Google+ may get 'suggested user' feature

Google may be taking a page from micro-blogging site Twitter, hinting at a “suggested user" mechanism for its upcoming social network Google+. Bradley Horowitz, vice president for product management, indicated the supposedly new mechanism will include Google+ members who have more than 100,000 followers on Twitter. “We’re about to pilot a ‘suggested user’-like mechanism on Google+. If you’ve got more than 100k followers on Twitter, DM me - lets talk!" he said in his Twitter account. In another tweet, Horowitz hinted the plan is “long-term" and “context-specific." “... Long-term, we have some amazing ideas around context-specific relevance..." he said. An article on tech site TechCrunch said that while there are not too many details on how Google+ will decide who will be on the list, Twitter’s “suggested user" list had gained controversy. TechCrunch noted Twitter had to revamp the list last year as those on it were assured to gain thousands of followers a day, and those who are left off thought this was unfair. It said Twitter’s revamped list now allows users to create personalized suggested user lists. Also, TechCrunch said it is not clear yet if the suggested user list will include only verified profiles. “How Google decides who makes it on the list will be very interesting. Clearly Twitter followers are playing a factor of sorts, which is interesting. You have to wonder whether Facebook or other followings on networks will also be used," it said. — TJD, GMA News