Because photos have been an emphasis of Google+ since it's inception, the social network is not just great for content writers, but Google+ is also great for photo sharing. Here's why I've found it to be the best photo sharing website for me.Over the course of the last 18 months I have accumulated over 320,000 Google+ followers. This means that I look through the social media lens a little bit different than others. Engagement is very important for me, but we must remember that engagement can come in many different ways. In my early days of Google+ I assumed engagement was only comments and reshares. I discounted +1s because it was too easy for a user to hit a button and move on without even reading or consuming the content. As I have seen my following grow I have realized that not everyone has the time to sit on a social network and type out a 250 word response to an article. Heck, some people don't even have time to sit and read the article. Here is what I have witnessed.
Social Media Users Are Busy
While I have the opportunity to consume Google+ content for multiple hours out of the day most users do not. Some of my largest periods of engagement are between 7 and 8 pm during weeknights and during the day on the weekends. This tells me users are hoping on Google+ very quickly just to see what is going on. I have completed some experiments and found that beautiful pictures work best during these times. I think it is safe to say that most people are consuming the content on their smartphones or tablets. They want to see a beautiful HDR picture rather than a 1000 word article.When using the Google+ image stats feature I have experienced higher levels of views during these "non peak" business hours. There is little argument to be made that 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday is when I get the most interaction when it comes to article shares and discussion topics. This is a different level of engagement as I get few +1s and more shares and comments. Once again, remember that engagement can be different for different users.
While my sample size is small at just 300,000 followers it is much larger than some of my friends that jump on Google+ every once in awhile. These friends do not get the 150 to 200 +1s on a photo or picture the way I do. What they get is a deeper level of engagement on a personal level. One is not necessarily better than the other. As I have said for quite some time now, use Google+ the way you want to. If you want to share pictures and accumulate +1s, do so. If you want to build relationships and have conversation, do so. If you want to make it your business network, be my guest!
Photo Sharing on Google+ is Clockwork
As an Android user I am exposed to some of the early adjustments that Google+ makes on the mobile app. Every iteration has helped with picture sharing. I think anyone that has followed the proliferation of social media knew that Google was going to integrate Snapseed into Google+. When this happened I was in Heaven. Not only can you filter a photo you take with your phone but you can filter screenshots as well. This is gold.When I take an amazing picture of the UNC campus or the North Carolina coast the first thing I think to do is to share to Google+. I have no desire to share to Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter. Google+ makes it easy for me. Google+ also offers the highest level of engagement even if it is in the form of short comments and 150 +1s. Showing the world some of the more beautiful sights my eyes get to see is a meaningful part of my day. The fact that Google+ cares about their users and wants to make this experience better puts a smile on my face. That's a plus.
What has been your experience with photo sharing on Google+?