How to use RSS Feeds

The ultimate guide to understanding, using, and automating RSS Feeds

What we will discuss in this blog:

What is an RSS Feed? A brief history of RSS Feeds? RSS feeds in 2023. Why would I subscribe to an RSS Feed? Types of content you might subscribe to with RSS feeds Ways to automate RSS Feeds using IFTTT

IFTTT stands for "If This Then That" and allow you to automate RSS feeds and connect them to 750 other digital services. IFTTT is free so join today and start automating your RSS feeds.

What is an RSS Feed?

An RSS Feed (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication) is a type of web feed that enables users to quickly access a web page's content without having to browse multiple websites. It allows websites and major blogs to broadcast their content in an organized manner, which can then be "fed" into a reader or news aggregator program. This makes it easy for users to keep up with the latest news, updates, and other information from their favorite sites all in one place.

RSS Feeds are generally formatted using XML code (see photo below), which gives them a consistent look and feel across different digital platforms. This makes them easily recognizable no matter where they appear online. RSS Feeds usually contain summaries of content along with links back to the source website so readers can easily access more detailed information if needed. Additionally, RSS Feeds often contain metadata about the content such as the author's name, publication date, keywords, and so on.

Since an RSS link provides users with summaries of content from multiple sources, they are incredibly useful for keeping up with news from various sources all in one place. They also make it easier for people to organize and manage their subscriptions by sorting through the feeds according to their interests or preferences. Additionally, RSS Feeds can be set up within automated systems to deliver updates directly from sources as soon as they become available — eliminating the need for users to search for new content on their own.

Lastly, many companies use RSS Feeds as part of their marketing strategies by including subscription links on their websites or offering special promotions via RSS Feeds.

A brief history of RSS Feeds?

It has been around since 1999 when Netscape developed the first version of RSS as part of their My Netscape portal. Since then, RSS technology has been used to provide news updates, blog posts, weather reports, and other information from various sources. In 2003, the popular RSS reader programs Bloglines and NewsGator were released which helped popularize the use of RSS Feeds even further.

Are RSS feeds still used in 2023?

Yes, RSS feeds are still widely used in 2023. They provide a convenient and efficient way of keeping up to date with the latest news and developments from multiple sources without having to search through each individual website separately. They offer RSS Feed readers a streamlined approach to content delivery that is both reliable and customizable.

With RSS, users can easily customize their subscriptions by adding, removing, or reorganizing their favorite news sources. Additionally, they can set up automated systems to deliver updates as soon as they become available. This makes it easier than ever for users to stay informed about the topics that matter most to them with minimal effort on their part.

Furthermore, businesses continue to leverage RSS feeds as part of their marketing strategies by including subscription links on their websites or offering special promotions via RSS Feeds. This allows them to reach larger audiences while still targeting highly engaged customers who are likely interested in what they are offering.

RSS technology has actually advanced quite a bit since its beginnings in 1999 and now supports several new features such as full-text articles, podcasting capabilities, file downloads, and more. With such advancements, it's no surprise that RSS Feeds continue to be popular in 2023 and will likely remain so for years to come.

Why would I subscribe to an RSS Feed?

Subscribing to an RSS Feed can provide a number of benefits for those looking to stay up-to-date with the latest news, updates, and other information from their favorite websites. For starters, subscribing to a site's RSS Feed allows users to quickly access content without having to manually search through multiple websites. This makes it much easier to keep up with the latest content from all of your favorite sites in one convenient place. Additionally, RSS Feeds enable users to organize and manage their subscriptions by sorting through the feeds according to their interests or preferences.

In addition, RSS Feeds can be set up within automated systems so that they deliver updates directly from sources as soon as they become available. This eliminates the need for users to search for new content on their own and ensures that they always have access to the most recent information as soon as it is published. Also, many companies use RSS Feeds as part of their marketing strategies by including subscription links on their websites or offering special promotions via RSS Feeds. By subscribing to a company’s RSS Feed, customers can take advantage of exclusive offers and be among the first people to know about new products or services being released by that company.

Overall, RSS Feeds make it much easier for web users to stay informed about current topics and trends without having to visit multiple sources in order to do so. Through automated technology, these feeds deliver timely summaries with links back to the source website whenever something new has been posted — ensuring that subscribers never miss out on any important updates.

Types of content you might subscribe to with RSS feeds:

• News sites articles
• New blog posts
• Youtube channel Youtube videos feeds
• Entertainment content such as new podcast episodes and podcast directories
• New content form a social media account and social media updates
• Product releases and reviews
• Website content including - special offers and promotions
• Job postings
• Online feeds such as weather forecasts

Ways to automate RSS Feeds using IFTTT.

IFTTT, short for If This Then That, is a free web & mobile app based service that users to automate tasks and customize their digital lives. It works by connecting different internet-based services and applications, allowing users to create "Applets" that trigger certain actions on certain conditions. For example, one can set up an IFTTT Applet to automatically post any new Instagram photos they take directly to Twitter or send themselves a text message whenever it's going to rain in their area.

The possibilities of what can be automated using IFTTT are endless and its simplicity makes it an enjoyable user experience even for those with little technical knowledge. Once an Applet is created, it will run automatically in the background so users never have to worry about manually triggering the task each time. Users can also easily manage their Applets through the IFTTT app or website which allows them to add, edit, and delete Applets as needed. Additionally, IFTTT provides users with access to a wide range of public Applets that have been created by other users so they don't have to start from scratch when creating their own Applets.

Beyond automating tasks, IFTTT also offers powerful search capabilities which enable users to find new ways of connecting services and apps as well as discover interesting content from all around the web. One popular use case for this feature is being able to keep track of RSS Feeds more efficiently which makes it easier than ever for users to stay informed about topics that interest them without having to manually search each individual web address separately.

In summary, IFTTT is an incredibly useful tool that allows its users to easily automate tasks and customize their digital lives with minimal effort on their part. With its wide range of features and capabilities such as powerful search tools, anyone can get started quickly on making the most out of their online experience through automation with IFTTT!

Here are some of our favorite ways to use an RSS Feed with IFTTT

Automate your social media posts:

Keep your website visitors informed:

For the ultimate feed reader:

New RSS feed for your note-taking apps:

Other favorites:

Join IFTTT for free today to automate your RSS feeds!