Now you can use the social networking sauce of Google FriendConnect without a Google Account. The Google Friend Connect box (like the one at right) is a neat way to see who else frequents the Web sites and blogs you do. If a site has Friend Connect installed, a user can log-in using either their Google account or their Twitter account and other users can see their avatar (photo) and username.
The timing of the Google announcement is interesting seeing that Yahoo just announced Facebook Connect integration with Yahoo! properties that will allow Yahoo! members like Flickr users to send updates of their activities through Facebook (coming in January).
The integration of Twitter and Yahoo! log-in credentials for Google FriendConnect will enhance the reach of FriendConnect, but I really think it comes a little too late to benefit either Google or Twitter (which only has 10% of the followers of Facebook).
Know your Audience
For most tourism Web sites Facebook Fan Boxes are probably a far better option for adding social networking to their blog or Web site, particularly with the massive scale of the Facebook audience (some 350 Million users!). We use Facebook Connect widget on our Web site at Northern Edge Algonquin and don’t provide social networking via Google or Twitter (although we link to our Twitter profile).
It’s important to know your who your ideal audience is and provide social opportunities that match their desires. In terms of Twitter community who frequent this blog, I really like the Twitter box at right from TwitterCounter, which provides one click follow access to folks who stop by. Nifty.
Google’s FriendConnect widget provides links to profiles of site users which is beneficial to followers who become members of sites with Google credentials. By clicking on a users avatar, members of the site can also tweet direct messages to Twitter FriendConnect members (identified with the small blue T logo over the avatar) or send messages to Google and Yahoo! members.
I’m not sure the integration of Twitter with Google’s FriendConnect widget will inspire more uptake in logging into FriendConnect. For that matter, you’ll decide.
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