Google Unleashes First Wave of Google+ Invites

Google+, the search giant’s answer to Facebook, is currently in a “limited field test.” However, it looks like Google has opened the floodgates to the masses.

The Google+ project is the company’s social initiative that brings friend streams, group video chat and group texting to Google’s millions of users. Check out our review of Google+ if you want to learn more.

For the past few days, Google+ invites have not been available to the public, but apparently Google is prepared to test the service with a larger group. Google+ users will find a button that allows them to invite their friends on the Google+ Stream page. Invites are also available if a Google+ user shares content with a non-user via email.

Google+ invites are in high demand. I sent just one tweet and posted one update on Facebook, and I have received more than 100 requests for invites. Request for Google+ invites are flooding Twitter.

Are you on Google +? Have you gotten a Google+ invite yet? Let us know what you think of Google’s social service in the comments.

Update: Google has closed off invites after just a few hours. Demand was “insanely high,” according to Google SVP of Social Vic Gundotra.

Google to launch its own 'like' Button

Google has launched a new social feature to its search, one that it will be rolling out very slowly globally, beginning with America. Called +1, the feature will allow logged in users to ‘like’ or ‘+1’ search results and Google-based advertisments. Google promises however, that this data will not be used to influence results, rather, it is meant to show ‘+1’ed results to friends, by sharing the link with them. The data will also be used for research purposes, to enhance search quality.

Speaking on the launch of the social aspect of search, Eric Schmidt, the departing CEO of Google, said: 'I am incredibly optimistic about what is going to be possible in the next decade, we have spent our whole career getting to this point'

Just like the ‘Like’ button, publishers will soon be able to add a “+1” button to their sites and content. Sites using Google Ad words will also get the option alongside advertisements.

Google announced the new +1 feature in a Blog post entitled “+1’s: the right recommendations right when you want them—in your search results.” Putting things in perspective, this isn’t the first time Google has tried introducing social search, and tested a slightly more limited search result recommendation feature back in 2008, which allowed people to upvote or downvote results, and comment on them. Secondly, Google isn’t just competing Facebook’s Like button on publishers sites, but also directly with Microsoft Bing, who recently added Facebook Like functionality to their search results.

To make things worse, to use the “+1” service, users will have to login to their Google Profile. While many users on the web have a Google Account, they do not have a Google Profile, and will have to create one. Those with a Profile will have to update to the latest version to use it with +1.

Apart from your Google contacts, Google said it will possibly, in the future, share recommendations with other connections, i.e. Twitter contacts, etc. To know who you are currently connected to, you’ll have to visit the Social Circle and Content section of Google Dashboard.

Best Social Networking Browser and App

For all those young geeks who want all your Facebook and Twitter updates right on your desktop or mobile.. You have to check out TweetDeck.

It notifies all the Facebook and Twitter updates you request through desktop popups.. So you dont have to open your Browser and refresh it regularly to check for updates anymore.

TweetDeck is fully secure and you can automatically link your accounts to it. The tabbed column interface for each site it sure to stun you. Enjoy Social Networking :) Become a better GEEK ;) !!!!

Download it here: http://www.tweetdeck.com/

TweetDeck for PC:

TweetDeck for iPhone:

TweetDeck for Android:

Facebook facts you got to know ;)