BLOGGER - SAFE as long as you do not have any features tied into G+ option ---- GOOGLE PLUS GOING AWAY

To preserve as much of your hard work as possible, please do this ASAP.

Because I've received several requests for assistance, and because one of my friends may have removed information from her Google Account unnecessarily, I am prompted to write this post. Sorry for how long this is, but there are several scenarios, even if you think you are not affected - you MUST be sure you don't have an old Plus ID somewhere that may be affiliated with your email address or account:

Google Plus features are being eliminated: see this link:

https://support.google.com/plus/answer/9195133?hl=en&authuser=0

Already have a Blogger ID? Please see suggestions highlighted in yellow at the bottom of the post.

Blogger features should be safe AS LONG AS YOU ELIMINATE YOUR GOOGLE PLUS ID AND SWITCH BACK TO A BLOGGER ID before the deadline - please do this as quickly as possible to not lose your blog altogether:

IF YOU ARE USING BLOGGER WITH A GOOGLE + ID:

Because some Blogger users (like me) have enabled a Google + ID, but NOT a Google+ Blog format, the Blogger User/ID information is in the top right corner. I went to someone whose blog was Google + ID and clicked on the banner there to delete my Plus ID (the delete option is at the bottom of the page)

1. For Blogger Blogs using Google+ IDs in addition to Blogger ID, instead, do the following:
2. For Blogs using Google+ IDs also do the following:

1. Go to Dashboard
2. Go to SETTINGS (left column)
3. Go USER SETTINGS
4. On the right side of the page are some options. 
5. Under GENERAL, select USER PROFILE.
6. Make sure that BLOGGER is selected and NOT Google+ :

(click on the graphic below to better read those tiny letters)

Click on EDIT (directly under the BLOGGER selection):

A new window pops up:

NOTE:

• if you are reading this on my blog, please click on the photo below so you can see the full size photo completely, and the writing on the right will not interfere with the photo. 

• if you are reading this via email, I'm hoping it already is at full size for your viewing. If it is not, please click on the title of my blog post in the top of your email, and it will take you to my blog post so you can read it there.

MORE TO DO

A few disappointing things will happen when switching to Blogger ID from Google Plus:

• Comments you left on any blogs using Google Plus ID will disappear. This means that if you left comments on my blog (or any blog) using your G+ ID, those comments will disappear forever.

• If your photos are stored in Google Plus ID and NOT JUST A GOOGLE ID, then wherever those photos have been uploaded, they will disappear, including your blog posts. Check your photos stored in the Google Photos. If they are tied in with your Plus Account, DOWNLOAD THEM to your hard drive so you will not permanently lose them. As you have time, you could then revisit old blog posts that have lost their photos and upload from your hard drive.

• You will lose all your Google Plus followers. Establish the gadget FOLLOWERS by:

1. Going in into your dashboard
2. Choose LAYOUT
3. Click on ADD A GADGET
4. Choose Followers, and Save:

1. 

• It's ok to ask people to re-follow you using this feature, or perhaps you may want to offer other ways people can follow you. Try to put all your follow options in the same place on your blog, to make it easy for them to find. Remember, several of our blogging friends will be going through this transition, so let's be supportive and patient.

• Because Blogger and Plus are two different platforms, you are also going to lose all your previous comments. Please don't be discouraged. Remind your blogging friends about this issue, and ask them to please help you rebuild your existing blog by leaving new comments going forward, and following you.

• The sooner you switch over, the sooner your new blog posts will be safe from purging.

One other suggestion for Blogger ID:

• If we all would enable our email address, it would allow for email replies from comments left on our blogs. For example, if someone leaves a comment on my blog, asking me a question, I cannot readily/conveniently reply if they do not have their email enabled. Instead, I see the "no-reply" option when clicking reply. To enable your email address for your followers or visitors:

1. Go to your Dashboard. 
2. Click on SETTINGS
3. Edit User Profile > Show My Email Address (and be sure this is the correct address - many Blogger users have old addresses shown in there because they forget to correct it, and they forget to hit SAVE).

I hope this helps everyone. I will try my best to help you individually after you have followed these steps if you still have problems. Please keep in mind that I am not a professional, and do not know all the ramifications this may hold in store for us.

hugs,

de