Google is set to phase out its People Cards feature from Google Search on April 7, the search giant has confirmed. In anticipation of this change, Google is actively notifying users via email to ensure they are aware of the upcoming discontinuation.
Despite the initial enthusiasm for People Cards, Google has observed that the feature has not been as beneficial to users as anticipated. As a result, the company has decided to retire the feature, encouraging users to download or save their content by May 7, after which all data related to People Cards will be permanently deleted.
What Are People Cards?
Introduced in 2020, People Cards aimed to provide individuals with a platform on Google Search to showcase personal information, including links to websites and social media profiles. This initiative was especially geared towards professionals, artists, influencers, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and freelancers seeking to bolster their online visibility. The feature was especially useful for those with common names or those struggling to stand out in search results, allowing them to create a sort of virtual business card directly on Google.
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Originally launched in select countries including India, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, the feature found its way around the world as users from other regions accessed it via VPNs. The card allowed users to display their name, location, profession, a short biography, and links to social media profiles and websites, providing a comprehensive digital footprint on the world's leading search engine.
It's important to note that the discontinuation of People Cards will not impact other Google products or services. Nevertheless, the removal of this feature may come as a letdown for individuals who have come to rely on it for improving their visibility in Google Search results. As the deadline approaches, users are encouraged to take the necessary steps to preserve their information before it's permanently erased from Google's servers.