I think I am subscribed to a 100+ blogs, and the number grows daily and will continue to grow as Google Friend Connect is going away for non-Blogger blogs.
When I miss a day of checking my Reader, it blows up and becomes scary.
Two hours after I last checked!
To make my Reader less intimdating, I messed around and read Google Reader Help.
I thought I’d share some of what I learned.
1. Set up folders for your subscriptions.
Setting up folders allows you to categorize and prioritize your subscriptions.
There is a small black down arrow next to each subscription. When you left mouse click on it, a list of options will come up.
At the bottom is the option to make a new folder. Once you create your folder, the feed will be placed automatically in it.
I have folders labelled First and Second. I read these two folders before the others.
2. Hide any feeds that don’t have something new to be read.
Similar to above, there is a small black arrow next to the main Subscriptions label. Left mouse click it to reveal options for ALL your subscriptions.
Selecting “Show updated” will only show those feeds that have something new to be read.
Additionally, as you read through your subscriptions, and an item is read, it will disappear from the sidebar.
3. Edit Subscriptions
If you need to change any blog names (not folder names), unsubscribe from a feed, or move items around to different folders, you can simply go into settings (circled in red below) and select the subscriptions tab.
To change folder names, or delete a folder name, select the Folders and Tags tab.
4. Set up Preferences
Under settings, select the Preferences Tab.
1. Select your language – I chose English, although one day I hope to be able to choose/speak another language…
2. The start page allows you to choose what you see first when you open up your Reader. I like to see what is in my “First” Folder, so I have it set to First.
3. I check off the scroll tracking, so items are marked as read as I read and scroll past them.
4. I prefer to see the navigation pane because sometimes I want to read a different folder first.
5. The Misc is personal preference. I don’t want to confirm something read once I’ve read it, it slows me down. I do like to see the Favicons because I can easily identify blogs with them.
5. Use Google Tips and Shortcuts.
On the front page of your reader, Google offers some Tips and Tricks. I read these little blurbs and learn something new.
I now use this button.
And I love using the Keyboard Shortcuts, especially j/k for item down/up, and space/shift-space for page down/up.
These are basics tips, and I hope they help.
Does anyone have a tip to add, or share?
And show some love, subscribe to my feed and I’ll subscribe to yours :) {If I don’t already!}
This is really great advice – I’m going to print this out and try and follow it. Yes, it all can get a bit overwhelming can’t it? Like the idea of hiding the ones that don’t have a new post yet.
Oh good, I hoped it would be useful! Contact me if you need some help.
Hiding the ones that don’t have anything new really makes the Reader more “tidy”.
I know I need to do this. My reader is a terrifying place and I avoid going there… ;-)
Missy @ Wonder, Friend recently posted..Fear and Failure
It can become terrifying, esp. after not checking it for a couple days.
*Such* great tips, Carolyn! I’m a newbie reader user, myself and this is so very helpful! Thank you! :)
Galit Breen recently posted..Inch by Inch
Thanks. Let me know if you need any help, or have questions.
Oh my gosh! I swear this was so super helpful. I’ve been blogging for about 3 years and I swear, my reader is a scary, ugly place. This might actually help me tackle it a bit!
dumb mom recently posted..U.S. News’s Picks for Best Cars for Families.
Great, I’m glad you found it useful.
Ever since I made folders, and only see “new” items, I’m not as afraid :)
I love this advice. I have mine categorized, but totally learned something new today about only seeing ones that have been updated! Thanks. (totally pinning this)
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..The Literal Mom Must Have Resource List.
Yes, once I found I could display only updated ones, it helped a lot!
Excellent tips! I recently added folders and it made all the difference in the world! Now I need to go in and check my preferences and view the shortcuts. Thanks!
Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop. recently posted..This game called Life.
Thanks. The shortcuts are very helpful.
Wow, that’s a lot of blogs you read! But you gave some great tips here :)
Denise recently posted..Guest Posting on “Life is Hard, Laugh Anyway”
It is a lot BUT using the shortcuts makes it easier. And as much as I’d love to, I don’t comment on all of them – that helps get through them. :)
Thank you so much! I have been trying to figure out a couple things on Google Reader and getting so frustrated.
Mary recently posted..Writer’s Block? Try A Visit to the Dentist
Thanks! I hope it helps you.
Thanks so much for this. I have been overwhelmed a bit with my list of blogs to read too. This should help me be more organized. I appreciate your sharing all the info.
PhotogCynthia recently posted..Keep Calm and Dance
I was too. I hope this helps you.
Carolyn recently posted..Welcome to My World