Google Plus, Blocking Facebook Ads and Twitter Basics #FridayFinds

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Is Google+ part of your social media strategy? Should it be? How are you dealing with Facebook ads? Have you reached the point where you want to install an ad blocker? This week in my #FridayFinds post, I share articles that address these issues and my final share is a link to a beginner’s guide for using Twitter.

Is Google Plus Part of Your Social Media Strategy?

We’ve talked about this one before and I believe the general consensus is that serious bloggers need to have a presence on Google+ and we need to set up Google Authorship. (Some bloggers are also installing the Google Plus Commenting system but I’m not convinced on that one yet.)

This week, Tom Jamieson (@tomjamieson_) asks the question Is Google Plus Social Media Stock Rising? Some of the points that Tom raises are:

  • The massive amount of fake accounts and automated tweets on Twitter.
  • The fact that Google+ is the 2nd most popular social networking site after Facebook (which is starting to raise serious privacy concerns with their “related stories”).
  • Google has integrated search results, blog authorship and local pages into Google Plus.

What are your thoughts? Are you trying to use Google Plus more strategically?

Do You Find Facebook Ads Annoying?

Well, I don’t know of anyone who enjoys looking at their Facebook page and seeing all sorts of paid for ads. The final straw for me came this week when I saw a GoDaddy ad prominently displaying in my News Feed. (Thank goodness for FB lists but if I haven’t added you to one of my lists, chances are good that I won’t see your updates.)

Just as I reached the end of my patience, I came across How To Block Facebook Ads From All Browsers by Amrik Virdi (@techmoody). Now, Adblock is not a new tool to me but it is one that I was no longer using (simply because I had replaced my computer and hadn’t installed it). I’ve installed it now and I’m noticing a huge difference on FB. I’m no longer seeing ads from brands that I haven’t liked.

In addition to Adblock and Adblock Plus, Amit also highlights Social Fixer, Facebook Adblock (Chrome) and Facebook Adless (Opera).

How Do You Get Started With Twitter?

If you’re not already on Twitter or you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by it, check out How to Twitter: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide for Using Twitter by DJ Thistle (@djthistle).  There are plenty of resources on Twitter but in this one article, DJ covers:

  • What Twitter is
  • Creating a Twitter Account
  • Setting up Your Profile
  • Retweets, DMs and #Hashtags
  • TweetChats
  • Twitter Tools (including HootSuite, Buffer, Tweetdeck, FollowerWonk, Bit.ly, and Twitter Feed)

DJ has written a well thought out article with lots of screenshots and even those of us who are experienced in Twitter may benefit from reading it. For example, one of the links he includes is a tutorial on creating a customized background for your Twitter account.

Over To You

Do you see a bright future for Google+? If you’re already on Google Plus, how do you compare your recent activity to 3-months ago? Are you using an ad blocker on your web browser(s)? Which one one do you recommend? DJ Thistle’s post included some of the more popular Twitter tools. Do you have any favorites? (The Twitter tool that I use that was missing from his list is Dlvr.It. I started with the free version and have since upgraded to a premium plan.)

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Author: Sherryl Perry

Welcome! If you're looking for help building an Internet presence that fits your needs and works for you, you're in the right place. I blog common sense articles about WordPress, social media and SEO. My goal is to help small business owners and entrepreneurs understand their core business. Together, we can develop and implement business strategies that make sense to you.

29 thoughts on “Google Plus, Blocking Facebook Ads and Twitter Basics #FridayFinds”

  2. Hi Sheryl, long time no see. I found this content interesting so thought I would add my two cents. I have been doing a bit of facebook negativity lately so thought this anti-ad software was apt. I have not been a big fan in general and the advertising has been killing me. Thanks for highlighting this. I also read DJ’s post on Twitter a while back and wished I had seen it back when I was starting
    see you again soon
    ashley
    Ashley F recently posted..Facebook is Dead – Long live social mediaMy Profile

  3. Sherry I was able to of Facebook ads, they were annoying. I haven’t seen much happening from Facebook but I am still working on it.

    As for Google Plus the jury is still out on that. I think I need to go back and work on my Google +. I started working on it several months ago and really forgot about. I am glad I saw your post. Back to the drawing board
    Arleen recently posted..How Agility Training Has Helped Me Overcome Business ObstaclesMy Profile

    1. Arleen,
      Last week, Facebook announced more changes to their data use policies. Some of what they’ve posted pertains to expanding its use of facial recognition and other verbiage addresses the information third-party apps have access to. I’m getting increasingly cautious about what I do there.

      I’m using Google+ to build mutually beneficial relationships with other bloggers. I really haven’t researched how companies are using Google+ to communicate their brand message. If I see something along those lines, I’ll try to include it in a future #FridayFinds.
      Sherryl Perry recently posted..Friday Finds: Mobile Website Design, Facebook Contest Rules and EdgeRankMy Profile

  5. Sherry. I’m delighted to have managed to get rid of Facebook ads. Thank you so much.

    As for Google Plus we agree firmly on the importance of it. Catch is it’s not as lively and engaging as Linkedin or Facebook. Maybe Google could do something to make it more exciting?:-)
    Catarina recently posted..What’s your strategy?My Profile

    1. You’re welcome Catarina. As soon as I Amrik’s article, I new it was going to make it to my #FridayFinds.

      I think a lot of us are trying to grow our Google circles slowly. One of the reasons that I spend a lot less time on it than Twitter is it takes longer to really interact thoughtfully. I’m certainly approaching it more strategically than I approached Facebook.

  6. I’ve only started REALLY using google plus recently, and I’m warming up to it slowly. I will definitely continue to use it to help promote my sites, but I haven’t figured out how to best utilize it yet. It still seems like a bit of the Wild West, do you think! I like that you can “mute” people you want to keep in your circles without actually deleting them. Wish I could do tat on twitter. I still use twitter too by the way, but I’m using it less now that I’m focusing on google pus.
    Heather fonseca recently posted..Fashion Sketches – Three Ways to Wear a Tulle SkirtMy Profile

  7. It seems like Facebook is constantly pushing more ads. I don’t even use it that much anymore because of all the ads. I understand the need to make money and pay for it, but enough is enough.

    Ads are everywhere though. Some other sites have so many that I end up leaving and looking elsewhere for what I am after. I hate it when I want to watch a 30 to 60 second news video, but before I can do so I have to watch a 30 second advertisement.

    I do use a slightly different approach to blocking ads with a windows host file. It works fairly decent, but you have to keep it updated otherwise eventually new ad types are not blocked.
    Ray recently posted..Use WordPress on Your Computer Fast with LocalWPMy Profile

    1. Windows host file . . . I haven’t heard that mentioned in a while Ray. I had even forgotten about AdBlock – which is working well for me (the Plus version) but I did see it taking a few seconds to load this morning.

      Someone (possibly you) mentioned using OneTab for Chrome. I still haven’t tried it out but anytime I grumble to myself about my computer loading slowly, I realize how many tabs I have open. 🙂
      Sherryl Perry recently posted..Top 10 of the Most Interesting New TechnologiesMy Profile

  8. I use the ADblock plus addon on firefox , it works really well .And talking about Google+ Authorship , i feel that every blogger should setup the authorship for their blogs as it gives an edge over other search results(that excludes author image) as there are more chances that the permalink with image will get clicked and people can easily add the author to their circles.Thanks for sharing the information

    -Pramod

  9. I use AdBlock on my Google Chrome browser, and I love it!

    I have been on Google+ for a few months, but visit it as much as I visit Facebook….about once a week. However, I like both. I’ve been focussing on Twitter lately. I seem to use my social media accounts in spurts. I don’t really have a strategy for using them, but I think I should develop one.
    Lorraine Reguly recently posted..My First Contest, The Dark Night (A Poem, with an analysis), and a Few Resources For PoetsMy Profile

    1. Lorraine,
      I believe a good social media strategy includes building recognition online and you have a good start at that. (I know we’re connected online on most of the major social networking sites.)

      To me, Twitter is the easiest of the social networking sites to use. (For one thing, it cuts down on how much you can write!) One of the reasons that I shared DJ’s post is that with a little automation, you can drive a significant amount of traffic to your site with a minimal effort. For example, you can automatically tweet content for bloggers who you trust. (I first used Twitterfeed and then graduated to Dlvr.It for this.) You can also schedule content sharing using apps like Hootsuite and BufferApp. Once you get into a routine with those, you will probably have more time to spend on Google+. (I know you’re already active on LinkedIn too.)

      Thanks for dropping by and adding to the conversation. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
      Sherryl Perry recently posted..2 Steps to Stalking the Popular Kids and Getting More TrafficMy Profile

  10. Hi Sherryl,

    GooglePlus seems to be more and more for business so a presence there is more than necessary.
    As time goes by Google authorship becomes more and more important. I tried to set Google authorship for my blog but I failed. I tried to set it with some lines of code and not with a plugin.
    In the beginning I thought I succeeded (with a WordPress function). Then I realized that function was deprecated and the future version of WordPress may eliminate it. I found the alternative function but it was too difficult for me to use it.
    I think I will try your solution. Another plugin! I have 15 already installed.

    Have a nice day
    Silviu recently posted..How to Upload a Powerpoint Presentation to SlideshareMy Profile

    1. I feel the same way about plugins as you do Silviu but sometimes they’re a necessary evil. I’ve had authorship set up for a while. I think the first time I tried it was without a plugin and this solution just seemed so simple that I went with it. Good luck with it. I hope it goes as smoothly for you as it did for me.

  11. Hi Amrik,
    Thanks for dropping by. Your article came at the perfect time. I was really riled at seeing GoDaddy’s ad in my News Feed and I had just totally forgotten about AdBlock. I like sharing posts in my #FridayFinds that are from bloggers who may be new to my readers. It’s good to expand our horizons! 🙂 I’ll keep an eye out for new posts from you.
    Sherryl Perry recently posted..Social Media Snapshot Men vs Women (#Infographic)My Profile

  12. I never tire of reading others take on the “how to’s” of things. The tweeter post was no exception. They are great reminders of what needs to be done and why.

    Google+ is here to stay, how it will evolve o accommodate the challenges this growth causes will be interesting to watch.

    I have yet to crack the code on Facebook so this stuff is interesting. The tip on Adblock is great so i’ll be taking a look at that.
    Susan Cooper recently posted..Homemade Baking Mix: RecipeMy Profile

    1. Hi Susan,
      Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed DJ’s Twitter guide. I thought it was really well done and could be used as a resource even by people who have been tweeting for a while.

      I agree with you about Google+. I plan on working on my circles this weekend. I don’t believe I’m connected with nearly as many people who I thought I was!

  13. Hi Sherryl,
    *Google+ is a big part of my media strategy originally for author authority. There are wonderful group one can join on G+ as well.
    *I don’t use an ad block although your post piqued my curiosity to do so.
    *Buffer is still my Twitter management tool of choice – I love Buffer’s simplicity.
    Catherine Lockey recently posted..Why Social Media Writers are in DemandMy Profile

    1. Catherine,
      I just +1’d your post about social media writers and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t circled you yet! I thought for sure I had. This will be one of my “assignements” over the weekend. 🙂

      I love Buffer too. I open Twitter, Buffer and Triberr a few times a day. I fill up my Buffer queue (I’m still on the free plan) and then let it go. The built-in analytics are insightful.
      Sherryl Perry recently posted..Friday Finds: LinkedIn Profiles, Google Spam Updates and Google CommentingMy Profile

  14. Sherryl, thanks for the shout out and link! I have to say, in answer to your question, I am MUCH more active on G+ now than I was 3 months ago, and with the addition of integrated search results, blog authorship, and local pages, they have seem to added an additional level of authenticity for users as opposed to all the fake profiles we see on FB and Twitter. Have a great day!

  15. Sherryl — I look forward to your Friday Finds because I learn so much new. I’ve upped my activity on Google+ but not nearly enough as I should. I recognized from the beginning that Google was in for the long haul and that participation would improve my search results. When the biggest guy in town starts something, you better be on board.

    Facebook confounds me. I only have a presence there by reposting other people’s content and for my blog posts. But they keep changing things so it’s hard to keep up. Thanks for the tip about Adblock which I’ll install.

    I think over time that Facebook will be primarily for personal use (I see how much my nieces and nephews use it and it’s a great way for them to keep in touch). But business users over time will migrate to Google+.
    Jeannette Paladino recently posted..6 Ways to “Brand” Yourself to Success Even if You’re Just Starting OutMy Profile

    1. Hi Jeannette,
      Thanks for letting me know that you enjoy my #FridayFinds. I’m trying to get some other things launched and recently I’ve only been posting this one article a week. We’ll see how it goes. I don’t think Friday is the best day to post but I’m still hoping it will catch on.

      I had forgotten about Adblock but it seems to be working well for me. Facebook has been getting very annoying lately. I use it about the same way you do and I also keep in touch with a few friends and family (who don’t connect online any other way).

      The thing about FB is that I’ve been to events where friends, family and acquaintances have mentioned how much they appreciate the posts that I share, Some of them read my blog too. At first I was surprised by this but then I realized that many of them were trying to make money online or were interested in keeping up on technology. Whatever the reason is, I’ve actually been hired before because I’ve built top-of-mind awareness on FB. Who would have guessed? 🙂

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