How to use RSS feeds

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It’s a quick and easy way to get the latest updates from your favorite websites. While RSS feeds are still actively used, they have steadily declined.

Some browsers and websites have excluded the RSS icon from their reach. However, there are still ways to subscribe to RSS feeds and never miss a new blog post.

Additionally, if you are creating your own blog or podcast, knowing how to use RSS can be immensely helpful. In this article, we’ll cover all the ways you can get the most out of RSS feeds.

How to use RSS feeds

Nowadays, most content creators choose to post updates through social media platforms. And many people look forward to reading about the latest blog post or podcast episode on Twitter or Instagram.

But websites don’t always post everything new on their social media, just the things they want to promote. The RSS feed is still the best way to never miss an update. Here are the many ways you can use RSS feeds:

How to use RSS feeds in Chrome

To subscribe to RSS feeds from websites, you must have an RSS feed reader or aggregator. Chrome doesn’t have one built in, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of options.

What you will have to do is use a Chrome extension. Google created the RSS subscription extension and it is available in the Chrome Web Store. Is that how it works:

1. Discharge and install the RSS subscription extension.
   
2. Click the extension icon in the Chrome toolbar and select “Options.”
   
3. Select one of the feed reader options offered and then click “Add.” Then click “Always use my default reader when subscribing to feeds.” Please note that you will also need to create a free account for one of the RSS readers.
   
4. Next, go to the website with the RSS feed. Then, click on the RSS extension in the toolbar.
5. Select “Click to subscribe [name of the site]”
6. Finally, when your RSS reader opens, you can click “Add Site” and the RSS feed for that website will start running.

How to use RSS feeds in Firefox

Firefox users once had a built-in RSS reader, but it was discontinued. But like Chrome, the Mozilla Firefox browser has an add-on feature that can read your RSS feeds.

There are many options, but for a full-featured RSS reader, the feeder The plugin is one of the best. It provides a great overview of all the websites you like to follow and has an intuitive interface.

How to use RSS feed on your website

Adding an RSS feed to your website can generate a lot more traffic, especially if you post frequently. RSS feeds use XML code, and to generate your own RSS feed you need to know quite a bit about it, unless you’re using WordPress as a host.

Over 35% of all websites are hosted on WordPress, so they have made using the RSS feed much easier. If you own a WordPress website, you have direct access to your RSS feeds. You will need a WordPress plugin, such as Feedzy RSS Feeds. You can use an RSS feed reader in WordPress for Google alerts, price tracking, weather updates, etc.

How to set up RSS mail feeds

All the latest updates from the websites you follow can also be sent directly to your inbox. You don’t even have to open your RSS reader to check it out. We’ll show you how to set up RSS feeds for Outlook and Apple Mail.

Outlook 2019 and Outlook 365

Here’s how to set up an RSS feed in Outlook:

1. Open the Outlook desktop client and click “File.”
   
2. Then select “Options” followed by “Advanced.”
   
3. Under “RSS Feeds,” select “Synchronize RSS Feeds with the Common Feed List (CFL)” in Windows. This action will create an “RSS Folder” in Outlook.
   
4. Right click on the “RSS Folder” and select “Add a new RSS feed.”
   
5. In the pop-up window, paste the RSS feed URL.
   

Apple Mail

Here are the steps required to subscribe to an RSS feed in Apple Mail using the Safari browser:

1. Open a website in Safari and look for the “RSS” icon in the address bar. Note: The website must have an RSS feed for the icon to display.
2. Click the RSS icon and choose the feed you want to add.
3. Then click the “+” icon and, in the pop-up window, select “Mail,” followed by “Add.”
4. Then go back to Apple Mail and you’ll notice the feed has been added.

How to use RSS feeds on iPhone

Just as you need an RSS feed reader browser extension for your browser, you’ll also need an RSS reader for your mobile device.

iPhone users have a great selection of free and free RSS readers. The most popular option among many is Feedly, which you can download from App Store free. The free version works great, but there is a subscription if you are looking for more features.

How to use RSS feeds on Android

Android mobile devices are also compatible with Feedly and you can download it for free at the game store. Another powerful solution is the Aggregator. It is a no-nonsense, ad-free RSS reader, which is also available for free on Play store.

How to use RSS feeds in qBittorrent

qBittorrent is an open source BitTorrent client. It is a lightweight platform that allows users to download content from the Internet. But one of the reasons why so many users love it is because it comes with a built-in RSS feed downloader. That means users don’t have to manually search for new episodes or posts from their favorite contributors. This is how you enable the RSS Feed option in qBittorrent:

1. Open qBittorrent and select “View” and then “RSS Reader”.
   
2. Select “New Subscription” and then enter the RSS feed URL.
   
3. Now, open the RSS Downloader and select “Download Rules”.
   

These rules involve configuring what type of files you want to download. And if they need to have certain specifications regarding their size or image quality.

How to use RSS in Excel

If you don’t want to use an RSS reader, you can display the RSS feed items in an Excel spreadsheet. To do this correctly, you must be familiar with writing code.

However, another option is to use an integrations platform such as Zapier. It can connect your Excel spreadsheets and RSS feeds and ensures you never miss an update. Zapier will trigger a notification every time a new RSS item arrives in your Excel spreadsheet.

How to use RSS feeds for podcasts

Without a doubt, RSS feeds play an important role in the podcast industry. The reason is that you need to have an RSS feed if you want to submit your podcast to one of the major podcast distributors, such as Google Podcasts, Spotify, iTunes, and others. The easiest way to create a podcast RSS feed is to do the following:

1. Gonna RSS Podcasting and create a free account.
   
2. Once you confirm your account, log in and click on the “New Podcast” option.
   
3. Enter all the details about the podcast, including the RSS address of your choice.
4. Finish the process and click “Save.”

Your podcast will now have an RSS feed URL and you can submit it to other platforms.

Additional FAQs

If you still have some questions about how to use RSS feeds, we’ve answered a few that you may be thinking about.

What is an RSS feed and how does it work?

RSS represents XML files that are readable by a computer. However, for those files to be converted into images and text, you need an RSS reader.

The reader adds the latest updates and posts from the websites you have subscribed to. All content is always distributed in real time, which is why RSS feeds are often associated with news.

What websites have RSS feeds?

Not all websites provide an RSS feed, but most do. Especially news sites, podcasts, blogs, magazines, etc. These websites usually also have an RSS icon attached to the bottom of their home page.

How do I get my RSS feed?

The first thing you should do is select an RSS reader. Some browsers have built-in RSS readers and others require plugins or extensions. If you want to use an RSS reader on your phone or tablet, you’ll need to choose an RSS reader app.

How do I set up an RSS feed?

Once you’ve selected an RSS reader, you’ll need to subscribe to the website you want to follow. You can only do this if the website has integrated RSS feeds. You can also create an RSS folder in your email client and receive updates directly to your inbox.

Don’t give up RSS feeds

RSS feeds may not be the ideal way to keep up with everything you watch, hear, or read. But it’s still an incredibly efficient way to receive updates quickly.

Newsletters and social media updates work too, but if you love reading news and listening to podcasts, there’s nothing better than RSS feeds. Plus, you can use them in many different ways, including in Excel and via email.