How to import your Google Reader data to Digg Reader

If you've saved your Google Reader data, you can start importing the data into alternative readers, like Digg Reader.

Step 1: Go to https://digg.com/settings, then under the Digg Reader section, click "Upload."Google Reader is officially gone, but you still have until July 15 to export your data via Google Takeout. Once you've exported your data, you can begin importing it into alternative readers, like Digg Reader. Here's how to import your Google Reader feeds, including starred items, into Digg Reader:

Step 2: Click on "Upload your data," then select your Google Reader Takeout archive -- the entire ZIP file -- for upload to Digg Reader.

Once the import completes, you should see all your old Google Reader subscriptions, as well as your starred items under the Saved section.

Put Feedbin in your Mac's menu bar with FeedbinNotifier

Not happy with Feedbin integration in existing Mac apps? Put Feedbin in your menu bar with this free app.

Unless you've been living in a cave with no access to the Internet, you likely know Google Reader is now dead. If this comes as a surprise to you, you still have time to export your Reader data through Google's Takeout service. Be sure to do this before July 15th, when Google will remove Reader from its Takeout offerings.

One of the many Google Reader replacement services that has popped up since Google announced Reader's execution date is Feedbin.

Feedbin is a subscription service, costing $3 a month or $30 a year, with an API for developers to integrate into apps, and a functional Web site to browse through your newsfeed.

Currently Reeder (free) for iPhone has Feedbin support, with plans to add it to the iPad and Mac version in a future update. Press for Android ($2.99) also has Feedbin support. You can see a full list of apps with Feedbin support at Feedbin.me.

As Feedbin and its competitors try to gain traction with new Reader refugees, the app selection might not appeal to everyone, leaving those people to rely on the Web site. One major drawback to using the site is the lack of an unread count. Thankfully, a developer and Feedbin user decided to make Feedbin Notifier an OS X menu bar application, open-source it, and give it away for free.

How to export your Google Reader data

Google Reader will cease to exist after July 1. If you haven't migrated to another news reader yet, you only have a few days left before it's too late to export your data out of Google Reader.

If you're still hanging on to Google Reader, it's time to let it go. After Monday, Google Reader will no longer be available. People with only a few subscriptions will be able to migrate to another service without much hassle, but those with more than just a few will want the option to bulk-import the subscription data. Even if you don't move the data to a new service right away, it'll be nice to have for future reference.

To export your Google Reader data, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Go to Reader settings, then click on the Import/Export tab.

Step 2: Under "Export your information," click on the "Download your data through Takeout" link. You can also go to https://www.google.com/takeout/#custom:reader directly.

Step 3: Once Takeout shows 100 percent and provides an estimate of the number of files and size, click on the "Create archive" button.

Step 4: At the next screen, click on the Download button to download your Google Reader archive as a ZIP file.

When you open the archive, you'll see several JavaScript files (JSON) and a "subscriptions.xml" file. The XML file contains your list of subscriptions and is what you'll import to your new news reader.

Keep in mind that some Google Reader alternatives, like Feedly and Digg Reader, don't support importing subscriptions -- at least not yet. If you think you'll want to try either of those services, you might want to use their Google Reader import options while you still can.