Google Reader to Shut Down: Now What?
ProfHacker 2013-03-16
If you were on Twitter yesterday, you would have noticed that in addition to many people commenting on the new pope, there was great outrage over Google deciding to shut down its Google Reader service, which is a very handy one-stop-shop for keeping up with all of your RSS feeds.
(Not sure why you would want to do this? Check out Jason’s introduction to RSS, Amy’s explanation of how she uses Google Reader, and Julie’s discussion of RSS readers.)
Google’s explanation for their decision is pretty straightforward: “There are two simple reasons for this: usage of Google Reader has declined, and as a company we’re pouring all of our energy into fewer products. We think that kind of focus will make for a better user experience.”
That being said, people are not happy.
GOOD WORK OPENING THE NERD HELL-MOUTH, GOOGLE.
— Jeff Waugh (@jdub) March 14, 2013
For a more detailed (though speculative) discussion of the decision, you might have a look at what Brian Shih, former Google Reader product manager, has to say on Quora. (H/T Aram Zucker-Scharff on the Twitters.)
So if you’ve been depending on Google Reader to get your RSS fix, what now? Here at ProfHacker we will probably have a more detailed post at some point. Until that appears, here are pointers to a few helpful resources:
- “Google Reader is dying, but we have five worthy alternatives,” by Jason Parker and Jaymar Cabebe at CNET.
- “Google Reader Is Shutting Down; Here Are the Best Alternatives,” by Whitson Gordon at Lifehacker.
- And Bryan Alexander is collecting suggestions from readers for alternative RSS readers.
How about you? Have you been a loyal user of Google Reader? How do you feel about the plan to shut it down? Alternatively, if you use something else that you like for your RSS feeds, what is it? Please share in the comments!