Google Plus

1. What is a social network.

Most people think that what Facebook, as it is today, is synonmous with a social network.  That is, a social network is nothing more than a place where you post your pictures, update statuses, and communicate with your personal friends.

This is a very narrow and limiting definition of a social network.  Any business that tried to build a 'social network' as defined by these terms would certainly loose to Facebook.  If Facebook is the definition of a social network, you can't out Facebook Facebook.  To win you have to change the definition.  (Or better yet, go back to the definition)

A social network is comprised of two parts.  

1. Social - Who are all these people?  What do they care about?  What do they do?What do they enjoy?  What do they like to tell other people?

2. Network - How are these people connected together? How can they share things important to them to their network?

This definition doesn't inherently necessitate having a 'wall', or photos, or a profile page.  Google won't win by just pumping our a Facebook clone.  It'll take adding things inherit in the definition of a social network, that don't exist today. 

The first step is to 'socialize' all of Google's products.  Here are the products I think have the lowest hanging fruit.  (Each of these could make a really interesting post)

• Android
• Google TV
• Gmail
• Google Music
• Youtube
• Google Calendar
• Google Automobile (I this doesn't exist yet, but it should and will)
• Finally Search

Meanwhile Google could also start socializing the rest of the web.  Imagine if Amazon or Netflix was able to make suggests based on who your friends are.