Author: Sudarshan Murthy (first posted at http://bit.ly/plzjrR on July 19, 2011)
For no apparent reason, I wondered if Google+ users who have created circles but have not set a profile picture have also created posts.
So, I conducted a straw test: I picked some users in my circles, then randomly picked users in their circles, and so on: some users with pics; some without. After following about 100 users who have created circles but have not set profile pictures, I found one user with posts. (That user had exactly one post, ironically, wondering if it is worth using Google+.)
(I also noticed users with circles and profile pics but are yet to post anything. However, there were far fewer users of that kind.)
Of course, no particular conclusion can be drawn from the straw test, but it makes me curious to know:
What action of a user motivates/hinders him/her to become and remain active in Google+? Is it establishing circles, having a profile picture, or both?
Based on the outcome, Google+ can make it easier/attractive to perform whichever user action is critical.
To this end, it might be useful to scientifically study "activity" (#posts, frequency of posts, and so on) by users who satisfy the following criteria. It can also be useful to know the "time to first post" and the conditions/triggers (for example, someone adding the user to a circle) for the first post.
1. Have profile pic, no circles
2. No profile pic, have circles
3. Have profile pic, have circles
4. No profile pic, no circles
It is useful to start this study in a new network such as Google+ and monitor the changes as the network ages. The study can be done more effectively if Google+ publishes an API. Even better if Google collaborates with external researchers.
BTW, studies such as these make great theses/projects for grad students. The Else Institute has a program to include grad students in such studies. Interested students should contact the institute directly for opportunities.
So, I conducted a straw test: I picked some users in my circles, then randomly picked users in their circles, and so on: some users with pics; some without. After following about 100 users who have created circles but have not set profile pictures, I found one user with posts. (That user had exactly one post, ironically, wondering if it is worth using Google+.)
(I also noticed users with circles and profile pics but are yet to post anything. However, there were far fewer users of that kind.)
Of course, no particular conclusion can be drawn from the straw test, but it makes me curious to know:
What action of a user motivates/hinders him/her to become and remain active in Google+? Is it establishing circles, having a profile picture, or both?
Based on the outcome, Google+ can make it easier/attractive to perform whichever user action is critical.
To this end, it might be useful to scientifically study "activity" (#posts, frequency of posts, and so on) by users who satisfy the following criteria. It can also be useful to know the "time to first post" and the conditions/triggers (for example, someone adding the user to a circle) for the first post.
1. Have profile pic, no circles
2. No profile pic, have circles
3. Have profile pic, have circles
4. No profile pic, no circles
It is useful to start this study in a new network such as Google+ and monitor the changes as the network ages. The study can be done more effectively if Google+ publishes an API. Even better if Google collaborates with external researchers.
BTW, studies such as these make great theses/projects for grad students. The Else Institute has a program to include grad students in such studies. Interested students should contact the institute directly for opportunities.