Google+ (Google Plus) was launched on June 28, 2011, by Google Inc., as they plan to leverage from the world of social networking. The social site is similar to Facebook in terms of the overall social networking perspective, however, it has unique features that makes it very appealing.

Currently, it is open by invite-only basis, therefore, you will require a Google+ invite to join this social network. Since its launch, over 20 million users have registered on the site.

I was one of the fortunate to get an invite at launch and have been able to test the social platform extensively. Though it's too early to say how it will ultimately compare to Facebook and Twitter, I'm impressed with the overall functionality of Google Plus.

One of the unique features of Google+ is Google Plus Circles, that allows users to create cliques or groups, which enables sharing updates with people belonging to specific Circles as opposed to everyone in your network. Another cool feature is called "Google Hangouts" which is essentially a face-to-face live video chat with up to 10 people. Other Google+ features include Google Sparks, Google Huddle and Instant Upload.

Having used the platform extensively so far, I've written an in-depth review on key aspects of this new social network as well as a Google Plus Setup Guide for Beginners to help new users. If you are not yet on Google Plus, feel free to request a Google+ Invite from me. I believe that Google is getting it right this time as they reinvent themselves in the social networking world.

If you are already in Google Plus, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this brand new social network launched by Google.

Hiya Anthony, my fiance just invited me to this, I have yet to go in and do it. I play a few apps on Facebook (at this point I'm sure everyone does) but I'm not huge into social networking in general so I haven't jumped on it. It looks pretty impressive and if there was ever a company I think has the potential to compete with Facebook, I'd say it would be Google. Even though I have no particular desire to vest more time into another social networking avenue, I would be curious to know if it is "lively" enough to give up Facebook in favor of this, as I find the ever growing interface to be growing more and more buggy and needlessly complex compared to the Facebook of 2009 or so.

Hiya Wallace, thanks for your thoughts on social networking and I can understand you not being a huge fan of it. I'm not too much into social networking sites either, but like to use them on and off for personal and professional reasons.

I'm on FB and Twitter and use both of them, but am definitely not addicted to any. I'm on PeopleString as well which I use more often because it's a very customizable Home page (a centralized dashboard, if I may).

Anyway, lest I digress, getting back to Google+, having tested it so far since it launched on June 28, 2011, I find it impressive so far. One of the main reasons being the concept of circles which allows you to segregate all your contacts into various groups of people, just like in life.

This allows G+ users to be able to use this new social platform for both, personal and business reasons in just one account. It allows you flexibility to share updates with specific people based on the circles you have created, therefore, only those people who are the specific circles will see the posts, not everyone on your network. Similarly, if you'd like to see posts or updates of a specific group, you can filter them so you don't have to sift through all the posts that people in your entire network have posted.

Some people find circles confusing, but once you understand them, you will be able to use them effectively. No other social network that I've used allows this sort of flexibility which I think is unique and very useful. Also, I like the privacy settings which can be easily customized. I created a resource on Squidoo called Understanding Google+ Circles to help people who'd better like to understand them.

In terms of your question and comparison to Facebook, I don't think people will ditch FB just yet. G+ is still in its beta testing phase and not yet open to the general public as such. It's too early to say how far Google will take this, but I have a good feeling about it. There is a lot of interesting conversation going on in G+, but again, it all depends who is in your circles.

Hope this helps!

Fantastic Anthony, most helpful indeed.

I'm convinced, and I'll give it a try. I have a few busy days ahead but once the weekend is over I will open up that invite email and get started. One last question; (and I'm embarrassed to ask this, since social networking is far more useful in other ways) does Google + incorporate any applications at all such as Castle Age, or other silly games?

Also, I wonder if in the future, Google will incorporate things like Google Earth, or other popular applications into its interface. It would be interesting to be reading an article on Bhangarh in India for example, and have a small area of the screen zoom into it visually. Its these kinds of possibilities that convince me Google has a tremendous advantage over Facebook, and I'm curious to see how it all unfolds.

Thank you for the reply as always my friend.

Warm regards.

Hey Wallace, sorry for the delayed response.

Ah, nothing to be embarrassed asking about G+ games :)

You're in luck, Google just announced, a couple of days ago about, Games in Google+ on their official blog. It is just being rolled out to a few folks. It's currently not available for everyone on Google+ yet, so looks like they plan to do it in phases. Some folks have already written some reviews on G+ games and what to expect. I don't have access to games and am not too much into gaming, but I'm sure there is lots to come in the coming months.

Also, with regards to your other question on incorporating other Google apps with G+, yes, that is where this is all leading to. Looks like they are approaching this G+ project in phases 'cos they want to get this right this time. Personally, I'm impressed with their approach and progress, but only time will tell.

Hope this helps my friend...have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers! :)

Well I got mine started :)

I will have to find you Anthony and friend you if you don't mind. I haven't filled much out yet but at least its started. Perhaps I can utilize Google+ to somehow assist in my PC repair business lol. At the very least I will continue to make some great new friends. I'm glad Google is going to take advantage of so many applications, I think programs like Google Earth and Google Mars are remarkable. Aside from having the most powerful search engine on the planet, its hard not to be impressed with what this company has managed to accomplish since its beginning.

Thank you for the info my friend.

Good to know that you got your G+ started, you can feel free to connect with me at: http://gplus.to/ajgodinho

I'm sure once G+ launches to the general public and opens it up for business pages, you will be able to leverage from it. I agree, with your assessment regarding your impression of the big G and their accomplishments. Given that they have a lot of leverage with their ever evolving search engine, I think businesses will be able to make the best of it from an SEO perspective and web traffic.

I've been a little out of the loop, in the past few days,  with regards to G+ developments because of other priorities. So I'm going to take some time this weekend to keep abreast of things and accordingly update my Squidoo G+ pages.

I'll look for you on G+...

P.S: Don't set up a business account in G+ yet, as some business accounts have been deleted because at the moment it's only open to individuals.

Wallace, I am curious if you are utilizing FB to promote your PC Repair Business...  I have found it a fabulous (FREE) way to stay in contact with people or to at least stay "in front" of them to help them remember me and what I do.  'would love to have the link to your FB page if you have one.  :)

Here's mine, in case you want to "snoop"  haha   facebook.com/ineedscents :) )

Well I got mine started :)

I will have to find you Anthony and friend you if you don't mind. I haven't filled much out yet but at least its started. Perhaps I can utilize Google+ to somehow assist in my PC repair business lol. At the very least I will continue to make some great new friends. I'm glad Google is going to take advantage of so many applications, I think programs like Google Earth and Google Mars are remarkable. Aside from having the most powerful search engine on the planet, its hard not to be impressed with what this company has managed to accomplish since its beginning.

Thank you for the info my friend.

Thank you for the heads up my friend, I'll leave out any affiliations to my business until they allow it. I have yet to follow up on that but will get on later on today. Thanks again.

No problem, Wallace...you may come across some business accounts on G+, but those are the ones approved by Google for beta testing purposes. I believe Mashable.com is one of them. However, there is no problem if you make mention of your website on your personal G+ profile.

I'll see you on G+...cheers for now.

Anthony Godinho:  "Some people find circles confusing, but once you understand them, you will be able to use them effectively. No other social network that I've used allows this sort of flexibility which I think is unique and very useful. Also, I like the privacy settings which can be easily customized. I created a resource on Squidoo called Understanding Google+ Circles to help people who'd better like to understand them."

Facebook also has the option to post to specific "groups".  Click the drop-down box next to the lock under your posting (before you post), click "customize", then under "make visible to", (or "hide this from") click "specific people" and type in the group you want to post to.  (Of course you first need to create groups; aside from friends or friends of friends.)

Thanks for your input, Carleen and for the instructions of creating groups on FB...it's much appreciated!

I've actually tried creating "groups" (or what FB calls Lists) and categorizing people in those lists, but the whole process of creating the lists and choosing them when posting, is quite cumbersome as compared to G+ (that's my opinion of course).

Also, that feature is not visible enough to the average FB user and I don't find it user-friendly. When I first started exploring the List feature in FB, I had to go digging for it.

Circles on the other hand are front and center of G+ and that's what I like about it because it makes sense not sharing every post or update with one's whole network, just like in real life. That's what I meant my "flexibility" in my earlier post. Having said so, G+ has many things they can improve on and I see that they are in the process of enhancing the platform as it's being beta tested by millions before it's fully launched to the general public.

Cheers! :)

My pleasure, Anthony.

And I have to agree that Google+'s version of that feature is much more user-friendly.  As for me, I'm more interested in the google+ hang outs feature for my team meetings.  Have you used that feature yet?  :) 

What I am apprehensive about is having some friends on FB, and some on google+...  It is so nice right now with (almost) everyone conveniently together on FB.