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From the initial numbers, we have seen Google Plus, the new social networking platform from Google, storm the cyber world and if it continues to grow (even at a lower rate), it could give Mark Zuckerberg sleepless nights and see the latest social networking platform from Google pip Zuckerberg’s Facebook soon, may be within a year or so.

Within just three weeks after launch, Google Plus has already notched nearly 20 million users and the visitors are mainly from the US with 5.3 million users and India with 2.85 million (a surprise no. 2).

The number three slot has been bagged by the UK, with almost 0.90 million users, and the next two were Germany and France with 0.70 million and 0.50 million users respectively.

To put it in accurate figures, Google Plus registered 19.9 million users up to the three weeks ended July 19, making it the fastest growing social networking site in cyber world. Compared with Google Plus, Facebook has over 750 million users and Twitter 200 million.

Google Plus, launched on June 28, currently allows photos, messages, comments and other content to be shared among a select group of friends. But that select group will burgeon substantially when Google does away with the restriction and throws it open for everyone in cyberspace.

During this initial period, users interested in being a part of the Google Plus family can join by invitation only. Despite this rider, we have seen a phenomenal growth to 20 million users in three weeks, a record growth in the entire cyberspace which will be difficult to replicate.

Well, some of the plusses of Google Plus are:

Sparks: You can create Sparks for topics of interest and Google will find out the best information for you from the Internet, which you may share with friends.

Hangout: This is a video chat service similar to Skype. Up to 10 participants can be in a Hangout at a time (just like a conference call), and video windows arrange themselves depending on who the speaker is.

Huddle: This is a free group messaging service that amasses your individual contacts or Circles and is available only on mobile phones through the Google Plus app or SMS.

Google’s extensive reach and dominance: This will allow integration of Google Plus with other platforms like Gmail, Blogger and other Google applications.

Also, Google is quick to add a feature every now and then (which all Blogspot users are aware of), and with a new feature added at regular intervals, Google Plus (with its eclectic features) could soon turn out to be the largest social networking platform, trumping Facebook in the medium term.