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Internet search giant Google and social networking site MySpace have signed a deal which could challenge the latter's fast growing rival Facebook.

MySpace, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, has agreed to join the new platform designed by Google to allow software developers to build applications that will work on a range of social networking sites.

But Facebook is not among the internet social networks that have agreed to use the OpenSocial platform, through which the providers of applications such as video sharing services will no longer need to customise their software programmes for use on different sites.

It is thought that involvement in the venture by MySpace, the world's largest social network, will encourage more software developers to get involved.

Analysts say such a move could threaten Facebook's rapid growth, helping other social networks to attract more users by allowing them to incorporate applications such as online games more easily.

Commenting on MySpace's involvement Google's chief executive Eric Schmidt said: "As the most trafficked website in the country and the most popular social network in the world, MySpace is one of the leading forces in the global social web.

"We're thrilled to grow our strategic relationship with MySpace by joining forces on this important initiative," he added.

MySpace chief technology officer Aber Whitcomb added: "We're all citizens of a larger web - no network is an island.

"We look forward to continuing to develop great technology with Google and all of the OpenSocial participants. It's exciting that social networks are getting social with each other."

News of the collaboration comes after software giant Microsoft snapped up a stake in Facebook last month, with Google having reportedly been interested in acquiring a share in the social networking site for itself.