Google+ introduces Sign In button

Google seems to be making another move on Facebook and has introduced a “Google+ Sign In” button for websites and apps. Like Facebook Connect, Google+ Sign In allows users of Google+, Gmail, YouTube, and other Google services to use their login details to sign into mobile and web applications.

Google+ Sign In

The new feature is already being used by several websites, including The Guardian, USA Today and TuneIn. Google has long been known for providing seamless engagement across its services, and this feature should improve its users’ online experience even more.

Mobile integration is a major feature for Google, so users are able to add a site’s mobile app to any Android phone with just one click of a button. Websites can also integrate Google+ Hangouts so users can have video chats with friends within a website.

One of Google’s key selling points is that Google+ Sign In allows users to choose which of their friends can see any activity they undertake on a site and that Google+ will not share all their activity on a website in their Google+ stream. Google+ Director of Product Management Seth Sternberg wrote this explanation in a blog post to the social network’s developers (note his jab at Facebook through the use of the word “frictionless”):

“Sometimes you want to share something with the world (like a high score), but other times you want to keep things to yourself (like fitness goals). With Google Plus Sign-In and Circles, you decide who to share with, if at all. In addition: Google Plus doesn’t let apps spray “frictionless” updates all over the stream, so app activity will only appear when it’s relevant (like when you’re actually looking for it).

Pictures and videos are great for viewing, but sometimes you actually want to do stuff online. That’s why, when you share from an app that uses Google Plus Sign-In, your friends will see a new kind of “interactive” post in their Google Plus stream. Clicking will take them inside the app, where they can buy, listen to, or review (for instance) exactly what you shared.”

As web developers and social media experts, we’re excited to see how Google+ Sign In changes how people engage with websites.

What are your thoughts? Would you rather use Google or Facebook to login to a website? Let us know in the comments below.

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