That’s right! If you’ve been having trouble getting started with Google+ Business Page, this might be the answer to your prayers. 

Before you could only +1 or comment on content from plussers who had already circled your Google+ Business Page. Now you don’t have to wait until they circle you. If you see a conversation that looks relevant to your business you can jump on in! The Next Web has written a great article on the new feature. http://thenextweb.com/google/2012/12/28/google-pages-can-now-interact-with-users-who-havent-circled-them-analytics-for-businesses-coming-soon/

If you’re serious about getting your Google+ Page up and running, it’s a good read.

@cassiewitt

Good for marketers and businesses, but I wonder what the impact will be for people. Do we want brands commenting on our posts? 

Time will tell…

Hey @rich-brooks

I agree. I’m not sure how people will take to Brands commenting on their posts. I suspect the response will be inline with the way brands comment. If it is a relevant conversation that they are adding value to, then I think it will be mostly viewed as okay. If they are just using the commenting to get people to circle them, they will probably get flagged a lot. Hopefully there will not be a lot of spammers. We will definitely have to see how this plays out.

@kc_kreative

I already route all Google+ stuff to a separate folder and it works great! Since I use a bunch of Google products, I just look for the little notification number and check it when I have a few moments. 

@atlantarobin

Robin,

Stalkers are fun! NOT!

I’ve seen businesses do the same sorts of things on Facebook and Twitter. Not yet on G+, but the fun has only just begun there! 

As you mentioned, you never know if the person is unknowingly doing it or is spamming because they think that’s the way it works. It gets very frustrating very fast. Something that I do is to try and send them a “nice” private message, if possible, letting them know that what they are doing is not okay. Sometimes private messages are not possible, and you just need to delete or hide a message (if you’re an admin). If not, Google+ has some nice “report spam or abuse” options for posts and comments. I only use these if hints go unheeded. I feel like it’s a better option to try to educate than just report spammers all over the place. 

Anyway, it is very frustrating. I wish you all the luck with your “handbag” person.

@dianebianchi That’s what I was thinking! I have a client that has been having problems getting more followers on their page, and I think this will make all the difference (if used correctly).