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What would you pay for a Google+ invite?

Invites up for auction on eBay show Google's new social network is generating some excitement (see image below)

July 5, 2011 08:25 PM ET

Computerworld - Wish you were on Google's new social networking service, Google+?

Well, you're not alone. And some are looking to make a little cash on people's desire to get in to some Google+ circles.

Entrance into Google's Facebook competitor is free, but limited to a very small number of people.

And it's that limit that seems to have inspired people to find their way onto the site, which Google has said is still in a field test stage.

A search for "Google invite" or "Google Plus" on eBay brings up a list of invites up for sale. While some are going for as little as a dollar, the price does jump up to $99.99 for one.

Of course, even if someone buys an invite, at this point they still won't be able to get into Google+.

Last week, the company announced that the interest in Google+ had been so overwhelming that they had to temporarily stop accepting new users.

So even if someone has an invite, they're not getting on the social network yet.

A Google spokesman said the invitation process will be opened and closed periodically as Google works on getting the network ready for its big public release. Google hasn't said when Google+ will be officially released.

EBay auction prices vary widely for Google+ invites. But as of today, they are worthless.

Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed . Her e-mail address is sgaudin@computerworld.com.

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