One of the (ever-growing list of) frustrations with Facebook is its control over which updates you are shown through the use of its algorithm, EdgeRank.

One of the benefits of using Google Plus is that there is no EdgeRank algorithm. Nor anything like it. On Google Plus, it is possible to not only see every update posted by every person in your Circles, but to also control exactly how much content you are shown by each Circle.

At the top of your Google Plus Profile page, you have access to your Circles’ streams.

After selecting a Circle, you’ll see this slider appear on the right side of the page.

This slider is what allows you to control the amount of updates posted by the people in that specific Circle.

There are 4 notification levels – from No updates shown in your stream, all the way up to All updates shown in your stream. If you would like to be notified via email whenever there is a new update posted, move the slider all the way to the right, to the bell icon.

It is also possible to mute all notifications from a user. Visit the page of the person you’d like to mute, and select “Mute this person” link on the right sidebar.

Having this ability means you never have to worry about missing updates from the people you want to be most connected to. Google Plus allows you to be in the driver’s seat with your social media updates.

Do you find value in being able to control the content you are shown? How has your use of Google Plus changed over time?