Google Buzz: Pro, Con and Interesting Articles

Since Google Buzz launched Feb. 9, it has garnered more than 9 million posts and comments, meaning there are over 160,000 posts and comments per hour. But is Google Buzz helpful? Here are some of my thoughts:

Pro:

• Measurement: Outlets like TechCrunch and Mashable have added Google Buzz buttons, letting readers share stories to Buzz. What I’ve always liked about Mashable and TechCrunch is their Retweet button which displays the number of times the story has been retweeted. Similarly, what I particularly like about outlets tacking on Google Buzz buttons is that I can see how many times it’s been “buzzed,” enabling me to gauge how popular a story is.

Con:

• Privacy: Many publications have articles out already detailing the privacy concerns of Google Buzz. For instance, TechCrunch’s Erick Schonfeld detailed how he accidentally exposed MG Siegler’s private email address to the 231 people following Schonfeld who didn’t have Siegler in their contacts to begin with.

Some Interesting Articles:

• Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang: Web Strategy Matrix: Google Buzz vs Facebook vs MySpace vs Twitter (Feb 2010)
• TechCrunch: Watch Out Who You Reply To On Google Buzz, You Might Be Exposing Their Email Address
• TechCrunch: Google Buzz Privacy Issues Have Real Life Implications
• PC World: Google Buzz: 5 Tips for Power Users