Google said Tuesday it would begin encouraging websites and mobile apps to accept log-in credentials via Google+, in an effort to track internet users' habits.

Users will be able to sign in to third party apps and web sites with Google, and bring along their Google+ info. For instance, if users sign in to Gmail, YouTube or any other Google service, they will be able to use their existing credentials to sign in to apps outside of Google.

Google says that the new feature is simple, secure and prohibits social spam.

However, the integration with third-party sites and apps would allow Google establish a foothold in the social Web arena.

Rival Facebook has been gathering information about its users' activities even if they are not on Facebook by using popular apps, which allowed users to log in with their Facebook identity.

Google said that The Guardian and USA Today's websites, among others, have agreed to accept Google's social sign-in.