Google is looking to phase out their Friend Connect gadget for non-blogger users early next year to encourage users to use Google+. Popular in the blogging world, many people use Google Friend Connect when they first start out blogging. An easy way to click and follow blogs, many new bloggers start with Google’s Blogger service, in which this is a popular widget.
According to Google, their aim is “to build a simpler, more intuitive, truly beautiful Google user experience”. To achieve this, as of March 1, 2012, this will be “retired” from all non-Blogger sites according to the Google Blog.
What does this mean to all those who are on WordPress and use the Google Friend Connect? Not surprisingly, Google strongly encourages users to switch to a Google+ page and to use a Google+ badge on your site.
To set up your Google+ page, go to http://plus.google.com. Please note that you will need a Google account to use this service.
Insert all of your basic information on the main page, accept the terms and continue.
Next, it will prompt you to add people to your circles. Those who are connected to you through your gmail will show up first. After you verify connections, it will take you to a page to find famous Google+ pages so you can connect with any popular celebrities, etc. 
Once you configure those you would like to have in your circles, you are taken to your home page. From here, you can set up chat, start a hangout, or even create pages (more on this coming soon!)
You’re all set up on Google+! Now, to display a Google+ badge on your website, you need to go to this link: https://developers.google.com/+/plugins/badge/config.
Put in your Google+ Id in the box and select which style badge you prefer. Underneath the badge box, you can customize by giving it a name (like with the name of your blog). Copy and paste the code that is rendered for you and put in your blog.
What do you think about Google doing away with Friend Connect for non-blogger blogs?
About Ashley
I’m SO disappointed they’re getting rid of GFC. I’ve been trying to get into using Google+ and I DO have hope for it, but I don’t see it being a great alternative to GFC right now. As far as I know, you can’t even have your blog auto-post to it. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m probably not going to manually add all my posts there. If they add that functionality I think it could be great and I love that it’s social, unlike GFC. I just think they have some work to do.
I have my Google+ page but am not yet in the habit of checking it throughout day as I do that “other” social site. Ha- way back when I used to live on a different social site for moms.
As soon as I learn more about how it works I know I will be spending time there.
I know I am not even using GFC effectively yet.