The estimated reading time for this post is 5 minutes
When you find an article that looks interesting, but you just don’t have time to read it right now, what do you do? Do you bookmark it? Keep the tab open? Email it to yourself?
Do you ever get back to reading those articles?
If your method for reading later isn’t working well for you, then you should check out Pocket. This free service helps you save articles you want to read later and lets you access them from almost anywhere.
About Pocket
Pocket is a service to save articles, images and videos to access later. You can use Pocket as a website, app, and browser extension so you can save and read articles from just about anywhere.
Pocket syncs the articles you’ve saved across all of your devices. So, for example, if you save an article on your phone using the Pocket app, you can read it on your computer using the Pocket website.
Pocket is free to use, and Pocket Premium is available with advanced search and backup features.
Sign up for Pocket at getpocket.com with your email address or using your Facebook or Google accounts. The Pocket app page has links for apps and browser extensions so you can get Pocket across your devices.
Saving Articles
After you’ve signed up for a Pocket account and/or downloaded the Pocket app, you can start saving articles. You can add tags to saved articles for easier searching later.
When you have a page open in your browser that you want to read later (such as this one, perhaps?), click on the Pocket extension to save the article.
You can also copy the URL/web address of a page and save it to Pocket using the mobile app or the Pocket website.
Another way to save an article to your Pocket account is by emailing the link to [email protected].
Other mobile apps allow you to save articles directly to Pocket. Zite, Twitter, Flipboard and more offer Pocket as an option for saving articles.
On your iPhone and iPad, you can add Pocket as a widget for saving articles. Tap the sharing icon, swipe the apps to the left to reveal the More icon. Tap it and turn the Pocket app on.
=> See, How to Make Sharing from Your iPhone Work Better for You!
Reading Articles
Reading articles you’ve saved on Pocket is about as easy as possible. You can read your articles online or in the app. You don’t even need to be connected to the Internet, you can read them when you’re offline.
You can save articles as favorites, archive them, send them to trash or add tags to them.
Pocket removes the ads and the clutter from articles so all you see is the text, images and video.
You have the option of viewing the original website if you’d like to see the full version instead of the Pocket version.
Reading on the Pocket Website
Go to the Pocket website and log in to your account.
You’ll see your articles that you’ve saved, arranged in a grid. You can also see them in a list view, if you prefer.
Pocket gives you options of how you’d like to view your articles. You can change the background color from white to black or sepia. You can also adjust the font size and choose from a serif or non-serif font.
Reading on the Pocket App
You can read your articles using the Pocket app on your mobile device or Mac computer. In addition to seeing your articles, you can also discover articles that Pocket recommends in the Recommendation section.
Introducing Recommendations, a new way for you to catch the content you’re interested in most: http://t.co/qegUYlLmw4 pic.twitter.com/ETCnpCaQS1
— Pocket (@Pocket) August 26, 2015
Sharing from Pocket
You can share articles you’ve saved directly from Pocket. Click or tap on the sharing arrow to share an article to Facebook, Twitter, or Buffer. You can also share an article via email.
Ideas for Using Pocket
You can use Pocket to organize research for projects, gift ideas for the holidays, recipes to try, or general articles you want to save for reading later.
Bloggers can use Pocket to save articles for research or for commenting and sharing later. Save images to Pocket that you want to use in articles.
Adrienne Smith, a dear friend, blogging coach and fellow blogger at adriennesmith.net, uses Pocket to help her engage with other bloggers. Adrienne was named Engagement Superstar because of how she supports other bloggers and Pocket is the tool she uses to organize reading and sharing other blogs.
From Adrienne Smith:
I LOVE Pocket. I read a LOT of blog posts every single week. In the past what I would do is save them all in a Notepad and then go back one at a time and read them.
Then I was introduced to Pocket and my life became a whole lot easier. All you have to do is just click an extension in your browser and that post is saved. After you read it you can either delete it or archive it.
I keep mine all cleaned up by just deleting them but if you want to keep one in particular you can put a star by it. You can also read it on your mobile device and it doesn’t take you off their site. One of the cool things is that if there is a video in the post you can watch it right there from Pocket. I just love this program.”
Your Thoughts
How do you save articles to read later? Have you tried Pocket? What would you save to Pocket?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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Hi Carolyn,
Well as you know I LOVE Pocket. I don’t use all the cool stuff it offers but let’s face it, this is an amazing program.
I’ve only ever used their free version because for what I use this for it’s fine. But if I need to start exploring more then I have no problem using their premium version. Of course as you know you can sign into the program from anywhere and have everything you’ve saved in a convenient location.
I’m glad you introduced everyone to Pocket and if they know what’s good for them they’ll take it for a test drive.
Thanks for including me.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about Pocket with Wonder of Tech readers. I know you’re a big fan of Pocket and it’s easy to see why.
Yes, I think most readers will do just fine with the free version of Pocket. But it’s also good to know that the premium version is available for people who want more advanced features.
You’re right, Pocket is so simple to use that it’s easy to get started. People should give it a try and I bet they’ll become fans too!
Hi Carolyn,
Sorry for hopping in late this time, just no Internet connection for a lot of hours today, but good to be back now. 🙂
I love pocket too, and I think it was one of my blogging friend, Mayura who had written it on his site long back, and there’s been no looking back. I also prefer the free version as it serves the purpose so far, and it’s such a help for bloggers and writers like me who have something to fall back on, anytime they need.
Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation. So sorry to hear about your Internet outage. That certainly makes life challenging!
It’s great to hear from a fellow fan of Pocket. Yes, it certainly makes bloggers’ lives easier, keeping track of where we have visited, commented and shared. It also is helpful for article research.
You’re right about the free version of Pocket. I doubt many people will find the free version lacking in features, but if they do they can check out the premium version of Pocket.
This is a great tool! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Ariadne, Yes, Pocket is a very handy tool. I hope you enjoy using Pocket!
Hi Carolyn
This service looks like something I could really benefit from. I am often searching the web when I not are supposed to and sometimes I find something that is just too interesting to let go. Now I can save it for later and not be afraid that I can’t find it again. Great tool, I have already signed up for a free account 🙂
Hi Thomas, I’m so glad you signed up for a free account at Pocket. Pocket can keep your article research and images handy and organized wherever you are.
Don’t you love discovering new free tech tools? Me too!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Thomas!
I usually work with pocket and i have great experience about it. Thank you for sharing it. I appreciate your post.
Hi Zoya, I’m so glad you’re a fan of Pocket too. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, Zoya.
Hi Carolyn,
Pocket is something I was looking for. This service looks like something I could really benefit from. Now I can save articles, image, video for later and not be afraid that I can’t find it again. I am going to try free version of it.
Thanks & Regards,
Baibhav
Pocket is a wonderful app. As a blogger I like this apps very much, really very useful .