LyteByte

Google reader is one of the best readers for RSS but Google has missed some of the features like Renaming a folder or tag or label. All the words refer the same here. As the number of RSS feeds that one read grows, its better to stay organized so that its easy to manage. It also helps one to read information only from certain web sites under particular folders when you have less time in hand. But ironically there is a rename feature in the Google reader which allows to rename the Feed name.

So since there are no direct feature available to rename folders and tags, here is the easiest round about method to do the same.

For easy understanding lets say you have 5 feeds in Folder A and you want to rename it to Folder B and make sure the 5 feeds are assigned to folder B.

Step 1: Create the new folder or tag of your choice.

To create a new folder in Google reader, open a feed and click on Feed settings on the top right corner. The last one in the list will be New Folder. Click new folder and in the pop-up give the name (In this case it will be folder B) and click OK. Automatically that feed will be added to that new folder, if you want to remove that feed from that folder then see Step 3 for instructions on how to do it.

Step 2: Assign the feeds the new folder or tag.

Google reader allows a feed to be part of more than one folders as they are also used for tagging. So its easier to assign the feeds to the new folder (Folder B) before deleting it from the old folder (Folder A).

Click on Manage Subscriptions on the left-side bottom. Now to find all the feeds under old folder, enter the folder name in the Filter by name, tag or URL box, which is on the top right corner. Note: Don’t press enter after typing the folder name, it will give a error page. Just type the name and it will automatically list the feeds using AJAX.

Now click Select All subscriptions so that all the feeds are checked. Under the More actions drop box, Click the folder that you want to add the feeds to. And the changes will be saved automatically.

Step 3: Remove the feeds from old folder.

If you are immediately removing the feeds from the old folder after doing step 2, you can do it directly now (otherwise read step 2 on how to filter feed by folder name). Since the feeds are already filtered by the old folder name and the feeds are checked, Click More actions and under the remove tags, choose the old folder name.

Now the folders are renamed as all the feeds from Folder A will be listed under Folder B.

After renaming the folders, you may delete the folders or tags in Google Reader.