Reporters' Roundtable Ep. 119: Google+ leaders talk about the redesign

-- one irate when San Francisco look into -- special edition of reporters' roundtable. So global this morning just announced a major redesign of its social network product Google+. Now Google+ course is that not school's first tried to build out social network other products. The company -- has experimented with include does Orkut into -- extent wave but Google+. Seems to be the company's line in the sand this is the product that Google seems to be will it seems -- saying we will do what ever it takes to make this social network product. Really stick. They're to keep people behind this initiative over Google. They are victim -- -- truth senior vice president of social at Google and Bradley Horowitz VP of product from Google+ they're both with us today. Gentlemen thank you so much -- make the time to join us on not your re launch dates could have year. -- -- -- -- -- So I wanna get started with a little bit of background on Google+ this thing is done not even -- year old. Tell us. Briefly why he launched in -- and what you've learned in in these last several months. I. We just celebrated at about two weeks ago our six month anniversary opening up to the -- -- about six and a few weeks old. And that -- -- being quite Iraq. -- this morning we announced 170 million upgrade to Google+ profile and start using our product name -- where you -- -- kind of blown away. Progression and the progress that we may. As you -- -- out the other social efforts in the past we've learned a lot from -- from those efforts really aren't something special. -- just been thrilled that at the adoption at the rate people -- -- Google+. I I have to ask you about the numbers that the numbers -- -- throwing around been thrown around right now we've got a 100 1000000 users this morning 170 million people upgraded. That what do those numbers really mean and how many people are actually using Google+ not a single update icon at every day or every week -- every month. Yet you know -- In order to ask a question you really don't understand the complete opposites. And Google+ is really the unification. Of all Google services. The common social. And so -- think about today products people look like -- Aboard Android. Or Gmail. Or searched. Your identity is different in every one of those case might take a picture my -- An Android and I want to share it with my family. How iTunes. Account I can get on Gmail or how it uploaded video -- -- used to be completely -- Google+ makes Google's simple. By having a common notion -- you your identity and your relationships. And so Ashton -- the services people know and love -- unified. Ensuring that -- -- -- -- happy with your family is exactly this. Across a huge -- -- Reuters -- back. Even endorsing search do you see our article Parkinson's disease and want your family to know. You you're endorsing an article or sharing an article you can do that are very easy way. Tell anybody -- confused -- -- also an additional social layer Google apps things like the Google+ stream of the whole. We -- common social pulse. And -- release date yet a country knowing it users which is also just -- -- you really need anyone using Google property. Signed in as -- Google+ user. And taking advantage of the social graph seeing their friends' comments. Org or themselves commenting -- -- so and so. That's a pretty stunning number rethinking in just a little over six months and couldn't be. How many people actually go to plus the google.com and interact with that on the page likely go to FaceBook dot com and interact. I think when you written when you talk about Facebook's numbers FaceBook releases numbers for a FaceBook usage which includes FaceBook photos based messaging FaceBook groups FaceBook tagging. FaceBook likes. FaceBook never talks about just the strange. Right because -- doesn't access all in when you excellent photo. How -- when you invites to an event church those rural part of the social experience. So that's exactly what we're doing now of course and Amber's blistering are incredible and growing every new records -- -- there -- -- And done so it's thrilling to -- growth. But really it's a misunderstanding of the Google strategy to only focus on its photos are only focus on messaging are only focus on screen. A bend and then you're not getting to Google and Henry is really using contrast to the that you mentioned nurse historical legacy things like. Blogger or buzz -- things that are social. But we're really sort of ordered the site and not were -- Google experience. What we're doing with Google+ is excited unifying identity relationship. Although Google and we think any social network should happen. For instance a great messaging system and we happen happen when Google is called Gmail and I've that is part of Google+ Scott it should have great support multimedia and video. We -- have a great service called YouTube which is also are Google's so they -- -- decent separately is not. The way we think about Google's strategy. I I get that that's pretty clear but it might be the way that. People who are coming from other social products might be thinking of how they approach the social web and I. Actually seeing just the opposite received Google users really -- And the fact that their Google experience from YouTube entry -- Gmail is becoming release I -- -- Now we do acknowledge that there are some critics who love to like it will focus only on our photos are only a console about -- You know that's not the way users -- we're focused -- used less. Really look at. Some -- to auction services -- -- and YouTube Android and bringing. Our users have consistently. That the law. In the adoption numbers shutter. Release. Let's talk a little bit about the new design here -- what was the the problem you're trying to solve or what were you trying to an improved with the Google+. -- I I think there's a couple things on there -- exciting about the design one is really around static X and beauty I think we have done something that sets a new bar for Google products in terms of I'm its visceral experience and -- couldn't be. Happier with the response that we're getting its its pretty gratifying and we sort of new internally it neuron is something that was a big -- ocean from where we -- But you know we're seeing very supportive. Articles in the press and more importantly feedback from users -- this experience I think in addition to -- sex. Sort of the bones of our interface -- Weber. Due for a refresh and we alluded to some of this and index close up there is more common and we need to sort of makes space in an information architecture sentence or where to put the -- -- -- be launching from now the rest of the year. And this is a really terrible frameworks that we're excited about because it only companies that are we have today. But all the features and improvements that we know are coming around the corner. -- you know frankly we launched a few months ago we didn't -- things like to or hang ups. Or a slots each album there's so many -- -- done in the last few months and many more comments probably sad. And we had to share this and make an interface that scale. And another thing it's just we just parents is -- 190 and humans. And we would have people on the service that would have millions I'll. You know competitive social services took many years and -- followers. -- viewing hours. And because of the rapid growth people were actually coasting. Very high value content. Student and -- content he -- look computer. We want it not just the people who -- a million followers but for the people who are sharing winter and we wanted them to have -- -- and -- -- Written content really -- and looked beautiful. -- -- -- New and improved Google+ is about both points -- probably -- getting ready for all news that's come in keeping up with -- our -- And about making it greatly speed and proud of your content. -- -- appears to your friends and family and each sneaking up and as emotional resonance. That is -- dispute. Picasso once said good artists copy great artists steal and there have been many great social artists that come before you on FaceBook and MySpace and -- Twitter product of the -- you've done. From these other services other products. What aesthetics what user interaction what the emotion have you tried to put into Google+ in -- -- reflected in today's product. Well I think as as you point out we're not sort of entering the market and a document there are certain. Established gestures and paradigms and -- that users and and the industry has developed over and over years of I think what we're trying to do is -- the users are aware existing paradigms make sense and there are sort of comfortable ways and information. Use those where there are new opportunities to do something more valuable. I think its earnings as it is. -- both beautiful and industry. Leading in terms of our ability to sort of allowed -- also -- users need and really great. Representation of that user is in relation to use -- Wii -- will set a new bar and so I think it's a combination of on sort of serving the user not sort of -- them into familiar territory that. It -- is gonna just orient them but I I think improvements that actually -- difference in your experience were. And in chestnut the new stuff it's not texts you know it's about providing new and better user experience that things people need to. You know before Google+ multi user video with your. Beach camera when dynamically switch. Based -- -- -- Those -- only high end systems or systems that can eat meat made that simple -- three. You know and so that's kind of an example where the user experience for the user doing breakthrough things I'll give you another example. Since -- talked about existing a social and a products. When we analyze those sweet council -- need often ask people is thirty you don't like. Her well I feel kind of we're like boss and me and anybody. I don't accepted and feel bad but I do accepted he's gonna see -- a -- each. We -- circles deal without arts you can jukebox was certainly never knows the name of the circle. You don't feel socially awkward social earnest you can share in the rankings -- -- -- -- innovations more than just. Picks in the design. From hangouts or circles everything is really true to make -- better user enabling user to share the right in the right. One of Facebook's most powerful features as the idea of the like the like button and we're seeing. In the case of interest for example we're seeing that that button migrate out of pages and into that the toolbar. So people are pinning everything. Google+ has the plus one. Yet it's still not completely integrated into the mainstream of what users are doing it talk about the evolution of a plus one and how important it is is -- social signal. Yeah it's very important we're thrilled integration plus -- -- plus -- -- on cnet's article which shows directly into Google+ the integration is absolutely gorgeous and it actually gives the user. The ability to decide hot. -- circles that CNET articles and go to. The content rich distant plus one button up across the web has astounded. Us I don't think any -- -- to -- the year. Plus one button would be literally every and we're very humbled by the adoption. I'm certainly succeeded beyond anything we are not -- literally anywhere -- In C plus button and. In I think one of the value propositions -- Plus one button can use this opportunity. Right and actual value right now. Plus one poster that's probably not interesting -- the million or so people that means circles on Google+ are. You know when it is valuable to them when they want to buy a toaster and they can go to Google and -- in toaster and suddenly see an endorsement from someone -- know someone they trust. And so it sort of changes what used to be spam the sort of you know. In addition that people haven't sort of standing their friends. It changes it into a gesture of generosity that they can actually. Of label endorsement for product or website or another person. In a way that is generous and contributes -- that I relationships -- I think the Parkinson's disease article used earlier -- is is an example. I don't want all you know millions of followers that I have to see an article -- disease injected into my strength. But for my family -- dealing with that issue that's a great article and I the description plus one -- An accident and they -- -- when they -- -- search for Parkinson's disease. For I had the ability to actually push it into the stream school tonight and certainly make -- We think this level of nuance this level dexterity and control is exactly what users want -- data that we're seeing. Usage. And adoption by users really tells us that -- Let's talk about mobile for a little bit obviously the world -- -- to Smartphones. -- to Google+ evolution going on mobile devices that Android and iPhone in particular. I'm not sure it once again we could've ever expected Android the success that -- tasks and remember Google+ is just a social layer across Google properties and so. -- -- The services you see an -- -- -- and unify them so that sharing and identity its content across Gmail and YouTube and Android. I'm -- users are gonna -- are. Of course print reader already logged in every user who uses -- already locked it. And I'm having their identities and a picture those pictures automatically back up. So if you lose your phone to your pictures and videos are there are Google -- You can access at all times even as you are -- -- you never lose a photo. I think that's kind -- match that we're just getting started to reach you see what we're gonna go to next what are you gonna go to next entrant. I just had yet to wait we have a lot of surprises let me tell you cross the company. Across the company. We are working to -- Google and make it more beautiful and delightful used. We think automatically backing up pictures on your phone -- your -- only -- three. Is kind of scenario that we can deliver to users that people just love what they expect from. Now one of the things you've done -- in in this big social -- and Google is you've actually removed some social features from other products like reader. Obviously there was a lot of thinking went behind that it talk about how that is part of the integration the unification. Strategy. I'll actually Neal spend much time -- done things that are not absolutely core to what we're -- And so Bradley now are probably not the right guy to talk to about -- we do have people on the team -- -- reader. But I suspect we're not even familiar -- -- our time on things like Gmail and YouTube and Android and Chrome -- and -- Really the main focus the company and bring those together -- -- match. Now privacy we have to talk about when it comes to social networks I'm no big online company. As a perfect track record. Included the SS -- talking about so what is your philosophy here how do you correct for missteps -- you're gonna make more in the future we -- are. -- and how do you square the need to protect users with Google's need to generate revenue. One of the things about having me mistakes as you become acutely sensitized to the topic of privacy you know I think that some of what we have dancers -- company. Has given us an opportunity to ask him -- the world's most -- -- -- considerate social network part of the philosophy and underpinnings of Google+ from the beginning it was a market opportunity frankly it was something that would be good for users and they told us that they want it. So the design -- circles it is. Privacy considerate feature allows me to exposed parts -- myself to the appropriate people in my life and protect itself from others that I don't want to see it so this is inherent -- the -- design -- the system. And we're extremely proud of the -- track record. And people who -- us. That have -- about that a fundamental architectures that allow them to be authentic on the system because they know exactly who they're talking here at any moment it has -- -- that I love which is -- There's a reason that they are frictions. In systems for instance there's a reason every thought in my -- does not come out of -- and that's a good thing. And what we've tried to you is -- is present the -- sort of contractual opportunities. At every point of interaction systems so when you share we always ask you who's the audience you're sharing this with your family the public. And we expect your behavior -- what you say in -- to be different in -- And so. That's a fundamental design glossy Google us and I think that the lessons the hard -- -- that we have brought to this have informed the interior design in the product and it's actually. It harder for competitors to sort of -- on these privacy consider teachers they have to be autos in a fundamental sense from their inception of the service and something we're very proper. I have to ask you about their recent acquisition of FaceBook made -- ins to -- is a very expensive acquisition and it was a arguably one of a of a big user base what what are your thoughts on. On photo sharing on -- -- Graham and and that particular acquisition. I think those twelve people did very well. Yes and the users. We'll see. They're really focused on delivering a great experience for Google users. As you might imagine we -- users across Android and outside Google+. The number of boats that our users a higher cherry is -- and probably nineteen focus on the -- experienced. And that's what we're putting -- Aren't so finally you've got a bunch of people a whole lot of people all of your 10070 million users are being upgraded today in the next day or so. To Google+ what are the things that you would like people to look for in the new experience that you think will have reflect most what you're talking about here. Well. I hope that people appreciate the idea aesthetics of the experience and that's sort of the first impression and -- and the I -- One thing we're immediately getting tons -- -- -- news. Extremely gratifying again though he sort of daily shifts in our and our -- -- both and -- very many of them. Very few of them and none of them in action as well as the you know six -- since we launched this this morning and I'm so it's been really great to see and a accolades in the acceptance of the community it's something that is a big change. For them at -- I wouldn't buy. Tune and really invest in the products and slate with product -- are still in a mode where re. Lots of opportunity ahead of us and we are very good listeners so other feedback collect in response to our users. Very much -- -- strategy and and that's what I always see -- users who are engaged. And vocal about what they love in what they'd like to see changed because it really does give us. Unity suits serve those users -- I think I would just say. You know we're gonna keep. The speed and innovation that the world has seen over the past couple. We constantly hear from our users and one of the things they like most delightful is not only that -- -- listening but the services opposite route. I don't know too many services who barely six months and opened to the public. -- major -- redesign. And I think that just indicative of what they should expect. Moscow -- phenomenal rate at a patient improvement. She can't wait to show everybody what's next. We will be watching thanks very much -- gentlemen -- and a tray is -- senior vice president's president of social like Google Bradley Horowitz VP of product from Google+. Continued good luck winner will year old lobby complete when will users that all users have this. -- We just completed the roll up to a 100% I don't know if not a 100% were almost there almost everybody should happen -- the whole new Regis. Right on our guys thanks very much of the time good luck. -- -- A.