Google+ for business set to launch later this year

Google has revealed that it is working on a version of its recently launched Google+ social networking service specially tailored for businesses, and warned that any non-user profiles on the regular site will be shut down.

In a brief video announcement, Google+ product manager Christian Oestlien urged any "businesses, brands and other entities" that want to be considered for the small pilot Google will be conducting to get in touch.

Oestlien explained that the pilot will show how people interact with businesses via the Google+ Circles and through the stream, and how they communicate with them through Hangouts.

"Right now we're very much focused on optimising for the consumer experience, but we have a great team of engineers building a similarly optimised business experience for Google+," he said.

"It will include things like rich analytics and the ability to connect that identity to other parts of Google that businesses might use on a daily basis like AdWords."

Oestlien warned companies to "hold off" on using the consumer Google+, saying that the policy team will shut down any non-user profiles. The service should be available later this year, he added.

Google+ launched to generally positive reviews last week, although it has come in for some criticism for its privacy policy, and has already been abused by online scammers sending fake invitations which redirect victims to pharmaceutical spam sites.