Google+ Starts Rolling Out Custom URLs

There’s nothing like a social networking URL involving more than 20 numbers to make a user yearn for something easier to remember, and on Monday Google announced that it’s begun to deliver just that.

Specifically, companies and individuals using Google+ will soon be able to claim a custom URL for use instead of the long, klunky ones they’ve had so far.

“Today we’re introducing custom URLs to make it even easier for people to find your profile on Google+,” wrote Google product manager Saurabh Sharma in a post on the company’s social network on Monday.

Short and Sweet Currently, Google+ profile URLs are ungainly at best. Mine, for example, is the very catchy “https://plus.google.com/105492284418862345045/.”

With a custom URL, however, users of the popular social network will be able to use a short, easy-to-remember Web address instead that will link directly to their profile or page on Google+.

“For instance, +TOYOTA can now use google.com/+toyota to unveil their latest models, +Britney Spears can share her upcoming appearances at google.com/+britneyspears, +Ubisoft can share game trailers and videos at google.com/+assassinscreed, and +Delta can help travelers find great deals at google.com/+delta,” Sharma explained.

Starting Small

The new service will be available to corporate and individual users around the globe, but it’s not open to everyone just yet.

To begin, Google is rolling out custom URLs only to a limited set of verified profiles and pages on Google+, the company explained on its own profile, which can now be found at google.com/+googleplus.

“While we’re not quite ready for everyone to start claiming their own custom URLs, we plan to expand the availability over time,” it added.

There’s no doubt avid individual Google+ users will benefit from easier-to-share profile addresses, but brands will surely appreciate the new service even more. If your company is on Google+, this will be an effort to watch closely so you can snag the URL you want.