Google+ business profiles being deleted

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Google has started deleting business profiles on its new social networking service, but only in preparation for a bespoke Google+ experience for companies.

The Mountain View company announced its Google+ service late last month, with many labelling it a Facebook rival.

Many companies flocked to the service – if they were lucky enough to get their hands on an invite – but they are now having their accounts removed.

“We are discouraging businesses from using regular profiles to connect with Google+ users,” said Christian Oestlien, advertising lead on the team behind Google+, in a company post.

“Our policy team will actively work with profile owners to shut down non-user profiles.”

However, Google is working hard on a “business experience” that should be far better than the consumer version in terms of being suitable for companies, Oestlien said.

Google will have “something to show the world” later in 2011, he confirmed.

“How users communicate with each other is different from how they communicate with brands, and we want to create an optimal experience for both,” Oestlien added.

In the next few months, Google will be working with a select group of marketing companies to see what effect adding brands to Google+ will have.

Businesses who want to take part in the experiment can sign up here.

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