Your Google Plus Tips for July 12th

Your Google Plus Tips for July 12th

1. To Mute or To Block? That is the Question! 

2. How to create your Google+ Hangout “Lower Third” Video

3. How to build your network on Google+

Know when to mute them, know when to block them.

Do You know the difference between “muting” and “blocking” someone on Google+?

Google Plus Top Contributor (TC) John Keats, published a recent post addressing the differences between the two methods of dealing with people or Pages you’d rather not engage with.

Here’s the summary:

Mute:

• Prevents the profile or page you mute from notifying you in the future.

• You will still be able to see each other's profiles and posts, and to comment on each other's posts.

• Their posts will even continue to appear in your Home stream (assuming you have them circled, that is).

• Nothing the person you mute does, however, will trigger a Google+ notification for you.

Block:

Block is a much more powerful tool. When you block someone:

• You will not see their content in your stream (even though you'll remain in their circles).

• They will be be removed from any circles of yours that they appear in.

• They will be removed from your extended circles, even if you have mutual connections.

• They will not be able to add new comments to your content.

• They will not be able to see your comments on other people's posts.

• They will not be able to view any of your posts that you share after you blocked them. (They will, however, still be able to see posts you shared with them before you blocked them.)

• They won't be able to mention you in posts or comments.

Generally, I uncircle people that are either inactive or post content I’m not interested in.

I mute people or Pages when I don’t want to receive notifications from them. (Usually invitations to communities or events.) 

I’ve only blocked two people in my three years on this platform, both cantankerous trolls.

You can see John’s full post here: To Mute or To Block? That is the Question!

How to create your G+ Hangout “Lower Third” Video

In this video, I go through the steps of creating your Google+ Hangout “lower third” using the Hangout Toolbox. 

This is the fastest way to have that identification bar appear below you.

I included this video in my recent blog post: How to Create Custom Hangout Lower Thirds which details how to make custom lower thirds and other graphics for your Hangouts.

How to build your network on Google+

Here, Ronnie Bincer shares 5 fundamental steps towards building a dynamic Google+ network.

The reason I like embedding Google+ posts is to allow you to not only enjoy the content the author shared, but to also benefit from the added gems found in the comments.

A Google+ post is a living document. Assuming there is engagement, the comments left on a post are a continuation of the conversation started by its author. 





Thanks very much for taking the time to read this.

Now go out there and enjoy the summer.

issue #109