Ning has followed in the footsteps of other social networking services like MySpace, Friendster, Bebo, and Hi5, and started to integrate with Google Code initiative OpenSocial, the platform that “defines a common API for social applications across multiple websites.”

Ning, for those unfamiliar is not so much a social network, but a platform from which others to create their own social networks. Kyle Ford at the Ning Blog highlights the following features of the company’s integration with OpenSocial:

• The OpenSocial directory on each network automatically inherits the branding and visual design of that network.
• OpenSocial applications on Ning can inherit the visual style of the member profile page to which they’re added.
• OpenSocial applications are automatically integrated into a network’s viral loops. The ability for OpenSocial applications to write to a member’s latest activity feed, send messages on behalf of the member and spread using a network’s default viral sharing options are all there by default.

For every social network created on the Ning Platform, members are able to browse through a branded directory of OpenSocial applications to add to their profile pages with a single click. Today at launch, each social network on Ning offers over 25 OpenSocial applications from which to choose, including file sharing from Box.net, poll creation from Polldaddy and e-commerce from Shopit.

“Ning is considering integration with Facebook’s platform,” writes Venture Beat’s Eric Eldon. “Facebook, however, has been internally debating how to fully open its platform; in the meantime, Ning has focused on OpenSocial integration.” Facebook integration would surely be a smart move for Ning. Friendster went this route just last week, and with Facebook looking to expand global operations, it’s probably as good a time as any to jump on board with them.

OpenSocial will provide a great deal of usefulness for Ning users though. The more applications that are available to integrate into a user’s own social network, the more value that network will potentially have for users of that.