Sources tell Computerworld that Messina didn't actually mean to say that Google isn't working on a social platform. The company is working to make various products more social but is staying mum about whether a stand-alone platform is in the works.

In an emailed response to Computerworld, a Google spokeswoman said she doesn't have any information about when or if a platform will launch.

That hardly settles things, according to Dan Olds, an analyst with The Gabriel Consulting Group. Olds said it's obviously unclear what Google is doing, though it is clear that the company should be doing something in the social arena.

"Whether Google is building its own social network or not, they have to respond to the surge of Facebook and the power inherent in the Facebook business model," he added. "Even though the two companies seemingly don't compete directly, they really do. They compete for user attention and time. They also both have very valuable data they can supply to businesses."

Olds also noted that he doesn't think Google needs to launch its own platform, but it does need to make its current services more social, which in turn would make them more useful.