Is Google Plus Facebook Minus the brilliance?

Facebook is dead. Or at least, that's what Google are hoping will be written on sites like these in a few years from now. Just like Facebook killed Myspace, Google hope to topple the current giant.

Thing is, to do that Google's social site has to not only equal Facebook, but leave it trailing.

Thing is, Plus is nowhere near offering the kind of ease of use Facebook offers. The big F can take you from new user to sign-up within a matter of mere minutes. Google, on the other hand, seem to operate in some sort of exclusivity bubble, demanding new users seek 'invites' from current customers. It's not exactly the approachable, easy to sign up service we've come to expect.

It does bring some new ideas, though. The 'circles' which allow you to place your friends into particular groups and keep them from seeing content and conversation (and drunken photos) with other groups you've got. It's like Facebook, but with optional barriers.

It may not sound like fun - isn't social media all about inclusion? But it does offer a more personalised experience, allowing you to keep your old school friends from spilling all your embarrassing secrets to your new work colleagues.

Similarly, it means your boss won't be able to see those drunken photos. And it's just perfect for affairs. Google Plus? That means wife plus mistress.

Similarly, Sparks allows users to establish a 'feed' of only the content they're into, rather than a catch-all Wall like Facebook.

Hangouts, on the other hand, are a sort of online skulking ground meets Skype - you can let users know you're online and go into video calls, or arrange a virtual meet there in future, like a web video cafe thing.

But is it enough innovation to tempt users away from Facebook? I'm not so sure. People know Facebook. They like it (no pun intended). There is no real reason for anyone to make the switch and go through the pain of inviting all your friends to the new service. Especially as most of them won't be on there.

And who wants to keep two social networks running? I already receive millions of emails and notifications both on my phone and laptop from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Any more and I think my email inbox will explode. Then there's the time involved in keeping both going.

No, the only people using Plus will be hardcore Google fans and those looking for a change from Facebook. And I don't think Circles and Sparks are enough to bring down the current networking titan.