Google+ is growing like crazy. In fact, it is the fastest growing social network ever. Just as with any other social network, marketers have a lot to learn and do. So we thought we would invest some time into making your life easier. In this post, we've compiled the best content about Google+ from all across the web. Use it to learn how to leverage Google+ for both business and personal uses.
Google+ Vocabulary: Quick Reference Glossary
Stream – the list of messages that is displayed on the Google+ home screen and for each Circle of contacts
Hangout – a platform for group video chatting and collaboration that is used by Google+ members
Circle – the method of organizing connections into groups for more targeted sharing and better privacy
Google Profile – your personal home on Google+, which allows you to share interesting, work experiences, personal information, and much more
Sparks – the magazine of Google+, which bring together information on a topic for easy viewing. Enter a keyword, and see public Google+ posts on that topic.
Chat – a method for sending short messages to other Google+ members who are also signed in to Google+
+1 Button – the equivalent of the Facebook Like button for Google+ and Google Search. A user can +1 an item shared on Google+ as well as a search engine result link returned by a Google search.
Comment – a response to a user's Google+ post
Share – allows you to share a message that someone else created with your followers (similar to a retweet on Twitter)
The Basics
Let's start by checking out this awesome cheat sheet that provides some helpful tips for making the most of Google+:
Google+ vs. Facebook
Should Facebook be worried about Google+? Take a look at this awesome infographic and see for yourself. 
Who is on Google+?
Ever wonder who is actually using Google+? This infographic (larger version here) show that students are major early users, but it also shows many of the companies represented on Google+.
How to Configure Privacy Settings on Google+
Privacy matters, and it's one of the biggest complaints about Facebook. Here is how to control your privacy on Google+.
Google+ Compared to Twitter and Facebook
As a social network, how does Google+ stack up against Facebook and Twitter?
Google+ According to Google
What does Google want you to know about its new social networking platform? Many things, but some of the most important things are included in the following short videos. Give them a look if you want a better understanding of Google+'s features.
The Google+ Project: A Quick Look
The Google+ Project: Sparks
The Google+ Project: Hangouts
Google+ 101
Get a complete walk-through of Google+ with this presentation, which provides detailed information on how to get started with the new social network.
What other awesome Google+ info have you come across on the web that should be included in this post?
Inbound Marketing Blog Feed
cakapniaga 2:19 PM on August 30, 2011
I do believe G+ would be much better than Twitter and Facebook. The real thing about it is seems a natural building in search engine optimization to all webmasters.
John Hammer 4:42 PM on August 30, 2011
Nice job in summarizing this phenomenon I've seen how well Google+ is growing and have been signed up for an invitation for as long as it has been publicly announced. Any insights as to when common folk will get to participate?
New Movement Media 5:08 PM on August 30, 2011
Facebook has made a ton of changes to privacy over the past weeks, all in response to Google+ in my opinion. But it's kind of a too little to late thing. Google+ will eventually pass FB up if they continue to grow at the rate they are going.
Very detailed information here.
Thank you for posting this.
Kate 10:06 PM on August 30, 2011
@John: you can sign up now- no more waiting. ;) https://plus.google.com/up/start/?continue=https://plus.google.com/&type=st&gpcaz=35957967
Glenn Hervieux 4:49 AM on August 31, 2011
@Katie I clicked on your link and just found the same message re: that invites have exceeded capacity and that Google+ is coming soon. It's weird that it's membership is still growing like crazy, but I haven't a clue how people are joining, unless invites are still actually working.
Lão Còi 6:35 AM on August 31, 2011
Thank for your post.
Demond 10:05 AM on August 31, 2011
This is an easy move for Google. They already have an informal social network. Facebook has a lot more to do to become Google however, Google only has to repackage their current app offering, which is Google+.
GREAT Post!!!!!
Iwona Lach 11:08 AM on August 31, 2011
I read all these updates for over a month now but still not able to sign up. Is Google going to announce when it will be widely available?
Salvatore 3:35 PM on August 31, 2011
Very detailed and informative, thanks for sharing. It's still too early to tell who is really going to win since G+ is in beta and not open to the public. I personally have been enjoying Google+ a lot and find myself on there more now then I'm on Facebook or Twitter. BTW @Iwona Lack, I've got some invites in case you want to get into G+ and check it out.
Nancy Bain 7:27 PM on August 31, 2011
Thanks for sharing my presentation! I love the infographics, great article!
Glenn Hervieux 10:24 PM on August 31, 2011
@Salvatore - I'd take an invitation if you could spare an invite. I'm rolling out Google Apps in our high school district and would love to see how we could use it to encourage communication, collaboration, and community. Gotta' love Google!
Mary Wang 2:28 PM on September 01, 2011
The comparison of Facebook, Twitter and Google+ is very informative and up-to-date. Thanks for the great article!
Salvatore 2:55 PM on September 01, 2011
@Glenn Hervieux I'd be happy to send one as I've got more than 100 left. If you want, go ahead and click on my name and that will take you to my G+ profile page. On there under my main picture you'll see a link that say email me. Go ahead and send me the email that you want the invite to go to. If you already have a gmail account it's probably good to use that one, otherwise, any email you use now is okay.
Collins Denny 12:43 PM on September 05, 2011
In reference to Google+ Compared to Twitter and Facebook section of this blog post, there are three features of Twitter, not mentioned and extremely useful. These are the use of a hashtag for streaming content, use of saved searches and the List feature.
These features are more beneficial on Twitter because Google+ still lacks the critical mass to compete in these areas.
• I've used hashtags to follow time-sensitive content such as breaking news, i.e. #earthquake (in Virginia) or #MermaidDawn (uprising in Lybia).
• I've used saved searches to create a number of streams (similar to Google+) that in some cases search based on hashtags and in other cases, raw content.
• Finally, I've used Twitter Lists to follow content from topics of interest. Because Lists follow people, as opposed to subject-matter, Lists are great for filtering content of the stream on Twitter, much like the Circle on Google+.
I'm sure that once Google+ does achieve a significantly larger user-base of active participants, likely after it is no longer in beta, this competitive advantage on twitter will erode. I'm also pretty sure Twitter will continue to evolve to protect some of its advantage in this area too.
As for Facebook, I don't see any competitive advantage in areas addressed by my comments.
@CollinsDenny
Aumterre 6:22 PM on September 06, 2011
Very good article and great visual presentation of the details. Thanks!
Greg Smith 11:21 PM on September 07, 2011
Everyone says G+ is growing, but not in my circles ... yet. Maybe it's an Aussie thing.
Darlene Hull 8:19 AM on September 08, 2011
Wow, great collection of facts and tips. Saving it now to go through later. Well done!
MR Easy 11:30 AM on September 08, 2011
Good post suggest it would be better with a more global perspective on users and stats but otherwise an excellent article
Holil 6:49 PM on September 08, 2011
Cool hearing its
Graphixter Media 4:14 AM on September 12, 2011
A detailed informative sharing... Thanks.