Google, Stick to Productivity and Not Social Networking
Google 
is the search giant. We know this. They also have a slew of productivity tools that help with email, writing, calculating, translations, analytics, RSS feeds, etc. Their productivity offerings are just as good as their search offering. Simply put, they're good.
However, Google has had two attempts at social media -- Google Buzz and Google Wave. Now, it could be argued that Google Wave is a productivity tool, but in my opinion, it's a social application for groups, business teams, friends and family. It makes communicating happen in real-time and social. Thus, I categorized it as "social media."
Despite Google's triumph in the search and productivity areas, their social media stuff has failed. Big time.
While Buzz is still kicking around, Google Wave has been read its last rites. It's toast. See ya. Goodbye. Nice to know you.
The question is, if Google is so awesome at search and productivity, why are they so bad with social media?
Well, that's a question I don't have an answer, however, I can take a few guesses (and make some gross assumptions):
- Google is late to the game, and they've yet to create a social service that is unlike anything else. Yes, Wave is "different," but it honestly is a mash-up of other collaboration tools. For Google to succeed in social media, they need a shiny new toy that's "oh my frickin' god" awesome. It has to be Twitter in 2007 or Facebook back in its college years.
- They might not have the right people in place to create a social offering. There are reports of people coming and going in the tech space all the time, but you rarely hear any talent acquisitions by Google that make you say, "Geez, they are up to SOMETHING big in social media" (other than hiring folks to dive into the online music space). Continued on the next page
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