Google Reader was launched in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favorite websites. However in recent years usage declined to the point where retirement was the only option, this shutdown was effective July 1.

Google says that all Google Reader subscription data (eg. lists of people that you follow, items you have starred, notes you have created, etc.) will be systematically deleted from Google servers. You can download a copy of your Google Reader data via Google Takeout until 12PM PST July 15, 2013.

They also make clear that once the drop-dead date passes all subscription data will be permanently, and irrevocably deleted. Google will not be able to recover any Google Reader subscription data for any user after July 15, 2013.

We list some alternatives that might fit the void created by this shutdown:

RSSOwl
Royal RSS Reader
RSS Bandit