Google News – Google Plus Is Shutting Down

Computer technology has been developing at a phenomenal rate. What once was only limited to use in research institutes and government offices, made its way in the homes of commoners over time. After the emergence of the personal computers, internet facilities made a massive impact on people. And the rest, as they say, is history. The virtual realm opened innumerable opportunities for people as well as companies. It is safe to say that the very foundation of e-commerce rests on the internet facilities.

Apart from this, it also paved the way for the inception and development of social networking platforms. Without this, tech-savvy people would not have has access to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Instagram, YouTube, and several others. These platforms changed online communication completely. These social networking platforms assist not only in easy communication, but help in promotional activities. These multi-pronged advantages increased the importance of social networking sites.

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram earn millions on a daily basis with only viewership and advertisements. Thus, it was only obvious that all tech giants will try to cash in on this opportunity. One such company that enjoys a respectable place in the online market is Google.

What Is Google Plus?

If you have not been living under a rock, then you will know about Google’s own social networking sites, Google+ or Google Plus. It was launched by the company in 2011. By April 2012, Google Plus made its mark in the social networking platform. If you think that it is another platform that will allow you to attain online links with your near and dear ones, then you are wrong. Google Plus offers a host of other tools and facilities to the users. Google Plus provides the user the opportunity to post articles and blogs. It also provides clients with a way to promote themselves.

How To Be A Part Of Google Plus?

Here are some steps, which will enable any Google user to become a part of the Google Plus family.

• Any person, who is interested in being a part of this new social networking site, has to log on to the official Google Plus link. For this, one has to click on the link https://plus.google.com/.
• It is mandatory for the client to have a Google representation, like a Gmail account. Without this, it is not possible to open a Google Plus account.
• Once the main page opens, the clients need to sign in with their user IDs and passwords.
• Being a social site, it allows the clients to connect with their relatives and friends, in short, all such people, who belong in their contact list.
• One can follow easy steps to add more contacts in their account.
• Just like other social networking sites, Google Plus also allows the clients to categorize the contacts. One can create circles, and add contacts accordingly. So, all family members will come under one circle, while friends will have their own separate circle.
• Creating circles makes it possible for the account holder to send messages to one or many people.
• Like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms, Google Plus also allows one to send any message or link to one person or many individuals.
• There is also a notification button that offers updates when anything new happens in the account.
• As Hangouts is another application, maintained by Google, Google Plus has links with this too. One can use the app to video chat with one or many people. All you need is a good internet connection.
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• Google Plus is not restricted for personal use. Business organizations can use the platform to keep their clients and probable customers updated. This not only improves their SEO ranking but also offers the organizations increased representation in the virtual realm.
• Apart from this, clients will also attain instant updates from YouTube. As both platforms are managed by Google, one offers access to another. Google Plus integrates YouTube as well.

Google Plus Limitations

Apart from so many benefits, Google Plus came with its own set of limitations. Here is a quick look the list:

SEO restrictions – The links of Google Plus stories or messages will only be highlighted in the search results if the account is active. In case the account holder is not online, the links will not show up in the search list. This feature immediately lowers the effectiveness of SEO creation.

No online contests – Google Plus online policies, also played a part in boosting its unpopularity. It prevented business organizations from organizing portal based contents. It was a major downside; as such contests allow agencies to attract the attention of their clients.

The uncanny similarity with Facebook – Critics were quick to point out that most of the features, offered by Google Plus were copied from Facebook. The similarities between the two social networking platforms are rather stark. People were already getting the same facilities as Facebook.

Low market share – A report highlighted the fantastic market possibilities of Google Plus. The survey opined that around 540 million clients were active on Google Plus on a monthly basis. Even after having such a high number, there was a more extensive section that preferred not to use the platform. Google Plus was unable to match the success of other Google products like YouTube and Gmail.

Google Plus Announces Its Deactivation

Though the limitations marred the popularity of the platform, these were not causing any major damage. But recently massive news shook the online community and Google Plus users. The company has decided to deactivate the common Google Plus version. The tech giant came out with this news on March 2018.

Reports suggest that Google took this decision, only after it was unable to offer confidentiality of users’ data. But it was not the only reason why the company decided to pull the plugs. The profits from Google Plus were dwindling fast as 90% of the clients were not staying on the page for more than 5 seconds. But the API error was a massive blow to the company’s overall reputation.

Google tried to brush the matter under the carpet but had to come out with the truth eventually. An API error allowed was causing a severe breach in the privacy policies. The report pointed out that several third-party application developers were using user data by tapping into the Google Plus database. Some of these applications had loopholes, which paved the path for the unregistered user to gain access to these details.

Google authority tried to take necessary steps to mend ways. But it was already too late. The word was out in the market, and Google Plus came under massive fire. The already low client base went down many notches. Breaches like these make it easy for cybercriminals to conduct data theft.

The report further highlighted that 500,000 Google Plus accounts were affected due to AIP issue. The total number of third-party apps, which were collecting user data illegally, was as high as 438. Google has not been able to identify the specific bug that put everything in motion.

What Google Proposes To Do?

After this shocking revelation, the company officials came forth with the announcement that all privacy policies will be made watertight. Necessary changes will be made in the AIP programs to ensure that only people with authority get access to users’ details. It will take some time to make necessary alterations. Until then, user access to Google Plus accounts will remain closed.

There is no government law that obliges Google to unveil information spills, yet there are laws at a state level. In California, the location of Google’s headquarter, organizations are just required to reveal data spills if it incorporates both a person’s name and their social security code, ID card or driver’s permit number, tag, medicinal data or medical coverage data.

Though the company said that it would take necessary steps to prevent such events in the future, it is not likely that Google Plus will be able to make a strong comeback soon. The organization needs to do much more than install strong privacy policies. It must research, and try to figure out the shortcomings of the platform. Failure to do so will not be conducive for the profit and reputation of the company. Impressive features, additional facilities and watertight protecting for users will help Google Plus to regain lost ground.

You can get more details from on the official website of Google. The company authorities are posting regular updates about their progress. A comprehensive alteration in both policies and company philosophy will prove to be beneficial in the long run. The success of any online company depends on the rate of security it offers for the clients. No person wants to compromise with their data.

Google needs to amp-up its online game if it wants to carve its niche in the social networking arena. It is the only way to ensure high-profit percentage. The overall earnings of any organization are directly promotional to the level of customer satisfaction.

Author: Amara Luis

Amara Luis is a skilled and most creative content writer work freelance specializing in writing SEO, social media and other various topic on internet marketing.