Google RSS Feed Reader was launched in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favorite websites. While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, Google will retire Google Reader. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives can export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout over the course of the next four months.

What does this mean for FeedBurner RSS Feeds?  Well FeedBurner may be the next on the chopping block and if so where does that leave users and developers?  My thoughts have always been and these moves only help reinforce my thoughts that you should always try and keep as much in-house as you can.  Rely on your own resources that you control.

Now those that have relied on FeedBurner for tracking and disseminating their feeds will have to find a new service.  I think this sounds like the perfect time to start hosting your own RSS feed and rely on your own domain and company.  Then no one can ever take it away from you.

That said, this unfortunately reinforces one of my longest statements I continue to make and really rides it home.  I can NOT emphasize this enough.

“Be careful putting and investing too much time building external sites up and counting on them, once they close their doors all your hard work and progress is gone and a waste of time.  Rather, invest that time and energy into what you can control.  Domain names you own that only you can close down.  Then nothing is ever wasted.”

Now as a result of using Feedburner, instead of keeping the feeds in-house ONLY, we are now going to potentially lose subscribers.  This is because we built up and promoted our Feedburner Feeds rather than our own internal RSS feeds.  Now all that work, effort, and more important users may be gone.

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