Using Google Reader to bring the web to you

Image via CrunchBase

For those of you unfamiliar with Google Reader, it is a collection of tools put together by, you guessed it: Google, for the purpose of viewing content updates from many different websites in one convenient window. While Reader isn’t the only application capable of displaying web feeds, far from it, it is one of the most comprehensive and easy to use.

With a growing number of companies and media outlets providing more of their content to a web audience from more conventional sources like print, it may be overwhelming to keep track of all the headlines. Fortunately it is possible to monitor the updates through a small piece of embedded code which alerts the outside world of its existence. More specifically, certain programs, commonly called readers, are able to pick up the code and organize it in a reader friendly-way. Google Reader is one of those programs.

What makes Google Reader special is you are able to see exactly what you want to see, when you want it. Some key features:

•An option to automatically save a feed as read when you scroll past it
•A well displayed (automatically generated) summery of the update that will avoid clicking on articles that are little more than a catchy title
•Organize feeds by folders which you create and name. Hence you can only view selected feeds if you are crunched for time or otherwise.
•Option to automatically scroll to the last unread feed. Note: Newer feeds appear at the top.
•Search for new feeds by keywords, categories, or selected staff picks
Data and charts on your reading habits; frequency, category read, etc..
•Mark feeds as favorites and shared. You are also given your own Shared page so others can see your selected articles


Google Reader works on handheld devices, computer desktops, and of course the conventional internet browser. While it is able to sync between all of your devices, the browser version has the most comprehensive set of features.