Trendwatch
Eric Markowitz and Inc. staff
 

Google recently opened its Google+ social network to businesses. How should you approach this new platform? How important is it to your social media mix? Inc.com’s Eric Markowitz tracked down Christian Oestlien, Google’s chief of social advertising products, at Ad:Tech in New York to find out more about how you can make Google+ work for your small business marketing. Watch the video for Oestlien's recommendations.

In this week’s TrendWatch Facts & Figures, a closer look at Google+ and its competition:

1. When Google+ first launched in June, it recruited new members by invitation only. It opened to the public in late September. Google points out that Google+ has grown faster in its launch months than Facebook or Twitter. It reached 40 million users Oct. 13, according to a press release from CEO Larry Page.

2. By comparison, Twitter has a little more than 100 million active users, while Facebook has around 800 million.

3. Macy’s and Pepsi were among the first brands to join Google+. Macy’s has made just one post to its account, promising “exclusive info on sales, promotions, events and more.” Pepsi posts more frequently, including advertising its partnership with music reality and competition show The X Factor.

4. The most followed Google+ user is CEO Page, followed closely by Britney Spears and Snoop Dogg. Until late October, though, Page trailed Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder and CEO.