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Statistical analysis finds Google shuts down 35% of its services

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:41PM EST
Google Services Shut Down

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A statistical analysis of Google’s track record has found that more than one out of every three services Google launches ends up being shut down. Gwern.net recently published an extensive analysis of Google’s launches over the years in an effort to find closure patterns and maybe even predict which current and new services might be shuttered in the future. In doing so, the site found that a sizable chunk of Google’s product portfolio — 35% — has been shut down over the years.

The study sought to find common threads in Google products that have survived over the years, and it found several. Google services that are directly profitable tend to stick around, obviously, such as Google’s advertising products. Social products usually aren’t so lucky, and neither are Google’s acquisitions — products developed in-house from start to finish have a much better chance of surviving the test of time.

Gwern.net’s study is a lengthy read, but it’s also a good one that could help people avoid the heartache of adopting new Google services that have a high probability of being shuttered. As Google Reader users scramble to find alternatives before Google closes the door on the service this summer, this study couldn’t have come at a better time.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.