After its launch in June 2011, the Google+ social network intrigued the world of social media as a platform that had the potential to overtake Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook juggernaut. 
If you were anything like I was, the novelty and excitement of Google+ wore off about five minutes after creating a profile.
After the network quickly gained over 2 million unique users only three weeks after launching, user interest dropped just as rapidly. According to traffic management reports from Experian Hitwise in the Los Angeles Times, the site’s visitors dropped by nearly 42% over the following nine weeks.
So why make the switch?
According to the most recent Hitwise reports, total visitors to Google+ shot up to 61 million in March, up 27% from its numbers in February.
Additionally, Google+ integrates other Google services you probably already utilize, such as Gmail and Google Docs. The network also boasts the Google Hangout video chat feature, allowing users to make free video calls to both individuals and groups.
The following infographic makes a case for why Google+ is worth embracing. Here are some of the highlights we find interesting:
- An active network of 100 million+ users
- Nearly 70% of users are male
- Over 120 integrations of services including YouTube, Google Search and Android
- Britney Spears is the top G+ user with 2,673,596 followers. Snoop Dogg, Larry Page, Ashley Tisdale and Hugh Jackman round out the Top 5
- Assign a privacy level to every piece of content you share
- No friend requests: Add or remove whomever you want from your circles at any time
