How very disappointing. I received several invitations to join Google + this week and went to accept them, just to find out that you can’t use Google + with Google Apps!
The reason I can’t access Google + with my Google Apps account? Google does not allow Google Apps accounts too….
What does this mean – it means to access Google Plus, I have to create a ‘standard’ Google account and when I want to go ‘play’ on Google Plus, logout of my ‘business’ profile and log in to my standard profile. Given the amount of time I spend on my Google business account, this is just not going to work well.
Although your transitioned Google Apps account is very similar to standard Google Accounts, it’s slightly different because your administrator can manage it. The added level of management can cause complications for the products mentioned above, so they have been disabled while we investigate further.
Google have recently transitioned my Google Apps accounts, and are still transitioning some of my client accounts, and given us the ability to access Picasa, Blogger and Youtube – which is great. However, you can’t access:
- Buzz
- Profiles
- Google Plus
Which is really quite interesting – when you consider the amount of focus that Social Media Marketing has from businesses. In a world where it’s becoming more important for a business to have a visible ‘social media’ presence and Google + is supposedly trying to become the next BIG thing in Social Media – you would think that targeting businesses and letting businesses (and their employees) use an EXISTING google apps account to access Google Plus would be a relatively high priority.
According to Computer World, on July 8th, 2011 Google have acknowledged the shortfall and has acknowledged the need for a ‘business version’ of Google +.
Google Developer, Christian Oestlien, writes in a blog post (which, ironically, requires Google + registration):
we know our product as it stands is not optimally suited to their needs. In fact, it was kind of an awkward moment for us when we asked Ford [Motor Co.] for his (or was it her?) gender!
Approximately one week later, Google shared Christian Oestlien announced that Google will be running tests with a small group of businesses and brands, indicating that Google understands the impact of Google + and business.
However, Oestlien goes on to state:
Please note that we are still actively closing profiles that are being used by businesses today. Stay engaged on Google+ with your personal account and continue to send us your excellent feedback. We’ll continue to be very proactive in communicating with everyone around our plans for businesses.
So even if you manage to setup a ‘business’ account on Google +, by creating a ‘standard’ google account, you’re Google + account is likely to be taken down.
I get the issues with setting up Google + for business accounts but what about those of us, who have a Google Apps account and want to setup a ‘personal’ profile? Why are we being excluded? It just isn’t right… Most Google Apps users are major Google supporters, and according to the numerous threads on the Google Help Forum – many purport to be early adopters of new technology. One thread can be viewed here….
What does it mean to Google Apps Users? If someone invites you to join Google +, you’ll have to ask them to invite you using a ‘non Google apps’ email account – how bizarre is that?
Want to invite me to join you on Google + ? Please use charly.leetham (at) gmail.com for now! Hopefully, in the fullness of time, I’ll be able to transition everything to one account…..
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