Google+ branded pages stalled until end of year

By By Wenlei Ma | 23 August 2011
 

Google+ branded pages have been delayed until the end of the year due to high demand from brands trying to jump onto the beta testing stage.

AdNews understands Google was initially set to roll out beta testing for Google+ branded pages at the end of September and invited brands to apply for a spot. Due to high demand from brands, Google has delayed the introduction of branded pages.

An official post from Google+ product manager Christian Oestlien said the branded pages will be running in the next few months. Industry sources have said Google+ will make branded pages available to all businesses at the end of the year.

Google+ branded pages will challenge Facebook's dominance in the social media space. Expectations around what brands will be able to do with the Google+ platform are high with sophisticated search, analytics and customisation tools expected.

Facebook finally launched Check In Deals in Australia last week, nine months after its release in the United States. Check In Deals allows brands to offer users special deals when they "check in" to a brand's page on their mobile when they are nearby.

Oestlien said in his post: "With so many qualified candidates expressing intense interest in business profiles, we've been thinking hard about how to handle this process. Your enthusiasm obligates us to do more to get businesses involved in Google+ in the right way, and we have to do it faster.

"As a result, we have refocussed a few priorities and we expect to have an initial version of businesses profiles up and running for everyone in the next few months."

When Google+ first launched, Google discouraged brands and companies from setting up a profile page, promising them a more suitable product to be rolled-out.

Oestlien posted: "How users communicate with each other is different from how they communicate with brands, and we want to create an optimal experience for both."

Since launching at the end of June, Google+ has reportedly amassed over 25 million users.

Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at wenleima@yaffa.com.au

Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au

Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.

comments powered by Disqus