Facebook: Facebook are clearly keen to show they’ve earned their highly-reputable status in this first section, presenting the user with a very pleasing profile from the get-go. The profile can be easily accessed from the homepage, both through clicking on picture or name. It is also very clear whose profile you’re on, with two large pictures and a clear name on the profile page. However, some images posted as comments are arguably too large, yet the collage effect created when posting multiple images was considerably more pleasing. Some most recent activity, such as new friends made, is scattered down the page, meaning finding friends’ information is difficult. These minor issues are overshadowed by the impressive commenting system (posting anything from images to videos to web links), the simplicity in customising key features (e.g. profile picture and information), and the overall look of the page.
Google+: Google+ enters the round with an equally pleasing profile page, customisable profile picture and cover photo - seems like they might have learnt from the master in this aspect! After a little bit of trouble, access to the profile is found through the sliding menu, not quite as simple as Facebook’s navigation. However, once there, it’s a treat for the eyes, with an uncluttered clean layout, making comments very easy to find. The information about the user is given under an 'About' heading, which makes it slightly harder to find than that of Facebook. Commenting on others’ pages is also more limited than Facebook’s rich media content facility and editing of your own profile is definitely more difficult than Facebook. This newbie puts up an impressive fight in our first round, but can it survive another two rounds against the king of social media?
Profile Score: Facebook 89% v 83% Google+This first round has proven that both social networking sites are taking this heat seriously, as strikingly similar profile headers were presented to users. It was a close call, Facebook and Google+ both receiving very high scores, but it was Google+ that fell short owing to its less effective user experience. Perhaps this underdog has a bit more to learn from our social network master?
Round Two - Interaction
Facebook: Facebook sets the example for Google+, ensuring that their advanced commenting system is intuitive and kept above the fold, allowing users to post all sorts of rich media. The message and chat functions are simple to find, making all those 'too juicy for public' conversations easy for users to have. The message and chat systems use emoticons and group message facilities, with a further option to appear offline if desired. The option to delete parts of, or entire conversations is also given, meaning users can now successfully wipe out all evidence of that embarrassing night out. The 'like' function on comments provides a quick way to show appreciation of a post, reposting or sharing others’ comments is also made very easy. The notification system is pleasing, not at all intrusive, yet it still makes it obvious that something is waiting to be seen. Activity on apps is easily shared with others - 'I’ve just played Candy Crush Saga and got to Level 50!' This is a useful tool if desired, but the option to keep activity private is also available, which, in some cases, might well be appreciated.
Google+: Google+ is up, and it’s certainly not giving up if this round is anything to go by. Although for new users, the 'circle' feature employed by Google+ was quite confusing, once this concept was understood, it was a useful tool. These circles allow users to sort their contacts into different categories, meaning posts can be filtered to groups easily. For instance, a post can be targeted to those in your 'work' circle, and other more personal posts shown only to those in your 'family' circle. Google+ also ensured they provided users with an effective message and chat function, making it simple and easy to use. With the option to share and comment using a variety of rich media, effective message and chat functions, Google+ showed it was a strong contender in this round. Reposting comments others have shared is easily done, as is filtering who is able to see messages you post. Despite commendable efforts in some areas, Google+ faltered in its notification system by not making updates obvious, as well as being generally more difficult to navigate than Facebook.
Interaction Score: Facebook 90% v 85% Google+It was another high scoring round for these social networking sites, and though Google+ kept both fists punching, it fell just slightly short of Facebook. Owing to Facebook’s user-friendly notification system and it’s easy and intuitive commenting facility, it excelled in this round, putting this newbie in its place yet again.
Round Three - Experience
Facebook: The social network shows no sign of giving up in this final round, fighting hard until the very end. The homepage is far from lacking in information, sorted automatically with a further filtering option (restricted to 'Top Stories' or 'Most Recent'). Though the newsfeed is highly saturated with information, it still offers a pleasant user experience, as information is sorted and divided accordingly. Intuitive suggestions are given to users, be it other users you might know, or events you might be interested in. Updates, such as new pictures uploaded or changes to your information, are shared to the newsfeed automatically, which can be removed if desired, by deleting the post. The adverts used by Facebook somewhat clutter the homepage, however, they are kept fairly unobtrusive by mainly keeping them to the right of the screen. Though the format and layout of the page cannot be edited, it may be just as well considering how easy to use and well designed it is.
Google+: It’s Google+’s last chance to throw in some punches, and it certainly does with a clean and simple homepage. At first, Google+ appears to take the lead with an ability to create your own filters on the homepage - an improvement on Facebook’s restriction to predefined ones. However, Google+ lost steam when it came to other elements of the site, such as the ease of setting up a new account. Whereas Facebook kept the process incredibly simple and quick, Google+ made it much longer involving more stages such as needing a phone number. Google+ did not have a help section on display, which it could have benefited from owing to its 'circle' system which is a little confusing for new users. Though the overall look of the page was pleasing and uncluttered, it seems that Google+ could have improved the user experience by providing more information.
Experience Score: Facebook 86% v Google+ 80%Though Google+ put up another impressive fight in this round, it again fell short of Facebook’s efforts, who provided a pleasing and user-friendly interface. Despite Google+ benefiting from not having adverts, the overall feel and usability of Facebook proved it was not ready yet to be overthrown by this up-and-coming talent owing to its impressive attention to detail.In summary, it seems that Facebook isn’t quite ready to relinquish its title as the top social network site just yet, winning this analysis by a total of five per cent over Google+.
Report by
conversion optimisation specialists Qubit
