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Hello there,
    Before reading this post i can not analyze that there can be a a different mind to analyze the things like this on internet.yea i converge that google has less disorder then others because is is on the way to make internet world spam free.so there is a less chance deformation.
    Thanks for this showing.I will be helpful for me.
    Bhushan recently posted..Client Management Software

  59. Aasma

    October 22, 2012 at 10:39 am

    There is no doubt that Google+ is more easy and looks clutter free. On the other hand Facebook is full with various stuff. I now spend more time on Google+ than Facebook. That’s a huge change for last 3-4 months for me.
    Aasma recently posted..MLM Software in Noida

  60. Jasmine

    October 22, 2012 at 9:03 am

    Really nice infographic, makes the differences between these two Internet giants a breeze to digest!
    Jasmine recently posted..Web hosting types comparison Infographic (dofollow)

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