Google applications including YouTube, email and Docs have suffered a rare service outage, with users unable to access many of the company’s services, writes BBC.

Users around the world reported problems with Gmail, Google Drive, the Android Play Store, Maps, and more.

Google"s search engine, however, remained unaffected by the problems affecting its other services. It also affected Google-connected smart devices, such as its Home speakers - leading some users to complain on social media of being unable to switch off some lights in their homes.