Why Google’s Pacman Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move

If you’re like most of the world, you had a few moments of pure nostalgia on Google this morning after catching wind of their interactive tribute to Pacman. How did you do? I made it to level two!

The page and concept itself is absolutely a new level of genius for Google—who has entertained users with creative “Google Doodles” since 1999.

But was there more than mere creativity behind Google’s home page this time?

Where did you first find out about Google’s playable Pacman page? I found out through Twitter contacts and began spreading the word on Facebook. I assumed I was spreading “old news,” when, in fact, most of my Facebook and Twitter connections had no idea about Google’s move. What? They hadn’t visited Google yet either today?

The fact is, social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook are becoming our first source for news these days, not Google. We log in each morning to get “the latest buzz” from friends, contacts and connections.

So, was Google’s move a calculated attempt to infiltrate the Social Networks with their own buzzworthy news?

It will be interesting to see how the numbers play out over the next few days.

At this hour (1:19pm Eastern) , TwitScoop‘s “Hot Trends” shows that Google-related Tweets have taken an immediate spike and are dominating the network.

Mentions of “Google” on Twitter (Source: Twitscoop)

Google and Pac-Man Related Terms (Source: TwitScoop)

But, Google’s spike in activity doesn’t stop with Twitter. According to Social Mention’s Trend Report, mentions of Google are spiking across the networks!

Mentions of “Google” across Social Networks (Source: Social Mention)

So, tell us, where did you first hear about Google’s Pac Man Page?

Deana Goldasich

Deana Goldasich, CEO and founder of Well Planned Web, plans and implements Content Marketing to help clients nurture leads, market their expertise and create an impactful presence online.

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19 Comments

  1. Kevin D. Lyons on May 21, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    Great post! I find it interesting and encouraging that a “whale” like Google still finds it valuable to invest and inject viral-centric gimmicks into their platform. I'm sure their servers will get a workout today.

    It would be interesting to see the trending comparison between Twitter and Google Buzz on this one.

    ~ I first heard the news on Twitter via @UnMarketing



  2. Deana Goldasich on May 21, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    Thanks for the comment, Kevin! Indeed, it doesn't seem that Google needs the extra traffic…but I can't wait to see the coming trends. I wish I was a fly on Google's wall when this one was discussed!



  3. Jonathan Saar on May 21, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    Very interesting. Google will never give up of course. Their approach to infiltrating markets has always been amazing to me. Thanks for the post Deana



  4. goldasich on May 21, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    Why Google’s Pac Man Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move – https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go… #google #pacman #socialmedia



  5. salamicat on May 21, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    RT @goldasich: Why Google’s Pacman Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move – https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go



  6. Bernie Borges on May 21, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    I didn't hear of Google's Pacman thing at all until you put it on my radar. Still haven't checked it out yet. If it's on Google's home page, I'll never see it b/c I never go to google.com. I use google from my browser. Kinda like I never go to twitter.com.



  7. Deana Goldasich on May 21, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    It's worth a look, Bernie! Indeed, I use Firefox's default home page, so changes are I wouldn't have seen it either. Like Kevin says…their servers must be working overtime today!



  8. goldasich on May 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    Why Google’s Pacman Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move – https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go



  9. marie_a_weber on May 22, 2010 at 8:43 am

    RT @goldasich: Why Google’s Pacman Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move – https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go



  10. BGFvirtual on May 22, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    RT @goldasich: Why Google’s Pac Man Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move – https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go… #google #pacman #socialmedia



  11. goldasich on May 22, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    Why Google’s Pacman Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move – https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go



  12. manuel on May 23, 2010 at 5:38 am

    You can save your record pacman google on this page

    http://www.millionthanksbook.com/pacman.php

    before the google pacman logo go away !!!



  13. goldasich on May 25, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    @mmangen Thanks, Michelle for the RT of Why Google’s Pacman Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go



  14. […] the question. Was there a loss of work productivity? Absolutely. Was this a smart move–a brilliant social media move–on Google’s part? Sheer genius. The Google search count may have been down last […]



  15. Deana Goldasich on May 25, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Great article from @jkennerlyon on how Google Pacman Doodle interrupted our routine and disrupted productivity! http://ow.ly/1PKQa



  16. Deana Goldasich on May 25, 2010 at 7:08 pm

    Great article from @jkennerlyon on how Google Pacman Doodle interrupted our routine and disrupted productivity! http://ow.ly/1PKQa



  17. mmangen on May 25, 2010 at 11:44 pm

    @goldasich you are welcome! I enjoyed the post!



  18. twitscoop on June 7, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    @goldasich no problem, we even bookmarked it in our hbookmark account: http://www.hbookmark.com/twitscoop 🙂



  19. goldasich on June 7, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Thanks @twitscoop for the RT of “Why Google’s Pacman Page Was a Brilliant Social Media Move.” https://www.wellplannedweb.com/2010/05/go… — Love Twitscoop!