Google+ takes cue from Twitter with 'Trends'
Google's social network now lets users search for the hot topics being discussed across the site.
Google has added a new Trends feature to its Google+ search.
Now when Google+ users input a search, the results page's right sidebar displays the top 10 most-popular topics on the social network. Upon clicking one of the trending topics, users will be brought to a page showing all the most recent user updates on the topic. A "best of" option is also available to let users see some of the top posts related to the given topic.
Mashable, which first reported on the update, claims the Trends feature went live last night.
If the feature sounds familiar, there's a good reason for that: it's nearly identical to Twitter's Trends. However, unlike Twitter Trends, Google+ doesn't let users choose a location to see what's hot in a particular area.
Google has been busy as of late with bringing new features to its social project. One of the more notable recent additions was Google+ Pages for businesses that want to establish a presence on the site. Already it has proved popular: social-management company BrightEdge released a study yesterday claiming that 61 percent of the world's top 100 brands, including Coca-Cola and McDonald's, have set up Google+ pages.
Next up, Google appears to be readying an application programming interface for Google+ that will let app makers access user photos and videos. However, the company has so far not confirmed an earlier report suggesting that the API will be launching soon.