Google+

Many people use the internet solely for sharing content and communicating with others, so it's no wonder that the number of social platforms is high but only a few manage to attract the most users.

Google is trying to compete against Facebook with its Google+ platform, but only manages to rank second with few chances of surpassing Facebook and become the most popular social network in the world.

Neat interface that lacks instructions

All you need to register with an account is a Gmail profile. The app opens with a few tips and the user profile. Before you start sharing content, you should set your profile. Users may add a short description, information about their occupation and education, etc. There's also the option of adding places you've visited.

The interface is well structured and functions well, but it could use some improvements. If you tap on the profile photo, the app doesn't actually open the picture and you have to go in the settings menu to change it. Users will surely come across some other similar minor inconveniences while navigating in the app. You can also explore content easily by using the stream card feature.

Good for sharing content

Navigation in this app may get a bit confusing and you'd be hitting the back button many times to get to your profile. Still, the platform is a good place to discover new content and socialize with people interested in the same topics as you are. This can be achieved in the Communities section.

It allows users to search for topics, receive interesting content, like and comment on it. There's also the option of reposting them on your page. Based on preferences, users may also get suggestions of related communities and posts. Sadly, Google+ makes it difficult to send a private message to another user, there's no separate section for it and you need to take many steps just to send a message.

Post your own content

Google+ automatically opens your phone's gallery when you wish to post content, so you can add photos automatically. There's also the option of sharing files or using polls to see what people are thinking.

The social network also comes with an Explore section, where you can find interesting posts on various topics. Users can also create events and invite friends to join or check out posts by nearby users. It also lets you pin content to your own profile or page.

The platform comes with some privacy issues, mainly those related to location. Google+ seems to need your location for many things, which can be quite inconvenient since it's displayed on your page. But with a few privacy settings you can keep the app from recording your every move.

Portable version:

• Google+ for iOS