14 March 2013

Goodbye Google Reader

You've probably heard all about it, to the dismay of many Google Reader is going to be shut down this summer.  Reader has always been my preferred way of keeping track of the many blogs I follow.  I don't only use it to follow fiber blogs, but also blogs from family and friends as well as science/skepticism blogs.

I know that a lot of people use Bloglovin, but personally I found it frustrating to use, both to add blogs and to read them.  I tried using it once, but went straight back to Reader.

Where am I moving to for all of my RSS feed needs?

After a some reading, I've decided to go with Feedly.  The first thing I liked about it was that it only takes a few clicks to import your whole Google Reader list, and it keeps the folders you used to organize everything.  I couldn't figure out an easy way to do this kind of migration with Bloglovin (although I'm sure there is probably a way).

It is also browser-based just like Bloglovin and Google Reader, but there are iOS options as well.

I also love the aesthetic of Feedly, it is simple and pretty, just my style!  It actually reminds me a lot of the Mac aesthetic, it is really intuitive and works well.


So, this is my solution for dealing with Google's disappointing decision.  Were you also a devout user of Reader?  What service do you use to keep track of blogs?

22 comments:

  1. I use Google Reader too and was really sad about it :( But sounds like Feedly is a good choice, I'll move over there eventually.

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  2. Wow. I didn't know that such programs existed and I've always struggled to keep up with the handful of blogs I read. I do have a list on my blog itself, but always seem to be so busy hurrying to post something before rushing to school or attempting to grade papers that I'm negligent about reading others' work. I am going to check out this program and try to be a little more diligent in keeping up with more than a few blogs.

    Hope you are doing well, Ivy. Still looking forward to getting together again.

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  3. I shopping for a new reader. Last night, I experimented with Word Press. After reading your post, I dowloaded Feedly, but now I can't find it anywhere to even try it. I will probably end up using Bloglovin.

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  4. read the news last night too. as a long time user of google reader i was sad to hear it :<
    someone suggested that i use feedly as well, and after importing this morning i'm pretty satisfied with it so far as well!

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  5. I never used google reader so i dont feel your pain. why are they getting rid of it?

    I just use blogger and scroll through what's new every day. is that not an efficient way to do it? hmm what am i missing?

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  6. I loved Google Reader and have moved to Feedly, just like you have. It takes some getting used to but I agree that the aesthetics are very nice.

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  7. I wasn't a big reader user, which I should have been as I often felt I needed a better way to follow my fav blogs! So thanks for sharing, I might check out Feedly!

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  8. I am a google reader girl - I think I'll move to Feedly - but it seems to be only for android devices? Is that right? I can't seem to access it from my good old laptop.

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  9. I don't know what I'm going to do. I have been trying Netvibes but it isn't doing to for me. I'm hoping Digg comes out with the reader and that I like it.I really want something web based.

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  10. I only follow a small number of blogs so I just keep them in the sidebar on my blog. Some of my closer friends also post their links on Facebook whenever they have a new entry. I know a lot of people use the "follow" function on Blogger.

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  11. I used to use Google Reader when part of my job involved following lots of feeds, but it never really translated into my home life. (Even though I follow lots of blogs!) Like Vivian, I use the blogroll option on my blog, which works for me.

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  12. Can't thank you enough. Feedly App downloaded on my iPad and I've just spent the last 30 minutes reading my blog roll
    I've been a faithful google Reader up until today, thanks for giving me this remedy, Ivy.
    Hugs

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  13. I lovvvved Google Reader! But I'm trying Feedly, too, and I think I'll learn to like it a lot. It's definitely more visually appealing than Google Reader, I just need to mess around with the settings to get it configured how I'd like it.

    Have a great day!

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  14. I'm not super sorry to see Google Reader go, either, I had such a hard time getting it to work for me and then sometimes it would and sometimes it wouldn't (the app on my phone, at least). I just used the blogroll in my sidebar. However, I think I'll be checking out either bloglovin' or feedly, which I hadn't heard of, so thanks for sharing!

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  15. I never used Google Reader, I just bookmarked the blogs I wanted to read and then checked them occasionally. I know it wasn't very efficient, but since my iBook G4 is ANCIENT, it's what I came up with. I'll check out both bloglovin and feedly. Thanks for the input on them.

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  16. I will miss google reader, I found it so convenient and simple to use, but Feedly looks pretty easy too so I will follow you on there.

    Glad I finally have somewhere to follow your blog, I could never find your gfc button and I ended up missing so many posts! Hopefully not anymore.

    The blog is looking fab, and I loved your up cycled yarn post, I would never think to do that, and even if I did I wouldn't know the first place to start.

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  17. I do use Google sometimes but with working full time, being a mommy, and a wife and a Mimi (Grandma) I have had to scale down how many blogs I read--I basically keep my favorites in my in my sidebar --I have a hard time understanding the whole RSS Feed thing so I am not really sure how this will affect me? Hope you find a solution that works for you!
    *smiles*

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  18. I actually use bloglovin'. I don't know at what point you had used it. But I remember it being especially frustrating at one point. There were some improvements made in how you can browse backwards and forwards now.

    I've heard the digg is building a new reader. They plan to roll is out before google closes up shop.

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  19. I just switched to feedly too. They just made it to easy for my google reader habits.

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  20. Google Reader shutting down is a real bummer. Usually I just use GFC to check new posts and the safari top sites feature is really useful, too. But I really enjoyed google reader for checking the blogs I don't read daily/weekly.
    I just checked out feedly and it looks pretty good, I think I'll get used to it pretty quickly :)

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  21. My husband is particular about things and is using Feedly also, so great minds think alike.

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  22. Popping in to say hi and Happy Easter, hope all is well. Never used a REader, I prefer to blog visit, but didn't know it was shutting down. I do use bloglvin, but mostly I go up and own the blogs on my blog log and visit. Sometimes I visit people on their blogs and or commentors I've seen post.

    http://4ccccs.blogspot.com/2013/03/memories-of-mom-and-typing-about-easter.html

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