Google is just about ready to introduce Collections to Google+ publicly, according to sources.

Evidently, Collections is expected to launch tomorrow, May 4th, in the morning (Pacific Time), with an announcement coming from the official Google+ page of ... Google+. After its announcement, the feature will activate for web and Android users on a rollout that's expected to last a day or so. There's no word yet on when Collections will come to iOS.

The new feature, which we got a sneak peek at recently (followed by pretty strong code-based clues of an impending launch), will allow users to curate "collections" of their content for others to share and follow. You will be able to see who follows you own collections, and circling another user will automatically subscribe you to their collections. Here's all that we know so far, from Cody's Google+ 5.4 teardown:

Collections are linked to the creator's account.

If people follow you, they automatically follow all of your collections. This implies people can follow just individual collections without getting everything you post.

Users cannot follow a collection if they have blocked the owner.

There is a limit to the number of collections you can create or follow. Those numbers are still unknown.

The owner of a collection can see its followers.

Your profile can show the collections you follow. However, you can choose to disable this, just like hiding the list of people you follow.

You can limit who can see your collection. This is great if you just want to create a collection for your friends or family to see.

If a collection is suspended for violating any terms of service (hate speech, illegal content, copyright infringement, etc.), it will only be visible to its owner and the content will be deleted after 2 months. Owners can adjust the content of the collection and apply to have it restored.

We don't know exactly what time the feature will be announced, but the expected launch certainly aligns with the "early May" rumor we heard before. Keep your eyes peeled for the official announcement.