| 1 | Google has revealed plans to sideline its social network Google+ by changing the way users log in to its products and services. |
| 2 | It said it would no longer require users to sign up to Google+ to post comments to products such as YouTube. |
| 3 | Brad Horowitz, who manages Google's photos and sharing services, announced the changes in a blog on Monday. |
| 4 | One expert told the BBC that some YouTube creators had reacted to the news with "glee". |
| 5 | Google had been criticised by YouTube stars over its attempt to integrate Google+ with the video sharing site. |
| 6 | Many argued Google had attempted to integrate Google+ with the more successful YouTube platform to give the struggling social network a boost. |
| 7 | "The initial uproar was just insane. There were songs made about Google+ and how much people disliked it," said Alex Brinnand, managing editor YouTube magazine TenEighty. |
| 8 | "There was an overriding feeling that we were already swamped with other social media platforms, and people felt that they were forced into the deal." |
| 9 | Mr Horowitz confirmed that Google+ integration with other websites would slowly be rolled back. |
| 10 | "In the coming months, a Google Account will be all you'll need to share content, communicate with contacts, create a YouTube channel and more, all across Google," he said. |
| 11 | He later made additional comments on his own Google+ page, in which he admitted that requiring people to register on Google+ to post comments on YouTube since November 2013 had been a "controversial" decision. |
| 12 | "We want to formally retire the notion that a Google+ membership is required for anything at | other than using Google+ itself," he added. |
| 13 | YouTube clarified that people who were happy with the integration would not have to take any action, but an option to unlink a YouTube account from Google+ would be introduced. |
| 14 | Reaction to the news had been greeted with "glee" by some YouTube video bloggers, said Mr Brinnand. |
| 15 | "For many creators this feel like it's been a long time coming. People have been rooting for this to happen," he said. |
| 16 | "People felt like they were forced into joining Google+ and be active on it, and that's not something they accepted. |
| 17 | "When Google made the announcement on Monday, I could feel a collective sigh of relief. It's almost as though Google has given up the fight, it has let go. |
| 18 | "But at least it shows Google is listening. |
| 19 | "There's sometimes a presumption that YouTube doesn't listen to creators, but now it really had. |