( Mashable ) -- Google announced on Wednesday that it is rolling out a significant redesign for its social networking platform Google+ , which will allow users to create a more customized experience on the site . The company said it will introduce a variety of new features to the site in the next few days , from customizing apps and the navigation bar to more flexibility with profile pages and pictures . In addition , the update introduces a new Explore page that posts what 's interesting and trending across the site . Google also noted that the social network now boasts more than 170 million users since it 's 2011 launch . Google+ will now offer profile pages that will include bigger photos , a la Facebook 's Timeline , and feature a chat list that puts friends front and center on your page . Another major update involves how users can navigate around the news stream . Instead of static icons at the top , there 's a ribbon of apps on the left . The ribbon allows users to drag apps up or down to create the order , hover over certain apps to reveal a set of quick actions and show or hide apps by moving them out of the section . `` Taken together , these powers make it easier to access your favorites , and to adjust your preferences over time , '' Google senior vice president Vic Gundotra wrote on Google 's Official Blog . `` We 've also built the ribbon with the future in mind , giving us an obvious ( and clutter-free ) space for The Next Big Feature , and The Feature After That . So stay tuned . '' A dedicated Hangouts page has also been added to the site , so people can have quick access to public and On Air video chat hangouts . This will allow Google+ users to meet new people and watch live broadcasts , as well as enter new rooms via a rotating billboard of Hangouts . `` It 's still early days , and there 's plenty left to do , but we 're more excited than ever to build a seamless social experience , all across Google , '' Gundotra said . What do you think of the redesign ? Do you think Google+ will ever be able to compete with Facebook ? Let us know in the comments . See the original article on Mashable.com . © 2011 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
Google says it will introduce a variety of new features to its social network in June 2011 . Hangouts Plus boasts more than 170 million users since its the next few days launch . A dedicated Google page has also been added to the site so people can have quick access .