Google Plus Problems: Users' Biggest Issues With The New Social Network

Google+ opened its doors to the public on September 20 after 12 weeks of invite-only beta testing. During that time, despite limited signup allowances, Google's social network exploded in popularity. In late July, the site notched its 25 millionth new account, prompting ComScore to declared it the fastest-growing social network ever.

The site continues to add members, but it's still dwarfed by the user pools of more established networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Facebook, the mother of all social networks, in September boasted over 800 million active accounts. LinkedIn reported way back in March 2011 that it had accumulated 100 million users, and Twitter's recent figures numbered its user accounts at 100 million.

Google+ has experienced impressive, even unprecedented growth, but it still has a ways to go and many problems to address. Users' complaints about the site have been mounting since its launch. While Google's social team has addressed some of these, many persist. We've collected a list of the biggest issues users have with Google's social network--from age limitations to mobile app issues. Take a look through these problems and vote for the one that you're most concerned about.

Do you have any major issues with Google+? Share your thoughts in the comments (below). Then, if you're still curious about Google+, check out our beginner's guide to Google's social network.

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Comments

[Mools]

11:12 AM on 09/29/2011

I really like Google + because it takes what I like about Facebook and Twitter, combines them, and helps me avoid a lot of what I hate about Facebook. I agree the mobile app needs much more funcionality. Especially since I can't even share posts I like. That should be a no brainer. I shouldn't have to go to the computer and log on there just to post something I saw on my phone.

I think Google + has a lot of promise, but my biggest barrier is that it just doesn't have the people that Facebook does. People are on Facebook because people are on Facebook. That is really all there is too it. How do you convince people who are already on Facebook, and may have all their friends on as well, to join G+ ? They will just look at it and say, "nobody I know is on here" and not bother.

It will take time, and hopefully Google sticks it out because right now, I greatly prefer G+. then again, I also really look forward to the Timeline change for Facebook. So who knows where I will end up spending more time?

[MissFrijole]

08:42 AM on 09/29/2011

I don't like that the app deleted photos off my phone's memory, when all I wanted to do is not make the photos available for upload on Google+. I blindly deleted some photos before I noticed that they were disappearing from my gallery. Google should not have access to my gallery! It should be a localized delete...now I don't have half my pictures of my fiance's homecoming from deployment...

[Gurinder Dhillon]

08:05 AM on 09/29/2011

They spelled Users' wrong in this article's title, a more accurate way to spell it would've been:
"User's (singular) biggest issues with the new social network"

[KMFIX]

03:34 AM on 09/29/2011

Needs better privacy features. Then it would kick the crap out of facebook.

[loubque]

10:13 PM on 09/28/2011

There is alot more wrong with Google+ than that, and really I think it is the most pointless social networking site. It is google trying to best Facebook and it didnt work. Yes people say how it is easier to use google+, its not. Facebook is really an easy website to navigate and if you cant then go back to friendster.

The biggest problem with google+ is that the selective aspect of who can see what turns more people off than turns them on.

[Stb1990]

05:43 AM on 09/29/2011

For you sir, pointless just for you, the biggest problem with FB is the total contrary with the biggest problem your are pointing there for G+...

[loubque]

10:41 AM on 09/29/2011

Yes pointless for me, I am speaknig for me there. SOrry, I know google is the big c*ck you like to choke on but its not the greatest thing in the world, believe me.

[clairejoey]

09:31 PM on 09/28/2011

None of them reallay sound like deal breakers to me - especially since they've only been officially open for 9 days. Not being able to see old post would be kind of annoying. I'm also looking forward to when they allow businesses to have access. (Dumb move to delete some brands accounts and not others!)

[loubque]

10:16 PM on 09/28/2011

Really, i would think using your real name would always remind you to be discriminating with who you invite in. That is actually what I loved about Facebook. I never add random people, if I add them I am comfortable with them knowing my full name. As a friend should.

[Stb1990]

05:44 AM on 09/29/2011

Thought so, G+ is true social nature is not for the close minded adding only people they know like you.

[StinkyPete0279]

08:39 PM on 09/28/2011

"Critics of Google+ have raised concerns with the limited demographics represented on the site."

What sort of normal user would even care.

[maruawe]

10:57 AM on 09/28/2011

There could be a lot of reasons that something could happen with a new site, although I doubt that race or gender would be part of it. A lot of people wanted to use something besides their own name and this is the chief cause of declined invites..... A site owner needs people to work a site and usually is not going to discriminate against anyone, So this seems to be a person who wanted to have something to start a scandal . Probably works at Facebook..or ws trying to get a business name on the site before it was opened to businesses

[jet Luna]

08:45 AM on 09/28/2011

FYI: Friendster is the mother of all social networking site... I believe it started way backed in 2001...

[rcmfla]

08:35 AM on 09/28/2011

As a whole, my experience on Google+ has been very positive. I realize most people would want to compare it to Facebook, but I wouldn't. My Facebook page is generally made up of people I personally know. It's people I've either met, interacted with, possibly collaborated with, and/or know with some degree of separation. I could see using Google+ with these same people and probably would prefer it to Facebook. but how many would make the move and I don't mind having a presence on both social networks. My Google+ experience allows me to interact with people I don't know, but respect for their various talents. I have circles for my favorite tech people, photographers, journalists, and I learn a tremendous amount by association and sharing information.

Google+ probably isn't everyone's cup of tea and that's okay by me. I'm not into the mindless chatter that Facebook can be and could careless if someone's needs help with their rutabagas. I do appreciate Facebook for allowing me to re-connect with old friends and share experiences.

[loubque]

10:17 PM on 09/28/2011

I like how the mindless chatter on facebook is something you are against, but that is all controlled by how much of it you read.

[Stb1990]

05:47 AM on 09/29/2011

I like how deviating you are when it comes down to pointing an obvious FB's characteristic, not everyone love to be a stalker of their friends and family UuU, then you complain that it is controlled sharing behavior on G+, but you don't on FB, jah, save it.

[verbalvoodoo]

07:26 AM on 09/28/2011

Google+ seems to be exploding in popularity. The FB defenders seems to be devolving into the same Apple-hater or Apple-supporter cults we see on other Tech threads. "Apple is better than Android because..." Just replace "Apple" with "Google+" and many of these posts are indistinguishable.

[Qnir]

10:32 AM on 09/28/2011

Doing the global search-and-replace of Apple to Google+ is a fun exercise, but do you know what's even better than that? Start with an official press release from North Korea and make your substitutions in that document. For maximum effect, make sure you resist the urge to correct any grammatical issues in the original.

[ZimboDude]

01:26 AM on 09/28/2011

I checked it out, didn't like it. I am sticking with Facebook.

[Rokgoo]

11:18 PM on 09/27/2011

My only problem with Google+ is that, I don't need a second social network, as long as the first one works fine.

[Hayden Nantz]

10:54 PM on 09/27/2011

Google+ is just too much work. Circles have to be managed, streams have to be personalized, friends have to be categorized, etc., etc., etc., and I'm not really interested in adding in a bunch of people I don't know, even if they are "brilliant" artists.

[StinkyPete0279]

08:40 PM on 09/28/2011

Then...don't? Like any social network it's exactly as much "work" as you make it.

[loubque]

10:18 PM on 09/28/2011

I doubt they plan to, i think they were more relaying their thoughts. ITs nice that you gave them the go ahead though.

[Pucker]

10:13 PM on 09/27/2011

The #1 problem is that it's a social network with no social activity whatsoever. Google created this sterile lab experiment and expected it to become contagious.....it didn't work.

People will complain every time they move the cheese on Facebook's interface, but ultimately it has what you want in a social network....people. That's what will keep people coming back.