An RSS feed is an XML file that contains updated information — weather reports, news content, articles, and podcasts. It enables you to track the latest information from a bunch of online sources that you subscribe to.
It can be very time-consuming to visit your favorite websites every time you want to check for updates and new content. Thankfully, RSS feed simplifies this problem by putting all the information into a single source.
RSS feed is still widely used by many online media and platforms like USA Today, Reuters, and Roger Ebert, to name a few. It covers not only textual information but also other types of content, including images, audio, and videos.
Continue reading to find out more about what RSS feed is, as well as how to use it.
Benefits of Using RSS Feed
RSS feed comes with several benefits.
First and foremost, it simplifies your reading experience. Content from websites you subscribe to is stored in one place, so you only need to scroll through your feed reader to choose the articles you want to read — no need to visit the source site.
Moreover, the subscription is customizable. You can choose to receive updates on particular topics only. For example, solely subscribe to Sports, Lifestyle, or World News category on USA Today. Or, exclusively follow Interviews and Festivals categories on Roger Ebert.
Aside from receiving information, you also could use RSS feed to start your own podcast. Explore your interest in story-telling or share your personal stories, it’s all possible with the help of RSS feed.
Website owners can also promote their content by transferring updated information directly to the audiences in real-time. They don’t need extra effort, like advertising, to spread their content.
Unlike email newsletters, RSS feed only displays the content of websites you subscribe to. That means there are no advertisements, offers, and certainly no product selling. The result? No annoying spams, of course.
How to Subscribe to Your Favorite Sites?
The process is simple. The very first step is to register to a feed reader. You can try some of the most popular ones online, including Feedly, FlowReader, and Inoreader. Check this article for more information.
After signing up on your favorite reader, copy the site’s URL to your reader and add /feedor /feed/rss at the end of the link. This method usually works efficiently with WordPress-hosted websites. But just in case it doesn’t work, use the methods below instead.
If your favorite websites have the RSS feed icon button on its homepage, here’s how to subscribe:
- Find the RSS icon button at the website’s homepage, as shown in the red box.
- Right-click the button, then choose Copy link address and paste it to your RSS reader. (Optional: left-click the link to find a particular topic to subscribe)
For websites without the RSS icon button, follow these easy steps:
- Visit the website and right-click on any blank space. Choose View Page Source.
- On the source page, Click Ctrl+F and type rss in the Search box.
- Copy the feed link (as shown in the red box) and paste it to your chosen feed reader.
Wrapping Up
Utilizing RSS feed can lead to a simpler, time-efficient reading experience. By gathering all the information you need in one source, RSS feed lets you say goodbye to the multiple tabs on your browsers.
It’s also a powerful promotion tool for websites. Site owners no longer need to share or advertise their content — feed readers will do the job by notifying visitors in real-time.
The subscription process can be done in many ways. The simplest one is to add /feed or /feed/rssto the URL. If the desired page doesn’t show up on your RSS feed reader, try these methods instead.
If the site has an RSS icon button:
- Visit the site’s homepage and look for the RSS icon button.
- Right-click on the button and choose Copy link address.
- Paste the link on your reader.
If the site doesn’t have the button:
- Go to the website’s homepage
- Right-click on a blank space and choose View page source
- Press Ctrl+F and type rss in the search box
- Copy and Paste the URL that links to the site’s feed on your chosen Reader.
There you have it — everything that you need to know about RSS feed. Do you find it helpful? Tell us your thoughts by dropping a comment below.
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