The power the merge gives a YouTube channel owner is fantastic. I remember reading about them a while ago and thinking "this will make ECG's job of managing the CF YouTbue channel a thousand times easier."
Then it emerges that it needs to be linked to Google+
Then the headaches start.
The problem is that Google don't understand that normal people:
a) don't have a million IT qualifications like the Google engineers do, so find difficult and technical settings, etc really hard. YouTube was already getting a bit complicated, but it was still within the realms of human intellect.
b) not every YouTube user is a "Google advocate*" and doesn't spend 34 hours every day taking Google up every orifice to become one with Google and to envelope themselves in the multi-platforms that means they can transfer accounts between Google platforms in their sleep whilst writing an article on how the G has had one pixel shade changed finally after months of petitioning them because it was ruining the look of their brand :roll:
As a channel owner, there's a setting to allow YouTubers to comment without having a G+ account. So it's not like they're completely forcing every YouTuber to have a G+ account.
I can also understand Google wanting to create a single experience for all their platforms. It makes it easier for them to manage, and it makes it easier for new users to cope with - a single log on to rule them all.
However, G+ isn't the platform. At best, this is a cynical way to get more people on to G+ I can't really see it any other way. As a channel owner, yes, integrate it and be done. If it adds power to you, then it's good.
For commentators though, it should be linked with all other social platforms. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter - all should be able to just comment and have their comments streamed onto the channel owners G+ stream. There must be a way to do it.
G+ is not a replacement for Facebook and never will be (it fulfils a completely different need). So Google need to stop trying to fight with Facebook and to work out they HAVE to coexist.
The biggest issue is that G+ is complicated. Like a lot of open source stuff, it's incredibly powerful and secure. You need to take time to set up your security and get things right before you start, and to keep on top of it. That's too much for most people who just want to quickly bitch about their boss or post pictures of their dinner. They want a simple setup at the start and do it quickly thing. Facebook does that, G+ does, but you need to consider your "circles" and if you make it public you WILL get complete strangers commenting and you WILL get strangers randomly adding you to their lists of people to broadcast to. G+ makes my head spin, and if technology makes MY head spin, it's not good...
*Okay, okay, okay - FanBoys
