3 Signs that Google Plus Might Be Seeing an Early Grave

Carly Webber

• Social Media

It’s no secret that Google Plus as we know it is dismantling itself. Though a bit cryptic in their messaging, Google has announced that they will be breaking the platform into two service lines – leaving the Google+ brand behind.

The two stand alone Google products appear to be:

• Streams: The newsfeed function where people post status updates, articles, links, etc.
• Photos & Communication: The photo storage, sharing and editing service as well as Google Hangouts (chats & video calls)

Google Streams

The streams function, though still somewhat unclear, appears that it will be a stand alone product and function very much like the current Google+ newsfeed that we all know and love. It is expected that users will still be able to post content to their circles, interact and engage with friends and brands, and continue to participate in the communities feature. Let’s be real. This is just Google+ but with a different name.

Google Photos

This part of Google+ has been wildly successful. The photo function allows smartphone users to automatically back up their videos and photos to Google Drive. This make it incredibly easy to organize and share photos. In addition to that, it provides users with highlights – it will hide the blurry and duplicate photos and feature ones that the user will care about.

The editing software that Google provides within the the photos is great as well – you can enhance photos by adding filters, removing red eye, improving lighting and more. Another cool feature is that Google will automatically turn some of your photos into short animations, joined panoramas and merged group shots where everyone in the photo looks good. You may also see animation over pictures like snow falling (winter pictures) or hearts bursting (kissing pictures).

Google Communication (Hangouts)

This has also been a successful function of Google+. Hangouts allow users to have group conversations, video calls (with up to 10 people!) and watch live streaming events. It’s basically an advanced version of text messaging – which you can do on your phone, tablet or computer.

These two functions – Photos & Communication – are the most used parts of the platform. This is why it makes sense that if they’re going to dismantle the Google+ brand, the keep these as a service line together.

What does this mean for you?

Well, nothing yet. It seems that Google is developing out these two services internally and we expect that they will present the (kinda) new Google service lines at their Google I/O conference in May.

So why should you care?

Because it’s Google and you have to keep up with what they’re doing in order to stay relevant in the digital marketing and SEO world. Getting ahead of changes is better than being left in the dust – confused and disoriented about that ‘crazy new thing that Google is doing’. Stay tuned to the Volume Nine blog for the latest in search news!