What is RSS?

If you’re new to RSS and syndication on the web, I hope this page offers a straightforward explanation of its purpose. By learning what RSS is, you will literally save hours of your time in the years to come.

What is RSS?

“RSS” stands for Really Simple Syndication. RSS is a standard for publishing regular updates to web-based content. Using this standard, Web publishers (such as the site you’re on now) provide updates, such as the latest news headlines or weblog postings. Meanwhile, consumers use RSS reader applications (or one of a growing number of online services) to collect and monitor their favorite feeds in one place (RSS content from a publisher, viewed in one of these readers, is often called a “feed”).
Benefit to you: RSS makes reviewing a large number of sites in a very short time possible.
Benefit to us: RSS permits instant distribution of new content updates to you.

How do I read RSS Feeds?

RSS/News Aggregators:
If you want to collect and browse feeds you have many choices, but there are two primary categories of feed reading applications: installable desktop programs and online services. I recommended using an online service as this allows you to track and manage your feeds anywhere you use a web browser (and in some cases, on mobile devices).

Blogs:
Another way many people use RSS feeds is by incorporating content into blogs. Blogs (such as this website) are web pages comprised of usually short, frequently updated items and web links. Blogging as a publishing tool is used for many purposes: traditional journalism, personal journals, group discussions around a topic, and many combinations in-between. 

Video: What is RSS?

Below you can watch a video describing RSS in simple terms. If you would prefer a more in depth written description please visit What is RSS?