Google Plus attracts more than 10m web users

The new social networking site masterminded by ubiquitous search engine Google, tipped as a Facebook-killer, has amassed over 10 million users despite still being in beta.

Google+ launched in June as an invitation-only testing site, but is expected to go fully live in the next few weeks. It combines elements of Facebook, Twitter and blog sites, along with a few new Google extras like 'Hangouts', allowing users to enjoy live video chats with up to ten friends simultaneously, and 'Sparks', which suggests news items and links tailored to specified interests.

Enthusiastic beta users and commenters have responded well to one crucial difference from previous social networking sites - the ability to separate your work, home and other lives into 'Circles', so no more worrying whether your boss has noticed those pics of you drunk after you'd called in sick.

Google chief executive Larry Page said users were already sharing more than a billion items each day and expressed the company's intention "to create services that people across the world use twice a day... just like a toothbrush!"

And Writing Magazine is here to help you get in at ground level... the September issue, out on 4 August, features an exclusive interview with Google director of engingeering Chee Chew, on the company's motivations behind Google+ and the exciting new ways to use Hangouts that users are still coming up with, along with advice on how writers can get started.