When Google+ launched 4 years ago, we heard VPs of product discuss how the then fresh social network would not only be that, but a platform which would integrate into many of Google's services. Over the following years, it would not be possible to use certain products or features without a Google+ account, which would prove controversial (think Google+ commenting system for YouTube).
After previous chief of Google+, +Dave Besbris stepped down in March this year, no one specifically replaced the job role. +Bradley Horowitz who has been a core part of the Google+ team from the beginning was announced to be leading a new team - Streams, Photos and Sharing in which Google+ falls under the umbrella.
Since then, the future didn't feel so bright for Google+, especially when core products like Google+ Photos was spun out and into their own products. Even smaller, lesser known features found on Google+ such as circle sharing and data visualisation tool, Ripples were removed all in the name of "streamlining" the service.
Google+ Will Soon be Completely Optional
Today's official blog post, titled "Everything in it's right place", comes to little surprise in which several key announcements were made such as the removal of a Google+ integrated comments system for YouTube and the introduction of Google Profiles, a private and unsearchable profile system fully independent from Google+ profiles. Soon, anyone can use Google without a Google+ profile and those who have previously been prompted to create a Google+ profile or no longer use one, tools will be introduced soon making it easier to remove them.
So there you have it, Google+ will soon be further stripped of its features (Locations is next), and will be fully separated from other Google products by the end of the year. It's not all bad news though, Bradley stated that G+ is working well when it comes to shared interests, and sees millions using the service to socialise with others based on things that they love, and Google+ will continue to evolve and refine with a focus on this (expect more things like Collections).
Bradley also took to Google+ to elaborate on what was said on the blog post. Make sure to give it a read on the embedded post below:
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this, so make sure to share them in the comments below!
Source: Google Blog / YouTube Blog