NEW YORK >> Google is tweaking its social network, Google Plus, to make it easier to use and to distinguish itself from rival Facebook.

The most visible change is the addition of a navigation ribbon on the left. That’s where you’ll find the most used features, such as photos and your personal profile. Hover over an icon to get tasks, such as adding photos from your phone or from an online album. You can reorder the features in the ribbon and hide the ones you don’t use often.

The changes are designed to help Google Plus easily adapt to growth and introduce new features in the future.

Google CEO Larry Page has made Google Plus the centerpiece of his efforts to tie all of Google’s services together as its rivalry with Facebook intensifies.