Google updated the Google+ app, and there was much rejoicing.
UPDATE: iOS App update released 8/16 at 6:15pm EST. The update did not include Page switching.
For social media marketers who manage multiple client accounts, and for businesses that have one or more Google+ Business Pages, today’s a good day. Google has released an update to both Android and iOS that brings much-needed ease to the management of Google+ Pages. (iOS app update still pending)
Previously, users would have to actually log out of the app and log back in to select a Page to manage. Once finished, they’d have to log out and log back in again to return to their personal account. To say this was inconvenient would be an understatement. Most people simply chose not to do it. Most would only manage their Google+ Page(s) via desktop. While some, like myself, might have a second device, like an iPad, that’s always logged into their main Google+ Page.
Google+ Page and Account Switching
Today’s update brings a couple of key changes to account and Page access, along with a slew of other improvements. Now, any Google+ Pages that you manage with your account will be accessible at all times via the slide out menu. And if you have multiple Google+ accounts, you can easily switch accounts with a tap, just like you can switch accounts easily on a desktop browser.
The Google+ Pages that are available does depend on which pages you have access to manage with that account. If you have multiple Google+ accounts and different Pages associated with each account, you will still need to switch back and forth between accounts to get to specific Pages, but at least account switching is now easier.
Additional Updates
Google Apps for Business
Now, Google+ is fully integrated with Google Apps for Business users. This means that if your administrator has enabled Google+, you can now share content with your circle or with your organization. You’ll also be able to tell if another Google+ user is part of your domain.
Google Drive Photos & Videos
If you’re putting photos or videos into Google Drive, you can now view and share them from Google+ (on Android, and the web). Drive photos will also get enhanced and awesome’d automatically just like photos uploaded to Google+. You can also edit the photos using the built-in editing tools.
Location Sharing
Starting today you can share your pinpoint or city-level location with others (if you want), and you can do so on a circle-by-circle basis. For example: you can share your pinpoint location with family, and your city-level location with co-workers. You can also use circles to filter who appears on your “Locations” map.
These shares would all occur simultaneously, so you have fine-grained control over who can see exactly where you’re at.
Messenger vs. Hangouts
Since Hangouts provides messaging and video calls across Android, iOS and the web, Messenger is being completely removed from the Google+ mobile apps. If you want to download all of your Messenger conversations (including text and photos), you can do so using Google Takeout.
Comment Cards
Now, when viewing posts in the stream, the appearance of comments on posts has changed. Each comment includes a thumbnail profile pic from the commenter and more of their text (approximately two lines). Additionally, you can swipe comments to the right to reveal each subsequent comment. At the end, you will reveal a tally of all comments, or can swipe left to go back through comments. At any point, you can tap on a specific comment to open the post and jump to that comment.
It has also been noted that you can now swipe left to reveal the Notifications pane, and swipe to the right to reveal the left menu. If additional changes are found, this post will be updated.
Thanks to +Virgil Dobjanschi for sharing the big news.
If you have any questions at all about Google+, the mobile app, or using Google+ to promote your business, please contact me.
[iOS Link] [Android Link]