Google+ Comes To Gmail, Improves Contacts & Makes Sharing Easier

The continued push for Google+ integration across all Google products continues. Google created significant enhancements to Gmail that tie in Google+ data for contacts, messages and media. A month ago, Google introduced a new look for Gmail and these Google+ features may have helped to drive the redesign.  Here are some of the new functionality:

Add To Circles From Inbox

If you are looking for more tagging of your current contacts users will be able to add contacts to Google+ circles directly in Gmail.  Simple click on the user’s contact info and you will see their latest Google+ post and will be able to add directly to circles.

Show Google+ Info In The Inbox

Gmail has always relied heavily on tagging, and the upgrades will help tag your content from Google+ contacts.  Not only will your Google+ circles show up in the left navigation, users will be able to sort based on circles.  In the inbox, circles will also have the ability to show next to messages, much like a standard Gmail tag.

Real-Time Contact Updates

Instead of manually updating your contact’s changes or downloading vCards, Google+ will now auto-update your contact information.  Anytime either you or your contact information is updated it will automatically propagate out to others directly in Gmail.

Share Within Inbox

One of the slickest features announced is the ability to share photos directly from your inbox.  Friend sent a picture or video that you liked?  Simply share it directly from the attachment.  You will still be able to choose circles to share these images with – directly in Gmail.

Issues With Google Apps & Contacts

It is incredulous that Google Apps users are always placed on the back-burner when Google releases new products/features/functionality.  This is again the case with the Google+/Gmail integration.   Google will be rolling out these enhancements “over the next few days” but will be unavailable for Google Apps users.  Google states that they are “actively working to make them available” for Google Apps users so stay tuned!

See the official Google blog post for more info!

About The Author

Greg Finn

Greg Finn is the Director of Marketing for Cypress North, a company that provides world-class social media and search marketing services and web & application development. He has been in the Internet marketing industry for 10+ years and specializes in Digital Marketing. You can also find Greg on Twitter (@gregfinn) or LinkedIn.