Lengthy Official Google+ Survey Tests Users Knowledge On Features & Privacy
A “7-minute survey” released by Google polls users for their thoughts on the social network and asks some odd exam-like questions about the site’s funcationality. When running through the survey, it seemed that Google was quite concerned with two things: if users understood the privacy aspects of Google+, and if users understood how exactly Google+ […]
A “7-minute survey” released by Google polls users for their thoughts on the social network and asks some odd exam-like questions about the site’s funcationality. When running through the survey, it seemed that Google was quite concerned with two things: if users understood the privacy aspects of Google+, and if users understood how exactly Google+ worked. Many questions did question user sentiment on functionality & features, but an equal amount look like questions ripped from a Google+ final exam. Most of these test-like questions came in regards to sharing aspects – circles, blocking users, post visibility and profile info.
Circle Questions
One of the most interesting sections was the questions regarding Google Circles. The real differentiation from Facebook (at least initially) was the ability for Google+ users to share with only those they wanted to with Circles. However, from the questions in the poll it seems that Google isn’t sure if users actually understand the concept of Circles and what they support:
After polling users on Circles, Google questions Extended Circles and notifications options:
The questions then become very exam-like:
Can Google+ Be Creepy?
I personally thought the Google+ TV commercial was sort of creepy and why you might not want to use the service:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVf3UaZePC8[/youtube]
Some of some of the questions in this poll address the “creepiness factor” of Circles on Google+:
Google also asks how exactly users feel when they find out that someone is following them on Google+ and how uncomfortable it makes them feel:
Do Users Understand Profiles?
Another area that jumped out to me where the questions about profiles on Google+.
When first launched, Google+ was very strict that real names were required. Since they softened their stance on real name. This question specifically addressed the name issue:
Another question polls users on how exactly profiles work:
This survey hints that Google is worried that Google+ may be too complex for some users and that privacy options are too difficult to understand. Instead of typical questions that poll satisfaction, these questions come off like a Google+ test and may help shape future functionality for the social network.
To take the survey yourself, allocate 7-minutes to burn, take the test, and add additional comments on this thread.
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