It has been revealed that Yahoo! is currently testing its own social networking site, according to CNet News.

The website states that the search engine is currently asking students to try out its new service Kickstart, which allows users to post contact details, build a profile page and find companies and people to network with.

Although primarily designed to help graduates connect with potential employers the site also allows its members to connect with friends, people they went to school with and those who share common interest.

This inevitably invites comparisons with the likes of Facebook – in particular CNet states in some of the ways the site offers "space for discussions, bulletins, and events".

A spokesperson for Yahoo! told CNet: "We’re continually checking the pulse on customer response to potential concepts on a case-by-case basis."

"Sometimes our research leads to the development of new product offerings, but not all concepts we research are formally developed and rolled out to our larger audience."

According to Canadian newspaper the Gazette, MySpace currently hosts around 115 million profiles with Facebook counting an estimated 31 million users.