I kind of get the Google+/Youtube controversy now.

Stormy · Mar 25, 2014 3:54 PM

When Google first started doing this linking stuff, I thought all the backlash and whining about it were stupid. I thought it was only natural that they'd want to make it easier for people to use their accounts with one universal sign-in. I thought there was no point in complaining about Google making a Google+ page for you when you have the option of just not using it. I still think all of that, but I can sympathize with the people who are unhappy about the change a little more now after what happened earlier.

A few weeks ago, I finally gave in to Youtube's constant demands to use my full name on Youtube. I never commented on any videos, so there shouldn't be a problem, right?

What I didn't realize, and just found out today, is that this would put a permanent link to my Youtube channel on my Google+ profile. I'm not even exaggerating about it being permanent. I tried removing the link, and it just put itself right back. I tried making it invisible on my profile, but, even though all the other items I hid stopped being visible to the public, the Youtube channel link stayed. Why is it so important to Google that this one little piece of information be visible to everyone? I just don't understand. Furthermore, why even have the option there if it's not going to do anything? That's just bad design.

I found numerous tutorials and instructions for unlinking the two accounts, but none of them worked. Once you give in to "using your full name" on Youtube, the change is apparently irreversible. The only option was to delete my whole account. Even though I like Youtube and, yes, even Google+, as separate services, I don't like them together. Hell, I would even be fine with them being linked if I didn't have to let everyone in the world who Googled my name see it. I'd really rather my business contacts not know my username I made up 8 years ago and start tracking it down, or see the names and comments made by my internet friends.

This just made me really mad earlier, and I felt like ranting about it, I guess.

Last edited by Stormy (Mar 25, 2014 3:55 PM)

36IStillLikeSpyro36 · Mar 25, 2014 4:29 PM

i think it's really stupid that Google insists on people using their full names online. and you can't even just enter random stuff in the name field; i tried on one account, and i ended up having to use a credible-sounding name that i just made up. they actually have a system in place to detect if you're using a realistic name or not.

people are usually *discouraged* from using their full names online, but Google keeps pushing it. why? are they going to make me link it to my address soon, too? a site as big as Google should know better.

it bugs me how Facebook does that too, by the way. i managed to use a fake name after like 4 accounts. tongue

Swaffy · Mar 25, 2014 4:29 PM

Your rant has been heard ... by me at least.

Google+ is horrifying, and is ruining YouTube. Man I miss the old YouTube with the simpler system. I mean ... you could actually find your settings back then. Now it's just a constantly-changing maze every user is forced to deal with. Sometimes I want to bomb the [adjective] Google+ building (and servers) because it makes me that mad.

Stormy · Mar 25, 2014 4:54 PM

Heh, I actually liked Google+, honestly. I would have abandoned Facebook for it in a second if more people were on it. Just keep it away from Youtube.

36IStillLikeSpyro36 wrote:

i think it's really stupid that Google insists on people using their full names online. and you can't even just enter random stuff in the name field; i tried on one account, and i ended up having to use a credible-sounding name that i just made up. they actually have a system in place to detect if you're using a realistic name or not.
people are usually *discouraged* from using their full names online, but Google keeps pushing it. why? are they going to make me link it to my address soon, too? a site as big as Google should know better.
it bugs me how Facebook does that too, by the way. i managed to use a fake name after like 4 accounts.

I knew Facebook did that, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Google does now, too. That is pretty stupid. Maybe they feel like it would undermine their credibility if there were more fake-sounding names than real ones? Or that people will just give up after a few attempts and just use their real one? Of course, their excuse was that they want the quality of Youtube comments to improve, which is a worthwhile goal, I think, but is this really the only way they could think of?

Swaffy · Mar 25, 2014 8:31 PM

36IStillLikeSpyro36 wrote:

they actually have a system in place to detect if you're using a realistic name or not.

Part of me wants to set my name as "Hugo Flounder", a reference to one of the bot names in Battlefield 1942.

Hugo Flounder. It should work.

Flapjacks · Mar 25, 2014 10:17 PM

They allow you to make one of your names a letter, so I just make mine my first name, and then the first letter of my last name.

RangerOfIthilien · Mar 26, 2014 12:09 AM

Flap J

I think at the very least Google should allow you to unlink Youtube and Google+. I'm all for the option of linking them, but not allowing you to undo the link once it's been made is just poor design.

Flapjacks · Mar 26, 2014 2:44 AM

Oh, no, I agree, I was just saying that you do have the option to do that and not be breaking any of Google's "rules."

Paranoia · Mar 26, 2014 3:02 AM

Yeah, I had this same problem. I definitely didn't know they were going to put a permanent Youtube link on Google+ profile. Made all my videos private for a while cause I'm paranoid like that. I figured out how to get rid of it somehow though. I think you need to create another Google+ using your same email (name it something you want your Youtube channel to be called) and I think you can link it to that instead, and it will stay off your normal profile. This might have been just an old loophole or something, I don't know.

It's still really annoying though because sometimes Youtube just likes switch back to using my main google account, which won't show any of my subscriptions, so I have to manually switch it back. At least the profile link stays gone though.

The Youtube settings are just a nightmare now too. They could have at least integrated them on Youtube itself, and not make you mess with your Google+ for something as simple as changing your Youtube avatar.

Personally I hate how "connected" everything is trying to become nowadays. Not everyone wants to share everything about their lives on Facebook, G+, Twitter, etc. I generally stay away from Facebook because trying to tweak even the smallest settings seems daunting. The only reason I have a Facebook is because it's an easy way to contact people. I almost never post status updates.

The Black Shadow · Mar 26, 2014 1:00 PM

I will admit, at first I was furious about Google combining Google+ to YouTube. I don't make videos very often, but I put out a video saying that I was moving to Vimeo since I had enough of Google's nonsense. I actually did make an account there, however I got bored of the place quickly. I was also having issues with getting the videos to play properly.

As for the name issue? I've been asked if I wanted to use my real name, but I never had an issue with that. I had the option to use another name. Besides Ebay and Facebook, I never throw out my real name.

I too hate how everything is connected now. Maybe some people like it, and that's fine, but I think it should be optional. I like to have my accounts independent from each other.

Clock-la · Mar 26, 2014 10:11 PM

My youtube keeps wanting to change my name GRRRRRR

The Black Shadow · Mar 26, 2014 10:19 PM

The only issue I'm experiencing with YouTube is it keeps logging me out. mad

Stormy · Mar 26, 2014 10:19 PM

Don't give in! tongue It's really stupid that they don't even give you an option to stop them from asking. It's like they need your permission to make the change, but you don't really have much of a choice whether or not to give the permission unless you're okay with them continuing to annoy you.

Flapjacks · Mar 27, 2014 1:55 AM

Every time I go to youtube, it's asking if I want to use my account by my name or by my channel's name. Every time.

36IStillLikeSpyro36 · Mar 27, 2014 2:23 AM

somehow, i've managed to stop it from doing that most of the time. maybe it's the fact that i never log out unless i close out of Firefox?

which basically never happens btw, even when i'm not here i usually still have this window up i'm just obviously not doing anything on it

Stormy · Mar 27, 2014 2:41 AM

I never logged out, either. It would come up randomly at the beginning of videos. o_O

Steinar · Mar 31, 2014 9:25 PM

I quited YouTube and deleted my account years ago. I made a Dailymotion account. Incase i want to upload a tutorial video to help people out there with some stuff that they might need, and that place doesn't take my eyes on it all the time, so its more calm to think about other important stuff which i didn't felt like when i was a part of the YouTube community.

Besides, YouTube has many distractions and the content value is lowish who want to earn a quick buck on ad revenue , its kinda the place for poor people who want to earn cash even if the content ain't good in general speaking.
But aslong as we have fun then that's what matters ^^

I suggest to read a good book and have fun with other people around. Just chilling and no worries ^^

Last edited by Steinar (Mar 31, 2014 9:30 PM)

Flapjacks · Apr 01, 2014 2:28 AM

Ohh, so you're that kind of person who uploads help videos. Do you use unregistered hypercam and talk to the viewers through notepad, too? tongue

Steinar · Apr 01, 2014 9:18 AM

Flapjacks wrote:

Ohh, so you're that kind of person who uploads help videos. Do you use unregistered hypercam and talk to the viewers through notepad, too?

Back in 2007 on YouTube i made a notepad on how to add characters to the mugen emulator, stages etc and where to download the program. But you know, video editing became known later for me tongue
No, i don't believe i used that, incase it was atleast registered. I have bandicam now.

Last edited by Steinar (Apr 01, 2014 9:19 AM)

#1 Mar 25, 2014 3:54 PM

I kind of get the Google+/Youtube controversy now.

#2 Mar 25, 2014 4:29 PM

Re: I kind of get the Google+/Youtube controversy now.

#3 Mar 25, 2014 4:29 PM

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#4 Mar 25, 2014 4:54 PM

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#5 Mar 25, 2014 8:31 PM

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#6 Mar 25, 2014 10:17 PM

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#7 Mar 26, 2014 12:09 AM

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#8 Mar 26, 2014 2:44 AM

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#9 Mar 26, 2014 3:02 AM

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#10 Mar 26, 2014 1:00 PM

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#11 Mar 26, 2014 10:11 PM

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#12 Mar 26, 2014 10:19 PM

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#13 Mar 26, 2014 10:19 PM

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#14 Mar 27, 2014 1:55 AM

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#15 Mar 27, 2014 2:23 AM

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#16 Mar 27, 2014 2:41 AM

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#17 Mar 31, 2014 9:25 PM

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#18 Apr 01, 2014 2:28 AM

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#19 Apr 01, 2014 9:18 AM

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