Google recently released a new notification format for Google+ users, allowing them to use the service from their Gmail inbox.

In its Gmail blog, Google detailed a new feature for Google+ users that allows them to control their activity on a site directly from their inboxes. The new notification concept simplifies Google+ use for Gmail account holders in that notification emails now provide buttons and options for all Google+ actions.

Users can view content within the notification email, rather than having to navigate to their accounts. From the emails, commenting on content, endorsing it with a +1 or sharing it is now simplified and streamlined. When someone comments or shares the content a user has shared or interacted with a notification email will be sent to remove the hassle of having to monitor Google+ itself.

Other actions users can now complete through their inboxes include adding accounts to their Circles when they receive notification that they have been added.

Despite massive investment from Google to make its social network the hub of its integrated platform, activity on the site remains low. Meanwhile, Facebook, Twitter and other competitors continue to add to their user bases and see more activity. As such, generating interest for social media marketing campaigns on Google+ has been difficult.

Facebook, for example, recently released its latest user figure and said that it has surpassed the 900 million mark, Brafton highlighted in a recent report.

Joe Meloni is Brafton's former Executive News and Content Writer. He studied journalism at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and has written for a number of print and web-based publications.