Google extends Google+ to businesses with Pages service

Google has introduced a new Google+ service designed to extend the social networking site to enterprise and commercial customers.

Google+ Pages allows companies to create profile pages, and then connect with user accounts, recommend and add commercial pages to their circles and recommend businesses.

"Not only can they recommend you with a +1, or add you to a circle to listen long-term, but they can actually spend time with your team face-to-face," said Google senior vice president of engineering Vic Gundotra in a blog post.

"All you need to do is start sharing, and you'll soon find the super fans and loyal customers that want to say hello."

Pages is integrated with Google search, and the Direct Connect feature allows direct access to business pages through the Google search results screen.

The Pages and Direct Connect platforms are part of an ongoing effort by Google to expand Google+. The company recently integrated Google+ with its Apps platform and added user recommendation functions with the introduction of a 'suggested user' feature.

"With Google+ we strive to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software," said Gundotra. "Today's launch of Google+ Pages brings us a little bit closer, but we've still got lots of improvements planned."