MARKETING: Some argue that Google has been and will always be on the back foot when it comes its own social network (Plus), simply because it was late to the game behind Facebook. But many forget that its arsenal of services, when combined with Plus, can be quite a tempting offer for brands to get involved. Read more on Social Media Hat.
Google says brands which are actively using their Google+ Pages will soon be able to use their status updates to generate display ads across the Google network.
Similar to Facebook's Sponsored Stories, viewers will see the ad in a way that's close to how it appeared on the original Google+ timeline. But that's where the similarity ends.
In this case, what Google is allowing organisations to do is take our brand message and carry it over into the rest of the web - everywhere that displays Google ads.
That's over 2 million sites within the Google Display Network.
Read more on Social Media Hat