1. Because if you do use your real name you are recruited into Google+ and they get to say "Google+ has X bajillion active users" in their next PR statements.

1. Because if you do use your real name you are recruited into Google+ and they get to say "Google+ has X bajillion active users" in their next PR statements. 2. Because of networks effects on Google+ (maybe) 3. Because people writing with their real name are less likely to write mean/sad/critical things creating a more advertiser friendly environment