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July 27, 2011

Google+ Will Warn Users before Suspending Accounts for Violating Name Policies

By Ed Silverstein, TMCnet Contributor

Google (News - Alert)+ wants to give its users prior warning before suspending their accounts for violating name policies.

In a blog post, Google+ says it is changing how it notifies users they are out of compliance with Google+ policies and its suggested remedies. One of the new options is to give users a warning and then the chance to correct their name before a suspension takes place.

In addition, the site is reviewing how to improve signups to lessen the chance users will later be under review. And some users are showing off nicknames, maiden names and personal descriptions – with their profile names. Google+ will give these users a way of displaying this kind of information on Google+.

Nicknames, maiden names, etc. can be added to the “Other names” portion of the G+ profile, the site says. Other users, who have permission, can search for another user using the term. In addition, the “Employment,” “Occupation” and “Education” fields in a profile can appear in a user’s hovercard across Google+, the site says.

Again, those users with permission can view this information.

“These and many more changes are coming,” Bradley Horowitz, vice president of Product at Google+, wrote in a recent company blog post. “We’re flattered and appreciative of your support and interest.”

“We’re designing features for different use cases that we think will make a better product experience,” Horowitz added. “We’re flattered that there’s so much passion and interest... and will continue to improve the product and innovate in ways that will hopefully surprise and delight.”

In addition, if an account is suspended for violating the Google+ common name standards, access to Gmail or other products that don’t require a Google+ profile are not removed, Horowitz said. So chances are users will still be able to use such services as: Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and Blogger.

There are other Google-wide policies – such as illegal activity – that could lead to Google-wide suspension.

In a related matter, earlier this month, Google suggested to businesses they delay using Google+ until later in 2011.

“The company is working on integrated Google+ business listings which will tie into Adwords and other Google features and until it gets its ducks in a row it suggests you wait patiently on the sidelines,” TMC CEO Rich Tehrani (News - Alert) explained in a recent blog post.

“While this may appear as easy as the stroke of a policy pen (‘Just let the businesses in!’), we think we can do better,” Horowitz said in the blog post. “We’re designing features for different use cases that we think will make a better product experience both for them and for everyone else.”

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Ed Silverstein is a TMCnet contributor. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell
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