Google Buzz – a new social networking product integrated into Google’s GMail email software – was released to the general public a couple of weeks ago.  My GMail has only recently been ‘buzzed’ so I’ve sort of been watching to see what others have had to say.  After the major disappointment of Google wave, it seems Google has tried a little harder this time.  But maybe not hard enough.

Launch Video

If you haven’t seen it, Google’s launch videos are always well worth watching – go on, it’s just two minutes:

Off to a Bad Start

It seems Buzz got off to a bit of a bad start, as it automatically adds everyone who is one of your Google contacts as a Buzz ‘follower’ – to the outrage of those who found that a violation of privacy rights.  Indeed, it did expose your contacts to anyone else who was following you on Buzz.  You can control all that now, though I find it very odd how it chose only two people out of my contacts to follow (even though there are three images, including one strangely anonymous face).

What Google Buzz Means for You

Well, it certainly seems like a good idea on the surface.  I like the easy and simple integration with other Google tools and services, as well as an understandable interface (which was my biggest complaint about Wave).

The problem is if you don’t use GMail, then you need to start to in order to use Buzz.  If you love Gmail, then check out Buzz – it might be the solution you were looking for to pull together your social networking activities.

But, if you are a hardcore Gmail user and use any of the advanced filing and organisation functionality in Gmail to process your workflow, Buzz will probably become quite annoying quite fast.  Don’t be afraid to turn it off if it’s breaking your flow.

Also, if you’re a hardcore Facebook fan, you’ll be disappointed to note that Facebook integration is not included, nor do I suspect it will be anytime soon:   Google is trying to challenge Facebook’s marketplace dominance, so these guys probably aren’t playing nice together.  I could be wrong.

Isn’t This a Marketer’s Dream?

If you noticed, the tool allows you to actually send a status update into someone’s Gmail Inbox, “so they don’t miss it.” I can see the sleazy internet marketers salivating at the opportunity to send their ‘must have’ special offers this way, using the tool to spam everyone they can with their unwanted newsflashes and updates.

It might sound like a marketing dream on the surface, to me it just sounds like spam.

Why I Won’t Be Using It

I’ve had a good look around Buzz, and tried a few things out, but it’s not for me.  For one, GMail is not my primary email client.  I’ve wanted to transition to it, but it hasn’t gotten high enough on my priority list.  Someday.

Also, I have my social networking profiles setup the way I want, so that certain notifications do reach my Inbox and others don’t.  I get an inordinate amount of email, and to have everyone I’ve ever followed the ability to shove recent update or message into my mailbox is totally unwelcome.  Sometimes filters are there for a reason.

If You’re Scanning This and Just Want the Bottom Line, Read Here:

Bottom Line:  Buzz seems kind of cool, but you’ll either love it or hate it.  A lot of it depends on how you use GMail (or don’t).  Check it out and decide for yourself.  But don’t use it to spam people.

To Learn More

For more resources to make your small business efficient online, be sure to visit our resources by topic pages.  They’re both popular and useful – you never know what you might find, such as our TOP Travel Business Toolkit: it can tame any unwieldy business situation, even if your GMail has been buzz’ed.