Google has announced it will begin scaling back Google+ social integration following user feedback. Google+ profiles were initially introduced as an optional measure and designed to streamline Google services into an easily accessible profile. However, it didn’t take long before Google+ accounts became mandatory to comment on YouTube videos. Furthermore, the system was a shambles and made it extraordinary difficult to reply to comments. Also, Google+ led to an increase in spam which made a number of high-profile YouTube personalities disable the comments section. Bradley Horowitz, VP of Streams, Photos, and Sharing, said in a blog post,
“When we launched Google+, we set out to help people discover, share and connect across Google like they do in real life.”
“While we got certain things right, we made a few choices that, in hindsight, we’ve needed to rethink.”
“So over the next few months, we’re going to be making some important changes.”
“So in the coming months, a Google Account will be all you’ll need to share content, communicate with contacts, create a YouTube channel and more, all across Google.”
“YouTube will be one of the first products to make this change, and you can learn more on their blog.”
This is a positive move because users now have the freedom to use a Google+ profile or their Google account to communicate on YouTube. Google’s ambitious plan to create an alternative to Facebook was always going to be an uphill challenge and they have finally acknowledged the widespread lack of enthusiasm.
