Founder of 4Chan joins Google+ team to build communities

Christopher Poole, founder of the image-based bulletin board 4Chan has announced his new position at Google. Poole made the announcement in a post on Tumblr.

Poole’s responsibilities have not been explicitly laid out, but the post hints at that he will be involved in building communities.

“I can’t wait to contribute my own experience from a dozen years of building online communities, and to begin the next chapter of my career at such an incredible company,” writes Poole.

In September last year, on the verge of its 12th birthday, Poole sold 4Chan to the founder of Japanese site 2channel, Hiroyuki Nishimura. Poole founded 4Chan in 2003 when he was just 15.

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Since its launch, Google+ has been struggling to make an impact in the social media market, and against its closest rival, Facebook. Poole’s new position could be a turning point for the platform.

Poole appears to be pleased with the new position, writing, “When meeting with current and former Googlers, I continually find myself drawn to their intelligence, passion, and enthusiasm — as well as a universal desire to share it with others.”

He goes on to say, “I’m also impressed by Google’s commitment to enabling these same talented people to tackle some of the world’s most interesting and important problems”

Poole’s impact and whether he can turn around Google+ social community fortunes remains to be seen.

One person who is excited and appears to have full trust in Poole’s capabilities is Bradley Borowitz, vice president of Google Photos and Streams — the two products spawned from last year’s Google+ break-up.

You may have seen the news (https://t.co/jwjOBocqJk) from @moot. Thrilled he’s joining the team! Welcome Chris!

— Bradley Horowitz (@elatable) March 7, 2016

Image by Takumi Suidu via Flickr