Google Reader to Shut Down on July 1st, Due to Declining Usage [Update]

Google has announced a bunch of ‘spring cleaning’ items and one of them includes their popular RSS client, Google Reader (seriously):

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.

Google says “these changes are never easy” but they want to focus their efforts to concentrate on “building great products that really help in their lives.” Umm…Google Reader does help my daily life–it’s an essential part of my workflow. Are you using Google Reader?

We’re retiring Reader on July 1. We know many of you will be sad to see it go. Thanks for 8 great years! goo.gl/7joct

— Google Reader (@googlereader) 13. März 2013

The Google Reader blog says:

There are two simple reasons for this: usage of Google Reader has declined, and as a company we’re pouring all of our energy into fewer products. We think that kind of focus will make for a better user experience.

Update 5:56 PM: Feedly says it has been anticipating the shutdown of Google Reader, thus have been working on project Normandy, essentially a Feedly clone of the Google Reader API, running on Google App engine. So if you are a Google Reader using Feedly, once the shut down occurs your transition will be seamless. Feedly is available for iOS, Android, Chrome and Firefox.