Google introduces Friend Connect

Google launched its new Data portability platform called Friend Connect. The service that helps website owners grow traffic by enabling any site on the web to easily provide social features for its visitors. This these features enabled on your blog or site you will be able to attract more visitors, add social networking features with no or very less programming.

This is Google's next step in social networking. Initially they launched OpenSocial an API for social applications. Then Google profile was launched and integrated with Google Reader. Recently they added commenting (notes) feature in Google reader. Plus they have API that I need not mention (Google Calendar Data API,Google Contacts Data API etc). So with Google Friend you will be able to integrate social features like user registration, invitations, members gallery, message posting, and reviews other other applications built on openSocial. You will also be able with other social networks like facebook, hi5, Plaxo, LinkedIn etc. So, you will be able to connect people from different networks and broadcast activities to friends in their social networks.


I went through an example and was able to login using my Google ID. The application gave me options to connect with my facebook and orkut accounts. With this Google will stay way ahead in social networking and intergration. With OpenSocial around these platforms, I am sure facebook and Yahoo have lots to learn from this.