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So Google Reader is going to be culled and the end of Google Friends Connect is upon us too*.

It's time to find alternatives if you want an uninterrupted supply of Cherry Heart posts, and of course you do want that I'm sure!

So, what to do?

Well I've got two alternatives for you...


I've been using Feedly for a while and I love it.  It will transfer all your blogs directly from Google Reader so once you set up an account, you won't have to do anything to carry on reading as you always have done.  Easy peasy.  There's also plenty of settings you can use to arrange things as you'd like and even some themes to add some colour.

If you'd like to add me to your Feedly reading list, you should be able to just click the link below (once you've set up your Feedly account)...

  RSS






I know a lot people are using Bloglovin' already, and it's also very easy to import your blog reading list straight from Google Reader, it takes just a couple of minutes.  You can organize your blogs into groups but there aren't so many options as Feedly.

If Bloglovin' is your reader of choice, you can add me to your reading list by clicking the link below...


Follow on Bloglovin Bloglovin'


I'm also including the Bloglovin' link in my social icons links at the top of the page...




And I'll have both the links at the bottom of my posts in future, so it's easy for you to find whenever you'd like to do it....



Either way, you'll want to get it done by 1st July 2013 though, that's when Google Reader will be breathing it's last.

Hopefully the transition will be a painless one!


S x





UPDATE 19th March 2013:
*I'm informed that Google Friends Connect is safe for the time being at least, so that's good news.


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Comments

  1. This confuses me! Ive tried to go thru Bloglovin and it suggest I sign in via FB and recognises me but then wont accept my pw or a new one, telling me that my email is already in use.
    But I only have one email ............theres no explanation about needing another email, so it looks as if I wont be able to follow you.
    Will try the email option and see if that works lol

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  2. Wow, you are like hundreds steps ahead from me... I need to tackle this issue too. Thanks for this post and reminding me to stay on the Cherry Heart train.
    Annette
    My Rose Valley
    PS Thank you for your sweet letter. Very much appreciated. :D I'll get back to you soon in person.

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  3. wow...I was unaware of that! Thanks for the information. I will look into that...

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  4. Just in case any one else is having this problem, you don't have to use FB to sign up, you can click the ' sign in using email' link that's below the big Facebook button.

    S x

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  5. Thanks Sandra, I read about this on other blogs and started an account with Bloglovin straight away. I didn't know about Feedly so will take a look. Thanks again. Chel x

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  6. I never use a blog reader - I just click on a link in another blog or go to you from favs or google. I read dozens of blogs. From what I hear and have seen you don't get to see the blog properly through reader and it's harder to comment. Plus I like the element of surprise. I check for posts regularly. The only thing I wouldn't mind is a email reminder of a new post. A couple of blogs I read do that - sort of like a newsletter.


    Blogs seem to be on their way out in any case. Facebook and instagram seem to be taking over. That's a shame as facebook has a nasty and limited layout and everyone gets to know everything about your likes etc which I don't like at all and instagram, well pictures are all well and good but it is the words that bring it all together. Otherwise might as well spend a lifetime on pinterest. The world seems to be cutting down on communication - the more social media we have, the less words and contact we make with each other.

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  7. p.s. your blog layout is all a bit weird lately. Comments don't work in IE and it all still looks strange in firefox

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  8. Hello Thank you for posting this! I've imigrated my blog into feedly but how do you create your own feed for others to follow? x

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  9. ok...I just did the feedly and there are all the blogs I follow. But do I log in again? blogspot.com? *confuzzled as usual*

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  10. You don't see the blog properly on a blog reader's page but if you click on the post title it takes you straight to the blog and I imagine that's what most people do. i certainly do.

    I don't think blogs are on their way out at all. True there are other things but they are different. I like to craft a blog post with my own words and photographs but I also love the spontaneity of sharing a moment on Instagram and I love seeing all the beautiful images others have found and collected on Pinterest which often leads me to new blogs.I don't use Facebook and it is so completely different from blogging that I cannot see it threatening the future of blogs at all.

    Sandra, I already have you on my Feedly which I love too, much prettier than Reader.

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  11. Well, how much you see of a blog post depends on what settings you have on your reader. You can choose to see highlights, part, or the whole of a post (providing the blog allows it), depending on your choice. Certainly that's the case on Feedly anyway. Bloglovin' maybe doesn't have all those options, from what little I've seen of it. So I guess that just down to personal preference and how you prefer to receive your favourite blogs. I do all my reading in Feedly but then jump to the page when I'm ready to make a comment.


    I know what you mean about Facebook, and the others. Certainly 'they' say that it'll mean people blog less. For me, FB and IG doesn't take the place of what I do here, like Susan, I feel that they do different things. I can do a tutorial on FB and I can't waffle on about yarn on IG, but I do like to snap a quick pic and post it instantly to share the excitement of... my newly sorted fabric shelves for example! I guess we'll see in time if all these different things will survive.


    In the meantime, if you do want to get my posts by email, you can just click the little envelope icon at the very top of the page or at the bottom of this post. Just thought I'd mention it... ;-)


    Sandra x

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  12. Sorry you can't seem to comment or see my blog properly. I'm afraid I don't know why that is and I fear it's a bit beyond my technical abilities too. It looks ok in Firefox to me, but I'm on a Mac, so maybe that changes things. Anyway, sorry for the inconvenience and I'll keep looking to see if I can get it sorted somehow. Thanks for letting me know.


    Sandra x

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  13. Yes, I agree Sue. Blogging does something that FB and IG do not and for me, there's a place for both. I certainly am still enjoying writing blog posts and having the instant gratification that is IG. I guess we'll see if they all survive in time!
    Thanks for following me in Feedly and I agree, so much prettier than Reader!!
    Sandra x

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  14. Hi Dana

    Not sure what you mean about logging in again? Do you mean log in to Blogger again? Although, if all your blogs are appearing ok in Feedly, it sounds to me as if you've done it right!
    See how it goes and if you have any problems, let me know I'll see if I can help! :)
    Sandra x

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  15. No problem! Glad to hear you're in the 'Feedly' gang too ;)

    Sandra x

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  16. Glad you're all sorted and thanks for keeping following :)

    Sandra x

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  17. No problem Ana, hope it helps :)

    Sandra x

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  18. Hee hee, I've been very quick off the mark for once! And yes please, stay on the Cherry Heart train, I'd certainly miss you if you left!
    Sandra x

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  19. it doesn't take much to confuse me does it? *grin* Ok...I've bookmarked feedly and all of my favorite blogs are there *wipes brow* thank you for the 'heads up'!
    hugs & stuff!

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  20. This entire Google thing is so annoying, isn't it? I've never used Google Reader, just the "reading list", but I will be soooo annoyed if they get rid of Friend Connect too!
    Anyway, off to check out Feedly :-)
    Happy Sunday!
    Sarah x

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  21. Very helpful post, thank you! I'm very bummed about Reader. Been using it for years. But knowing there are other options makes it less painful.

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  22. I've just been setting my posts up like yours with a new post footer offering each of the alternatives, but Sandra I'm as sure as I can be that there is no threat to Friend Connect at this time, beyond that since spring of last year it's only been available to those with a Blogger account.

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  23. Yep, totally annoying! I hope they don't get rid of GFC, but I fear they may try to push us into using Google+ to connect instead. :(
    Sandra x

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  24. Whoops! :-p Obviously I'm living in the past! Thanks, I'll change it now.
    Sandra x

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  25. What makes you think so, f you don't mind me asking? Although, I must admit, I guess I'm going largely by rumour. I can't find anything definite from Google to say they are getting rid of GFC, but they seem to be putting it on the back burner and that normally seems to be the first stage in the getting rid of it entirely plan. I really hope they don't but I fear that they are going to try and push us all into having Google+ profiles and using G+ followers instead of GFC. Blah! :(

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  26. Hey Sandra! You might want to add this info about the Google Friend Connect. http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/blogger/PzmkGzlg1wk/D_rJZUaqHR8J Somepeople confuses them with the Google Reader. (Like I did...) Have a nice day!

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  27. Hi Sandra, since you blogged about this I've been trying to look into it myself. I am completely NOT technical and although i'm sure your explanation is fab, I can't understand who or what blogs this applies to. For example, will I have to migrate or something?! I know it's not your responsibility to help my ignorant self but it all goes over my head!! Don't want to miss out on your lovely blog! J9 x

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  28. Don't worry, I think I can explain. I shall email you! :)

    Sandra x

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  29. Thanks for this, I've updated the post. Don't want to cause any more confusion!
    Sandra x

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