Google+ stops accepting invites after initial social networking trial

Google has stopped issuing invitations for its latest social networking venture Google+ less than 48 hours after the Google+ service launched

Google is hoping the service will be a rival to Facebook in hooking user web visits and clicks but despite shutting the service to new users, no word was given on the number of active users using the service so far.

"We launched Google+ in a field trial in order to test the product out and gather more feedback," Google said in a statement.

"As part of the field trial, we may open and close Google+ to new users at any time. We're thrilled so many people are interested in trying out a new approach to online sharing."

This is Google's third attempt to enter the social networking sphere. In 2004 the company launched Orkut, after failing to buy the now-defunct Friendster. This has strong local followings in South America, but no large worldwide footprint.

Last year Google launched Buzz as an alternative social network, but the service ran into privacy problems and was not well received. While still operating, user numbers have not boomed in the way the company hoped.

V3.co.uk's has posted its first impressions of the Google+ social networking site noting that while it has some nice features, there's nothing to keep Facebook staff awake at night.