A few weeks ago, I shared a list of tools to help you make the most of Google+. Quite a few people noticed that a major one was missing: CircleCount. I left out that one on purpose because it deserved an article in itself. So here it is.
CircleCount is a third-party service that gives you insights into your Google+ activity and helps you to leverage the platform better.
To start using CircleCount, visit http://www.circlecount.com, sign in with your Google+ account, and grant the site permission to access your data. You are set!
Now, click the “Dashboard” tab in the “You” drop-down menu to view the metrics for your profile. The site analyzes your activity and engagement around your updates to help you determine your best posting times on Google+. The page also displays info like the average response per post, your follower growth history, the list of publicly shared Circles where your name appears, and your most engaging content.
Other areas of interest (located in the “You” drop-down menu) include:
– Your Connections: The list of people you have circled (by number of followers). Their follower history is highlighted, but you can click on their name to see their entire CircleCount profile.
– Your Birthdays: If one of the people in your Circles has made their birthday public, you will find it there.
– Your Circles and Follower Maps: Have you ever wondered where your connections and subscribers live? You will find the answer in those pages, with some other public data like gender distribution and relationship status.
– Your Sharers: The list of all the accounts (people and Pages) that have shared one or more public Circle(s) where you have been included.
– Your Pages / Communities: Adding your Page and /or Community to CircleCount will give you access to the same metrics as the ones in your profile’s Dasboard.
CircleCount is also a great site to find new connections and interesting content. The “Specials” section has some great stuff, including a list of infographics, polls, and a map of the most followed Plussers. And, the “Statistics” area will probably appeal to number lovers.
Finally, don’t forget to install the CircleCount Chrome extension, which shows information about Google+ Profiles and Pages directly on the Plus. The tool also allows you to add shared Circles and your favorite posts to CircleCount in one click and access Ripples for public updates.
