The buried lede is that Google is shutting down Google+. (EDIT: for consumers: Google is keeping it as an enterprise product)
I did consider replying to the buried the lede comment that "I guess I can stop occasionally wondering if I should get familiar with Google+." Then decided to tweet it instead because that's insubstantive, or could be interpreted as such.
I'm actually a fan of Google, but never got into Google+. I don't openly fangirl the company in part because it gets so much open hatred here.
> At the same time, we have many enterprise customers who are finding great value in using Google+ within their companies. Our review showed that Google+ is better suited as an enterprise product where co-workers can engage in internal discussions on a secure corporate social network. Enterprise customers can set common access rules, and use central controls, for their entire organization. We’ve decided to focus on our enterprise efforts and will be launching new features purpose-built for businesses.
I don't use it often, but occasionally find useful communities there, especially concerning technical subjects. Now all of that is going to disappear.
It's annoying that Google apparently prizes the opinion of enterprise customers enough to half-abort the plan to shut down Google+, while for some reason maintaining a stubborn insistence on removing its access for the rest of us. Yes, this will be another point to add on the list of reasons to never become invested in a new Google product.
If most people are visiting by accident and immediately leaving, it's probably actively causing usability problems and should be shut down.
It can let the non-corporate users enjoy the fruit of their labors at keeping Google+ running for corporate users at almost no additional cost.