Research from GlobalWebIndex has revealed how Google+ has overcome its initial teething problems and is now ahead of Twitter in the race for social network supremacy.

When it was unveiled in 2011, Google’s offering failed to spark the same level of interest apparent with other sites, such as Pinterest and Facebook. However, with the news that Google+ now has an active user-base of 359 million, it is clear that internet users have warmed to the idea.

The new user figure represents an impressive 33% increase on the number taken in June last year – 269 million.

The platform’s success is thought by many to be down, in part, to the way it integrates a host of different services. This includes Google-owned platforms such as Google Maps and YouTube; as well as its primary search function.

Despite the surge in popularity, Google+ is still trailing behind the current leader, Facebook, which now has an active user-base of over 700 million.

Experts have also praised Google for consistently updating its social network offerings to meet the needs of its users. Last year, for example, it added a ‘Communities’ section, offering users a space to share content.

In a statement, Google responded to the news, saying:

“We’re extremely happy with our progress so far, and one of our main goals is to transform the overall Google experience and make all of the services people already love faster, more relevant, and more reliable.”

GlobalWebIndex’s figures add to the results of a SurveyMonkey study last month, which pointed to the power of Google+ in influencing the decisions of consumers. Its popularity and its focus on being business-friendly shouldn’t be ignored by company owners who are looking to improve their online presence. Offering engaging content is obviously important but this will only be effective if the content is placed within easy reach of potential customers

Graeme Parton

Graeme has experience creating content for online sources and for the radio, and at university he studied Multimedia Journalism.