Google is launching a new tool called Friend Connect. This new tool allowed site owners to add social features to their sites in an easy manner. Upon you received invitation to use this newly launched Friend Connect, you can add the so-called “social gadgets” (Google called it gadget, we’re more used to it by calling it widget). You can add as many gadgets as you want to your site’s sidebar. On Friend Connect, you can invite your friends from Facebook, Hi5, Orkut, etc. Friends who accepted your invitation have the options to post messages, upload pictures, and of course, a social graph of your Friend Connect will be appeared on your site.

Since Friend Connect was developed by Google, you need to have a Google account in order to use it. At present, this Friend Connect is at Preview Release phase and a control panel can be found on each of the Friend Connect accounts. Users will be given opportunity to learn this new tool under the “Getting Started” column, mostly concerned with how to copy and paste the code to the site at best. You also can manage members, view report, test drive Friend Connect, etc.

Below is the video that prepared by Google Product Manager, Mussie Shore on the instructions to use this Friend Connect. Enjoy.