I woke up to the news this morning that Google Reader will close down on July 1st. My twitter feed was full this morning people who use it on daily basis now having to consider alternatives.
It’s part of a broader “spring clean” Google have been on for some time but the specific reasoning was described in a couple of lines,
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.
I’d be interested to know what numbers Google take to mean a “loyal following”.
I’ve been using Google Reader pretty much since it was launched in 2005. I’ve tried various other feed readers, both desktop and online but Google Reader worked best for me as it’s simple to use but mostly importantly for me it works everywhere. Specifically the mobile web version of Google Reader is what I’m talking about here. I’ve never needed any apps for it so the platform or device I’m using becomes unimportant (I’ve even used it on my Kindle!)
I’d really like something I can use entirely in the browser but I’ve not found anything yet that fits that bill.
Maybe as that July 1st date approaches some of the alternatives will step up their game to try and grab some new users and start adding new features.
Some alternatives I’ve seen mentioned so far include:
Feedly, NewsBlur, The Old Reader, Netvibes, Feedreader, Feedly, Pulse and Taptu.
I’ll be checking these out I think!
What I’d really like is for Google to make the source code available and I’ll put it on my own server! I can only wish.
If you’re not a Google Reader user what are you using to keep track of your favourite sites/blogs?
If you are a Google Reader what are planning on doing now?
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Like yourself I have tried other reader but have always returned to Google Reader. A lot of third party apps such as Feedly rely heavily on Google Reader to run there service.
I hope there is enough pushback that Google reverses this decision. Failing that they could open source it. They did that with Google Wave and that has hardly no numbers.
On a plus side it’s nice to see Orkut missed the chop..
Thanks James
I’d certainly welcome the open source option – could host it myself then!