Facebook Rolls Out Smart Lists | How Do They Compare to Google+?
While Facebook has had lists for quite some time, they haven’t always been easy to use for the basic Facebook user. So, when Google+ launched Circles it was refreshing to see how easily you can segment your lists and update different friends with different things. However, last week I was in New York City all week at the SMX East 2011 conference and so I missed the big unveiling of Facebook Smart Lists. This is a game changer.
First of all, Facebook has one upped Google + in the fact that it will suggest people for your lists. For example everyone will start out with a few different lists that Facebook has gathered. Coworkers, People who went to the same school as you and who are in the same area as you for instance will automatically be added to a list. Family is another smart list that Facebook will automatically add people to and make suggestions based on your profile for you to add to it. However lists like, Close Friends and Acquaintances will be left for you to add whom you would like to those categories. Once you have added a few people it will then come up with suggestions for others.
Once your lists are created you can make status updates and determine what list/lists you would like that update to be shown to. Also, someone who is put in the acquaintances list you will only get important updates like marriage updates and job changes etc., but you won’t have their posts showing up in your news feed on a daily basis.
One of the biggest draws to Google + was the ability to share what you want with who you want, and while Facebook has had this ability it was mostly used by power users as it was hard to get to, now that they have made it easier, I’m sure it will be used across the board.
One thing is for sure, the battle of who can one up who, will be provide us with a better user experience.
