Google Discontinuing "Add Me To Search" People Cards Feature in April

Google has decided to discontinue its "people cards" feature in Google Search on April 7. This decision was made after Google found that the feature was not as useful for users as they had originally thought.

In 2020, Google introduced people cards to help individuals showcase information about themselves on Google Search, like websites and social profiles. Initially launched in India, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, people in other countries could access it using a VPN.

Google sent an email to users who created people cards, stating:

After its launch, we discovered that people cards weren't as useful as we had anticipated.

Google is allowing users to download or save their people card information until May 7, after which it will be deleted.

Background: People Cards As A Virtual Business Card

People cards were created to act as virtual business cards, making it easier for professionals, performers, influencers, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and freelancers to build a strong online presence.

Having trouble standing out in search results or sharing a name with others? This feature is perfect for you!

The card has spaces for your name, location, job, a short bio, and even links to your social media and other important details.

Impact & Future Implications

Discontinuing people cards will only impact this particular feature on Google Search and will not have any effect on other Google products or services. This change might disappoint users who have used the feature to create their online presence and enhance their visibility in search results.

Google's choice to discontinue people cards has sparked discussions about the fate of other tools created to assist individuals in displaying their personal and professional accomplishments on the internet.

In today's ever-changing digital world, companies such as Google regularly assess the impact of new features to guarantee they offer significant benefits to their users.

Retiring features that don’t provide adequate value allows Google to allocate resources to more helpful tools.

Google will send users a reminder as the April 7 discontinuation date approaches.

FAQ

What was the purpose of Google’s “people cards” feature, and how did it benefit individuals?

Google introduced "people cards" to help professionals, performers, influencers, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and freelancers boost their online presence with virtual business cards. These cards allowed individuals to showcase their information, including websites and social profiles, on Google Search. This was especially helpful for people with common names or limited online visibility.

This feature offered various fields to input personal and professional information, enhancing one's online visibility and searchability.

What is the impact of Google discontinuing "people cards" on users and the digital environment?

Discontinuing the "people cards" feature on Google will mainly impact individuals who used it to boost their search visibility.

Now, users will need to find other ways to build their online presence.

Google's decision to make changes prompts a bigger discussion about the future potential of similar tools that showcase personal information in the digital world. This reflects the company's continuous evaluation process, which helps them prioritize developing features that bring more benefits to their users.

What should current users of Google’s “people cards” do in light of the feature’s upcoming discontinuation?

Users who have created people cards should make sure to download or save their content before May 7. After this date, their information will be removed from Google's systems permanently.

Google will send reminders to users as April 7 gets closer, so they have enough time to save their data before the discontinuation date.

Individuals relying on the feature should explore other personal branding avenues and enhance online visibility.

Featured Image: Tada Images/Shutterstock

Editor's P/S:

The discontinuation of Google's "people cards" feature is a notable decision that highlights the evolving nature of online visibility and personal branding. While the feature provided an easy way for individuals to create virtual business cards and enhance their search presence, Google's assessment revealed that it didn't meet the desired level of utility for users. This decision underscores the importance of companies regularly evaluating the impact of new features and making adjustments based on user feedback and data analysis.

The impact of this discontinuation may be particularly felt by individuals who relied on "people cards" to boost their online presence. As a result, they will need to explore alternative methods to build their personal brands and increase their visibility in search results. This change may also prompt a broader discussion about the future of tools designed to showcase personal information online, as companies continue to refine their approaches to providing users with valuable and effective features.