Google to Shutter Google Reader on July 1, 2013

Posted on March 14, 2013

Google has announced a new round of spring cleaning, which includes Google Reader, an RSS reader launched by Google in 2005. Google says usage of the reader has been on the decline.

We launched Google Reader in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favorite websites. While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives can export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout over the course of the next four months.

The last day for Google Reader will be July 1, 2013. Google explains here how you can download a copy of all your Reader data using Google Takeout.

The use of social networks and tablet apps to get updates about new content likely helped curb the growth of RSS readers. Some old-style replacement RSS reader possibilities for Google Reader include Bloglines, NewsBlur and The Old Reader. Marketing Land has a list of more RSS reader alternatives.