Google rolled out a brand new feature for its Google+ social network today, which brings the ability to form groups based around a specific interest, organization, or passion.
The new Google+ Communities feature is very similar to the staple Facebook Groups feature, which lets you communicate with a group of people in a more specific way than you would by sharing information broadly with the entire social network. It’s also a feature that’s been lacking on Google+ since its initial launch.
“What’s been missing … are more permanent homes for all the stuff you love: the wonderful, the weird, and yes, even the things that are waaay out there,” wrote Google SVP Vic Gundotra in a recent blog post. “With Google+ Communities there’s now a gathering place for your passions.”
So what’s the difference between Google+ Communities and Facebook Groups? Well, there are a few notable things, including the ability to start a Google Hangout video chat with the community and sharing things specifically with G+ communities from any +1 button. That’s pretty cool, and something that might actually attract people to use it over Facebook.