Wednesday, May 8, 2013

I've Decided What I'm Doing When Google Reader Goes, Have You?



Lately I've been busy trying to figure out how I will follow the blogs I love now that Google Reader is disappearing July 1. I needed an alternative to Google Reader--the sooner the better! After reading a couple of posts on Carina's Craftblog and Mockingbird Hill Cottage about this very dilemma, I decided to switch from Google Reader to Bloglovin'.

I recently made the switch, and I couldn't be happier. Bloglovin' made it so easy to import all of my favorite blogs from Google Reader. All I did was sign up for Bloglovin', which took about five minutes total. I had to click a link in an email from them, and their first question was "Would you like to import your blogs from Google Reader?" Again, it took less than five minutes, and all of my blogs were there, mostly in the correct folders that I had set up in Reader. ;-) Yay!


Follow on Bloglovin

I've set up a "Follow this Blog with Bloglovin'" button at the top of my blog's right-hand sidebar. Please use it, if you find it helpful. Or just click the button above. :-)

Many of you are not using Reader to follow blogs. You may be following blogs in your Blogger dashboard. If so, I believe you will find Bloglovin' really refreshing. Just as in Google Reader, you can set up folders to categorize your blogs. For example, I have folders with titles like "Shabby Chic," "Cute Kawaii," "Favorites," and so on. It makes looking for information and prioritizing which blogs to read much easier than using the Blogger Dashboard's blog feed.

I hope you found this post helpful. Feel free to ask questions, answer questions, and share experiences in the comments. Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer 


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56 comments:

  1. A. WrightMay 8, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    I moved over to Feedly a few weeks ago, sounds like it's very similar. I picked it because it had an app for Android, which is where I do most of my blog reading :)

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 8, 2013 at 5:55 PM

      Thanks for your comment, A.W.! I just did a quick search on Google, and it showed that Bloglovin' has Android capabilities now too. Sounds like they're pretty similar. I'm interested in learning more. xo Jennifer

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  2. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 8, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Thanks so much for this Jennifer, I was getting a trifle desperate ;)

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 8, 2013 at 5:57 PM

      Hi Susan! That's how I was feeling too. I love blogging and following blogs, and I didn't want it to become a hassle. ;-) xo Jennifer

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    2. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 8, 2013 at 6:01 PM

      My download just completed and it's fantastic to see that all my favourite etsy shops are there, they don't all come through blogger.

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    3. PlushpussycatMay 8, 2013 at 6:12 PM

      That's great news, Susan! You put your favorite Etsy shops in your feed? You can see when there's an update to your favorite shops (not just to their blogs)? If I'm understanding you correctly, you're absolutely brilliant! Let me know, OK? xo Jennifer

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    4. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 8, 2013 at 6:35 PM

      Yes Jennifer, I had all my favourite etsy shops in googlereader so every time something was added to the shops I could see it without having to go to etsy. I'm not brilliant, quite the opposite, I'm really challenged when it comes to computers and internet but, nothing ventured nothing gained so I copied an etsy shop address and pasted it into googlereader subscriptions and was utterly amazed to find it worked the same as blog membership.

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    5. PlushpussycatMay 8, 2013 at 7:54 PM

      Wow! Don't be so humble, Susan--you truly amaze me! Thanks for sharing this awesome tip. I can't wait to try it myself. :-) xo Jennifer

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    6. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 9, 2013 at 3:56 PM

      Hi Jennifer, is there any way I can view the whole of a blog post in bloglovin without going to the blog to read? Currently all I get is the heading, and if I'm lucky, the first photo. Heheh, in my usual fashion I've clicked on everything to 'see what happens'!!!

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    7. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 5:54 PM

      Hi Susan, It doesn't look like Bloglovin' has that option right now. Here's a really good article on the pros and cons of Bloglovin' and Feedly: http://noshon.it/blog/2013/03/google-reader-alternatives-feedly-vs-bloglovin/ It's a little outdated (says your folders won't import from Google reader, but they actually do). I still thought the article was well worth reading all the way through. It helped me see the differences between the two and why I might prefer one or another. Let me know what you think! xo Jennifer

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    8. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 9, 2013 at 7:32 PM

      Errrr, I did read buuuut.... being technically challenged I really don't understand all the 'words', as I said I just click on everything to see what happens. In the comments I saw some people saying improvements will most likely be made to other readers as people go looking for an alternative to googlereader so I guess we'll have to wait and see!! Thanks Jennifer, you're a life-saver :)

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  3. UnknownMay 8, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    Ahh a quick swift kick in my rear! thanks for the reminder. I keep saying ohhh Ill find one, now you've done the work I can go back to slackin ;P

    Thanks hon!

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 8, 2013 at 6:14 PM

      Glad I could help! Let us know how it goes, and keep it fun! ;-) xo Jennifer

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  4. Norma BennettMay 8, 2013 at 7:32 PM

    Interesting and informative, thanks Jennifer. I do use the dashboard but wherever possible these days I'm following blogs by email. I'll definitely check out the Bloglovin though :)

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 8, 2013 at 7:55 PM

      Great to hear from you, Norma! Sounds like you're keeping it fun by following with email! :-) xo Jennifer

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    2. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 9, 2013 at 7:37 PM

      Hi Norma, I started using googlereader when I realised not all my blogs were showing up in the dashboard - that was because you're only allowed 300 blogs on blogger dashboard and I follow nearly 400 blogs, not to mention dozens of etsy shops. Googlereader had unlimited subscriptions, including easy subscribing to non-blogger blogs and etsy and all would show the whole post including all the photos. Why ever google is closing such a brilliant reader is beyond me, I'd be happy to pay for it if given the chance.

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  5. afairytalecometruewyrnaMay 8, 2013 at 10:29 PM

    Thanks for the information Jennifer. I also have to make a choice. I can gradually see that several have gone over to bloglovin ', so it will probably be it.

    I am not fully aware of, should new followers, press the icon "follow this blog whit Bloglovin '??? or should I, as already follow you, press it?

    Hugs
    Wyrna

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 8:23 AM

      Hi Wyrna, Thanks for your comment. Everyone can press the "Follow this blog with Bloglovin'" button! :-) If you'd like to view my blog using Bloglovin', then it is the button for you. For example, until Google Reader disappears, I am following my blogs in both places. I like having this time to work out any problems before Google Reader disappears altogether. Once it does, then I'll just read my blogs in Bloglovin' only. I can still join blogs with Google Friend Connect (it's a friendly gesture and adds the blogs to both Google Reader and my Blogger dashboard). But I really prefer Bloglovin's interface, so I can read my blogs from there. By the way, you can follow ANY blog with Bloglovin' (or Google Reader), not just blogs with the Bloglovin' button. If you want to follow a blog in your preferred reader, you can add the blog when you're logged in to that reader. So you don't need multiple places to read your blogs. I hope that helped. Please feel free to ask for clarification on anything. xo Jennifer

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  6. The Old MaidMay 8, 2013 at 11:44 PM

    Not sure if I ever used goofle readr, lol. But thank you Jennifer for this tip. May be useful! :) :)
    Hugs

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  7. mcddissMay 9, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    la verdad es que yo veo las actualizaciones a traves de la lista de lectura del escritorio de mi blog, creo y espero que no tendre que hacer ningun cambio, pero me parece fantastico que hayas optado por hacer el cambio

    besitos

    Mari

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  8. AnnaMay 9, 2013 at 12:44 AM

    hi, "our super technician"!!! :) Thanks for researching and letting us know!!!! That's a great relief and help! I will try your suggestion, too! Had been reading about this,too and was also sort of alarmed. But also wondering why google itself/himself/herself (???) hasn't -yet- send out any information about this isssue. At least i havn't recieved any...Many Greetings Anne

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  9. IlonaMay 9, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    Interesting and informative, thanks Jennifer for letting us know!! I didn't know it was going to change! Stupid me!
    I didn't receive any information about this change too :(!
    I'll have to see what to do now, your option sounds good. Thanks Jennifer for sharing!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 8:31 AM

      Hi anna and Ilona, Thank you so much for your comments! I've only had a small message pass across my screen a couple of times while I was in Google Reader. It warned me about the July 1 end date and gave a suggestion to back up my blogs before then so as not to lose my favorite blogs. When I saw that, I felt a twinge of fear go through me, and I got busy. ;-) xo Jennifer

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  10. ElenaNikitinaMay 9, 2013 at 1:15 AM

    Дженнифер, спасибо за полезную информацию!
    С любовью из России. Елена.
    .............
    Jennifer, thank you for the useful information!
    With love from Russia. Elena.

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  11. FabiolaMay 9, 2013 at 2:57 AM

    Thanks Jennifer. I signed up to Bloglovin' and it was very easy.
    Bye, Faby

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  12. 17-17May 9, 2013 at 3:17 AM

    Hi Jennifer! thank you for the link. I didn't know, that Bloglovin' is so great, I did it already:) the view is now amazing, I watch all my favorite blogs with big pleasure, thank you so much for sharing!
    Big hugs my friend,
    Magda

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 8:27 AM

      Hi Magda, I'm glad you are enjoying the view! Yes, It's a nice big screen for viewing the latest blog posts, and I LOVE being able to categorize my blogs and mark favorite ones, etc. It is easy to use and makes reading blogs much more pleasurable. Thanks so much for your comment! xo Jennifer

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  13. Jane ChérieMay 9, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    Thanks for the information Jennifer! I somehow resist using yet another website because I feel so overwhelmed already with this much online activity but I'll look into it and see if it can be a better fit for me :)

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  14. miniacollectionMay 9, 2013 at 7:46 AM

    Thank you so much for this piece of information! It will certainly be very useful to me. I wondered what to do when Google reager would stop. I will probably follow your link in a few days.
    Geneviève

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  15. otterineMay 9, 2013 at 8:27 AM

    I signed up for bloglovin, too...but I don't like that if there's a blog you follow that hasn't posted in awhile, it's just blank on bloglovin after the import from reader and there is no way to see the blog URL address. Also, I'd prefer the list of blogs to stay in alphabetical order whether there are unread posts or not. If you mark something as read, it drops to the read blogs at the bottom making it hard to find again. I'm going to sign up for feedly to see if I like that any better, but I've been spoiled by reader. :[

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 8:39 AM

      Hi Otterine, Thanks so much for your comment. I'm interested in hearing what you find out about Feedly. Have you tried clicking on the word "Following" on your left-hand sidebar in Bloglovin'? I'm able to see and manage all my blogs by doing that. I see the blog title and a partial url. The blogs are listed in alphabetical order there too. I feel like that is going to be enough for me--it kind of simplifies things, which I tend to like. Let me know what you think, OK? I appreciate hearing from you. xo Jennifer

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    2. otterineMay 9, 2013 at 10:15 AM

      That solves the issue of seeing the URL, thanks! But, it still seems clumsy to me that the read blogs drop to the bottom in the lefthand list when you are viewing the feeds. Ah, well...looks like Feedly is a plug-in, which won't work for my needs...so that's out unless they change to a web service. I will stick with bloglovin for now since it's "close enough."

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    3. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 10:39 AM

      Hi Otterine, I'm glad that was helpful. I just fumbled on to it last night myself! I agree, we've been spoiled by Google Reader, but "close enough" works for me too. :-) Thanks for checking out Feedly and reporting back--that was helpful for many, I am sure. xo Jennifer

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  16. BiWuBärMay 9, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    Thank you very much for sharing this with us - sounds very helpful. For the moment I always got along with the dashboard, but I'll keep that in my mind... ;O)

    Greetings
    Birgit

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 9:41 AM

      Hi Birgit, Thanks for your comment. I think you'd really enjoy reading blogs in a reader. It makes reading blogs more enjoyable, IMO (bigger view, cleaner interface, ability to organize blogs and save favorite posts, etc.). I noticed that it is just one click to delete a Bloglovin' account, if you change your mind after trying it. ;-) xo Jennifer

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  17. Momma Cat May 9, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    Thanks, Jennifer! Your post was really helpful. I followed your instructions and it was super easy to switch!

    -Baby Cat

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 9:37 AM

      Glad to hear it, Baby Cat. It's a nice interface, too, isn't it? I've been reading my blogs in Bloglovin' this morning, and I'm really "lovin'" it! Thanks for your comment! ;-) xo Jennifer

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  18. BegoñaMay 9, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    hola Jennifer, soy un poco desastre, ¿cómo puedo saber si estoy usando google reader, no he recibido ningún mensaje de google y no tengo ni idea, es lo primero que debo saber antes de cambiar. Un beso

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 1:06 PM

      Hi Begona! Good question! If, when you read the blogs you follow, in the upper left-hand corner of the blog feed page, it says "Google Reader," then you are using Google Reader. If, however, in the upper left-hand corner it says "Blogger," and underneath it "Reading List," then you are using the Blogger dashboard to read your blogs. Thank you for leaving a comment--it's great to hear from you! xo Jennifer

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  19. Kikka NMay 9, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    Dear jennifer, Thank you for this information. I will come to it again later...
    Hugs
    Kikka

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  20. juliaMay 9, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    Jennifer, que desastre soy, la verdad es que no sé si estoy en la misma situación que tú, tampoco recibí nada de google, en cuánto pueda estudiarlo si no me aclaro te pediré tu ayuda porfa.
    Estamos en contacto.
    Gracias y millones de besos.
    Tu amiga...Julia.

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    1. PlushpussycatMay 9, 2013 at 2:47 PM

      Ola Julia! No problem! Feel free to contact me with any questions. I am happy to try to help. :-) xo Jennifer

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  21. *Mieke*Petitevictorianrose*and*PastTimeChildhoodMay 9, 2013 at 2:31 PM

    Dear Jennifer, probably you think I´m a bit stupid, but I don´t know nothing about google reader, never used it, I did´nt even know it exist, but it sonds very interresting, the problem is, that i´m Not very good in computerstuff, it took me even a while to figure out how pintrest works hahaha.
    So I will be no great help.
    Have a wonderful weekend my friend !!

    Hugs Mieke xxx

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  22. Drora's minimundoMay 9, 2013 at 2:38 PM


    Thank you Jennifer for the information. I'm going to check this up and follow your advice.
    Hugs, Drora

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  23. ElianaMay 9, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    Thanks Jennifer. I'm using Bloglovin too! ;)
    Hugs.

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  24. Cinderella Moments May 9, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    It's a great tip Jennifer. I put it on my blog. I must have joined Bloglovin years ago. I just forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder. You explain things very clearly. I'm so thankful for everything you share!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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  25. Hairy CavemanMay 10, 2013 at 2:51 AM

    Hi Jennifer! I switched over to Bloglovin' a couple of months ago and have no regrets so far! I don't understand why google are shooting themselves in the foot with this! Kind regards, Brian.

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  26. AscensionMay 10, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    Gracias Jennifer, no creo que me aclare...pedire ayuda.
    besitos ascension

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  27. carmenMay 10, 2013 at 11:54 PM

    lo intentaré

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  28. TiggyMay 11, 2013 at 10:42 AM

    Wow, Thank You - I had installed the Bloglovin but had not realized that Google reader was disappearing. Thanks for your helpful post on this! TiGGy sends LuV!

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  29. MarianaMay 11, 2013 at 9:53 PM

    Hi, dear Jenni!
    I really didn't know that google reader is desappearing! I think blogloving will help too much the bloggers that foloow too many blogs. Thanks for sharing it with us.
    Have a good week!!! Hugs,
    Mariana.

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  30. UnknownMay 12, 2013 at 4:55 AM

    Hello from spain: thanks for your recommendation. I read the updates through the list of desk reading my blog. I believe that I have no to make changes. Keep in touch

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  31. JacquelineMay 12, 2013 at 6:20 PM

    Dearest sweet Jennifer, it's so good to be back here visiting. I don't use Google Reader but blogloving sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing. Have a beautiful Mother's day and a wonderful sunday! Love to yoU!

    jacqueline
    http://jqlinesocuteithurts.typepad.com/

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  32. MelyGiuntaMay 14, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Io sono confusa, non so più cosa fare...

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  33. SarahJune 2, 2013 at 4:27 AM

    Hello Jennifer, I am replying to your comment left on my blog, as blogspot doesnt notify, just wanted to say thanks, and also I adore your little world and its animal inhabitants. How cute are they!! and very retro. I am an 80s child and these remind me of the childrens programmes they used to show back then. Ill find you on pinterest. Plushpussycat looks like my cat Lisa, if she had a pink nose :D

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  34. ElaineMay 6, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    Hello Jennifer, and welcome to Bloglovin'! I've been on Bloglovin' for a long time now and I love it. As a matter of fact, Bloglovin' shot me a blog suggestions email this morning and I found your adorable Blog! I'm adding you to my reading list now :D

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