Google product manager Ronald Ho recently announced that Google+ is now available to users of Google Apps, which has become increasingly popular in workplaces, colleges and universities.
Until now, Google+ was only available to those with personal Gmail accounts. The availability of Google’s social network to Apps users means professionals logged into their business email accounts can now use Google+ to share content and access the social’s networks other features. It also paves the way for Google+ to become a more powerful B2B social media marketing platform.
According to Google, there are currently 40 million people using Google+. The availability of Google+ for Apps users will likely boost the network’s activity and membership greatly, as this move eliminates a major barrier to its use.
For business users, Google+ will bring a few features into the workplace that could make operations easier. Hangouts with Extras allows users to essentially video conference with as many people as needed. The “Extras” come in the form of integration with Google Docs, the company’s cloud-based productivity suite used by many Apps account holders.
The integration with Google Apps is the latest major adjustment Google has made to its social platform. Brafton reported that the network received a significant increase in traffic when it removed the invite-only barrier to entry.
