12 Of The Worst Products Ever Created By Google
Google is known for its innovation. While many of its products have been successful, some of them have been truly awful (we’re looking at you Google Plus). Whether it was due to poor execution or lack of user interest, there have been several products that just missed the mark. Here are 12 of the worst products Google has ever created. Let’s see if you agree with them!
1. Google Glass
Launched in 2013, Google Glass was marketed as a revolutionary wearable tech device. Tech Radar gave the piece of technology a 3.5-star review. It promised augmented reality and hands-free capabilities but quickly faced backlash for privacy concerns and its high $1,500 price tag. The product’s awkward design earned it the nickname “Glasshole,” making it socially unacceptable to wear. Limited practical applications and a buggy user experience sealed its fate. By 2015, Google halted sales to consumers, relegating it to niche enterprise use. Despite its failure, it paved the way for future innovations in AR technology.
2. Google Wave
Google Wave, introduced in 2009, aimed to revolutionize online collaboration by combining email, messaging, and document sharing in one platform. Unfortunately, its overly complicated interface and lack of clear purpose confused users. Wave also suffered from poor integration with existing Google products, further diminishing its appeal. Developers struggled to adopt the platform due to limited resources and community support. By 2010, Google officially discontinued Wave, admitting it had failed to attract a mainstream audience and shut it down in 2012. Today, its concepts live on in apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams.
3. Nexus Q
Unveiled in 2012, the Nexus Q was a media streaming device with a $299 price tag. Its spherical design looked futuristic, but functionality was severely limited. When The Verge reviewed the device, they gave it a 5-star rating (out of 10). The Nexus Q only worked with Google Play content and lacked support for popular apps like Netflix or Spotify. Critics slammed the device for being overpriced and underpowered compared to competitors like Apple TV and Roku. Google paused its release indefinitely, offering refunds to pre-order customers. The Nexus Q remains a cautionary tale of bad product-market fit.
4. Google Buzz
Google Buzz, launched in 2010, attempted to integrate social networking directly into Gmail. However, the platform faced immediate backlash for exposing users’ private email contacts without consent. Privacy groups filed complaints, and Google was forced to issue a settlement. The platform’s confusing interface and lack of differentiation from other social networks didn’t help. Buzz was officially shut down in 2011, and replaced by Google+. Its failure underscored the importance of privacy in product design.
5. Google+ (Google Plus)
The tech giant just has not been able to come up with a social media channel that competes. Google+ was introduced in 2011 to compete with Facebook, but it never gained traction. Despite integrating with other Google services, the platform struggled to attract active users. Poor user experience and confusing features, like Circles, alienated potential adopters. A massive data breach in 2018 further tarnished its reputation, leading to its closure in 2019. Google+ became a symbol of the company’s inability to dominate the social media space. It remains one of Google’s most high-profile failures.
6. Google Reader
Google Reader was a popular RSS feed aggregator loved by users for its simplicity and efficiency. However, Google shut it down in 2013, citing declining usage. Fans of the product argued that Google failed to properly market or develop it. The decision angered many loyal users, some of whom switched to competing platforms like Feedly. To this day, its demise is lamented as an unnecessary loss. Google Reader’s failure highlights the risks of ignoring a passionate user base.
7. Google Allo
Google Allo launched in 2016 as yet another attempt to break into the messaging app market. PC Mag gave Google Allo a 3.5-star rating out of 5 because the pros just didn’t outweigh the cons. Despite its integration with Google Assistant, the app lacked features like SMS support and encryption, making it less appealing than competitors like WhatsApp. Google’s fragmented messaging strategy, with apps like Hangouts and Duo already available, confused users. Adoption rates were dismal, and Google shut down Allo in 2019. It’s a prime example of poor market research and over-saturation.
8. Google Stadia
Launched in 2019, Google Stadia promised high-quality cloud gaming without a console. However, the service suffered from latency issues, a limited game library, and a confusing pricing model. PC Mag, a publication many people look to for tech advice, gave Stadia a 2.5-star rating out of 5. Many users felt the platform was launched prematurely, lacking essential features. Developers also criticized Google for inconsistent support and resources. By 2023, Google announced the shutdown of Stadia, citing low adoption rates. The platform’s failure demonstrated the challenges of entering the competitive gaming industry.
9. Google Notebook
Google Notebook, launched in 2006, was meant to help users organize and save notes online. Despite its potential, the tool’s clunky interface and lack of innovation left it underwhelming. Competing services like Evernote quickly outpaced Google Notebook in functionality. Google discontinued the service in 2012, redirecting users to Google Docs. The product’s failure highlighted the importance of evolving with user needs. Google Keep, launched later, attempted to fill the gap but still lacks robust features.
10. Google Knol
Google Knol, launched in 2008, aimed to compete with Wikipedia by allowing users to write authoritative articles. However, the platform struggled with low-quality content and poor moderation. Unlike Wikipedia, Knol lacked community engagement, leading to its eventual failure. Critics argued that Google didn’t offer enough incentives for contributors. Knol was shut down in 2012, with little fanfare. Its failure reinforced Wikipedia’s dominance in the user-generated knowledge space.
11. Google Clips
Released in 2017, Google Clips was a small AI-powered camera designed to capture candid moments. Its $249 price tag and invasive nature made it unpopular with consumers. The lack of control over what it recorded raised privacy concerns. Reviews criticized the camera for being inconsistent and unnecessary in a world dominated by smartphones. Google discontinued Clips in 2019, acknowledging its limited appeal. The product became another example of innovation without clear demand.
12. Google Health
Google Health, launched in 2008, aimed to centralize users’ medical records online. However, the platform faced resistance from both users and healthcare providers. Privacy concerns and lack of integration with existing systems hindered adoption. Google failed to address these issues, leading to its shutdown in 2011. Despite its failure, the company’s recent ventures into healthcare suggest it hasn’t given up on the sector. Google Health’s demise is a lesson in understanding market readiness.
Even Giants Can Stumble
These 12 products just go to show you that even tech giants can stumble. Not every product launch is going to be a “win.” Google will continue to experiment and find things that work (and things that don’t) in the years to come.
Did you use any of these disgraced Google products? What did you think?
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.