Google+ business profiles being deleted

Delete

Google has started deleting business profiles on its new social networking service, but only in preparation for a bespoke Google+ experience for companies.

The Mountain View company announced its Google+ service late last month, with many labelling it a Facebook rival.

Many companies flocked to the service if they were lucky enough to get their hands on an invite but they are now having their accounts removed.

"We are discouraging businesses from using regular profiles to connect with Google+ users," said Christian Oestlien, advertising lead on the team behind Google+, in a company post.

"Our policy team will actively work with profile owners to shut down non-user profiles."

However, Google is working hard on a "business experience" that should be far better than the consumer version in terms of being suitable for companies, Oestlien said.

Google will have "something to show the world" later in 2011, he confirmed.

"How users communicate with each other is different from how they communicate with brands, and we want to create an optimal experience for both," Oestlien added.

In the next few months, Google will be working with a select group of marketing companies to see what effect adding brands to Google+ will have.

Businesses who want to take part in the experiment can sign up here.

Tom Brewster

Tom Brewster is currently an associate editor at Forbes and an award-winning journalist who covers cyber security, surveillance, and privacy. Starting his career at ITPro as a staff writer and working up to a senior staff writer role, Tom has been covering the tech industry for more than ten years and is considered one of the leading journalists in his specialism.

He is a proud alum of the University of Sheffield where he secured an undergraduate degree in English Literature before undertaking a certification from General Assembly in web development.