Newly discovered code in a Google page hints that it might just become part of the standard web search interface -- provided you opt to turn it on, of course.
To address EU concerns over Google's "scraping" of user reviews and other content from rival sites, the company pledged to give content providers the right to opt out of its specialist search services -- such as Google News -- without disappearing from its general search engine.
That's not to say that your contacts need to opt-in to the search giant's social networking site to join the fun -- email invites are still available by typing your friend's address alongside your circles, or individual friends should you wish to plan an awkward inter-group soiree.
The company gave advertisers more flexibility to use rival search-engine ad systems and said it would allow rivals to opt out of having their content appear on some Google websites.