Picnik started in 2007, focusing on design. It had a lot of promise but shut down in 2013.

Main issue was poor management. Mistakes in running the company led to its downfall.

General Information

• Category: Design
• Started: 2007
• Failure Cause: Bad Management
• Closed: 2013

Description

Picnik was a simple online photo editor that Google bought in 2010. It offered an easy way to edit pictures without complicated software like Photoshop.

Users could upload images from their computers and make quick enhancements. Cropping, resizing, and adjusting colors were all straightforward tasks.

The platform allowed adding effects and personal touches, like frames and creative filters. It made photo editing accessible for everyone.

Cause of Failure

In January 2012, Google decided to shut down a popular service. Customers were told to back up their data using Google Takeout before the tool closed on April 19, 2012. Although many people liked the service, Google wanted to focus on other projects.

The plan was to use Picnik’s technology for a new feature in Google+ called “Creative Kit.” At that time, Google was working hard on its social network. It made sense to add new tools to the platform.

Picnik used Flash technology, which was becoming outdated as HTML5 gained popularity. This change helped Google adapt Picnik’s features for Google+ instead of building a new tool. Many customers were unhappy with this choice.

Some Picnik users resisted switching to Google+, as they relied on its editor for work that Google+ couldn’t offer.

Google provided access to Premium features until shutdown and refunded prepaid subscriptions. This gesture aimed to show appreciation to former Premium users.

For those looking for alternatives to Picnik, several online editors are available. Options include Pixlr, PicMonkey, BeFunky, and Canva.

FAQs

– What was Picnik?

Picnik was an online tool for editing photos. It made image editing simple and did not need complex software.

– Why did Google get Picnik?

Google bought Picnik in 2010 to use its editing tools in their services. This move aimed to improve user experience, especially with Google+.

– What led to the shutdown of Picnik?

Picnik closed mainly because Google wanted to focus on Google+. The shift from Flash technology also played a role in its closure.

– How could users back up their Picnik data?

To back up data, users could use Google Takeout. This service helped export information from various Google products.

– What alternatives are available for Picnik users?

For those seeking alternatives, options include Pixlr, PicMonkey, BeFunky, and Canva. Each offers useful features for photo editing.