Google+ offers a new social networking platform that promises to give Twitter and Facebook real competition - but its documentation doesn't help you get past the steep learning curve. This Missing Manual gets you up to speed with crystal-clear, jargon-free explanations of key Google+ features, including Circles, Hangouts, Sparks, and Huddles. You'll find lots of undocumented tips, tricks, and tweaks along the way. * Quickly learn how to set up a Google + account and add contacts * Create Circles to organize contacts into groups for sharing * View and share updates and photos with people in the Stream * Use Hangout to organize group video chats with up to 10 people * Identify search topics that may interest your contacts with Sparks * Get sound advice for managing privacy online with selective sharing