Pluck announced today the availability of Pluck SiteLife Groups. This new module is designed to enable site visitors to create, join, and engage in focused communities around specific areas of interest. A new part of Pluck’s SiteLife social media platform, SiteLife Groups gives digital leaders the tools to increase viral community and site engagement. Initial deployments of Pluck SiteLife Groups include Condé Nast’s SELF.com and NPR’s community initiatives.

“Our goal is to give our readers the most compelling content and engaging experience available on the web,” said Jessica Perry, vice president, digital development & services, Condé Nast. “As the first to add Pluck’s Groups tools to its site, SELF.com is pioneering new ways to provide our users with a more tightly-knit environment in which they can connect and inspire each other to be active, loyal members of the community.”

SiteLife Groups uniquely integrates blogs, forums, events, video and photo galleries, and social networking tools, allowing both site users and site administrators to create and engage in specialized communities around interest areas and targeted business initiatives. Groups also provides limitless opportunities for retailers, brands, and publishers to create viral community interactions, deeper site visits, and increased audience engagement.

“The key to succeeding with social media is not just giving people technology but giving them a reason to participate,” said Dave Panos, CEO of Pluck and executive vice president of Demand Media. “Groups allows our customers to further empower their users through the formation of affinity groups that bring a focused topic to life and keep people coming back to engage with their peers on relevant community content.”