The Old Reader Announces Shut Down for All Except a Select Few

The Old Reader was one of the many Google Reader alternatives that I tested earlier this year. I liked it enough to name it one of my five favorite Google Reader alternatives. I was prompted to try it after meeting a few readers at a conference this past spring so I know that at least a few of you out there like The Old Reader too. Unfortunately, today the creators of The Old Reader announced that they are closing the service next month. They have stopped taking new registrations and next month with close the service to all except for a select group of private users (they'll notify you if you're selected). In the announcement they stated that they'd rather provide "an awesome service for 10,000 than a crappy one for 420,000."

Current users of The Old Reader can export their subscriptions as an OPML file to import and use in another RSS reader service. According to the announcement on The Old Reader blog, you will have two weeks to export your OPML file. The OPML export link is located at the bottom of the Settings page — use the top-right menu to get there.

If the closure of The Old Reader leaves you looking for a new RSS reader, take a look at this list of alternatives. 

H/T to The Next Web.