I’ve posted about it before and I’m sure the news has made it around to most people by now, but starting March 1st there will be some major changes happening with Google Friend Connect. Anyone with a non-blogger blog will no longer have use of Google Friend Connect. That means if you follow them via GFC, you’ll no longer see them showing up in your reader.
Not awesome.
Because Blogger is the blogging platform I use, you shouldn’t see any immediate difference. I hope. But I don’t want to take any chances. Plus, I highly suspect it’s only a matter of time before Google Friend Connect is phased out completely.
So you’ll still see the GFC widget on my sidebar. I don’t have any plans to take it down until they announce that it’s being permanently shut down for everyone. But, I’ve also added a new widget for Linky Followers. I was thrilled when I saw someone had come up with a real alternative to Google Friend Connect. While I think Google is great, their suggestion that we replace GFC with Google+ was just lame. Really lame.
Signing up for Linky Followers only takes a couple of minutes. Just click on the : : Follow Me : : button on the widget and it will guide you through signing up. Once you’re signed up you’ll have access to your very own Linky Followers dashboard where you can manage blogs you follow, easily see who’s following you and checkout the latest posts from your favorite blogs.
There is, however, one huge difference with Linky Followers that should be noted. It does not automatically update with your most recent post. Not ideal, I know. I was put off by it at first. But, Linky Followers is brand new. It’s being operated by one guy who’s doing his best to give us all an alternative to Google Friend Connect. So I got over it. When you post something new to your blog and want to let your Linky Followers know, you just have to go to your dashboard and do it. It takes about 30 seconds. I think even I can handle that!
Have you tried Linky Followers yet? What do you think?
The whole GFC thing annoys me. I agree, they probably will phase it out completely as they are trying to get everyone and their mother to convert to Google+ (I refuse to). I haven’t heard of this Linky Followers thing, but I’ll have to check it out now.
I’m pretty irritated by Google for this development. My blog is through Blogger too, so it’s not going to affect me for awhile, but it’s still annoying. I’m just subscribing to blogs directly through Google Reader now, which still keeps things organized, even if they don’t necessarily know I’m following.
Hi Trish! Glad you’re taking the changes in stride. I think we all need to just go with the flow. I found you through the blog hop and can happily say I’m your newest follower. Can’t wait to see more posts from you
Sarah ~ http://www.creatingamazing.com
Hey Its Cheri from Its so very Cheri. I am following you. I also have another post on my site for a give-a-way each week for those who follow me on the new Linky Follower tool.
Cheri http://www.itssoverycheri.com
Cute blog Trish!! New follower via Linky Followers. Would love a return follow!
I may have to try linky followers. Such a cute blog you have:-)
http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/
I really am excited about finding all these great blogs through the Linky tool. I’m following you with the new tool…please follow back so we can stay connected. Lori
I found you via the linky blog hop. I’m following LF. Stop by http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com and check me out.
I am totally trying Linky Followers; I just haven’t set it up for my blog yet! I was very bummed about GFC; I had just switched to WordPress and had also just reached 200 followers when I heard the news.
It is getting complicated!! I now joined the linky band wagon and have become your newest linky follower..pls follow back if you can.
Blog Hopping – I’ve followed you via Linky Followers. Would love if you would follow me back.
Thank you,
Jeneen @ Suzie HomeCaker
suziehc.blogspot.com
I like it and I’m Linky Following you too – it’s a great way to connect!
Hi–I’m Elena. As a new blogger I wasn’t terribly ensconced in the GFC thing so I just hopped on the Linky Followers bandwagon from the start. (And of course that’s how I found you
I’m really enjoying your blog and look forward to stopping back–you had me at “Mulletaurus Rex”!
–Elena
http://acasarella.blogspot.com/
I am actually coming to your site from the FOLLOWER linky blog hop, and am following you. Will you follow me back?? Thank you so much when you do.
PLUS: There is also a party on our blog, where you can feature ‘your best creative work’. There are some great projects to see already, but we want to see your work!
Use this link both to FOLLOW and to PARTY: http://www.FineCraftGuild.com/party/
Hope to seeing you around!!
Have a happy, creative day!
Found you on http://www.itssoverycheri.com‘s Linky Followers Blog Hop. I’m your newest follower, I’d love for you to follow back!
Thanks so much and Have a Wonderful Evening!
Aledia @ http://plumperfect.blogspot.com
New Linky Follower! Hope you will follow back!
http://giveawayhog.blogspot.com/
Stopping by from the Linky Follower Party Hop! http://queenofsavings.com
Hi found you on linky hop and now follow you! Love your blog by the way. Please stop by Hibiscus House and follow…Thanks,
Dolly
Visiting from the Linky Party Hop!! I hope you’ll visit – http://www.LaughterandGrace.com – and follow back.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Found you via the Linky hop and have become your newest Linky follower. Hope you have a chance to visit and perhaps follow me back.
It sounds like a wonderful alternative :0)
Hi, Trish! Following you on LF!
Def checking this latest gadet out
Thanks for the heads up!
I guess I should really get linky.
I don’t get it, though – you have to manually do something so it show sup in other’s readeR?