The latest social networking site (SNS) on the block, Google+ has garnered its fair share of attention from first movers and tech-savvy professionals. To capitalise on the obvious buzz surrounding Google's latest social networking effort, brands have been aching to get noticed on the site. In fact, seeing the Ford Motor Company's Google+ profile , content sites like Breaking News and Mashable have created accounts on the SNS.

However---barring Ford's account, the first test account made for a brand by Google---these accounts are created under the sites' founders' names. Google's asking brands to wait for the launch of their dedicated brand accounts on Google+. These brand accounts will feature analytics tools that are relevant to the social presence of brands on the SNS, and incorporate tried and tested tools such as AdWords, DoubleClick and the Google Display Network.

The interesting twist is that Mashable's profile---or Pete Cashmore's profile, depending on how you see it---is in 143,221 circles, Cory Bergman's (Breaking News) profile is in 21,766 circles, and Ford's profile is in 12,086 circles. Clearly content sites are gaining ground even without Google's special tools---though they will definitely appreciate the tracking and advertising tools Google will inevitable roll out.

While brands wait on Google's announcement, the SNS grows in popularity, having recently gotten itself 25 million users. That might not seem like a big deal, considering Facebook's 750-million strong user base, but Facebook took 3 years to reach 25 million. MySpace took 2 years; Twitter took 30 months. Suddenly, Google+'s 2-odd months is looking pretty strong.

Loving Google+? Hating it? Or just waiting and watching? Let us know in the comments below.

- Tyrel Rodricks