Build a Business on Google Technology” Maybe

December 16, 2019

We have found a resource that illustrates the folly of betting one’s business on free services from Google. The Google Cemetery shares an eye-opening chart of the “Average Product Lifespan of Google Products Before It Kills Them.” We learn that the Total Death Count, or number of products that have been discontinued, is 164. Also, according to data from AcquiredBy, Google has made a total of 212 acquisitions. The description states:

“Average product lifespan of Google products based on discontinued products listed on our website which were hacked to death by Google. Google has killed over 150 products since 2006. The average lifespan of a discontinued Google product is 4 years and 1 month.”

The chart simply lists the years from 2006 to 2019 and the number of products that were quashed each year. 2019 ties only with 2011 for the highest death toll at 25 canceled products. At the bottom the most “recent deaths,” with G Suite Training (2013-2019), YouTube Messages (2017-2019), YT for Nintendo 3DS (2013-2019), and Google Jump (2015-2019) currently displayed. Free can be great, but consider carefully and have a back up plan before choosing any free Google service.

Cynthia Murrell, December 16, 2019

Written by Stephen E. Arnold · Filed Under Google, News

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Stephen E. Arnold monitors search, content processing, text mining and related topics from his high-tech nerve center in rural Kentucky. He tries to winnow the goose feathers from the giblets. He works with colleagues worldwide to make this Web log useful to those who want to go "beyond search". Contact him at sa [at] arnoldit.com. His Web site with additional information about search is arnoldit.com.