Source: Snatz.com
When Google announced that it was shutting down Google Reader, bloggers around the internet were shocked and upset. Google Reader was one of the easiest RSS readers to use and connected seamlessly with Blogger blogs and FeedBurner, two other Google blog products.
The Google Reader was a heavy traffic driver to many news sites and blogs, driving up to 25 million hits to news sites as recently as February 2013. However, even with such a popular service on its hands, Google’s decision to shut down reader was based on declining usage (it referred just over 10 million hits to news sites in March 2013) and the tech giant’s decision to focus on better optimizing fewer products.
Even though there was a large uproar at the demise of Google Reader, overall there has been a decline in the use of RSS readers. 7% of US adults who are online reported using RSS feeds at least weekly in 2008, a number which decreased to 4% in 2012.
Google Reader Replacement
Once the popular RSS reader announced its retirement, RSS users started looking for a suitable replacement. Feedly, The Old Reader, and BlogLovin’ experienced most of the traffic growth, with Feedly gaining over 500,000 new users within days of Google’s announcement. These top services allowed users to migrate their existing feeds, making the transition relatively harmless.
RSS Uses
Most loyal RSS users enjoy RSS feeds to read news and blog content because it gives them new posts in an easy-to-use format. Instead of having to visit several blogs each day to check for new posts or to have their email inbox flooded with new posts, users can simply open their RSS reader to get all new posts on the blogs they’ve subscribed to. In addition, most RSS readers have easy apps and interfaces that make sharing posts via social media or email extremely easy.
Because thousands of new blog posts are being published every day, many individuals have found RSS readers a great place to stay immersed in industry news, as well as personal topics they are interested in.
Even though RSS readership has decreased 3% from 2008 to 2012, it still has a strong presence, referring millions of users to different news sites and blogs each day. Google Reader may have come to an end, but the available alternatives still make it possible to make the most out of RSS feeds.
Kelsey Jones is co-owner of social media and search marketing agency The Social Robot, where she helps clients grow their online presence. She has worked for Yelp, Run.com, and Gazelle. Check her out at The Social Robot and on Twitter @wonderwall7.