UPDATE 9 Jan 2019: Google+ is being shut down by Google in a few months. So this info is no longer relevant. We liked it while it lasted. We’re also very fond of some of the spin-off products that were once part of Google Plus. For example, the Google Photos app is the best app for sharing and storing photos, hands-down.

When it comes to social media, people have their favorites and their frustrations. For me, Facebook has always been a necessary evil. I’ll admit, I learned to use it for business purposes (after all, social networking is a huge buzz item in the world of marketing), and I’m grateful for the connections it allows me to maintain.

However, I’ve never truly liked Facebook. Its interface is clunky, its usability is among the worst of any major website on the internet, and to be honest, I don’t trust Mark Zuckerberg with my personal information. I rarely post detailed information about my whereabouts or share personal family photos on Facebook. It often feels like I’m not in control of who can see my posts.

Why Google+ Stood Out

When Google+ (also known as Google Plus) launched, I was thrilled to find an alternative platform that aligned more closely with what I was looking for in social networking. Google+ had a clean and simple interface that offered several “modules” or modes. These allowed users to switch between features, which essentially provided all the functionalities of Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and even Skype. It felt like a comprehensive social media hub that was easy to navigate and didn’t come with all the annoyances of Facebook—like unnecessary games and spammy apps.

What impressed me most was the seamless and user-friendly experience. Google+ was similar enough to Facebook and other platforms that anyone could start using it quickly. However, it was also distinctive in that it allowed for more customization and control over privacy. This was a big plus (pun intended) for me.

The Magic of Google Photos and Free Cloud Backup

One of my favorite features associated with Google+ was its integration with Google Photos. The Google Photos app became my go-to for backing up and organizing photos and videos. It offered automatic cloud backup for free, which is a huge deal. Unlike Apple’s iCloud, which only provides temporary storage options, Google Photos offered a permanent solution.

With the Google Photos app, photos and videos would automatically sync to the cloud, ensuring that precious memories were safely stored without having to worry about space on my phone or computer.

This seamless and cost-free backup service was unparalleled at the time. It took away the hassle of having to manually transfer or store files, and it added a sense of security knowing that my digital files were safe.

Circles: Personalization and Privacy Control

Another standout feature of Google+ was its “Circles” function. This feature allowed users to categorize their contacts into different groups, or circles, such as friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances. It was an innovative way to organize connections and share content selectively.

This system made it much easier to control privacy and avoid oversharing. For instance, you could choose to share a photo with only your family circle, or post a link exclusively to a group of work colleagues. It provided a sense of safety and intentionality that Facebook’s convoluted privacy settings often lacked. Circles were intuitive and customizable, empowering users to have full control over their content.

Additionally, Google+ offered a “Following” circle that functioned like Twitter’s follow feature. This was perfect for keeping up with public figures or celebrities without the expectation of reciprocal friendship, something Facebook never effectively incorporated.

The Power of Hangouts: Remote Connection and Collaboration

Another key feature that made Google+ so special was “Hangouts.” This feature allowed users to engage in real-time communication through chat, audio calls, and video conferences. It even offered the option to watch YouTube videos together in a dedicated virtual space.

Hangouts was a versatile tool that served a range of needs, from casual conversations with friends to more formal business meetings. The ability to host video conferences and interact with multiple people at once made it a valuable resource, especially for those of us in the remote workforce or anyone with a busy schedule.

A Fond Farewell to Google+

Although Google+ is now being phased out, it’s hard not to look back on the platform with some nostalgia. It provided a refreshing alternative to the social media giants and brought unique features that genuinely improved the user experience. While Google+ might not have achieved the same mainstream popularity as Facebook, it cultivated a loyal following of users who appreciated its cleaner interface, enhanced privacy controls, and integration with Google Photos and Hangouts.

In the end, it’s sad to see Google+ go, but its legacy lives on through some of the spin-off products that emerged from it. Google Photos remains an essential tool for photo storage and sharing, and Hangouts is still widely used for communication.

If you never tried Google+, you missed out on a social media experience that valued simplicity, privacy, and practicality. It’s a reminder that not all social media platforms are created equal—and that sometimes, we should appreciate the alternatives while we have them.