In December 2018, it was announced that Google has taken a decision to shut down Google+ for consumers in April 2019 due to low usage and challenges involved in maintaining a successful product that meets consumers’ expectations. Google appreciated all those who used the service i.e. Google+ and provided the next steps, including how to download their photos and other contents.
The social network has also experienced security breaches causing its downfall. On April 2nd, Google+ account and any Google+ pages created will be shut down and all content will be deleted from consumer Google+ accounts. Photos and videos from Google+ in Albums Archive and Google+ pages will also be deleted. They advised users to download and save their content, just make sure to do so before April. You should also be aware that photos and videos backed up in Google Photos will not be deleted.
Google also noted in their post that around December 20th that developers should have been or should have already received an email from the company. That email contains details about recently used Google+ APIs used in projects by that developer. Google further notes that the most used APIs include the following:
- Google+ REST
- Google+ Web
- Google+ Android SDK
- Google+ Domains
- Google+ Pages
More importantly, Google+ sign-ins are becoming obsolescent as a part of this shutdown. Developers are advised to switch to the “more comprehensive” Google Sign-in method.
Source: TheVerge
