Can Facebook RSS replace Google Reader?

Abstract: It is rumored that Facebook may launch an RSS reader product at next week’s press conference to replace Google Reader, but analysts pointed out that Facebook RSS cannot actually replace the Google Reader used by users. Because what users need is the tool itself, not a social platform.

According to foreign technology media Business Insider, Facebook is sending mysterious invitations. It will hold a new product launch conference on June 20, and it is very likely to launch a new product. RSS reader to replace the soon-to-be-shutdown Google Reader.

Facebook launches RSS reader

A few months ago, Google announced that it would shut down the RSS subscription service Google Reader on July 1 this year. Google said that the main reason for the closure is that the number of users of Google Reader has declined, and as a company they hope to devote all their efforts to fewer products. In fact, the Google Reader service was shut down. In addition to the reasons mentioned by everyone, such as too few users, the service was gradually replaced by other products, and slow commercialization, there is actually another reason that is not known to everyone-privacy issues, which is related to Other reasons conspired to ultimately lead to the death of Google Reader.

Now, as the Google Reader service is about to be shut down, it would indeed be a very suitable choice for Facebook to launch an RSS reader at this new product launch. The timing will allow users enough time to migrate from Google Reader. In addition, the word "RSS feeds" appeared in Facebook's code, and Facebook enabled the "#" hashtag function. This series of events made Facebook's push for an RSS reader a logical thing.

It is speculated that the RSS reader launched by Facebook will not be a "clone" version of Google Reader, but will be able to enhance the traditional RSS reading mode through social data.

Industry insiders believe that Facebook RSS may not be able to replace Google Reader because of its social attributes

Eliza Kern, a writer for the American technology website Gigaom, wrote, "As Google Die-hard readers of Reader are not interested in the recently rumored Facebook RSS reader because what users need is just the tool itself, not a social platform.” Eliza Kern said that the appeal of Google Reader mainly lies in it. It is a safe, stable and reliable tool for importing and reading news. You can subscribe to all the content you want to see and will not be affected by trends. When subscribing to a web bookmark, Eliza Kern hopes to be able to read all the content, not just to see popular events, but to work.

In addition, Eliza Kern does not want the RSS reader to have social attributes, and does not want all her friends to know what she reads every day. When social news is needed, it can be obtained through Twitter and Facebook. As a Washington Post experiment with automated sharing of social readers shows, people don’t want everyone to know what they’re reading.

Facebook's philosophy has always been to serve as a bridge connecting users with friends, news and things they care about. If Facebook really launches an RSS reader, these social attributes will be embedded.

However, Facebook social news has ample room for development. Eliza Kern said users can "like" many news organizations, as well as journalists, celebrities and business leaders. In fact, with just a quick glance at your feed, you can find out about almost all the news, as well as content posted by your friends. This is a great way to keep up with current hot news, or follow the progress of older news. However, social news and Google Reader are completely different experiences. And this difference can only be understood by companies like Digg.

Eliza Kern said that Digg's new RSS news reader may incorporate some social features, but it can still be used as an independent product to distinguish it from the popular news on Digg.com. Although Google Reader also has social features that users like, these are only auxiliary and do not replace the subscription itself.

Does it make sense for Facebook to build a dedicated place for news on its site? The answer is yes. However, Eliza Kern says that won't stop her from looking for the next RSS reader product.

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