Re: Google Reader needs GPC

Tyme — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:04:16 -0000

To confirm, I logged into Reader, looked at how Google describes the Shared feature:

"This page is accessible to anyone who knows its address, so all that's left to do is to let your friends know about it."

Then there is a URL that the person can share with their friends. There is a "find out more about sharing" link, I clicked on it, and it describes the public PAGE.

I don't see anything about my friends on GTalk getting those feeds automatically. I don't see anything about my friends using Reader automatically getting the updates. It specifically states it will go on a PAGE.

Robert, I'm confused on how users "assumed" something wrong. Google did not do their job by stating specifically on Reader what Shared items would do/does. The user shouldn't have to hunt around for it and if they implemented a new feature the user should have been notified of it when they logged in. Instead of giving me a Tips/Tricks on the Home page give me "We made a major change, this is what this change means to you...".

Re: Could Google Reader team have done a better PR job?

Tyme — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:52:19 -0000

I find it interesting that you have asking the users whether they want the feature and getting feedback the 4th strike. If they did that first, they would have had all the answers they needed. A simple survey on the user's dashboard/home of Reader "do you want your GTalk contacts to see your Shared items automatically?" would have given them more than enough information so they could make an informed decision as to whether to proceed.

I don't use shared items at all but Google's blunder shows how out of touch they are with HOW people use their products.

Not trying to knock opinions but unless Google gets to the root of the problem, understand their mistake and why it was made, then resolve it (that's not "Oops, we made a mistake and we fixed it!") they'll do it again in another form.

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Re: Google Reader needs GPC

Re: Could Google Reader team have done a better PR job?