[antoko]

Right, but the confusion is that both the identity service and their social network are called Google+. So it is hardly surprising that people get confused when they call two supposedly distinct services by the same name. Why not just call the identity service Google Account and then all the perception problems go away. Seems like a huge PR blunder. But then I'm not actually sure how much google really care about this, I think the rage about it is amplified in our HN crowd. Most google customers probably don't notice and of the ones that do the majority likely don't care.

[Kequc]

I agree to a certain extent. But Google + and the identity service are so closely linked that I am having trouble imagining how they could have called it Google Account since everyone would be wondering what they need Google + for. Which is happening anyway but people haven't figured out the part where Google + is your Google identity yet. Even on, or especially on HN/Youtube.

The ability to comment and talk about stuff is going to permeate all of Google's services. I don't really see how else they could do it.

Maybe if they didn't force you to use your real name then everyone wouldn't be having freak outs?

[gurkendoktor]

But Google has not just started using G+ accounts for YT comments, they have mixed G+ shares with YT comments. Now much of what I see below YT videos are G+ shares along the lines of, "hey check out this cool video". That's actually less informative than the average YT comment.

[shooper]

You're assuming that the confusion isn't intentional. It is, to make people sign up for Google+ while disguising it as a identity service.

And more and more normal customers seem to be noticing, especially on Youtube. Here's one woman crying about about how the confusing G+ prompts lead her to lose all her uploaded videos. (Warning, strong language) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccxiwu4MaJs