We have some exciting news to share for all of us concerned about the discontinuation of Google Friends Connect!
As you’ve probably heard, the popular Google Friend Connect (“GFC”) is going away March 1st for non-Google blog platforms like WordPress, and the scuttlebutt is that it will be eventually phased out completely to be replaced by Google+. (now don’t panic yet!!) GFC was never really so much an “I follow this blog” tool as it was an attempt at the whole Facebook “friend, like” concept. Now we are being asked to join Google+ but have found like many of you it can be difficult to navigate.
Bloggers know a good “follower” tool is really needed and we’d like to have one that is not tied to a million other services (seems like Facebook, Twitter and Google are linked to everything else on the Internet). One that we can use JUST to keep track of our favorite blogs!
We wanted a simple, fast, easy-to-use and reliable service. Those of us who use Linky Tools and know the owner/creator (Brent Riggs), realized he would be perfect for developing some kind of really easy to use “follower” system. So we contacted him, and he loved the idea.
We along with a few other bloggers were involved with the “Beta Testing” of this fabulous new tool!! And boy did we give it a run for it’s money…and Brent graciously listened to every suggestion, question and concern we had! So without further ado we want to introduce you to:
LINKY FOLLOWERS (www.linkyfollowers.com)
Brent has created a FREE (and we all love FREE) service that a group of us mom bloggers have tested and helped develop. He is launching it today and you’re the first to be invited to try it out!
Keep in mind this is DAY ONE of the service… there will no doubt be some bugs that the test group didn’t catch. Just contact Brent (brent@brentriggs.com)… he is great about fixing things fast. Don’t let a bug or an “oops” hurt your first impression. You’re being invited to be some of the first users of this great new tool, and your feedback will help him iron out any problems very quickly.
But, there are already so many amazing options! You can group blogs by Favorites, Everyday and General and even Custom Groups. You can create a Blogroll that includes Blogs that DO NOT have Linky Followers but that you like to keep tabs on, and you can highlight a Featured Follower!!
One last thing, the inevitable question: can my GFC followers be automatically moved over? NO. Google won’t allow access to those accounts but more importantly, YOU really shouldn’t sign up someone to a new service. They should voluntarily sign up themselves. You’ll need to ask your GFC folks (and all your blog readers) to follow you using Linky Followers but its easy, quick and did I mention, free? They’ll love the tool. It’s a cool way to organize and follow the blogs you love.
You can get started by FOLLOWING ME from my Linky Followers widget on this page…
![[dual%2520signature%255B3%255D%255B4%255D.png]](https://lh3.ggpht.com/-0hxEesI_Fao/Tyi6zxeTnFI/AAAAAAAAHPA/IJASQ7znwHs/s1600/dual%252520signature%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D.png)
I am really excited about this option! I am following you and I added it to my blog – I hope you’l follow me too!
Following Kristen!
This is a great option! that was why I whipped out my new facebook page (which also has its advantages). I am going to add this to my blog as well.
Just a little FYI, if you only see a “blank” space but see your blog name when you scroll over it’s because you have not uploaded an image yet. But you are still following. Working to see if we can get a “generic” image to replace the empty thumbnail area.
HEather
So excited about this new tool! Great post! 🙂
Us too Roeshel! So easy to use! Of course with such fabulous bloggers helping with the design…it was bound to be great! 😉
HEather
I think I am a little (ok, a LOT…slow). I cannot figure out how to put the widget ON my blog. Help!
When you are in your dashboard on LinkyFollowers. Go to Manage Your Blogs tab. You should have added YOUR blog in there. Right below where you see YOUR blog will be a window that is open with coding in it. it will start with a
Heather
Thank you! I did it! Your directions were perfect.
I got and error, but I’ll try again later.
Very cool! Thanks for all your work!
xoxo
It works this time. I’ve signed up and put it on my blog too. Thanks for spreading the info.
Just added the widget. Thanks for doing this!
http://www.myplacetoyours.blogspot.com AND http://www.myplaceshopping.blogspot.com
Just added the widget,hope it works. I’m following you now through linky follower,hope you will follow back. Thank you so much for helping to create this wonderful widget! Poppy
https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/
I use Blogger so do you think I should add this tool also or do you think that would be redundant?
Hi Dawn, That will be up to you. There seems to be a very real possibility that GFC is going to go away for everyone. Google REALLY wants everyone using Google+. Originally GFC was created to be a competitor of Facebook but it didn’t work that way. Now that they have Google+ it is likely they will push everyone over to that. Now, Google+ may be a great option for people, but it hasn’t been super user friendly and many people just want a simple way to keep track of the blogs they read and the followers they have.
For non Blogger blogs there will be no other way of listing followers and following blog except through a blogroll widget. This means that GFC might become obsolete with so many WordPress blogs abandoning it and many Blogger blogs are migrating over to WordPress.
We HOPE that this will be a good solution. Just remember though we are still working out the kinks. It’s still in Beta testing form. PLEASE feel free to ask if you have any questions!
Heather
Just added it. 🙂
xoxo
Oh my Goodness I am so EXCITED about this…. So much so I only read 1/2 of the post…. I hope this works for WORDPRESS…. I am going to sit and read over this… But got ANTSY and had to comment… LOL!!! 🙂 This is GENIUS…. GENIUS I Say!!!!
Yes everyone! This works for WordPress for sure (which is why it was created) as well as blogger and WordPress.com blogs (they just need to grab another type of code which is listed for them)Wordpress users are the ones in mind for this. Let me know if you have any questions.
Heather
Hi! I’ve added my Linky tool. 🙂 I’m following your too!
My blog is @ http://www.amee2.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing with us!!! 🙂
Hi everyone! Please keep leaving comments and questions and your blog names, we will be sure to follow ALL of our followers who sign up over the next few days.
I need to take a “back to my real life” break for a little while but I will be checking in to help you all.
PLEASE remember we are still working out the kinks. It may do weird things on occasion, bear with us…remember you’re part of a special “test” group. 😉
Heather
I noticed on your sidebar your Boxes are in a Straight line Down… Is there a way to configure it in a Box GFC style…??? Oh My goodness I am so EXCITED… Did I mention that Already…. I am one of those who tried the Google+ out and let me tell you it’s NOT user friendly… I still get lost in it… 🙂
This is just a wonky coding thing right now Angelina. If you want to wait and add your widget when you see mine is fixed you can. Brent is still working out all of the kinks so things may appear a little off every once and awhile.
OH MY GOSH! You two are seriously awesome! I just had a Blog Rant (https://www.herballisticgarden.com/2/post/2012/02/blog-rant.html)this morning about this very issue…and no comments or help back yet. I have started following you on this tool and have added the widget to my sidebar. Thankyou so so much for solving my dilemma. I’ve already e-mailed Brent to tell him thankyou as well. I feel so much better and so should you! I’m going to go write a blog to link back to this blog and encourage my readers to follow me on Linky tools! xo wendy
Have a terrifically, wondrous day soaking up the praise!
EEEEEKKKKK!!!!! I just signed up…. to follow…. I see your Box is fixed… Where do I go to get the Widget…????
Angelina, look at my reply up above to Lakeshore Cottage Living, it should help you get your widget code for your sidebar. Just make sure you’ve added your own blog to the website and then it will open a box to get your code, just like when we get codes for our parties. Make sure you grab the code for selfhosted WordPress blogs and not the second code below that is for WordPress.com blogs only. Let me know if you need anymore help.
Heather
Good Job!! I love my followers and I would like my non-bloggers to watch what I’m doing at My Cozy Corner.
Thanks Ladies.
xo
Betty @ My Cozy Corner
Yep Betty! We specifically asked for an option for non-blogger followers to have an account and be able to have their own blogroll. 🙂 Glad you like that feature!
Heather
This is so much better! I just added the widget to my blog http://www.mistysmornings.com . THANKS!
Thanks for doing this! I’m following… but I’m looking for the widget so you can follow me 🙂
Susan
Homeroad.net
Susan it will pop up for you once you add YOUR blog to the website. It will create a code for you to add it to a html/javascript gadget like when you add a party or blog button or anything to your sidebar. See my reply to Lakeshore Cottage Living up above for instruction on where your widget code is located.
HEather
I’ve just signed up and installed my widget as well.
What a great service! I’m following you and signed up too!
Got it… Thank you… 🙂
Thanks for this info!! So helpful!! I setup an account and put a widget on my blog and am following you! Thanks again!
Got an error msg while trying to add my photo thumbnail?? The page goes nowhere ;-< Janet xox
https://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much! I don’t want to lose contact with anyone, so this is great! I have my widget up now! 🙂 I am following you! Thanks again…hugs…Debbie
What a fabulous idea – thank you thank you thank you, Vanessa and Heather and Brilliant Brent at Linky Tools!! I’m a *new* follower today!
Thanks for the great info! Just signed up to your blog, and added the linky tool to my blog harrisonhomeblog.blogspot.com! Thanks again!
I’m really excited to hear about this. I was getting worried…more about how I would follow my favorites than anything. I’m all signed up and it’s posted on my blog.
This is great! I’m all signed up and I think I’ve done it right, thanks for posting about it!
I followed you and put it on my blog! I hope you’ll be my first follower!
Brent helped me w/a little glitch, but I’m all signed up now and following you two girls. 🙂 Sue
Glad Brent was able to help you Sue! He is so amazing and has worked so hard on this!
Heather
I just followed on the new linky, so please follow back so we can all stay connected. Thanks, Lori
Great! Just followed you and added Linky follower to my blog! http://www.dixiedelights.blogspot.com.
I am following you with Liky:)
https://www.creativecaincabin.com/
This is soo cool! Thanks ladies! I’m following you and added the widget to my blog. It’ll be up and running, hopefully soon. I miss join in at all the parties. =)
~ Catie
I’m following you with Linky and have it installed on mine. It seemed easy but now I have lost my ads and can’t seem to get them back. Any ideas? ~ Maureen
I am so sorry about your ads? Did you add the linky tool with a new widgiet or did you possibly delete your ad widget on accident? I know you can add the ad widget back in, but the one shouldn’t effect the other. Let me know if you get it fixed. I’m headed over to take a peek at your blog and see if I notice anything.
Heather
Thanks for posting this! I’m following you and have added the widget to my blog.
The Linky is awesome. Thank you to At The Picket Fence and Mr. Riggs for bringing it all together! I signed up, smooth sailing.
~Bliss~
Thanks ladies for telling us about this new tool…Brent is such a sweetie! I’m following you and I now have mine set up on my sidebar.
Blessings,
Linda
Hey girls! Wow, so glad to add this to my blog. I was felt paralyzed thinking about GFC going away, and I hope this turns out to be a great replacement for all of us!
Just added the widget to my blog, too!
As bloggers, I assume we should be routinely giving plugs to this new feature? How often do you think you will promo it? We don’t want to wear readers out, but don’t want to lose them, either! 🙂
Appreciate y’all!
Amanda
Thanks for sharing this awesome linky. I am following you and have mine setup on my sidebar.
~Mandy
I’ll give it a try- thanks for the info- following ya!
I’m following you through Linky Followers. Where will I be reading this from? My email or a reading list through by blog?
For now Michelle, you can read the blogs you follow from the Dashboard of LinkyFollowers. There is a blog roll button on your dashboard.
It is extremely complex to push through blogs every few seconds into an RSS feed or to an email. Only powerhouses like Yahoo and Google are able to do that as of now. But this option would be the equivalent of checking your Twitter feed or Facebook updates by going straight to the site. We are just bookmarking it or clicking on the Linkyfollower link to go straight to our dashboard. Of course you can still always add blogs to your RSS feed to see them in a reader. This just allows a visual way to keep track of your followers as well as an option for people to see all of the blogs they follow neatly in one place.
Additionally, we LOVE the option of categorizing the blogs we follow which neither GFC or readers have. Favorites, Everyday, General and Custom categories.
I’m now following you this way and will be adding this to my blog asap. The format is spectacular. I’ve been stressing over this for weeks now as I have been wanting to switch to WordPress. I’m going to “promote and encourage.” Great job to all of you who were involved!
Shari
I am following and my widget is up! Thank you!! ~Angie
this is really interesting. thanks for spreading the news. on our blog we used a code that will only show two rows of GFC followers, and i really like that a lot. i’m curious to find out if such customization will be possible with this linky way of following.
Hi Simona. Yes you can change the code to limit or expand the number of thumbnails that show, which is really nice. Is there any specific customization you were curious about?
Heather
My widget is up! Thanks for the information on this new tool!!
I’m following you and my widget is up! Thank you for spreading the news!
What an awesome tutorial. I’ve just signed up!
I am following you and my linky is up! Thank you!!
I am following you two lovely ladies! This looks very interesting!! I have my widget up and running now! I’m sharing your post on my Facebook page as well! Thanks girls! xo, Reannah
following you and my linky is up!
Thank you – all THREE of you – for creating this great widgit! I was wondering when/if anyone was going to remedy ANOTHER thing that Google is taking away from us that we love. You girls rock! I just read about it over at Courtney’s and added it right away to my blog. Following you, too!
xoxo laurie
heavens-walk.blogspot.com
I am following you! The widgit is on the blog!
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Jen
beautyinbloom.typepad.com
Ok this is seriously cool! Thanks so much for sharing about this!
I’m following you & I just installed my widget!
Sarah
I added this, thank you so much for this! I am now following you and would love to have you follow me!
This is very interesting! And I hope it takes off over Google+! I signed up, and am now following you!
Jo-Anna
Hi Gals,
Am following you and my widget is up and running! Come on over!
Kelly
Thanks for hosting. I just added the widget for Brett’s new way to follow. When you get a chance please stop by and follow me back. 🙂
I have installed the tool and I’m following you. Please stop by.
Tina
WooHoo!!!! I love it! What an amazing tool. I love that it resembles GFC in that I can see everyone’s pretty faces:)And being able to categorize blogs is freakin awesome! Good work ladies…I just signed up
I love this. I never used GFC but I love how easy this new tool is to navigate and to manage. It just might replace my Google Reader (gasp!). I am now following your blog! Thanks so much for the information and for making it user friendly!
HOLY COW!!! Holy COW!!! Thanks for the feature!!!!!
I just installed the new tool and am now following you! Thanks so much. I think it’s gonna be awesome!!!
Hugs,
Kim
thanks for this information! just added the tool to my side bar. i’m following you and hope you will follow me too 🙂
x
I just followed you and set up my own linky! I would love it if you followed me! Thanks for the inspiration!
blessings,
karianne
Thanks for the info! I just added it!I would love you to follow me!:)
Thanks for posting this!!! I am your newest linky follower!!! 🙂
Mine is up and running if you want to follow me too!!! bubblynaturecreations.com
Thanks for the info- I just set mine up. I am following you. Hoping to get a few new followers too!
🙂 Samantha @ CraftyTexasGirls.com
Thanks for the info! I’m all set up and now I’m following you! Thanks again!
Hi guys, thanks so much for the info. I am following you and have linky tools installed 🙂
love
Jutta
Done! Linky Followers installed on my blog, and following you by the new option. It was easy-peasy!! Thanks for working with Brent to pull this together.
Tracey
Thanks for the tutorial girls. It was very easy to do with your instructions.Installed on my blog. I am now following you on Linky Followers. Have a great weekend.
Thanks so so much. I have followed you on Linky Followers and I have added it to my blog. Looks like tonight is definitely going to be a computer night. Thanks again! Have a great rest of the weekend!
Thanks for the info-I have added the linky followers to my blog & am following you thru it also.
This is such a valuable info 🙂 And of course, following you now, too.
Thank you for getting the ball rolling on an independent follower system! I just started my blog but resisted putting up GFC even though I am on blogger as I didn’t like that it was being phased out on other platforms. So Linky Followers is perfect! A little independence is always good 🙂 I am now following you via LF, of course!
Just added the Linky widget to my blog and am following ATPF. thanks for this important informational post.
I added Linky to my blog today. Following yours.
My Widget is up! This is so fabulous thanks for posting this.
I am new to your fabulous blog and so thrilled to learn about this new option! I am your latest Linky follower and would appreciate a follow back! I look forward to getting to know you!
Ramona
https://create-with-joy.com
Thanks for explaining how this works. I’m following you and have the widget up on my blog. I would love to have you follow me!
https://mamascraftyplace.blogspot.com
I just tried to add Linky, and it’s giving me the “your e-mail doesn’t match your password” nonsense. Linky hates me! 🙁
no.no.no…you’re too sweet.
This has been a blessing in disguise. Love the new Linky Tool, it even looks nicer on my blog. Nice clean lines! and I’m loving the “feature”.
followed you on linky…I’d love it if you’d follow me back!
Hugs, GraceinAZ
I am following on Linky, please do the same for me and i also have a blog giveaway you may be interested in. Terry
following you on Linkyi – I appreciate a follow back. Thanks for all the informations it is appreciated.
So sad that GFC is going away. I know eventually those of us with Bloggers blogs will be affected too:( I signed up with Linky Followers and am now following you:) I hope you will come follow me back xo
https://canadianangelxo.blogspot.com/
We’re following you with Linky Followers and our widget is up now if you would like to follow back!
I signed up with Linky Followers and am now following you:) I hope you will come follow me back.
Oh… I was so happy to see this come out! I didn’t know what was going to happen to all the people I have worked so hard to join google friend connect. I really like linky followers. Love that you can leave comments so easily without leaving the reader. I have one question though, does something like that really change our stats because people aren’t actually visiting our blog? I am set up on my blog and a new follower here! 🙂
Thank you for this explanation – I think that thiswill be the answer I have been looking for. I tried google reader, but it bogged down my computer. Blogger dashboard is ok, but I miss some of the blog I like to visit every day.
Following you now. Please come & visit me at Permanent Kisses