Google’s increasingly faster re-branding efforts

Google’s increasingly faster re-branding efforts.

Google Bard is now Google Gemini. This was fast. I asked Gemini to gather all rebrandings after I saw and lost a twit making fun of Google’s rebrandings.

• Google AdWords → Google Ads: Streamlined for a broader understanding of its functions.
• DoubleClick Digital Marketing & Google Analytics 360 Suite → Google Marketing Platform: Combined for a more integrated experience in business analytics.
• DoubleClick for Publishers & DoubleClick Ad Exchange → Google Ad Manager: Platform designed for better management of ad inventory.
• Google Pay Send & Google Wallet → Google Pay: Merged mobile payment services under a single name.
• Android Pay & Google Wallet → Google Pay: Further consolidation of Google’s payment solutions.
• Google Hangouts Chat & Google Hangouts Meet → Google Chat & Google Meet: Split for clarity between casual chat and business-oriented meetings.
• Google Duo → Google Meet: Video calling services merged, with Duo’s features eventually integrated into Meet.
• Google My Business → Google Business Profile: Focus shifted to the overall business profile.
• G Suite → Google Workspace: Productivity and collaboration tools shifted to a broader “workspace” concept.
• Google News & Play Newsstand → Google News: News services consolidated under one banner.
• Android Market → Google Play Store: App store followed a broader Google Play brand strategy.
• Project Fi → Google Fi: MVNO wireless service given a more mainstream-friendly name.
• Google Offers → Google Shopping Express: Shifted focus from local deals to product delivery.

These rebrandings were done for simplification, consolidation, modernization, and strategic focus.

There are also discontinued services, some of which broke my heart:

Major Services

• Google+: A social network that attempted to rival Facebook.
• Google Reader: A popular RSS feed reader.
• Picasa: Photo organization and editing software.
• Google Play Music: A music streaming service that was eventually merged into YouTube Music.
• Google Inbox: An experimental email client with innovative features.
• Google Stadia: A cloud-based gaming platform.

Communication & Collaboration

• Google Allo: A messaging app with AI-powered features.
• Google Talk: An early instant messaging service.
• Google Wave: A real-time collaborative document editing platform.
• Google Spaces: A service for group discussions.
• Google Hangouts (Classic version): The initial iteration of Google Hangouts has been replaced.

Hardware

• Nexus Player: An Android-based streaming media player.
• Google Clips: A small AI-powered camera.
• Chromecast Audio: A device designed solely for audio streaming.
• Daydream View: Google’s virtual reality headset.

Other Notable Discontinued Services

• Google Buzz: A social networking and microblogging tool integrated into Gmail.
• Google Answers: A paid knowledge market platform.
• Google Labs: A space for experimental projects.
• Google SearchWiki: Allowed users to customize search results.
• Panoramio: A photo-sharing platform focused on geolocating images.
• Google Catalogs: An interactive digital catalog experience.

• You can find a more comprehensive list on the “Killed by Google” website: https://killedbygoogle.com/