# Universal Social Networks Google Friend Connect Makes Any Site A Social Network By Bianca | Published 2008-05-12 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-friend-connect References: [washingtonpost](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051200823.html?hpid=topnews) & [google](http://www.google.com/friendconnect) [Google](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-find-my-device) announced they will launch **Friend Connect**, an exciting new service that will allow any site to be turned into a social network, absolutely free. Essentially, it will turn the internet one huge, universal social profile. Google wanted to tap into the hundreds of million of people using social networking sites like [Facebook](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noplace-app) and MySpace, but instead of launching a competing *site*, they launched the *service* which turns the internet itself into one humongous [social networking platform](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-networking-platform) which can be used by anyone, free of charge. “Using Google's new Friend Connect product, any Web page, whether it is devoted to curling or pizza or a folk singer, can allow visitors to make and connect with other 'friends' who visit that site,” the Washington Post explains. “Like any major social network today, any Web page using Friend Connect could easily present to each user the names and pictures of friends and potential friends. Those people could then post messages to one another.” This could change everything, and Google loves that about it. “We're in the middle of a huge change,” says David Glazer, an engineering director working on Google Friend Connect. “Wherever people go on the Web, they want to have their friends with them, and this makes it possible.” Here's our latest hot post about social networks: ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/internet) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Universal Social Networks:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating a universal social networking platform that can be integrated into any website, enabling users to connect with friends and make new connections across the internet. ### Where This Applies - **Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing technology solutions that allow websites in various industries to incorporate social networking features and enhance user engagement. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Creative Online Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bf-island.md) - [AI-Driven Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/socialai.md) - [Event-Based Social Networking Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plus-1.md) - [Social Sharing Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-plus.md) - [Best-Friend Social Media Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noteit-bff.md) - [Connective Social Gym Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gym-connect.md) - [Niche Interest Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spiral-social.md) - [Hyperlocal Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperlocal-social-networks.md) - [Customizable Friendship-Forging Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iradius-networking-app.md)