Google has made its Social Search function, which allows people to view content from their friends' blogs and websites alongside standard search results, available to all users in beta format.

The function also extends to Google's image search service, allowing people to see pictures from Flickr accounts and other photo sharing websites.

Potential applications for the service include allowing people to read reviews of products, shops and services from their closest friends, which is likely to have more impact as they know and trust the author.

In a blog post, Google said: "We think there's tremendous potential for social information to improve search and we're just beginning to scratch the surface.

"We're leaving a "beta" label on social results because we know there's a lot more we can do."

Google recently updated its Privacy Principles, in addition to the launch of Google Dashboard, which offers information on the privacy settings on most of its services.