The early days of Google Plus must have made so much sense down at Google HQ.
The mission was simple: create a social network to dethrone Facebook, and tack on a few extra features to create a unique identity.
Except businesses hardly used Google Plus and users were annoyed by the fact that they were automatically assigned a Plus profile when they opened a Google account.
Well, good news, Google Plus is a requirement no longer.
Why We Need A Slimmer Google Plus
By the time Google Plus joined the fun it was already too late. A lot of businesses were already heavily invested with other social channels like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. So even though these businesses required a Google Plus page to use other services like YouTube, Chrome, and Google My Business (more on that in a moment), Google Plus pages were left to collect dust.
“When we launched Google Plus, we set out to help people discover, share and connect across Google like they do in real life.”
That’s Bradley Horowitz, Google’s VP of Streams, Photos and Sharing over at Google’s official blog last month announcing the platform’s changes. The key word there is ‘across’ as Google Plus was intended to merge the business and the social world online.
But it didn’t work as anticipated. So what does that mean for your business?
Should You Keep Using Google Plus?
Google Plus will still exist but it’s going to function differently. Users will now have the ability to delete their Google Plus pages if they want and still be able to use other services like Google Hangouts and Photos. Also, businesses can still manage their address and business information online through Google My Business.
As a business owner or content manager, you now have the option to delete your Google Plus page. But ask yourself, why would you delete free online social advertising?
Google My Business and Google Maps might get your audience in the door, but a Google Plus page can still communicate your company’s culture and values.