Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Web
  3. Legacy Archives

Google Reader set to die on July 1, and everyone’s freaking out

By
Add as a preferred source on Google
Google Reader
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google will summarily execute its beloved but underused RSS service, Google Reader, on July 1, the company announced Wednesday. Users will be able to export their subscriptions and other data for use in another RSS reader using Google Takeout – as if that makes this wretched news sting any less.

Google software engineer Alan Green, who worked on the Reader development team, explains in a blog post that there are “two simple reasons” for Google killing off Reader: “usage of Google Reader has declined, and as a company we’re pouring all of our energy into fewer products.” Green says better “focus” at Google will lead to “a better user experience.” Unless you are an avid Google Reader user, of course, in which case you can just go screw yourself.

Recommended Videos

The first question is: Is life worth living now that Reader’s come to the end of the road? (Probably.) The second question is: Which RSS reader should I use now? As for that, there’s really no good answer. Some say check out Newsblur, others point to Feedly. You could even try The Old Reader, which is a Google Reader clone. But if you’re a fan of Google Reader, whatever you choose will feel like a sham – a Band-Aid over your punctured, blood-spewing heart.

On Twitter, many users are freaking the hell out over the imminent demise of treasured Google Reader.

In addition to axing Reader, Google plans to kill off about seven other products, most of which the average Web user has never heard of, and thus could care less if they die.

So here’s to you, Google Reader. You will be missed (until something better comes along, and then we will forget Google Reader ever existed.)

Andrew Couts
Andrew Couts
Former Staff Writer
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
How to clear your browser cache in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Opera
A cluttered cache can slow you down and break websites, so here's how to clear it in every major browser in just a few seconds.
How to delete browser cache

A stocked computer cache may be convenient for logging into and out of go-to sites in seconds flat, but a major buildup of these tracking codes could significantly impact your PC’s performance. If you’ve noticed that your PC has been running rather slow of late, or you’re using a new browser and don’t know how to clear its cache, we’ve got you covered with the following guide.

Read more
How to find archived emails in Gmail and return them to your inbox
Archived emails in Gmail are easier to find than you think—once you know where Google hides them
Gmail icon on a screen.

If you’re looking to clean up your Gmail inbox, but you don’t want to delete anything permanently, then choosing the archive option is your best bet. Whenever you archive an email, it is removed from your inbox folder while still remaining accessible. Here’s how to access any emails you have archived previously, as well as how to move such messages back to your regular inbox for fast access.

Read more
Is there a Walmart Plus free trial? Get a month of free delivery
A Walmart sign on the outside of a store.

For regular Walmart shoppers, signing up for Walmart Plus is a no-brainer. It's basically Walmart's version of Amazon Prime, with subscribers unlocking free shipping on most orders, early access to discounts and new product drops (like Nintendo Switch 2 restocks), the best grocery delivery, and more. If you're always taking advantage of Walmart's bargains for the best smart home devices or the best tech products in general, but you're still not sure if you'll be able to maximize the benefits of Walmart Plus, we highly recommend claiming the free trial to the service, and we've got everything you need to know about it right here.

START YOUR FREE TRIAL

Read more