Top 7 Google Chrome extensions for Google+

If there's one thing we know about Google+, it's that it's here to stay. The once-fledgling social network has erupted into a force of its own, with communities based around Android devices, photography, and anything else you could dream up.

For all of its virtues, Google+ is not without some shortcomings. Fortunately, enterprising developers have taken to the Google Chrome Web Store and uploaded a bevy of extensions that truly enhance the Google+ experience. We've sorted through the store and picked seven extensions that change Google+ for the better.

1. Usability Boost for Google Plus
One of the greatest strengths of Google+ is its absolutely clean, clutter-free design. Unfortunately, since everything is white, there's little separation and everything can sort of run together.

With Usability Boost, you get definite white boxes around posts in your stream, giving a light contrast against a gray background. Usability Boost provides a direct mute link right on the post, so there's no digging to quiet something you'd like hidden from your stream. Add in the ability to star posts (just like in Gmail!) so you can come back and read them later, and you've got a definite winner on your hands.

2. G++
Save yourself time bouncing from network to network with G++, which lets you sync your Twitter and Facebook accounts with Google+. In addition to being able to post to Google+ with them, this handy extension also pulls your Twitter and Facebook feed right into Google+.

Each post is marked with an icon and a different color (green for Twitter, blue for Facebook), so there's no possibility you'll get your posts mixed up.

3. Replies and More for Google+
Replies and More for Google+ squashes issues associated with trying to reply to particular commenters in a comment thread by adding Reply and Reply to Author links directly on a post. Simply click the Reply to Author link, and your comment will automatically have the author's name populated in your comment. If you want to reply to someone who has commented, a Reply link appears on their comment, just waiting for you to click on it. Simple, easy, and fast.

4. +Photo Zoom
+Photo Zoom enlarges any picture you hover your mouse cursor over without clicking on it. This works for pictures in someone's gallery, pictures attached to links, and even people's profile picture thumbnails. If the picture is really large, it won't zoom to the full size, but it definitely gets big enough for you to get a clearer look.

The only caveat is that you could find your screen blowing up with images if you haphazardly mouse over too many at once, but within a few minutes your awareness will be just high enough to full take advantage of this extension.

5. Hangout Canopy
One of the coolest features of Google+ is Hangouts. Video chatting with up to 10 other people in real time is awesome, but what if you can't find any Hangouts to join? Hangout Canopy searches your friends list for public Hangouts and gives you a tally of them on the extension's button. A simple click on the button will show you the Hangouts that are public, as well as how many people are in each one. If there's space in any of them, clicking on the link will have you join!

There's also an excellent Watch feature that lets you monitor someone's Google+ ID; if they start any public Hangouts, Hangout Canopy will let you know so you can be one of the first ones to join.

6. Google +1 Button
The +1 button is a great way to show your support of something (and share it on Google+), but what if you're on a website that doesn't have the +1 button installed? Google thought of that and created the Google +1 Button extension.

The Google +1 Button extension acts like a +1 button anywhere. It'll show you a count of how many +1s a website has received as well as allowing you to +1 a website in turn. Like any other +1 button, when you decide to click it, you're also given the opportunity to share it on Google+ with your thoughts. That's consistency.

7. Google+ Notifications
How can you know if you got a notification if you're not on a Google site? The answer comes in the form of Google+ Notifications, a Google-made Chrome extension.

The notifier sits there, grey and unassuming, as long as you have no Google+ notifications. Once you've received one, it turns the same notification red as on Google's own black bar. You can check your new notifications by clicking on the button, effectively eliminating the need to keep Google+ open in a new tab indefinitely.

Upgrade your experience
There you have it, folks. These are seven of the most versatile, flexible, and experience-changing extensions we could find, but the search doesn't stop here. There are plenty of other Google+ extensions in the Chrome Web Store; this is merely a solid start.

If you're looking for the oomph that takes Google+ from a 7 to a 10, install these extensions and get back to us in the morning. Chances are, you'll be glad you did.

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