Has Google+ Just gone free?

[robjduk]

Just playing with my Google Apps for Education console and noticed the Google + section has lost its warnings about incurring an additional cost and allows me to turn it on. I cant remember seeing this as changing as it definitely did carry a charge per user.

Have I missed something or just stumbled upon something special?

[IrritableTech]

To my knowledge Google plus has never been chargeable. They struggle enough to get users to use it as it is.

 

Unlimited drive space and free Google vault was the announcement earlier in the week.

[Arthur]

Google+ has always been free (just like Facebook ).

 

Last month Google made Google+ optional when signing up for Gmail.

 

Newbie Gmailers no longer forced into mandatory ID slurp « The Register

 

Google has quietly removed mandatory signups to its unloved "network thingy" Google+, which new Gmail users had been automatically shoved into when creating accounts on the ad giant's web-based email service.

 

it definitely did carry a charge per user.

Could the warnings have been related to Google Voice in the US because last month Google also merged Voice into Hangouts and made Hangouts work independently of Google+.

 

Google continues to pry Google+ loose from Hangouts with the latest update « Android Police

 

That big Hangouts update wasn't just about making it prettier and finally rolling in Google Voice. Google also continued its efforts to make Hangouts independent of Google+, as it previously announced. You can now make multi-way video calls without a Google+ profile on Android.

 

Google Hangouts getting free voice calls and voicemail « Android Central

 

It's been a long loooong time coming, but Google Voice is finally getting more-or-less fully integrated into Hangouts. Earlier today we saw Google migrating Voice messaging into Hangouts, and now with an update to the Hangouts app for both Android (version 2.3, which will be rolling out over the next few days) and iOS you'll be able to make phone calls with ease.

 

With Google Voice in Hangouts you'll be able to call other Hangouts users for free, place free calls to phone numbers in the United States and Canada, as well as take advantage of low international rates.

 

 

It's great being able to make phone calls over Wi-Fi when you don't have a 2G/3G signal (and the rates are pretty good too). As with Skype, calls between Hangouts users are free.

 

 

Edited October 4, 2014 by Arthur

[Arthur]

Something else Google did recently was allow people to join a video call through Hangouts without requiring a Google+ account. I think this is so they can sell more Chromeboxes.

 

Even more reasons to meet face-to-face « Official Google for Work Blog

 

Simpler to get everyone on video meetings

Starting today, Hangouts video meetings support any Google Apps customer account, including those without a Google+ profile. Any Google Apps customer can start or join a high-definition video meeting that connects 15 participants—from a computer or Chromebox for meetings device and coming soon to mobile phone and tablet.

[robjduk]

thanks all. Im still convinced it used to be a paid for item. Im gonna turn it on and see what happens.

Ta

[elsiegee40]

Google+ has definitely been free since day 1. Not that many seem to use it.

[Arthur]

I'm still convinced it used to be a paid for item.

Are you thinking of the following perhaps...?

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Google Account and Age Requirements / Age requirements for Google+

 

We currently offer three ways to confirm your age:

 

• Sending in a signed form via mail or fax with a copy of your current, government-issued ID showing your date of birth, or
  
• Uploading an electronic copy of your current, government-issued ID showing your date of birth, or
  
• Performing a small transaction ($0.30 USD) on a valid credit card.
  

Note: You may be charged an additional $1.00 USD for your transaction of $0.30 USD. This is simply a pre-authorization charge that will be erased from your account in a few days. If your transaction does not go through, check to see if you are using an invalid card or have provided incorrect information. Your transaction of $0.30 USD will be donated to a child protection organization.

 

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian will have to supply the confirmation on your behalf.