Google’s newest and certainly largest foray into social media—Google+—was announced this week, along with some other social-focused news. Some are calling it a Facebook killer, but I have my doubts for several reasons.

It’s too early to accurately tell if Google+ will become the social network, but the following are my thoughts based on limited use over the past few days:

Pros

• Privacy is better – We all know the privacy issues that Facebook faces (and their seeming lack of concern with violating that privacy). Google+ uses “circles” to share content, which should help to separate and target conversations to specific sets of contacts. This will allows users to discuss weekend plans with friends in one circle, and work issues in another, without the other groups finding out about or getting annoyed by irrelevant conversations.
• Attractive interface – The interface is slick and all media uploaded is very crisp and clear. Certainly easier on the eyes than other Google products we’ve seen over the years.
• Group features – Huddles and Hangouts have the potential to be the software for group messaging and video chatting, respectively. They function properly and are not overly cluttered or complicated.
• Integration – Google+ seamlessly integrates several Google products all in one place. It links Latitude, chat, +1, Chrome, Gmail and others. Just make sure all settings and accounts are properly adjusted for this integration.
• Media instant uploads – Users can quickly upload any photo or video directly  into a private account, which can then be shared with the click of a button. There are fewer restrictions on size and video length in Google+ then in Facebook.

Cons

• All other Google social products have flopped – Wave and Buzz failed miserably. It’s difficult to say with confidence that Google+ will be different.
• It’s very Google-centric – Users must have a Google Profile to participate in Google+. That may be common for those of us in digital marketing, but not for users at large. Additionally, the last Pro above may also be seen as a con, since not everyone uses only Google products. They may succeed at drawing users from Facebook, but it will be tough to pull them from Flickr, Foursquare and other services not offered by Google.
• Terrible, terrible name – Not only is it confusing to say and ugly to read (especially when immediately preceding punctuation of any kind), it’s not fit for Twitter. Check your streams right now and you’ll see a number of people using the hashtag #google+. However, the “+” doesn’t link to the rest of the hashtag, making it difficult to separate the conversation and harder on the eyes.
• Confusing interface – With some time and patience, anyone could become efficient at navigating the interface. However, I don’t know that everyone has the luxury of those resources! This was a major part of the problem with Google’s other social products, and I believe it could present a major hurdle for Google+, as well.
• Beta launch may hinder user adoption – Why doesn’t Google roll out these major products to all of their users at once? Instead, they trickle out to a random selection of users. Some staff at Location3 do not yet have Google+. Yet we’re the ones that are more likely to start using it and promoting it to others. But we can’t endorse what we can’t access. The launch of Google+ should have happened all at once to better leverage the buzz and enthusiasm. If it’s anything like other Google social products, once everyone has access no one will care.

Time will tell if Google+ will become the go-to social network, eclipsing Facebook and bypassing other online products as well. Time will also tell if this will be a viable and effective marketing tool for brands. But you can bet that Google will try to make it one. What are your thoughts on Google+?