Interest in Google+ falling among users

July 27, 2011 By Mike Flacy

Are users already getting tired of the fledgling social network for Google? A recent study offers data that supports a slowdown in traffic on Google+.

Experian Hitwise released a report today that supports a slowdown in usage of the Google+ social network. According to the analytics firm, total Google+ visits fell by three percent during the week of July 23. The week prior (July 16) saw a traffic increase of 283 percent over the previous week at about 1.86 million visits. User engagement also dropped as Google+ members spent 10% less time on the site. Specifically, users spent about 5 minutes, 15 seconds on the site during the July 23 week compared to nearly 6 minutes during the July 16 week.

Google co-founder Larry Page claimed that users had shared over one billion items on Google+ on a July 14 conference call and comScore reported that the site broke 20 million users last week. It’s possible the waning interest in the social network can be explained by the lack of access to the public. Without friends to populate the network, users are less likely to spend time on Google+ and focus attention on social networks like Facebook.

However, Google has been criticized for making a series of missteps regarding user profiles and brand pages over the past 10 days. Without notifying users, Google mass deleted profiles based on the criteria that pseudonyms cannot be used for names. Many users with identical names to prominent figures also were deleted as Google flagged the accounts as invalid. Businesses have also had difficulty setting up brand pages. While Google asked businesses and brands to hold off on creating an account until support rolled out, they deleted existing pages created by brands much to the dismay of the tech community.

Google’s VP of social Vic Gundotra took blame for the lack of notification regarding the deletions and specifically attributed the rapid growth of the social network. This has also caused Google to push up the timetable on creating brand pages and hopes to push out a finished product in the next three months. Responding to Google’s lack of product, Facebook pushed out a press release today regarding brand pages.

Showing 30 comments

Rajiv Sobhee at 9:38am 3rd September 2011 I was expecting better from google plus... after using it for 15 mins i got dissapointed. The system is stupidly designed. A bit like you build a big store and the door is inaccessible. Even those who get in..find out that it is not well made inside.. and that there are lots of problems using it.. it looks good from outside and very awkward to use from inside.. I just hate using this thing.. consider this very bad since i was actually extremely glad it was made..just to show bad it is. Big disappointment. A big thumbs down on the execution.
Serge Mankovski at 5:13pm 28th July 2011 I agree that interest is falling, but I am sad to see that. I really do not like Facebook, BU
Christopher William Breaux Sr. at 6:27am 28th July 2011 Raj is an idiot. The ones with the money run things. Your comment is irrelevant and false on many levels.
ajitdubey at 10:43pm 27th July 2011 to be honest, I didn't like Google Plus. People are confused of Google profile and Google+ profile because if we login with a google id and open other Google sites like Blogger, Picasa of Google profile (in tabs) every time same id is used. It's very good feature but sometimes it irritates too. There is nothing unique in Google+, nevertheless Facebook is very well designed and maintained. I opened a Google+ account the very first day, I come to know about it+ but then I returned back to facebook.
1. Rajiv Sobhee at 9:39am 3rd September 2011 exactly the same here.. read my comment below ;) such a no hoper this service.. bad integration system.
Raj Ankur at 5:35am 28th July 2011 Google is nothing, they only buy things, They do not make them!
Cheyne Rushing at 5:32am 28th July 2011 Soon it will be chocked full of personalized ads. That's where the money is.
jim at 10:29pm 27th July 2011 I've been asked to try again later. Who has time for later? If it become relevant then I may try again but with tons of other avenues open, I'll use one of those for now.
1. Adrienne Martyn at 1:22am 28th July 2011 Is your offer of a google + invite still open? If it is I'd be keen to accept. Thank you
goatboy at 10:13pm 27th July 2011 That's easy. I have tried to register for a + account 3 times now and nothing except, "We're sorry, we'll contact you at a later date." If they weren't ready for everyone at launch, why the hell did they launch? I'm outta here. bleat!
1. Kevin at 10:20pm 27th July 2011 If you want an Invite email me kevintimmons11 @ g mail .com
Helen Baik at 5:12am 28th July 2011 google has had failed projects before ie. hotpot and buzz --terrible setup. as long as they force users to sign into google+ to get search results, it will be more useful & powerful overall
Christopher William Breaux Sr. at 5:09am 28th July 2011 Everyone knows that if your Facebook is deleted that all of your info & information is saved and can be reactivated. Google may have messed up but that wont hurt them. Google is superior to everything else. The hopes that google will fail soon to these people is high but Just like myself and millions others we all know Google isn't going anywhere. Google isn't a "trend" its a way of life.
Troy Stone at 5:03am 28th July 2011 For Google, global domination is inevitable.
Joshua Fields at 4:49am 28th July 2011 Lol true
Michaele Kashgarian at 4:38am 28th July 2011 yup
Bernd Currie at 4:36am 28th July 2011 I don't know, still don't have access to the general public. So inquiring minds would like to try.
Jillian Rushing at 4:35am 28th July 2011 He says...on Facebook. Haha!
Akbar Hossain at 4:34am 28th July 2011 after i saw twitter and tumblr im done with social networks and fb is dead now.
Stephen Editing Hirst at 4:33am 28th July 2011 its not falling there dealting people who sign up lol
Christopher William Breaux Sr. at 4:33am 28th July 2011 Google is never going to fall. This post is a waste of time.
Evan Bosch at 4:32am 28th July 2011 they need a wall feature
Tonio Johnson at 4:32am 28th July 2011 I have it and don't use it as well. So many people i know don't use a android device which makes it a pain for them to even use it, plus they already here on facebook.
Jillian Rushing at 4:31am 28th July 2011 It's empty. Useless.
Michael Boyd at 4:29am 28th July 2011 i have it and do not use it.
Anvesh Checka at 4:29am 28th July 2011 i am!
Gregory Mr-Spock Thompson Jr. at 4:28am 28th July 2011 They're waiting too long to step out of the public testing phase. They need to kick it into gear, say they're officially out, and start rolling in with powerful advertising.
Akbar Hossain at 4:28am 28th July 2011 social networks are stupid. people dont know how to socialize anymore
Kameron Besler at 4:27am 28th July 2011 saw this comeing sence it was released lol
Mike Gargano at 4:26am 28th July 2011 googles awesome