Google Currents, formerly known as Google Now, is an intelligent personal assistant built into Google’s mobile operating system, Android. It aims to provide relevant results based on your interests, and it is designed to work in conjunction with a tablet or smartphone. The service also functions as a hub for other Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube, and it can be activated by voice commands.
Google Currents is a free web-based news app that comes with a set of features that are similar to those found in Google’s mobile apps. The app is optimized for smartphones and tablets, and is available on both iOS and Android platforms. It provides a suite of features that give you the best Google news experience, including trending topics, breaking news, personalized notifications, and more. If you’re looking to try Google Currents, here are some of the best Google Currents alternatives that you can use instead.
If you’re looking for a fantastic way to keep up with the latest news and information, then you’ve come to the right place. Google Currents isn’t just a news aggregator; it’s actually a very sophisticated tool that allows you to customize your news reading experience. This handy application has become a go-to tool for many people, since it is quick and easy to use.
You’d be excused for not knowing about Google Currents, the company’s newest Workspace app. The search firm hasn’t gone to great lengths to promote their new service or explain how it can benefit your organization.
We’ll go through what Google Currents is, what you can do with it, and if you should utilize it in your company in this post.
Are you ready to brush up on your Currents knowledge? Let’s get started.
What Is Google Currents and How Does It Work?
Google Currents, part of the Google Workspace suite of technologies, is a new company-based social networking service from Google. Google claims that:
Currents is a G Suite tool that allows individuals across your organization to conduct meaningful dialogues and interactions, keeping everyone informed and allowing leaders to connect with their staff.
The business went on to say in another statement:
Currents allows you to create a secure online community where you can communicate team updates, fresh ideas, and shared hobbies in real time.
It’s a revamped version of the now-defunct Google+ social media platform. To make it faster and easier to publish material, the platform has been slightly overhauled and streamlined.
It is also no longer a social media platform. Instead, it’s an enterprise-level communication tool akin to Slack, with the goal of improving team communication and collaboration. Users can start and participate in discussions that are visible to all or a select group of users. Every debate is visible in a user’s feed, which they can sort by relevance or date.
It’s the second time Google Currents has been given a name. Previously, the term was used for a magazine app that evolved into Google Play Newsstand and ultimately Google News.
What Is Google Currents and How Does It Work?
Google Currents is a simple platform to use. Here’s everything you need to know about how the platform works before you get started, just in case you’re not sure if it’s worth it for your team.
Posts are created and shared
Google Currents is built on the foundation of posts. They’re how you cooperate and share information with your coworkers.
You can determine who sees your posts by sharing them with particular communities or individuals. Your post will appear in the stream of everyone who follows you and has permission to see it. Posts will appear on your profile as well.
To make a post, click the “+” button in the bottom right-hand corner of your profile page. Give your post a title, then fill in the blanks with your copy. To add a link or a picture, use the icons at the bottom. Select the communities or individuals you want to share your post with, then click “Post” to publish it.
By clicking the Share symbol next to a post, you may share it with others. If there isn’t a Share icon, the user has either opted not to allow others to reshare it or has posted it in a closed community.
You can also like and comment on other people’s posts, just like you can on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Participate in streams
Using the Streams option in the left-hand sidebar, you can read business or department-wide news and postings. Simply select the Stream you’d like to watch.
The number of unread posts is displayed next to each Stream. Your posts may appear in these Streams automatically depending on the tags you use and the communities you publish to.
If your administrator has enabled the Spotlight feature, promoted content from your organization’s leaders will appear before other posts.
Join and form communities
You can make a Google Currents Community for any reason, such for your department, a project, or a common interest. A community can be moderated by multiple people, and anyone invited to join can post. You can also create private groups with folks who aren’t affiliated with your company.
By going to the Communities tab in the left-hand sidebar, you can create a community. If this is your first community, select “New Community” or “Create Community.” Choose the people who can view your community and give it a name.
You can also utilize the Communities page to look for additional groups to join (or request to join if they are private.)
Tags for exploration
Using tags, you may modify your Google Currents stream and discover new material. For example, you can use the hashtag #CompanyNews to view postings with that tag on your feed. You can turn tags on and off for your entire company if you are the administrator.
Adding tags to a post can help it reach a wider audience and ensure that it is seen by as many people as possible. Google encourages using between two and four tags each post, either your own or those suggested by Google Currents.
It’s simple to follow a tag. Simply click “Follow” after hovering your mouse over the tag. By clicking the tag itself, you can preview the tag before following it. In the left-hand sidebar, under Tags, Google Currents will propose tags for you to follow. You can use this section to unfollow tags that you no longer want to be followed.
Create and maintain your personal profile.
Users can discover more about you, your organization, and your hobbies by visiting your Currents profile.
Your profile was most likely created for you by your administrator. If you don’t have one, you’ll be able to make one after you join the platform.
If they did, you’ll want to double-check that your information is current and accurate.
You can:
- Change your profile image by clicking on it.
- Join the communities you want to be a part of.
- By selecting Edit Profile, you can choose which communities you want to make public.
- By clicking on your name, you may make changes to your personal information.
As an administrator, you can view analytics
Google Currents statistics may be used by workspace administrators to check their post engagement metrics and track user behavior. By selecting “View Post Analytics” from a post’s menu, you may get to the analytics section.
Google Currents Alternatives
Here are some alternatives to Google Currents, according to Gartner.
- Workplace on Facebook
- Yammer
- Chatter on Salesforce
- MangoApps
- Igloo Software is a piece of software that allows you to create
Is It Advisable to Use Google Currents at Work?
Google Currents has a lot to offer, but it also leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a good tool, but it’s far from flawless. This may make you ponder if Google Currents is worth using in your company. Here are my ideas on the subject.
Pro: Adhere to the Workplace Ecosystem
When it comes to communication tools, Google Currents is a logical fit if you currently use Google Workspace. It already connects with your email, documents, and storage, so keeping everything in one place makes sense. When you switch between applications less, you’ll be more productive.
The Disadvantage Is That It Is Yet Another Tool to Learn With
While Google Currents is a part of the Workspace ecosystem, it is a separate technology that your users will need to understand. Although this isn’t optimal for productivity, the good news is that Google Currents is rather simple to use. If you know how to use Gmail and Google Drive, you should be able to pick up Google Currents in within 30 minutes.
Pro: Get Involved With Your Colleagues
Every company need a means of communication and collaboration. Email is too inconvenient to use on a daily basis, and physical solutions are becoming obsolete as a result of remote working. As a result, each major firm needs a technology like Google Currents.
In fact, a Forrester assessment of Facebook’s Workplace discovered that adopting the tool reduced the time it required to update employees with vital information by 34% and resulted in a 3.9x ROI over three years.
Cons: It’s Not the Most Comprehensive Tool Available
If you’re looking for a good collaboration tool, Google Currents may or may not provide all you’re looking for. Other tools, on the other hand, are usually more extensive. However, if you use the complete Google Workspace environment, this isn’t the case. When you combine Hangout Chat, Docs, Drive, and Gmail, you have a very amazing productivity suite that can compete with most collaborative systems.
Pro: Lessen the Chances of Leaks
Where else will your colleagues form communities if you don’t allow them to do so on Google Currents? Facebook? LinkedIn? Is it possible to join private email groups? All of these circumstances are outside your control and raise the likelihood of a data breach. The last thing you want is for an employee to post sensitive company information on a public social media platform like Facebook. Keeping everything under your company’s control is far preferable.
Bottom line: Google Currents is a no-brainer if you currently use Google Workspace. You’re already a part of the Google ecosystem, so what’s another tool, especially one that’s so simple to use? Go ahead and give it a shot. You can always turn it off if you don’t like it.
If you don’t utilize any Google products, another application like Slack might be a better fit. Why not give it a shot for only $6 per user each month?
Frequently Asked Questions on Google Currents
What is Google Currents, and how does it work?
Google Currents is a Google collaboration tool for businesses. Google Currents is available to any Google Workspace user by default.
What is the procedure for adding persons to Google Currents?
Google Currents automatically adds your Google Workspace users. You’ll need to establish new Workspace accounts if you wish to add more people to Currents.
Is Google Currents available for free?
No, Google Currents requires a Google Workspace account, which starts at $6 per person every month.
What is the price of Google Currents?
Google Currents is part of Google Workspace, which costs $6 per month per user.
Is Google Currents the same thing as Google+?
Both yes and no. The codebase, as well as the design, are quite similar. Google Currents, on the other hand, is directed at businesses rather than the general public. In the Workspace ecosystem, it is also self-contained.
Summary of Google Currents
Google Currents is a new communication and collaboration platform for businesses. If you’re already a part of the Google Workspace ecosystem, this is the ideal answer. Even if you’re not, it’s a useful tool. It’s yet another useful tool to add to your arsenal.
Whether you’re a large corporation or a small startup, Google Currents is one of the greatest methods to interact. Furthermore, I anticipate the addition of further features in the near future. It’ll only get better from here!
What has been your experience using Google Currents?
- Unlock large volumes of SEO traffic with SEO. Take a look at the outcomes.
- Content Marketing – Our team develops incredible content that is shared, linked to, and drives traffic.
- Paid Media – successful paid solutions with a measurable return on investment.
Google’s attempt to merge Chrome OS and Android in a single platform has been called many things. Currents is a new app store that bundles Android apps with a Chrome OS interface. Google Currents offers content from Google, apps from developers, and a selection of apps from other publishers.. Read more about do i need google currents and let us know what you think.
