Microsoft's (MSFT) Skype Broadens Appeal vs Google Hangouts with Latest Feature (GOOG)

It's no secret that, while largely successful in Internet search and mobile operating systems (following a key acquisition), Google -- a unit of Alphabet (Nasdaq: GOOG)(Nasdaq: GOOGL) -- hasn't had much success in social media. One great example is Google+.

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) has recently moved to take market share away from another Google social platform, Google Hangouts, with the introduction of shareable chat links over Skype. Shareable chat links were once a key feature for Google Hangouts, up until recent.

GlobalWebIndex noted Friday that about one-fifth of users outside of China are using Skype each month, versus around 6 percent of Google Hangouts users. While Skype's user base is already strong, the introduction of shareable chat links could help to broaden its appeal.

Also of note, data shows that over half of Skype users are aged 16 - 34 years, or a great segment to control if you're looking for long-term growth in a platform.

Shares of Microsoft and Alphabet are positive Friday following solid quarterly reports from each company issued Thursday night.

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