Google+ Launches Vanity URL Feature for Select Users

Google is ready to host Vanity URLs (custom URL feature) for Google Plus users, well almost. Saurabh Sharma, a Product Manager at Google made the announcement Monday afternoon, in an official Google blog post.

Initially, the vanity URLs will be offered arbitrarily to a select few – mostly celebrities, brands and companies. Currently, a standard Google+ URL for a user, looks something like this: http://plus.google.com/123456789060894565657/ (example).

The first few to get the custom URLs include, but not limited to, Brittany Spears, David Beckham, Hugo Boss, Toyota, and so on. So now the Dell custom URL could read like, google.com/+dell. Google’s own URL is google.com/+google.

Google will later cover verified ‘commoners’ too. Facebook and MySpace also provide users with custom URLs.

Earlier, Google converted cartoonist Matthew Inman’s “The Oatmeal” profile , in a lighter vein, into a custom URL, reading something like, http://plus.google.com/blergasdf1234thimbleturdorgasm99meatpoopypoopxv9donkeypie.

The major benefit of having a custom URL is that people can easily search for an individual, a company or a brand. It is in fact much easier to remember a vanity address than 10-12 numbers. Also, the word ‘plus’ is not required anymore to search for someone on Google. Just type, google.com/+name and you’ll find the person on top of the search result.

Saurabh Sharma, a Product Manager for Google+, posted the following to the Official Google+ Page:

“Today we’re introducing custom URLs to make it even easier for people to find your profile on Google+. A custom URL is a short, easy to remember web address that links directly to your 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.”

resource:http://www.thenextseo.co.in/news/google-launches-vanity-url-feature-select-users/1398.html