My new favorite reader – A Bloglovin Tutorial
Bloglovin’ Tutorial: Switch from Google Reader
Are you looking for an easy way to follow your favorite blogs after Google Reader shut down? This tutorial will guide you through using Bloglovin’ to keep up to date with your favorite bloggers. We’ll explore key features, benefits, and how to make the switch from Google Reader to Bloglovin’ seamlessly.
Understanding Bloglovin’
What is Bloglovin’?
Bloglovin’ is a platform designed to help you follow your favorite blogs in one convenient place. It acts as an RSS reader, allowing you to subscribe to blogs and see recent posts in an organized feed. Many bloggers encourage readers to follow them on Bloglovin’ to stay updated on new content. If you want to read multiple blogs, Bloglovin’ can help.
Key Features of Bloglovin’
Bloglovin’ is a good alternative to Google Reader because of its many features. Here’s a breakdown of some of its core functionalities:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Blog Addition | Add blogs using their URL, regardless of platform (e.g., WordPress). |
| Blog Discovery | Find new blogs and bloggers using the search bar. |
Bloglovin’ also allows you to organize your favorite blogs and view new posts in a chronological feed, ensuring you never miss content from the blogs you like.
Benefits of Switching from Google Reader
Switching from Google Reader to Bloglovin’ offers several advantages. Key features and benefits are summarized below:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Easy to Understand Interface | Simplifies navigation and usage. |
| Import from Google Reader | Quickly transfers existing subscriptions. |
| Claim Your Blog | Provides control over its appearance on Bloglovin’. |
Furthermore, Bloglovin’ provides tools for bloggers to engage with their audience and track their followers.
Setting Up Your Bloglovin’ Account
How to Create an Account on Bloglovin’
To use Bloglovin’, you first need to set up an account on Bloglovin’. Visit the Bloglovin’ site and look for the “Sign Up” or “Create Account” button. The process is straightforward; you’ll need to provide an email address, choose a username, and create a password. You can also sign up using your Facebook or Google account for quicker access. Setting up an account on Bloglovin’ is the first step in switching from Google Reader to Bloglovin’.
Claim Your Blog on Bloglovin’
If you’re a blogger, claiming your blog on Bloglovin’ is essential to manage your blog’s appearance and track your followers. Claiming allows you to manage your blog’s appearance on the platform and track your followers. To claim your blog, navigate to the “Claim Your Blog” section within your Bloglovin’ account settings. You’ll typically need to verify ownership by adding a meta tag to your blog’s HTML or uploading a verification file. By claiming, you show it is indeed your blog on Bloglovin’.
Connecting Your Blogs to Bloglovin’
Connect your blog to ensure new posts are automatically added to your Bloglovin’ feed. Once your Bloglovin account is set up and your blog is claimed, it’s time to connect your blog to Bloglovin’. This step ensures that new posts on your blog are automatically added to your Bloglovin’ feed. Connecting your blog is usually as simple as providing your blog’s URL. Bloglovin’ will then fetch your RSS feed and display your recent posts. This helps readers keep up to date with your content.
Switching from Google Reader to Bloglovin’
Importing Your Feeds from Google Reader
Use Bloglovin’s import feature to easily transfer Google Reader subscriptions. When Google Reader shut down, many users looked for an easy way to follow their favorite blogs. Bloglovin’ offered an import feature to help you make the switch from Google Reader to Bloglovin’ seamlessly. The import process typically involved exporting your Google Reader subscriptions as an XML file and then importing that file into your Bloglovin’ account. This transferred all the blogs you followed on Google Reader to Bloglovin’.
Finding Blogs to Follow on Bloglovin’
Bloglovin’ provides several ways to find blogs to follow. In fact, you can find new blogs through several avenues, including:
- Use the search bar to look for specific blogs or bloggers.
- Explore curated lists and recommendations based on categories.
If you already know the URL of a blog you want to follow, you can simply add the blog via its URL. Exploring Bloglovin’ will help you discover new blogs and bloggers.
Organizing Your Feed on Bloglovin’
Organize your feed by creating categories or folders to group blogs by topic. One of the key features of Bloglovin’ is the ability to organize your feed. You can create categories or folders to group your favorite blogs by topic or interest. This helps you manage your subscriptions and quickly find the blogs you want to read. Organizing your feed on Bloglovin’ ensures that you never miss new posts from the blogs you like and makes it easier to keep up to date with the content you enjoy.
Engaging with Bloggers on Bloglovin’
Follow Your Favorite Bloggers
Actively follow bloggers to see their recent posts in your feed. To truly immerse yourself in the Bloglovin’ experience, start by actively following your favorite bloggers. Utilize the search bar or explore curated categories to find bloggers whose content resonates with you. Following these individuals allows you to see their recent posts in your feed and engage with their content. If you already know the URL of a specific blog, you can add the blog directly. It’s an easy way to follow and make the switch from Google Reader to Bloglovin’ complete.
Interacting with Recent Posts
Engage with recent posts by liking, commenting, and sharing to support bloggers and foster community. Once you’ve populated your Bloglovin’ feed with blogs you want to follow, engage with their recent posts. Bloglovin’ provides an interface where you can like, comment on, and share posts. This interaction not only supports the bloggers but also fosters a sense of community. Reading and engaging with the new posts on the blogs that you follow will help you get the most out of using Bloglovin’.
Sharing Your Own Blog on Bloglovin’
Claim your blog and promote it on Bloglovin’ to reach a wider audience. If you’re a blogger, sharing your own blog on Bloglovin’ is crucial for visibility. Claim your blog to manage its appearance and track your followers. When you post on your blog, it automatically appears in the feeds of your followers. Promoting your blog on Bloglovin’ helps you reach a wider audience, get new blogs to follow you, and grow your online presence.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
Common Challenges When Switching
Address challenges like import difficulties or feed issues for a smoother transition. Switching from Google Reader to Bloglovin’ may present some challenges. Some users find it difficult to import from Google Reader or locate all their favorite blogs. Other challenges may arise in feed settings. If you try to follow a blog but it’s not showing up, double-check that you’ve added the correct URL and that the blog’s RSS feed is working properly. Addressing these common challenges ensures a smooth transition when you use Bloglovin’.
Easy Ways to Follow Blogs via Bloglovin’
Use the search bar, curated lists, or direct URL entry and Bloglovin widget to easily follow blogs. Bloglovin’ offers several easy ways to follow blogs. The search bar is a straightforward method for finding specific blogs or bloggers. You can also use Bloglovin’s curated lists to discover new blogs based on your interests. If you know the URL of a blog, simply add the blog via the URL. For WordPress blogs, you can use the Bloglovin’ widget to easily follow a blog via the sidebar of that blog.
Maximizing Your Experience on Bloglovin’
Maximize your experience by using organizational features and regularly engaging with posts. To maximize your experience on Bloglovin’, take advantage of its organizational features. Create categories to group your blogs by topic and make it easier to find the content you want to read. Regularly interact with recent posts to support your favorite blogs and engage with the community. By actively using Bloglovin’s features, you ensure you keep up to date with the content you enjoy, read the blogs I read, and make the most of Bloglovin’s features.