Google has stopped many popular services over its history. This process reflects the company’s changing priorities. Google often ends products that do not meet user targets or strategic goals. These shutdowns sometimes disappoint loyal users.
(Notable services Google shut down over the years (Google Reader, etc.))
Google Reader was an early casualty. This RSS feed reader shut down in July 2013. Many users relied on it for news aggregation. Its closure caused significant frustration. Google cited declining usage as the reason.
Google+ was another major shutdown. The social network launched in 2011. It struggled to compete with rivals like Facebook. Google announced its end in April 2019. A data breach accelerated its demise. User accounts fully closed in April 2019.
Google Stadia represented a big bet on cloud gaming. It launched in November 2019. The service faced challenges attracting enough players. Google announced Stadia’s shutdown in September 2022. It stopped operating in January 2023. Refunds were issued for hardware and game purchases.
(Notable services Google shut down over the years (Google Reader, etc.))
Other notable closures include Google Wave. This collaboration tool arrived in 2009. It confused many users. Google ended it just over a year later. Google Hangouts, once a core messaging app, phased out for Google Chat. Google also ended its URL shortener, goo.gl, favoring Firebase Dynamic Links. The company discontinued Google Picasa for Google Photos in 2016. Google Talk, the early chat service, merged into Hangouts then vanished. The list continues with services like Google Answers, iGoogle, and Google Notebook. Each shutdown signaled a shift in Google’s focus. The company constantly evaluates its product portfolio. This means more services will likely end in the future. Users adapt as Google redirects its resources.