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Feedly attributes weeklong slowdown to bug, not its AI pivot
Feedly, a leading RSS reader, has faced a week-long slowdown attributed to a bug, leading to user frustration. While it pivots towards AI and cyber threat intelligence, it acknowledges the need to focus on improving basic RSS functionality. CEO Edwin Khodabakchian assures users that fixing the issues is a priority and a bug fix is in testing, although concerns about the ignored support requests remain.
Key points
- Feedly has been experiencing significant issues with slow performance on its web app, making it unusable for many users.
- The slowdown is related to a bug, specifically using 'Mark as Read' with accounts containing many folders.
- CEO Edwin Khodabakchian confirmed that fixing RSS functionalities remains a priority despite the company's pivot to AI.
- Users reported poor support experiences, with many technical requests seemingly ignored.
- The Feedly Classic app was shut down without notification to users, as it no longer met current app requirements.
- An alleged bug also affects the iOS app, preventing it from loading, and the company will investigate this.
Why it matters
- Feedly emerged as a dominant player in the RSS market after Google Reader's closure in 2013, showing the resilience of niche services.
- The rise of AI in various digital platforms mirrors Feedly's pivot to AI for cyber threat intelligence, a significant 2025 IT trend.
- As consumers increasingly rely on dedicated apps and platforms for news, the struggle of traditional RSS feeds demonstrates the evolving media landscape.
Feedly's recent issues showcase the challenges of balancing user experience and technological advancements, highlighting the critical need to address user frustrations while pursuing new business avenues.