Failed Google Products: A Complete List

Google has launched hundreds of products over the years, and many of them have been shut down. This article lists the most notable failed Google products, explains why they failed, and what lessons can be learned from their demise.

What Counts as a Failed Google Product?

Defining a “failed” Google product is not always straightforward. Some products were outright flops, like Google Glass for consumers. Others were technically successful but were killed because they didn’t fit Google’s strategic direction, like Google Reader. And some were merged into other products or rebranded, like Google Talk becoming Google Hangouts, which itself was later replaced by Google Chat. The common thread is that the product is no longer available in its original form.

Major Failed Products and Their Timelines

Here is a chronological list of some of the most significant Google products that were discontinued:

• Google Wave (2009–2012): A real-time collaboration platform that was too complex for most users. It combined email, chat, and document editing but confused people with its non-linear interface.
• Google Buzz (2010–2011): A social network integrated into Gmail. It raised privacy concerns by automatically following contacts and was quickly abandoned.
• Google Reader (2005–2013): An RSS feed reader that had millions of loyal users. Google shut it down to focus on fewer products, causing a major backlash.
• Google Glass (2013–2023): An augmented reality headset. The consumer version was criticized for its price, battery life, and privacy concerns. It was later pivoted to enterprise use before being discontinued entirely.
• Google+ (2011–2019): Google’s main social network attempt. It failed to attract a user base and suffered a data breach that exposed user data.
• Inbox by Gmail (2014–2019): An innovative email app with bundles and snooze features. It was popular among tech enthusiasts but was killed to focus on a unified Gmail experience.
• Google Stadia (2019–2023): A cloud gaming service. It failed because of a lack of compelling exclusive games and a subscription model that didn’t attract enough players.
• Google Hangouts (2013–2022): A messaging platform that was replaced by Google Chat and Google Meet. It was never fully integrated with other Google services.

Why Do Google Products Fail?

Several patterns emerge when looking at Google’s failures:

• Lack of focus: Google often launches too many products at once, spreading resources thin. For example, in 2013, Google had multiple messaging apps: Hangouts, Messenger, and Allo.
• Poor user adoption: Some products were too complicated or didn’t solve a clear problem. Google Wave is a classic example.
• Privacy missteps: Google Buzz and Google+ both had privacy issues that turned users away.
• Strategic shifts: Google sometimes kills successful products to focus on bigger bets. Google Reader was killed because Google wanted to focus on social media, which also failed.
• Competition: In messaging and social media, Google faced tough rivals like Facebook and WhatsApp, and its products often lacked network effects.

How to Check If a Google Product Is Still Active

If you are unsure whether a Google product is still around, you can check the official list of Google products on Wikipedia, or visit Google’s own product directory. As a rule of thumb, if a product hasn’t been updated in years and its support page redirects to another service, it’s likely discontinued.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Google kills products because they are unprofitable. While that is true for some, others like Google Reader were profitable enough but were killed to align with a new strategic vision. Another misconception is that all Google products fail; in reality, Google has many successful products like Search, Gmail, and Android that generate billions in revenue.

Alternatives to Failed Google Products

If you were a fan of a discontinued Google product, here are some alternatives:

• Google Reader: Feedly, Inoreader, or The Old Reader.
• Google Wave: Notion, Confluence, or Slack with document collaboration.
• Inbox by Gmail: The current Gmail interface, or email clients like Spark or Newton.
• Google Stadia: Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, or PlayStation Plus Premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Google kill Google Reader?

Google said it wanted to focus on fewer products with more impact. Despite its loyal user base, Reader was not seen as a strategic priority compared to other products like YouTube and Android.

Is Google Glass completely dead?

Yes, the consumer and enterprise versions of Google Glass were discontinued in 2023. Google now focuses on augmented reality through other efforts, but the original Glass hardware is no longer sold.

What was Google’s biggest failure?

Google+ is often considered the biggest failure because of the massive investment and the eventual data breach. It never gained a significant user base and was shut down in 2019.

Are there any Google products that were revived?

Some features from failed products have been integrated into other services. For example, the snooze feature from Inbox was added to Gmail, and Google Lens incorporates some of the visual search ideas from Google Goggles.

How many products has Google discontinued?

According to the Google Graveyard website, over 150 products have been discontinued since 2009. This number includes both small experiments and major services.

Does Google have a graveyard list?

Yes, there is a website called “Google Graveyard” that tracks discontinued Google products. It lists the name, launch date, and death date of each product.

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