We may have just figured out the reason why Vic Gundotra chose to leave Google. Anonymous sources have claimed that the search giant is planning to make big changes to Google+, ones that could change the direction from being a full blown Facebook competitor, and more on the lines of a platform.
Google+ has long been a problem for the search giant, as it tries to push the platform to become as popular as Facebook and Twitter. While the platform has managed to gain millions of users, the majority of these registered users are not regular visitors. Google has attempted to fix this problem by integrating Google+ in many of its products, but this move was proven to be a terrible idea.
With the integration of Google+ in YouTube, Google has proven to itself that many users have no need for its social network.
According to the folks who leaked the information to TechCrunch, Google is now considering the daunting task of removing the Google+ integration from its social platforms. The company has made many mistakes by trying to make its social platform a jack of all trades. This is evident when Google killed the beloved Latitude standalone app, and bake the features inside of Google+.
The current social trend is that one doesn't need the same app to do everything. Google must realize that making its Google+ a bloated mess will not help it succeed against Facebook, a company that has come to realize this truth itself. Forcing Google+ social features on everyone is not the way to go, and sooner Google open its eyes and realizes this, the sooner it can bring Google+ back from its impending doom.
The unknown sources who spoke with TechCrunch claimed that Facebook's purchase of WhatsApp, which is now surpassed 500 million registered users, is part of the reason why Google is on the verge of making big changes to Google+
So far, Google has denied that changes will be made in the coming months, but if something is indeed in the works, we should get more information at the company's I/O conference.
If Google chooses to do away with Google+, it would not be the first time the company has done this. Remember Orkut? That was Google's first social network; it is nowhere to be found today.
