Image via Complex Original
Intro
The tech industry, like every other, is built around fierce rivalries. There's nothing better than two companies duking it out for supremacy in a certain market. One of the most recent has been Facebook vs. Google. Until now, the two behemoths have been warring with each other not over products, but over Internet dominance. In August 2010, Facebook eclipsed Google as the top online destination. However, now, with the introduction of Google+, the search giant and the social network are dueling in the same ring. Many have pegged Google+ as a strong Facebook competitor, one so strong they see it one day toppling the 700 million-user service. And while that may be in the cards for Brin and Page's newest project, there are some things that Facebook does better that it will need to address if it intends to be the reining social network. Before you get an invitation and make the switch, check out the 5 Facebook Features That Google+ Lacks.
Privacy
Ability to Exclude Users From Seeing Your Updates
Facebook has had more than its fair share of privacy issues centered around the network's proclivity to automatically opt in millions of users to whatever new feature or service it introduces. However, for those not afraid to prod around FB's privacy settings, Zuckerberg's platform gives you the ability to keep your information much more private than Brin and Page's. True, it's more difficult to manage your friends and friend groups via Facebook, but you have the option to choose who exactly gets to see your updates, something Google+ doesn't yet allow you to do. Don't want your Aunt to see how your weekend in Miami Beach really went? No problem.
Private, Direct Message
You Can Send Private Messages
One of the most glaring omissions from Google+ is the ability to send private, direct messages to your friends. There have been some work-arounds posted to the Internet, but they're a bit too intensive for regular people. Google even added a "Send an email" button to Google+ profiles that will allow you shoot someone an email even if you're not in one of their circles. Sending an e-mail is not the same as sending someone a direct message. It just isn't. And seeing as how you can instant message friends while in Gmail, we're not sure why Google didn't include the same functionality in Google+.
Games
You Can Play Games
We already hear you saying, Who cares if you can play games on Facebook? To that we say: Over 300 million people. According to statistics from Fall 2010, around 53% of Facebook users partake in at least one game on Facebook. Nearly as many people play Facebook games each month as there are people in the United States, and 20% of those people have actually laid down money for in-game purchases. Tabulate that, and you have a pretty lucrative segment that Google will need to address if it intends to topple Facebook.
Facebook Pages
Brands Love Facebook Pages
Go to Google.com right now and search for Red Bull. You'll find that the fourth or fifth result is a link to the energy drink's Facebook Page. At this point, nearly every brand worth its weight in bits and bytes has a Facebook page. It allows them to interact with their "fans" and try to convert people into new fans. True, the Facebook Page design is a bit unimaginative, but some brands have taken to decking its page out as much as it can (just take a look at Red Bull's FB Page). While living in a digital world free from corporations attempting to sell you things you'd be better without is nice, we think many businesses will stick with Facebook until Google figures out something better.
Events
You Can Make Anything An Event
Look, we know a great many of you don't bother to respond to the Event invitations you get on Facebook, but a greater many do. Less personal than an e-vite, a Facebook Events invite lets you hit all your friends—'cause you know they're all on Facebook—at the same time with the same information. It's an overlooked but useful feature.