There are very few people as dependent on Google Reader as myself. Google knows that. No, really, they do, they know I am like the top top user of Google Reader. I switched to it in 2007 from Bloglines and never looked back. Now what am I going to do?
Google announced last night that they are closing Google Reader July 1, 2013. That is about 8 years since it first launched.
Why are they killing it? Google offered two reasons, "usage of Google Reader has declined, and as a company we're pouring all of our energy into fewer products."
The real reason? They are personally targeting me. Okay, I am kidding but it terribly affects me, which may impact you - my readers. I'll figure out something else to use in the meantime.
You know how I found out about this? I was on a flight, I open Google Reader (last night) and I see this warning:
I almost yelled out on the plane!
The next thing I am worried about is Google killing FeedBurner, which is what so much of the RSS web is run off of these days. Yes, including this site.
I am so sad.
You have to understand, I consume more news than most people. Here are my stats, note that it stops at 300,000 because it is not normal to go beyond that:
From your 1,042 subscriptions, over the last 30 days you read 29,330 items, clicked 599 items, starred 0 items, and emailed 0 items.Since April 25, 2012 you have read a total of 300,000+ items.
I have a list of alternatives i'll be investigating, specifically Newsblur, recommended by Gary Price, once it gets through the growing pains of everyone trying to migrate off Google Reader and onto Newsblur.
Forum discussion at Google+ & WebmasterWorld & Cre8asite Forums.
