In just two weeks, Google's new social network, Google+, has amassed millions of early adopters. Whether you joined the site when it first launched or just received an invitation, there's a lot to learn, from setting up your account to adjusting your privacy settings.
But if you're now familiar with the basics of Google+ and are ready to do more, check out these five tips for information on bookmarking posts, tracking your Google+ stats and more.
1. How to Bookmark Google+ Posts
Depending on who you follow, there may already be a lot of noise in your Google+ stream. And while Google+ doesn't yet have a "Favorite" button like Twitter does, there's still a way you can save interesting posts to read later. Here's how to do it.
First, visit your Circles tab. Create a new circle, name it accordingly (for example, "Bookmarks"), but do not add anyone to it.
When you see a post that you want to bookmark and save for later, click the Share button at the bottom of the post and share it only with your empty Bookmarks circle.
To review the updates you've bookmarked, click your Bookmarks circle on the left navigation to view its stream, which will contain all the posts you've saved. To remove the post from your Bookmarks circle, click the drop-down menu in the top-right corner, then select "Delete this post."
2. How to Track Your Google+ Stats
Created by the co-founder of stats site Twitter Counter, Google+ Statistics tracks the top 100 Google+ users (determined by how many followers they have) and lets you track your own statistics, such as how many people have added you to their circles, your progression and where you rank in the list of popular Google+ users.
To obtain your own statistics, you need to connect your Google account to the site.
Also in Google+ Statistics: Monitor Google+ statistics such as the male-to-female user ratio (today, 87 percent of Google+ users are male, according to the site) and obtain code to promote your Google+ account on your site or blog with a widget.
3. How to Adjust Your Profile Privacy
You may have already browsed through your main Google+ privacy settings, but you can also modify which information in your profile is seen by whom.
If you only want your employment and occupation information visible to those in your Friends circle, for example, visit your profile page and select Edit Profile at the top. Click on the section you want to edit, then choose the drop-down menu that says "Anyone on the web."
From here you can choose "Extended circles" to make your information visible to everyone in your circles and your friends' circles; only those in your circles; only you; or, you can customize your setting, which lets you add specific people and circles. There is no option yet to exclude individual people.
4. How to Add a Google +1 Button to Your Blog or Site
Google rolled out its +1 button—which is similar to Facebook's "Like" button—in March, but it wasn't too clear how your "+1's" would be aggregated.
Now with the launch of Google+, your +1's have a neat new home in your profile section where others can see which articles you've liked. There are a few options for adding Google +1 buttons to blogs and websites.
To upload one to a WordPress blog, visit Wordpress's Plugin Directory for directions and code for installing a Google +1 button on your site.
To add a Google +1 button to your website, visit this Google page to create a customized button and for more information.
5. How to Send Google Feedback
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If you've had enough time to play around with Google+ and have some ideas, bugs to report or suggestions, Google encourages you to send them feedback. At the top-right of your Google+ account, click the gear icon and select "Send Feedback."
A popup will appear that lets you mark up your screen or make suggestions, using a highlighting tool, a text box to describe the problem and a blackout tool to hide your personal information.
When you're done, click the Preview button to see the report you're about to send. The feedback tool collects the URL and title of the page you're visiting, the browser and operating system you're using, as well as any browser extensions you're using. It also collects the HTML structure of the page and your email address.
Google+ Privacy: 5 Settings You Need to Know
Google+ Tip: How to Cross-Post Updates to Facebook, Twitter
Google+: Users Need Better Social Network, Not Just Another One
What You Need to Know About Google's New Social Network
Kristin Burnham covers consumer technology, social networking and Web 2.0 for CIO.com. Follow Kristin on Twitter @kmburnham. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter @CIOonline and on Facebook. Email Kristin at kburnham@cio.com
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