Google have confirmed that the popular Google Reader service is to be shut down, with the company blaming a decline in usage.
Launched in 2005, the service allows anyone with a Google account the ability to aggregate and read RSS feed subscriptions in one place.
But despite providing to be a core service for many users, Google will be cutting the cord on Reader at the start of July, 2013.
In a post on the Google Blog Urs Hölzle, SVP Technical Infrastructure at Google, writes:
“While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader. “
While RSS feeds remain popular with technology enthusiasts social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as the rise of ‘mobile apps’, mean that users are able to track updates and posts from their favourite sites on their own terms.
As with all Google services you are able to ‘export’ your reader data for posterity and for use in other applications.
Will you miss Google Reader? Do you have a preferred alternative?