Google Appears to Have Removed Google+ Posts From Knowledge Panel

[engine]

It seems G+ posts have disappeared from Google SERPs knowledge graph panel.

I'm still seeing reviews in the panel, and a link to the G+ page in the SERPs, and reviews in the panel. Interestingly, the panel sometimes includes a logo to the social media service, such as twitter, G+, FB, etc., but not on all panels.

The report on this came via [thesempost.com...]

Is this another negative for G+ from Google, or are we reading too much into it. Consistency? Perhaps it's reducing the exposure to G+ to protect from antitrust allegations?

[keyplyr]

I hope this is not another nail in the coffin for G+. Google's history of terminating its non-productive assets can be a PINTA for webmasters. I've built my mobile site design using the display balance of FB & G+ social icons (although I knew it would be a gamble at that time.)

[EditorialGuy]

On the other hand, the G+ icon is still in the Knowledge Graph box, while the Instagram icon has disappeared. Maybe Google has inside information about Instagram being on life support? :-)

[seoskunk]

Maybe its about EU compliance and not promoting a dead duck ahead of social networks people actually use.

[engine]

I suspect, as I mentioned, it may be to do with exposure to antitrust.

The icons appearing there vary from brand to brand. Some have a full set, while others only have a few. Some don't have G+, so it really must be down to the configuration, and whether the businesses have posted to the social media service in question.

[tangor]

G is cleaning up their effort to game the low hanging fruit wiht their own products... and that's in part because of the recent EU animus and some current bad press the user crowd is beginning to dislike.

[Dymero]

Darn. I work on a site that has a knowledge graph box for its brand query. We actually liked that part.