Webstarget Blog

What is an RSS Feed?

RSS is an acronym for Real Simple Syndication. RSS feeds are free content feeds from Web sites that contain article headlines, summaries and links back to full-text articles on the Web or to other Blog Sites. The article that you are reading is actually a post in a blog that you can subscribe to . . . anonymously. That’s only one of the beauties of RSS Feeds.

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What tools do I need to use RSS Feeds?

The “techy” answer to this is that to begin using RSS Feeds, you’ll need a special news reader or aggregator that displays RSS content feeds from Web sites you select. Simply said, there are many different news readers available, most of which are free of charge. Some are available as desktop software that you download and install on your computer. Web-based news readers are available, where you log into a website to view your subscriptions. Google has a  list of news readers for available RSS software and Web-based services.

But why worry about a “special news reader or aggregator that displays RSS content feeds” or where to get one, when there are many out there right now that are right under your nose. Do you use Google? It has it’s own. How about Yahoo? Yep, has it’s own too. Do you use Outlook? Many feed readers can be used as add-ins to Outlook so that you never have to leave your email program. Probably the easiest program to use however is the one that is already set up for you if you are using Internet Explorer. It can be found along side your “Favorites” link.

Once your news reader is set up, subscribe to the RSS content feeds you’re interested in by clicking on the content’s RSS link (usually marked with an orange “RSS” or “XML” button) to obtain the RSS URL, which you’ll see in the “Address” field of of your browser. Just copy this URL and follow the instructions for your particular news reader to subscribe.

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Why should I use an RSS Feed?

RSS is an easy way for you to be alerted when content that interests you appears on your favorite Web sites. Instead of visiting several websites to browse for new articles and features, RSS automatically tells you when something new is posted online. As opposed to email technology, RSS Feeds are defined as “pull” technology that you “pull” in when you like. Email is “push” technology where anyone can “push” their messages to you. RSS can save you time by showing you in one, single place all of the new information available on the websites you’re interested in following.

Finally, RSS Feeds are not counted as links, BUT as you get interesting information on these real estate RSS feeds, you can comment on your take of the post and LEAVE YOUR DOMAIN NAME address in the comment. This will then provide you with a powerful link to your website, especially if the blog site you are commenting from is a highly ranked blog site.