Do you use Google+? What do you know about it? Want to use it? I have been using it for years and it has served its purpose for comments here on my blog and for sharing to G+ in communities to help promote my blog posts and events of all kinds. I bet you have too! I have spent hours growing my G+ followers and following hundreds no actually thousands of bloggers. You see when you post something and use the + you could add the person’s name it helps to show up in their stream, kinda like Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Well if you have been thinking about joining its too late. Yep, that’s right no more Google+. As of April 2, 2019, it will be gone, actually, it has already started in some parts of Google+ and that will also mean comments on your blog, they will stop working.
So what now, what do you do? But first, let me tell you why it is shutting down. You see in about in March of 2018 there was a security breach, a massive data exposure of up to 500,000 users and while Google tried to quell the news, Wall Street Journal reported it in March of 2018. The company found a bug that allowed People API’s access to Googles + profiles which included names, emails, gender and age. Note: For privacy Google only keeps API’s for 2 weeks, but during the time of the problem, they could not tell actually who it impacted. So last year Google stopped the long-standing practice of scanning email for advertising purposes. Yes, they were snooping in your email to see what kinds of things you like to shop for, for their advertising purposes.
So Google+ is considered a [social network] for consumers but will no longer be available after April 2nd! Some features are already being affected. But Google is keeping it for enterprise customers who use it. Called Google Posts…more later
So what does this mean to a blogger, well it means you will need to remove the G+ icon from your blog, newsletters and email anywhere you have it displayed? And for comments on your blog you will need to switch over to your own blogs comment system or find a commenting system that will work for you. Suggestions are your own blog’s comments, Akismet, Disque, Facebook, and there are others which has the option of sharing to FB. And there are others, but you will need to decide. But if you are on WordPress you can check your Plugins and activate one.
If you are currently using Google comments on WordPress, that means deactivating that plugin.
But there is more about Google+ , it also means that all those communities you joined and have been using….Go Away… But if you take action now you can download and backup your data, it just depends on if you want to or need this information. You can read more in-depth on Dummies.com
And for bloggers that use Blogspot, I found a tutorial on the Widgets that have been available on your blogs. the 1+ Button | Google Followers | Google Plus Badge as those will all be going away and you need to know how to handle this. I have other blogs on Blogspot too so I will be making the necessary changes by using the tip sheet I was able to make the changes in just a few minutes. The Latest Tips on Blogger
Also on the Tips On Blogger, there are other tips to help you with your blog so be sure to go through and read as there are tweaks you can use on the Blogspot blogs.
BUT WAIT. I’m not done yet, remember I mentioned Google created Google Posts, so what Google is offering is a Google Business Listing for those that want their business to be found, watch for my next article on ways to promote your business. You do want your business to be found right, drive more sales? Want my next article signup here so you wont miss it.
What kind of blogging platform do you use, Blogger or WordPress? At this point what commenting system have you been using and what have you found that works best?
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I was so bummed to see so much changing on my blog and with Google+ already as it was one of my most used social media platforms. I had no idea about the data breach though… it’s so scary how easy it is for one little slip up by any of these (many many!) online companies expose so much information. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Encouraging Hearts and home. Pinned.
You are right Joanne, Google being as big as it is I think looses control. Thank you for Pinning, I appreciate it!
I am disappointed as well because it will remove all comments on previous posts. I have always wondered what would happen if I stopped using Google comments, now I am forced to change. Thanks for reading and Pinning for awareness.
Hve a great week!
I use WordPress and the commenting system built within my blog. I will need to remove the G+ icon. I’m still researching to see how else I may be affected. I appreciate you sharing what you know. I found your post on the Bloggers Pit Stop.
~Christie
While I’m sorry to see Goggle+ go (after losing StumbleUpon), it does make you think about the future of blogging, how will people find blogs and how will bloggers find each other, besides awesome places like #BloggersPitStop (syopped by from there today). Great post, off to share.
Hope this weekend treats you kindly. 🙂
I was too and I am so reluctant to change because I will lose all Google comments on my blog from years ago.I got an email from Google about the comment change a while ago but for a while was not paying attention, then I remembered and decided to research. I appreciate that you Pinned to share. Have a great week!
Christie, anywhere you have installed the G+ icon will need to be removed. Im sure not looking forward to losing all the accumulated comments. Most people have been choosing Google comments to reply. Plus those comments actually were helping in search engines, but no more. Thanks for commenting, have a great week!
Thanks, Donna for stopping by and for sharing the Google post. I used to have my own network where I had about 1500 bloggers that could promote there and I started it with my own funds, noone wanted to pay and they increased pricing so I had to let it go after 3 years.
Have a great weekend!
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I will be switching to my WordPress comments soon, just hate to see all the Google comments disappear, they actually help in Seo.
I would love to have you join us on Wonderful Wednesday Party to share your blog and talents.
I hope you have a great week!
Karren
I hate to see it go, I really enjoyed finding so many blogs I didn’t know about on G+. It will definitely be missed! 😢
I did as well, G+ helped blog posts move up in the search engines. I decided at the 1st of the month to remove the Google comments and it took all comments from the past off my posts as far back as my blog started. Thanks for your view point.
i don’t know how I feel about the demise of Google plus. I think I’ll miss it. All I know is that I don’t have the time to do what it takes to attract blog visitors anymore. My stats are plummeting. It make me sad. So thanks for visiting and commenting!
I have used blogger since I started blogging although I have a WordPress blog just so I can comment over there.
My blog is simply for sharing photos for those who find me.
I hated trying to return a comment to a blogger that posted to every Google+ group because I could never find their actual blog if they didn’t list it in the ‘about’ space! Their profile was just the same photo all the way down the page!
As for security, logic tells me that ‘those behind the curtain’ are going to snoop, no matter what. I’m not sure why people are so obsessed with privacy when they put all the details of their life out there for all to see!
Good luck with finding a platform that works for you 🙂
There is certainly a great deal to find out about this issue.
I love all of the points you’ve made.
Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the good effort.