Google Reader is Leaving : Where Can You Go?

I have used Google Reader for, if I remember correctly, almost 10 years. It has literally become part of my daily routine, and is the way that I am able to keep up with all the blogs I follow. A few months ago, however, Google announced that Reader would be going away at the end of June, 2013. While it isn’t the most important thing in the world, I have dreaded this day, because I love the simplicity of Reader. [By the way, if you have no idea what Google Reader is, here is a post I wrote about it just over one year ago.]

Since the announcement, I have had several people ask what program I am going to use. I have tested quite a few, researched some others, and have (I think) settled on a couple of options that I want to share with you. This post does not talk about all the options, but shares the ones that I was impressed with, are free, and you might want to consider before Google Reader closes down at the end of June 30.

Good, but I’m Not Going to Use Them

First, let me tell you about three options that are good, but are not the ones I’m going with. If you switch to them, I think you’ll be happy, but they just didn’t make the “final cut” for me. You’ll want to consider them, for sure.

1. The Old Reader. This product’s major “selling” point (it’s free, but you get what I’m driving at) is that it is very much like Google Reader. In fact, it looks almost the same. With as much as I like Google Reader, why wouldn’t I go with this one? It’s really simple: they have no mobile app yet. I do quite a bit of my blog reading on my phone, so an app is essential to me. If, however, you want a very simple and stripped down online program, you might want to use The Old Reader.

2. Flipboard. This is the one Leah uses, and she loves it! Flipboard is very visually-oriented, and turns blog reading into an experience much like reading an online magazine. This program is best used on an iPad (where Leah uses it) or other tablet. Since I don’t have a tablet, I don’t use Flipboard. It has phone apps, but I am not a fan of them. Again, though, this is a great alternative, especially if you don’t read all that many blogs.

3. Twitter. I’m going to mention this one only for those of you who are not into rss, but who like to follow links. I have read a couple of articles where some people are leaving rss completely and are just going to follow their favorite writers and bloggers on Twitter. They will then click on the links when they are sent out via Twitter. I’m not going there, but it is an option. If you want to try out this option, make sure you follow us on Twitter!

Where I Am Going

So, with those three (good) options behind, I want to share where I am going. I will make two recommendations, because I’m doing a combination of the two.

1. Email. I get a few blogs via email. It’s only a couple for me, but I enjoy having a couple of email newsletters each week. If you do not read many blogs, this is probably the way to go. Besides knowing you’ll see new content in your email whenever it is released, many blogs provide free stuff for those who sign up via email, so there is an added bonus. [We do, so go here and sign up and get a free book!] I have heard of some people who are creating an entirely new email account and just using it to get blogs via email. That may be overkill, but it’s a good option. Again, I recommend email, but only (1) if you follow a small number of blogs, or (2) for just a small number you want to get that way. If you follow a large number via email, it will clog your inbox and you probably won’t actually read many of the posts.

2. Feedly. This is where I’m going, and it seems to be where lots of folks are going. Feedly combines ease of use with a very attractive looking way to read blogs. You can choose to have your blogs look like Google Reader, or you can get thumbnails of each post, or even a magazine format. There are apps for tablets and phones, and they look great. Finally, with the click of one button, you can move your entire Google Reader list to Feedly, so the transition is seamless and super easy. (You can do this on The Old Reader and Flipboard, too, by the way.)

Before leaving, I will mention one other option. Digg has been working on an rss reader, and it is set to be released this Wednesday, just a few days before Google closes down Reader. With the “Digg” name behind it, I have no doubt that it will be good, and I look forward to playing with it some. I just wonder if they didn’t wait too long to jump in, at least to get the initial flood of people who will leave just before the end of June. It would be hard, though, for this reader to outdo Feedly for my purposes.

QUESTION: Where are you going with your rss feeds? Why?

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Photo credit: TEIA MG on Creative Commons

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