'Insane Demand' Halts Google+ Invitations

Google's new social networking project has already won far more buzz than Buzz ever did. Google+ users were briefly allowed to invite friends to join the service but the option only lasted a few hours as demand skyrocketed, the Los Angeles Times reports. "Insane demand," posted the chief of Google's social networking efforts. "We need to do this carefully, and in a controlled way. Thank you all for your interest!" He stressed that users who wanted to leave could take their data with them when they exit.

The invite-only policy has sparked so much demand that invitations have started to appear on eBay, although some analysts suspect the exclusivity could lead to a backlash, CNN notes. At least three Mark Zuckerbergs were among those who got in before the free-for-all ended, and one of them looks genuine. Google+ says it doesn't authenticate users, CNET reports. (More Google Plus stories.)