That viral email proclaiming Gmail’s imminent demise? Total hoax, of course. But the fact that so many folks legitimately panicked shows Google’s got some reputation rehab to do when it comes to ‘killing’ products.
No doubt the fake shutdown notice caught fire because of recent changes like Google Wallet replacing GPay. With users on high alert, this prank quickly morphed into a ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…’ situation.
And can you blame people for bracing for the worst? Google’s graveyard of axed products and services is downright legendary at this point. From Reader to Inbox to Allo, longtime users have been burnt time and again. PTSD levels of distrust have settled in.
Now obviously Gmail, the heart of Google’s ecosystem, isn’t going anywhere. But the propensity for pandemonium reveals a troubling lack of faith. This viral hoax is a wake-up call to reassure users, improve communication, and buck the KillBot reputation.
Because while pruning products is sometimes necessary, doing so while rebuilding user confidence is a delicate balancing act. The last thing Google needs is for fickle users to flock elsewhere or view every announcement with doomsday suspicion.
So here’s hoping they take this hoax hype as an opportunity for more transparency, fewer surprises, and breathing new life into aging products before resorting to the ax. And for users? Maybe let’s all take viral shutdowns with a healthy grain of salt. Gmail’s got enough lives left, just like the rest of us cats.