So it was announced yesterday that Google will end operations of Google Reader in July of this year. For those, like me, who utilize Google Reader to keep up with your favorite blogs this seems like an unwelcome move by Google. Sure there are plenty of articles floating around on alternatives to Reader but I have another option for Google that may help it save face. Integrate the functionality of Google Reader into Google Plus.
Both stream user content, one from those you follow directly on Google plus and one from the blogs you like to follow. So why not meld the two under the same umbrella? Posts from blogs may look a bit different as commenting would be disabled directly on Google Plus (unless a blog owner chose to integrate the functionality)
Benefits to Readers
- One stop location for those using Google Plus to also be kept up to date on their favorite blog posts.
- Ease of sharing posts via Google Plus
- No lose of a Google based reader of favorite blogs.
Benefits to Blog Owners
- Potential increased eyeballs on your work as sharing to G+ becomes easier.
- Potential minimizing sharing your work without attribution. Since a reader would just be sharing the link to your work they may be less inclined to save it to their desktop and then reshare it on social media without attribution. Especially useful to artists and photographers.
CAVEAT: Currently Google Plus (especially on mobile) is horrible about placemarking where you are in your stream. So many times when you click on a link that takes you to a blog and then come back to Google Plus, you must start all over at the top of your screen. Having the ability to bookmark or check off read items is necessary to make this option worthwhile.
Other options Google can take?