Google+ unveiled a major revamp of its service Thursday, with many of the previous components being replaced with Facebook-style features. Among the updates, users will now have a live feed called a "stream" and components for photo and check-in.
One change clearly made to mimic Facebook is the "Share what's new..." banner along the top of the stream, an almost identical mock-up of Facebook's status update bar asking "What's on your mind?"
Google said the changed features are meant for easier navigation by users.
"Taken together, these powers make it easier to access your favorites, and to adjust your preferences over time," Senior VP Vic Gundotra said on the company blog. "We've also built the ribbon with the future in mind, giving us an obvious (and clutter-free) space for The Next Big Feature, and The Feature After That."
The site makeover will also add a push behind their "Hangout" feature in which users can make contact and video chat.
"We think you'll find it easier to use and nicer to look at, but most importantly, it accelerates our efforts to create a simpler, more beautiful Google," Gundotra added.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.