In a move that reduces that ability of the company’s social network to recruit new users, Google has decided to remove the mandatory requirement of setting up a Google+ account when new Gmail users open an email account. Since January 2012, new Gmail users have been forced to set up a Google+ account during the setup process. This particular move, similar to the mandatory account creation for new YouTube accounts, caused an outcry from the tech community. As of early September 2014, new Gmail users have an option to opt out of setting up a Google+ account by clicking the “No Thanks” button when promoted.

This move has an enormous impact on the number of Google+ accounts that will be created on a daily basis, even if the majority of those users wouldn’t have become active Google+ users over time. It’s also yet another move in a series of changes that’s evidence of Google moving away from actively promoting or even developing new features for Google+. Check out the timeline of events over the last nine months:

If anything, Google is slowly removing Google+ mandatory usage from products as well as making the best features of Google+ accessible for users outside of the social network. Assuming Google is quietly sunsetting the social network, it’s likely that this transition will take many more months or possibly even years to complete. Google worked diligently over the last three years to integrate the Google+ platform into many popular Google products, thus removal of said platform will take time.