Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Google Quietly Nixes Mandatory G+ Integration With Gmail

Posted by timothy on from the maybe-now-I'll-like-it-better dept.

An anonymous reader writes Back in 2012, Google had made it mandatory for new Gmail users to simultaneously create Google+ (G+) accounts. This is no longer so. Following the departure of G+ founder Vic Gundotra in April 2014, Google has been quietly decoupling its social media site from its other services. First, YouTube was freed, then Google+ Photos. Now, anyone who wants to create a new Gmail account unencumbered with a G+ profile can also do so.

4 of 139 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Does it matter? by petermgreen · · Score: 5, Informative

    Some examples

    One was the real names policy, previously youtube had been happy with psuedononymous commenters. With google+ they tried hard to push people into using their real names on google+ (though they eventually dropped that policy) and they also tried hard to push youtube users to sign up for google+ and use their google+ name (which was likely their real name) on youtube. It was possible to avoid it but they tried pretty hard to push people into it.

    Another was that gmail users were appearing in google+ searches. Some people don't want it to be easy to search out their email accounts.

    --
    note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register
  2. What do they mean YouTube Freed? by cayenne8 · · Score: 3, Informative
    What do they mean

    First, YouTube was freed

    ???

    I had an account on there from before YT was purchased by Google. Since the G+ requirement, which I resisted...I've not been able to comment on other videos, not even reply to comments on MY videos because it keeps popping up saying I need to associate it with a G+ account in order to post comments to YouTube.

    I've not seen a change there. Is there a secret Mickey Mouse handshake one needs to know to fix this? I miss replying to people commenting on videos I post.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    1. Re:What do they mean YouTube Freed? by Apotekaren · · Score: 3, Informative

      Top left corner, Profile->Settings, scroll all the way down and find: Disable Google+

      Ah, the smell of freedom from that useless putrid thing!

      --
      She: Hey, are you a traitor? Me: No, I'm atheist.
  3. Re:Does it matter? by cayenne8 · · Score: 4, Informative

    One was the real names policy, previously youtube had been happy with psuedononymous commenters. With google+ they tried hard to push people into using their real names on google+ (though they eventually dropped that policy) and they also tried hard to push youtube users to sign up for google+ and use their google+ name (which was likely their real name) on youtube. It was possible to avoid it but they tried pretty hard to push people into it.

    I never converted my pre-Google YouTube account to G+. I still am no longer able to comment on my or others' videos.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........