Most of the terminology on Google+ is intuitive or similar to terminology you are probably already familiar with on Facebook or Twitter. For example, your “Stream” on Google+ is your “Newsfeed” on Facebook. On Twitter that is referred to as “Stream” or “Timeline” or “Feed.” However, there are two terms that are unique to Google+ and it is important for you to know them as they are used often:
+1 – To “Plus one” something on Google+ is the same as “Liking” something on Facebook or “Favoriting” something on Twitter.
Circle – To “Circle” someone on Google+ is a combination of two things on Facebook and Twitter:
On Facebook, this would be the combination of “Friending” them and putting them into a “List.” The difference on Google+ is that the person does not have to accept a request from you to make your relationship mutual. You can Circle anyone you want and they can Circle you back or not. Either way you will see the posts they make Public.
On Twitter, this would be the combination of “Following” them and putting them into a “List.” Similar to Google+, Twitter relationships do not need to be mutually exclusive. The main difference between Google+ Circles and Twitter Lists, however, is that while you can read your stream from the individual Circles/Lists that you create on each channel, Google+ also allows you to post only to a specific Circle, while Twitter does not have a similar capability.
Now that you’re familiar with these two terms, go to Google+. Circle someone new and +1 any posts in your stream that you like. Making connections and joining the conversation is what it is all about!
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