Many of you have probably already heard that Google Reader is being retired on July 1, 2013. This beloved RSS reader will be missed by many, myself included! Fortunately, there are alternatives. One that has risen in popularity because of it’s ease of use and attractive appeal is BlogLovin’.

In today’s post, I’ll go over how a reader can switch from Google Reader to BlogLovin’ VERY easily and how a blogger can claim their blog on BlogLovin’.

Switching from Google Reader to BlogLovin’

1. Sign up for a BlogLovin’ account (if you’ve already signed up, then log in). It’s easy peasy–sign up using your email and a password or using Facebook.
2. Click on the drop-down menu with your name (located in the upper right-hand corner). Then click on “Settings.”
3. Scroll down towards the bottom and, under “Other,” click the “Import blogs” button.
4. Click on the blue “Google reader” button.
5. Click on the “Import from Google Reader” button.
   
6. BlogLovin’ will ask for permission to access your info. Select “Allow access.”
   
7. BlogLovin’ will then proceed to import the blogs you follow.

And there you have it! I hope you’ve gleaned valuable info from this tutorial! If so, please follow me on BlogLovin’! Thanks!

Claiming Your Blog on BlogLovin’

1. Sign up for a BlogLovin’ account (if you’ve already signed up, then log in). It’s easy peasy–sign up using your email and a password or using Facebook.
   
2. Click on the drop-down menu with your name (located in the upper right-hand corner). Then click on “My blog.”
   
3. Click on the “Claim blog” button.
   
4. A search box will pop up. Enter your blog’s title and search. Once it pops up, click on it.
   
5. A box will pop up with some code in it. Copy that code and paste it into a new post on your blog, publish that post, and click “Claim blog.” If it successfully picks up the code, then you’re set!

When I went to claim my blog, I discovered that it was not only already present (meaning someone had added it to follow it), but it was  also there in three different instances! Because of this, I had to contact BlogLovin’s support to get the three accounts merged. Within a week, they had merged all three instances!

If you have any problems with connecting your blog, check out the “Help” section for commonly asked questions and, if necessary, contact support.

Oh, and don’t forget to add one of BlogLovin’s follow buttons (a couple of them are kinda disturbing, I think, lol) to start growing your following! Alternatively, you could create your own BlogLovin’ icon and link to your blog (like I did–it’s the yellow button with a plus sign on it up in the header). Or you could hire me to design your icon(s).

And PLEASE don’t forget to….