Google has initiated a brand new project which aims at helping website owners to add social features to their site without any coding efforts. The project is called Google Friend Connect, and it will use data from existing social network such as Facebook, Orkut (Google Talk?), Hi5 and MySpace to help users interact.
With Friend Connect, it’s unbelievably simple for website owners to add social elements like user registration, invitations, members gallery, message posting… etc. Third party applications developed by OpenSocial developers can also be added to any webpage. You just have to add a snippet of code to your site for the social features to be enabled.
For Visitors, it will be more like a Facebook app embedded into any site. You’ll be able to use the profile information from any of the participating social networks and interact with other users of the site. For instance, Ingrid Michaelson (musician) has added music application called iLike with Google Friend Connect. His fans will be able to connect with their friends, without leaving his site.
I personally believe that Google Friend Connect is going to be an instant hit. What are your thoughts?
Via: Google Press Release

wrote, on May 15th, 2008
It is a great addition, it will make it a lot easier to manage all your contacts in one place.
wrote, on May 16th, 2008
Absolutely. Everyone and her aunt will now start off social network blogs. The market place will simply get way too over crowded and social net-workers will go around with dazed looks on their faces!
wrote, on May 17th, 2008
Like Ralph said, it’ll be a lot easier to manage your contacts, such as friends from other chats/social networking stuff.
wrote, on May 20th, 2008
I tend to agree with Nicole, the whole thing is going to implode and we will one day get back to having “real” friends.