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How to import, invite Facebook friends to Google+

Google+ might be your latest addiction, but what's the fun if your friends aren't involved? Here's how to import and invite Facebook friends to Google+.

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Sharon Profis Vice President of Content
Sharon Profis is a vice president of content.
Sharon Profis
2 min read
Screenshot by Sharon Vaknin/CNET

While you're settling into Google+, you might notice that it's a little lonely without your friends.

Since most of your friends are currently on Facebook (and might not even know about Google+), you'll need to help them make the switch.

Here's how: 

Step 1: Log into your Yahoo Mail account. If you don't have one yet, create one. Then, head to the "Contacts" tab in the mail dashboard. Click "Import contacts" and then select the Facebook icon in the next screen. You'll be asked to authorize the connection.

Yahoo will import all your Facebook friends' names and e-mails into your contacts list.

Step 2: Go to Google+, log in, and click "View and edit" in the sidebar on the right (below "in your circles"). In the next window, click "Find and invite." Click "Yahoo," agree to the terms, and watch as Google imports your Yahoo contacts (from Facebook) into Google+.

Step 3: Add all the Facebook friends you want on Google+ into your custom Circles. Then go to the Google+ dashboard, compose a post, and share it with those circles. Make sure to check "Also e-mail * people not yet using Google+".

Upon publishing your post, your friends will be indirectly invited to Google+, a trick we previously mentioned.

Because Facebook doesn't allow third parties to grab users' e-mail addresses, the company will likely continue to shut down apps and extensions like, Facebook Friend Exporter, that attempt to do so.

Other Web development teams are attempting to bypass Facebook restrictions, but this Yahoo Mail workaround is the only legitimate way to get your Facebook friends onto Google+ (for now).