[hahainternet]

> I need to manage an entire social networking tool in order to see locations.

This is hyperbole, you do not need to 'manage' anything. You put people in circles and you are done.

It's also very likely that your friends do have a Google account, so it's not really too far fetched.

Oh and for what it's worth, if someone handed me a swiss army knife instead of scissors, I would just use the scissors on it, but I guess ymmv.