Google has made a lot of changes of late. Part of their initiative to focus on social, integrating their ecosystem of sites and services into Google Plus. This week they updated their RSS reader, Google Reader. I’ve been a fan of Google Reader for some time (here and here). It now supports Google Plus (screenshot below). However, while the user interface offers consistency with other popular list based Google products, namely Gmail, I find it a bit bulky.
Getting Use to the New Google Reader
UPDATE: November 14, 2011 Since this post went live, Google has made additional enhancements to Google Reader, one being the an update to the share bar to include Google Plus share. Here’s a screenshot:
Different than the screenshot shared below from the original post. End Update.
More than the bulk, there is no way to compact the view as there is with the new Gmail. In fact, there was a bit of a revolt as users clamored for an option to return to the old interface.
Google Reader with Google Plus
What was interesting to me was how obscure the +1 button was in the Google reader interface. I thought it would be found under the “Send to” button. However it is at the bottom of an expanded post on the left hand side is where you’ll find it, next to the star. Shortly after hitting +1 (slow), you’ll have an option to share on Google plus (assuming your logged into your account).
The +1 button can be lost in all the other options on the page.
The problem is, many users may not realize there is a secondary option to share on Google plus here after you have clicked it. Similar to search engine or Adwords Ads +1 buttons in size, but as to the delay experienced as it loads the option to share on Google plus, many will have scrolled away from the button, or moved to a different page altogether.
Some have written extensively about what needs fixing with the Google Reader redesign, from this angle the Google Plus experience outside of Google Plus needs to be more prominent and attractive to users if it’s going to be used.
What do you think?
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Hi, my name is Travis Campbell, I operate this site. One way I can extend what I've learned marketing online over the years is by writing about it here... and helping you along the way.
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