Google has quietly introduced a new way to work with RSS feeds, though it looks nothing like the old Google Reader that many users still remember. Instead of a standalone reader or consumer-facing app, the company is adding RSS and Atom feed support to Google Chat through a new feature called the Feeds app.
Google Reader, discontinued in 2013, was once a central tool for following blogs and news through RSS. Since its shutdown, Google’s engagement with RSS has been inconsistent. Products like Google Play Newsstand and later Google News moved away from direct feed subscriptions, and RSS support in Chrome for Android was eventually removed. Against that background, any renewed attention to RSS from Google stands out, even if the scope is limited.
The new Feeds app is designed for teams and group conversations rather than individual reading. It allows users to subscribe to RSS or Atom feeds directly within Google Chat spaces. When a subscribed feed publishes a new item, it appears as a message in the chat, keeping updates visible alongside ongoing conversations. Google frames this as a way to reduce context switching, letting teams monitor external sources without leaving their primary communication tool.
Managing feeds is handled through simple chat commands. Users can type a slash command to add or manage subscriptions within a space. In organizational accounts, administrators may need to enable the Feeds app before it can be used. Once set up, the system functions much like similar integrations in other collaboration platforms.
In practice, the feature closely mirrors Slack’s existing RSS feed integration. It works best for shared contexts, such as work teams tracking industry news, open-source projects monitoring release updates, or hobby groups following niche blogs. The emphasis is on shared awareness rather than personal consumption or long-term archiving.
While the addition may disappoint users hoping for a modern replacement for Google Reader, it reflects Google’s current priorities. The company is focusing on embedding functionality into existing services rather than reviving standalone tools. Google Chat itself is positioned primarily as an enterprise and organizational messaging platform, competing with Slack and Microsoft Teams, and the Feeds app aligns with that role.
The Feeds app is available now for personal Google accounts, individual Google Workspace subscribers, and Workspace organizations with Chat apps enabled. Its reach is therefore broader than purely enterprise features, but it remains tied to a chat-first experience.
For users looking for a traditional RSS reader with folders, filters, and offline access, Google’s new approach is unlikely to be sufficient. Dedicated services such as Feedly, Inoreader, and The Old Reader continue to fill that gap. Google’s latest move does not signal a full return to RSS readers, but it does suggest the company still sees value in the underlying technology, even if only as a background utility within its collaboration tools.
