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Google Reader ENDING! Try Feedly as an alternative

Did you hear the news?

My heart sunk.

Tears were (almost) cried.

Google is ending GOOGLE READER!

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Image courtesy of Wallpaperstock.net

On July 1st, Google is discontinuing the reader because of diminishing use.  Say what?

What to do with the hundreds of blogs that I follow?  Yes, hundreds.  (I do a lot of skimming.)  I flip through blogs on my Google Reader app on my phone.  I know many of you also probably use Google Reader and Friend Connect.

Well, after doing a bit of searching I discovered Feedly.  Feedly can be used on your web browser or downloaded as an app.  I just installed it yesterday so I am still figuring it out.  There is an informative post on their blog about how to use it.  The good news is that if you sign up for Feedly and then sign in with your Google Reader, all of your feeds will be transferred.  For now, it syncs up with Google Reader, so if you make changes on Google Reader, it will update on Feedly and vice versa.

I really like the visual layout of the app.  It takes a little time to get used to it.  I like how you can flip from one to the next.. It’s like an online magazine, curated by you.  I also like how there are sharing buttons right on the user interface, so you can tweet about and share a particular post on Facebook.  There’s an easy way to organize your subscriptions by dragging them into categories (on the browser version, I haven’t figured that out on the app yet.)

I still haven’t figured out all the kinks of Feedly yet, but it’s a start!

So, if you follow through Google reader you have a few months to figure out how you are going to read your RSS feeds.  You can always subscribe to my blog via email.  Look on the sidebar on my blog to receive emails of my posts.

How do you read blogs?  Do you use Google reader, Feedly, or another service?  Share in the comments!

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About Marcia Beckett

Marcia is an elementary art teacher and loves painting, drawing, sculpture, art journaling and clay. Her blog, Art is Basic, features many exciting art projects for kids.

4 Responses to Google Reader ENDING! Try Feedly as an alternative

  1. Country Fun says:

    Also taken by surprise and displeasure with the announcement that Google Reader is going away. Have started looking at different options. I use mostly from desktop, but also want the option for mobile. Hearing the most positive about Feedly that’s where I’ve started. Like the visual and think will allow for the skimming I also do of over 100 blogs. With the category set-up will be able to do my daily, weekly and bi-weekly viewing of blog posts.

  2. Rina says:

    Hi Marcia
    I was so dismayed to see it will go. I started using it about a year ago and now subscribe to about 100 blogs.

    I looked into Feedly yesterday. It has an app for iPhone. My Reader has two categories: subscriptions and ‘blogs I follow’ via Google Friends Connect. Not sure if the latter will go away.

    Either way, boo hoo.

  3. Jan says:

    I felt scorned by GR. Since I found Feedly though, I have bounced back. I am in love again!

  4. Country Fun says:

    Also checking out bloglovin’. It will import from Google at this time. It’s free and pretty simple so far.
    Would expect others to step up also.
    bloglovin’ has apps and follow button options to embed in your blog.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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