Have you heard the word? Google Reader is going away:
They announced it this week:
“We launched Google Reader in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favorite websites. While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives can export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout over the course of the next four months.”
Yep – July 1st of this year and it’s gone! A few months ago I wouldn’t have cared much about this, but lately I’ve been using Reader a LOT. My absolute favorite way to read blogs now is using my “Next” button some of you told me about when I wrote this post.
I personally love seeing each blog and would rather see the whole page than read posts in a reader, so the Next button has been AWESOME. Boo.
I do also read blogs on my phone and ipad using the Feeddler App and love it – it is so easy to use and that’s saying a lot for this technologically challenged girl. But it’s fed through Google Reader so I assume it will be worthless?
UGH. Why do people have to mess with stuff? I hate change. There are a few options that look like they may take over where Google is leaving off – The Old Reader (whaa? Didn’t know there was another one? And why would they leave that one?), Feedly and Newsblur seem to be the best ones out there.
My question is, to use these we need to re-subscribe to each blog we follow, correct?
Here’s an article about those options and a few more. And if you are fired up about this change you can sign a petition here. Nearly 100,000 signatures in a day – not to shabby! You never know, maybe it will make a difference?
Do you use Google Reader? If you use something else please tell us about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I need to find a new way to follow – or I guess I could just bookmark each site and go through them that way…it worked fine for years. ;)
Posts
I just started using Feedly because of this and you don't have to move your stuff over... it does it for you and apparently the transition will be smooth and easy when Google reader is gone! I can't believe they're getting rid of it!
ReplyDeleteCheck out feedly. I was able to login with my google ID and it automatically imported all of my feeds! The way it presents the content is a little different from google reader, but you can customize it to be how you like.
ReplyDeleteFeedly!!!
ReplyDeleteWill you still be able to see all your followed blogs on the bottom of bloggers dashboard area? That is all I ever use
ReplyDeleteSame here, I switched to feedly and logged in with my Google account. The format will take some getting used to, I didn't know you could customize I'll have to play around with it. I'm pretty disappointed that Google is getting rid of Reader, and iGoogle.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the ladies above...I started using Feedly. Yesterday :) I had some suggestions of Flipboard, and Netvibes. Haven't checked out the other two yet.
ReplyDeleteI doubt a petition will have any affect - its a big company and it's likely a financial decision. Unless all petitioners are willing to pay for the service (doubtful), they will probably push the technology along and force us to adapt and keep up, as always (I know, I'm Debbie Downer, right?) :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the news I was so upset with Google that I almost cried. Is that unnatural? I follow 118 blogs and like being able to just skim through whatever interests me. I just installed Feedly, too. It was super easy and they are promising that they will have their own rss feed working by July 1 for a "seamless transition." It doesn't work with internet explorer, though, and I don't feel like changing my browser. Usually I just keep Google Reader open as one of my home page tabs. I guess my blog reading will be limited to mobile devices from now on.
ReplyDeleteUgh! I'm with you, not happy about this. I love blogging and I love reading blogs, but the thing I hate most are these little techno issues that I have no idea how to handle. Anyhow, yesterday, I switched my google reader feeds to blog lovin and it appears to have the "next" button I think you're referring to. If you go to the blog lovin home page, they have a button that enables you to transport your google reader list right into it. Of course I didn't see that until after I manually added each one off my list. figures. ;) looks like GFC (for those on blogger) is staying live "for the foreseeable future", whatever that means.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm painstakingly transferring my starred items to Pinterest. I "only" have three years-worth to go!
ReplyDeleteI am not happy about it and it appears none of my nerdy friends are happy about it but this post did make me realize it will help me to clear out the blogs that force me to actually GO to the blog to see even a preview of what the post is about and other blogs that are too much work to bother with anymore.
ReplyDeleteFirst Picnik. Now Google Reader. I hate change, too. Takes me too long to figure out new technology. I think I'll go check out Feedly now, so I don't lose any of my favorite blogs. Thanks for the heads up, because I apparently don't pay attention to major announcements :)
ReplyDeleteI jumped on the Feedly bandwagon and it has been great so far! I just have to remember to pin all my starred items on pinterest or something!
ReplyDeleteCrazy! Another good option that I've tried out lately is Bloglovin. You can also import your current Google Reader feed into it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Darla above? I only use the feed at the bottom of my Blogger dashboard. Wonder if that will go away when reader does?
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong, but I think the blogs that show at the bottom of your blogger dashboard are the ones that you joined via GFC. (which I am sure is the next service on the chopping block, especially since you can follow blogs now via G+.)
DeleteI would hope these blogs would still show on on your blogger dashboard, even if they get rid of GFC.
The blogs you follow via GFC do show in google reader, so it might be smart to import these feeds somewhere before google reader shuts down. No telling how difficult it would be to import those feeds somewhere else down the road.
Yes actually, it looks like it's already being fazed out. I just recently started a new blog, and I couldn't find the GFC gadget that I used to see my followers. Unless I'm just being a total dork and forgot that I got the GFC gadget there differently in the first place. I think it's been replaced with the whole Google+ dealio. They're getting rid of Reader and GFC to push everyone to get on Google+. I feel like resisting just because it's so obvious that they want me to make a profile. :P
DeleteI too was devastated by the news but am thinking Feedly. After reading your comments, I'm convinced to give Feedly a try. (Please be good Feedly - I'm so going to miss Google Reader!)
ReplyDeleteI am trying out Feedly and Bloglovin...both are easy to migrate, and it seems that Feedly at least migrates all your starred items as faves!
ReplyDeleteI'm using Feedly also. I transitioned last night. Here's an article on how to make the move: http://blog.feedly.com/2013/03/14/google-reader/
ReplyDeleteAlso, the upgraded their servers earlier this week in advance of the Google announcement so they would be able to handle the traffic.
I heard that Bloglovin is good, so I'm trying that one out! If you click on the blog post title in Bloglovin it opens a page ALMOST like the next feature. It's not perfect... but it's the best I've found so far! :(
ReplyDeleteOn my laptop, here is what I do - a bit more work, but I do not miss a thing.
ReplyDeleteI use Chrome - I made a folder in Other bookmarks - labeled Home Blogs - and I bookmark every blog that I love and drag it there.
I open them all at once - on a slow wi-fi day I go put oatmeal in the microwave.
Then I can read them all at once.
I do pretty much the same thing on my phone. A bit of work up front - but the blogs never disappear - if one changes from BlogHer to Word Press - I re-bookmark.
Yes, I was devastated when I saw that. I could never keep up with all of the blogs and sports news without reader! But no fear, feedly is just as great and will transfer all of your google reader content in just minutes.
ReplyDeleteI am trying out feedly too and I also am considering bloglovin too. If you import your feeds NOW (Before google reader closes) to both of these, every thing will switch over...
ReplyDelete~Jamie
I am using Mixtab and I love it! I like being able to see the entire blog and mixtab does that for me. Plus I can categorize into tabs which I love.
ReplyDeleteYES! I was shocked and was hoping someone would talk about it, so thanks! I don't know what I'll do - it's how I keep up with all my blogs!
ReplyDeleteFor iPad use early edition....it not only uses a rss feed it gives other options too....and you can read it in reader or choose original to see the blog....It's what I always use!
ReplyDeleteBloglovin is great and you can import your subscriptions into it from Google Reader. Easy Peasy!
ReplyDeleteDoes Feedly keep your tags categorized? I figured out where to find items that I 'tagged' but I they are all grouped together with no metadata like google reader has. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm too old & set in my ways for change lol! if we have to refollow all blogs seems like we'll lose a lot since all are fed through google, how will this effect our blogs? Pinterst?by the tme I research & get ti figured out it'll all be gone lol!
ReplyDeleteHelen
I really like blog lovin. It has a next feature like reader did. And you read blogs on the bloggers site which I like.
ReplyDeleteI posted this on IG last night and most people have said they like Blog Lovin'. I may have to try both out and see which I like!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link of alternatives.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wix.com/blog/2013/03/google-reader-alternatives/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheOfficialWixBlog+%28The+Official+Wix+Blog%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo
Thank you so much for addressing this. I saw the notice from google yesterday and nearly hyperventilated. I don't know how to do anything techie, and dread having to go back to individually clicking on each blog every day to see if there's a new post! I had no idea what to do, but thanks to posthis ting I'll try either feedly or bloglovin. I hope I can do it! I can't understand why google would do this except for the obvious, the bottom line.
ReplyDeleteI converted to Feedly to see if it works. Feedly gives a little more customization (colors,reading panes, tags, etc) in how you read your feeds. It took all of them over (converting my stared ones into saved). So far so good. Its easy to convert to Feedly for those none techie people.
ReplyDeleteI just switched to bloglovin.... didn't copy all my feeds from google reader correctly. Used to subscribe to a City Mom site, automatically subscribed me to "Blonde City Mom" and it isn't in english :$
ReplyDeleteI'm heartbroken over this too! Been using it for years & it is so simple. Keep hoping they will say this is some long drawn out April Fool's prank, or someone will introduce something as simple.
ReplyDeleteTrying Feedly, but it keeps crashing or freezing. Assuming it has massively increased in users in past couple of days! Growing pains?
Does this affect my Blogger Dashboard,too? I am confused....and not happy!!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I use Netvibes and love it. Very simple layout and easy to customize. But I don't know how easy or difficult it would be to move there from Google Reader.
ReplyDeleteFeedly was something I already had on the computer. Instant import of the Google Reader items, you just use your google login.
ReplyDeleteThe Old Reader was created by others back in 2005, I think, to preserve the look and feel of that version of the Reader- Google has nothing to do with it. I'm in a 8000+ long queue to import my feeds into The Old Reader, but you can also fetch your favorite feeds manually. Wherever you go to change feeds, know that every option is being hit hard by wandering people in search of a new "home". I did look at NewsBlur, but I was more confused than anything with it- just my brain, I'm sure.
Wiser folks are saying to wait a week or month before switching to/trying a new service. Google Reader won't vanish overnight.
DeleteThe Old Reader posted a note stating they grew 7x in the past 24 hours. Massive, unexpected beyond belief growth.
They are working on more massive capacity, and other conveniences, just like every other possible newsreader option.
I was sad too when I saw the notice the other day. Glad to hear there are other options. I will have to try them and hope they work as well!
ReplyDeleteI switched to Bloglovin. All you have to do is click a button to import all your blogs from google reader... so convenient. I also like that you can view each blog's actual page (bloglovin has a toolbar at the top to press "next" or "back") so I can see your entire blog, not just the text and photos of a specific entry!
ReplyDeleteI switched to Bloglovin' too and so far I love it. It has that next button and allows you to see the whole page, comment, etc right in the bloglovin' website. Super easy migration, just click the button and it loads all of your Google Reader items. So far so good anyhow...
ReplyDeleteI don't see a next button to see the whole page, comment, etc. Where is it?
DeleteI wasn't happy either. I switched to Bloglovin yesterday. We'll see how it works. I didn't even think about having to re-follow. sigh.
ReplyDelete+1 on the switch to feedly (yesterday); it imported all of my subscriptions by using my google login. I really like the preview interface - short story is that it "feels" like I'm still in feedly but can see the full post when authors truncate for RSS. long story could be a term paper on cognitive load theory :-)
ReplyDeleteI never used reader, so I can't compare, but I love Bloglovin'! I've heard you can import your RSS feed from reader to Bloglovin'. It is visually appealing to me and you go to the actual blog so they get their stats.
ReplyDeleteWhy do they change a good thing. Ugh. Guess I have to look into other options.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Feedly. I switched over and it's easy with a very slick layout.
ReplyDeletewill have to check out feedly that so many are suggesting. I love my google reader and am sad to see it go.
ReplyDeleteLinky Followers and networked blogged serves the same purpose, I think.
ReplyDeleteUgh. First they take my iGoogle and now my Google Reader?! I use Feeddler on my phone too. My hubby likes Flipboard, I think I'll be looking into Feedly...
ReplyDeleteI use reader, have linky followers and networked blogs as well but reader is my favorite. I have not jumped on the google + bandwagon nor do I want to. I also use Igoogle and that's going away too as Carrie above me states. Google really frustrates me but they are the big man on campus so not much we can do? Rage against the man?
ReplyDeleteFeedly - I started using it today and its so easy to move your items over.
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone who suggested Feedly...I just switched over yesterday and already like it better. It was really easy to sync with my google reader subscriptions and has a nicer looking layout.
ReplyDeleteI use a Chromebook and the options are limited - but I'm a GReader addict. So far I'm trying Feedly and NewsSquares, and will try BlogLovin which is an Extension on on Chrome.
ReplyDeleteI have dabbled in mixtab, feedly, and bloglovin' and none of them have the search feature that I loved about Google Reader. I could just cry. I sure hope someone crates a clone of Google Reader.
ReplyDeleteOk, calm down. (to myself, not you guys.) I just poked around feedly some more and there is a backwards C at the right edge of the screen, and that had a search feature. Maybe feedly will work after all. I do expect a few days to get used to a new system, but I want to make sure it is going to meet my needs. I figured out how to make it display the whole article, not just a snippet and having to click through to the website. If I hadn't found that, I wouldn't even be considering feedly.
ReplyDeleteI mainly use Google Reader so it's kind of a bummer that it is going away, but I also use Bloglovin.
ReplyDeleteI imported to Bloglovin' earlier today and think I'm in love with it =) I already had an account but never actually used it to it's full potential. I always just relied on Google Reader but now that I'm being forced to use it, lol, I REALLY like!
ReplyDeleteI switched over to bloglovin' because it was so easy and didn't require me to do anything different with my browser. Initially, I was going to try Feedly, but apparently my browser was making that a challenge. I really like the way bloglovin' is set up, but the only complaint is you cannot read an entire post from their site like you could with Google Reader. But in time I'll adjust. It's like switching from an automatic transmission to a stick shift again. :)
ReplyDeleteOh no! I use the "NEXT" button on my toolbar all of the time. In fact, I never actually go to my reader or to the actual blog. I only click Next.
ReplyDeleteIf you find something like the NEXT thing, please let me know!
I appreciate it when sites offer a 'follow by email' option. Then when new content is posted I receive an email. In this way I don't have to scroll through bookmarks on the chance there has been something posted that day.
ReplyDeleteI read that the GFC was going to disappear as well and I wonder what I'm supposed to do to keep my followers. I'm quite new to this and I was so proud of me for understanding how to add GFC to my blog and now I have to change! Will I be able to keep those followers through a new device? Thanks for this post, all the comments were very helpful!
ReplyDeleteI use igoogle for my home page. I have blogs on there as well as the reader. They are doing away with that too and I have no idea what to use instead. I am so tired of getting to where something works and someone has to change it.
ReplyDeleteStarted with feedly yesterday and already I love it ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed but going over to check out Feedly. :(
ReplyDeleteI am so happy I read this article...I am not a blogger but I read tons of them & reader has been the best way for me to keep up. I went to Feedly & it was super easy to move everything over. Great way to start my day...thanks to you & your other readers!
ReplyDeleteOk, I don't think you need another vote for Feedly but that's mine. I've been using it for years to read my Google Reader feeds and love it. And for all of the "next" fans, viewing the next post in a feed OR category (you define) is as simple as swiping left (or right to go back). Plus, Feedly says that they can seamlessly convert your Google Reader feeds.
ReplyDeleteYou can export an opml file from Google Reader. This is a file that has a coded list of all of your feeds. You can then import this into many services and apps, and have all of your old feeds almost instantly. A quick web search should give you directions for your favorite app, if it has this feature.
ReplyDeleteI WILL READ UP ON THIS GIRL ... I am not familiar with it all so I will get back with you on all of this .. thanks for always sharing a wealth of info .. I love your blog sister >... HUGS and have a blessed week
ReplyDeleteI like Bloglovin'
ReplyDeletewww.bloglovin.com I can sort by group, mark favorites, has a great clickable "newer" and "older" button. Its great!
Bloglovin' for sure. When using your phone, it's awesome for truncated posts because it opens them within the reader instead of using your browser making it a lot faster. Both Feedly and Bloglovin' import from Google Reader, but do it differently. I wrote a post about it here with pros and cons if you wanna check it out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mamabluebird.com/alternatives-to-google-reader/
I would say Bloglovin' too since i am familiar with it compared to Google Reader. ~ ilikesheds.com
ReplyDeleteWhat about iGoogle???? i don't use the Reader option.
ReplyDeleteI imported y blog feed into bloglines...not bad, I'm getting used to it...as for iGoogle, I have set up a My Yahoo page...
ReplyDeleteI have changed to blog lovin after reading this only thing I dislike is that it doesn't transfer all your followers I went from 263 to only 3!!! Makes me sad =(
ReplyDeleteThe problem with reader is a lot of blogs truncate thier posts. they are going to see a dramatic drop in stats from everyone who's not clicking over and could see a drop in income. It's important for all bloggers to protest it, because it will effect everyone, not just people who use reader, because not everyone is going to take the time to resubscribe. Anyone who has ever changed thier blog address or platform knows this.
ReplyDeleteFor those lost in Feedly, http://blog.feedly.com/2013/03/14/tips-for-google-reader-users-migrating-to-feedly/ they added a blog welcome and tips for new users column. They do have tagging, starring and searching.
ReplyDeleteThe Old Reader is still adapting to the crowd.They said they've begun wading through the opml files to import. They won't import duplicates, but they are still working through the import files oh-so-many-days-later.
I had setup on My Yahoo. It is pretty much the same as iGoogle. I am willing to look at others as for some reason some of my blogs or pages yahoo wouldn't accept.
ReplyDeletediannagardens.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSorry, did not see you ask for a blog addy.
My concern is that many apps dont actually IMPORT your blogs but rather get them from your google reader account and display them in their own reader. I hope Blogger inst affected. I know if i subscribe to something with Google Reader i still have to import the subscription into blogger before it will start showing up on my feed there.
ReplyDeleteHoping i can find something free that i can categorize my blogs. My money saving blog subscriptions sure spam my feed but i dont want to get rid them so i just put up with it. I downloaded Mixtab but my main spammer didnt have the right feed for it to "see" it
I use Byline on my ipad and it seems to work ok. My main problem is when i want to "right click" to get the address of a post so i can share it... Since ipad dosent have that, i wish Byline would make it easier to get the address with their app.
ReplyDelete...but it is the standard 2-column interface with the recent post feed on the left and the article on the right. You can swipe the next article and star articles you want to keep. Hopefully it will still keep my blogs after July!
DeleteI just found this article and plan on checking a few of the free ones out: http://email.about.com/od/rssreaderswin/tp/top_rss_windows.htm
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see the google reader go though!
I use Bloglovin and think it's great. You can like posts so that you can easily find them later, they have a great Iphone app and you can import the blogs you read from Reader so it's pretty simple!
ReplyDeleteKatherine
harpsandollie.blogspot.com
I had a slight panic attack when I got the message from Google Reader! :( I was pretty distraught, but I have switched over to Bloglovin, and I actually like it better than reader!
ReplyDeleteI moved everything over to Feedly and absolute love it! And there is a next button as well. I love the magazine view and it seems it was made for Nexus 7 because it is so seamless! All of my faves were already marked and it is SO much easier to share things. I am in love with Feedly. Buh bye Google Reader!
ReplyDeleteMoved over to feedly but now I cannot see anyone's followers - my blog or other blogs.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened?