Google announced this week that it is no longer going to support Google Friend Connect (GFC).  ”To recap, we’re in the process of shutting a number of products which haven’t had the impact we’d hoped for…”  I was puzzled by that statement since 90% of the blogs I visit have a GFC widget.  Ninety percent is not enough for Google, guys.  They want WORLD DOMINATION.  I’m not hating on Google.  I seriously fail to see how GFC is a failure to them when so many bloggers use it.

So to recap my feelings, I am mad.  Actually, I’m mostly sad like I’ve been dumped by a boyfriend that I relied on for so long.   But, since I don’t like being sad, I’ve decided to be mad.  When I sat back to examine why I was mad and what exactly I was losing, I came to realize something.  I’m not losing hardly anything.  People can still read my blog through my RSS feed, twitter, facebook and email.  What did I value about GFC that I feel like I’m losing?  ANSWER – THE NUMBER.  You know what number I’m talking about.

Every blog I visit, I am always curious about what their follower number is.  Without even thinking about it, I always judge the blog a little by their numbers.  Not in a bad way.  I would break down my judgements into these categories:

• 0-100 Followers: Aww, how cute.  They just started blogging!
• 100-500 Followers: Newbie blogger, but look how hard they are working!
• 500-1000 Followers: Established blogger.  I want that to be me someday.
• 1000+ Followers: JEALOUS.  Maybe that will be me someday if I work hard enough.

I spent all day thinking about how I was going to replace GFC.  The truth is, I don’t really need to replace it.  I’ll let it sit there until Google pulls the plug. Since visitor stats are useful, maybe I’ll put a hit counter or a RSS reader count from feedburner on my sidebar – I can’t really decide.

How do you feel about Google discontinuing Google Friend Connect?