Back in the day, I used to keep up with my favorite blogs (all 150+ of them) on Google Reader.
Come to think of it, back in the day I had time to read all 150+ of my favorite blogs. Wow.
Anyway…
I loved opening up my reader every day and catching up with everybody. If I had a busy streak and was unable to read blogs, it was fine because they were all there waiting for me when I returned.
In what can perhaps over-dramatically be described as a crushing blow to me, Google Reader went away for some strange reason last summer and left me flailing. There was much discussion on what the best substitute could possibly be. I tried Feedly but didn’t care for it. We all know that Facebook doesn’t show us everything, and there’s no storage factor there, so that option was out.
Finally I just subscribed to a bunch of blogs via email and relied on Facebook to see the rest. It’s a terrible system. TERRIBLE. I have missed out on so much.
Yesterday I noticed that Jill Smokler (Scary Mommy) was asking her Facebook friends how they keep up with blogs, and it seemed like lots of people are using bloglovin’ these days. I decided to give it a shot and loaded my brand new bloglovin’ feed with blogs, starting with the ones in my blogroll and expanding out from there.
So far, I like it. It’s got some of the features I loved on Google Reader, and it’s got an app for iPhone so I can do some reading from my phone with hardly any effort at all. It seems like a good way to discover new blogs too, because I can see what my bloglovin’ friends are marking “liked”. That seems to be the biggest difference from Google Reader: the social aspect. I like it. (By the way, look over there to the right and you’ll find my bloglovin’ button. Follow me there!)
I don’t know…I still miss Google Reader but maybe Bloglovin will make me forget? Fingers crossed.
Now I just need to make some time to read! Starting…NOW.
11 Comments
Kizz
I’ve been using Bloglovin’ since Reader went belly up. It’s not the same but it’s as close as I can get and I’m able to keep up with folks, which is what’s important to me!
TheNextMartha
I should try that out. I did list the blogs I read on facebook and that has helped too.
traceybecker
Ok. Gonna try. But I don’t know where all of my blogs are, anymore. It’s a sad, sad situation.
Patty
Oh Google Reader! How I wish it would come back all revamped and new. Sigh! Feedly is ok but not the same. I have a love/hate relationship with facebook so they are unreliable. I never used Bloglovin much even though I am listed there. Maybe its time to try it again.
Shannon
I’ve been using Feedly and I like it pretty well. It does the job, at least.
mags
OMG I hate Feedly! It’s what I’ve been using because I didn’t know what else to use. Oh how I miss Google Reader! I’m going to try Bloglovin’ now. 🙂 Thanks for the tip!
Melisa Wells
I’ll look for you over there! Also check out the comment from the Feedly co-founder and CEO. He’d like to get specific feedback from you if you want to send it to him!
Denise
I moved to Inoreader after the death of google reader and I love it. I couldn’t handle feedly or bloglovin’ – my brain explodes when I attempt to use either of those. lol
Edwin K.
Mags, Denise,
Sorry to hear that feedly did not do the job for you. We love feedback and are constantly trying to improve the experience. If you have specific feedback, you can reach me at edwin@feedly.com
Edwin
feedly co-founder and CEO
Melisa Wells
Thanks for commenting, Edwin!
I always like companies who keep an eye on social media! 🙂
Colleen - @amadisonmom
I still miss Google Reader too.
I have feedly and blogluvin. Neither of them is quite google reader.
I think when reader was killed I stopped reading as many blogs as I used to. I’ve never quite forgiven Google. sniffle sniffle.