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Summary: RSS is a relatively new way of delivering content that bypasses email and all the issues associated with it.
So just what is RSS, and why should I care?
RSS. There's a lot of buzz about RSS. You can't really turn very far in the on-line publishing world without hearing about RSS. Even Ask Leo! has RSS feed.
Great. But just what is RSS?
Put simply, it's content delivery. A way for you to get news, articles, and other content delivered directly to your computer. Sorta like email, but without all the spam.
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RSS stands for "Rich Site Summary", or "Really Simple Syndication". A related technology (or competing, depending on who you talk to) is called "Atom". And a new generic term you may start hearing is "WebFeed", or just "feed".
At it's root, it's nothing more than a new way for publishers to deliver content.
Why? Well, in a word: spam. From a publisher's perspective, over-aggressive attempts to prevent spam are more and more frequently blocking legitimate mail delivery as well. Rather than publishing an email newsletter which is particularly vulnerable to getting improperly blocked an RSS feed bypasses email completely, and ensures that you get the content you asked for.
And only the content you ask for.
Here's how RSS works: RSS feeds are coded in XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and are thus not readable by ordinary web browsers or email programs; you "subscribe" to an RSS feed using special reader called an aggregator. Aggregators allow you to subscribe to the feeds that interest you without having to give any personal information, such as your email address, to the publisher. How you subscribe will depend on the aggregator you're using, but it can be as simple as clicking (or right-clicking) on an icon you'll see on various site's home pages. Once you've subscribed your aggregator periodically checks for and displays any updates.
There are many news aggregators available, and more on the way as RSS becomes more popular. I happen to use Newsgator, which integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook.
For more information on RSS, including a list of currently available aggregators visit Lockergnome's RSS Site. It also includes tutorials and links as well as in-depth information about RSS.
I strongly recommend you look into RSS as an alternative to your email subscriptions and much more. As I pointed out, Ask Leo! has an RSS feed that will automatically download each new Ask Leo! article when it's published. More and more internet publications are adding RSS to their aresenal against spam. Join the fight!
Related:
Contentious - What Are Webfeeds (RSS), and Why Should You Care? - an in-depth tutorial about RSS (aka Webfeeds). Highly recommended if you're looking for the next level of detail on RSS.
Contentious - Winning RSS Nickname: Webfeed
Lockergnome - RSS & Atom Tips
Feed Demon - RSS Aggregator
Newsgator - RSS Aggregator and Online Service
Spam Primer - in depth discussion of the origins and effects of spam, and what you can do.
Article C1932 - April 30, 2004
Leo,
You are right on about spam but what about getting promotions from your favority marketers via RSS? Real Simple Shopping is the first to provide a service that allows a consumer to keep their email private but receive their favority marketers promotions through a personalized RSS feed. We are adding more marketers all the time and end-users excited about avoiding spam. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks
Stuart
Posted by: Stuart Watson at May 3, 2004 8:04 AMThanks, I've heard a lot about RSS, but never used it, cause I really didn'n know what it was. Now I know. I'll try do use it
Posted by: flykoo at October 13, 2006 3:21 PMmy new blog http://www.flykoo.com
Your "What is RSS ..." answer is the first of your answers that I felt did not hit the mark. I now know what function RSS provides, what it is not, and perhaps how to sign up for such a service. You did not tell us how it works. Which information, for example, about a user (ip address?, ...) allows the information to reach us and how is it delivered. IF RSS "bypasses e-mail completely", then what is the import of your statement "Newsgator, which integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook" . In short, your answer told a few things about RSS, but not HOW it works.
You do a great job, sorry for the critical remark.
Posted by: Paulo at February 1, 2007 7:25 AMThey say a "list" is important for making money with your site. Would RSS work as well or is EMail a must for marketing?
Posted by: Walter at March 21, 2008 6:54 PMHi Leo...back in Feb. 2007 re: your newsletter had a link to..."So just what is RSS, etc.." & under Recent Comments - Paulo asked you "HOW does RSS work"....I don't believe I've seen your response in your Newsletter(s). I also appreciate your explaining what it is....but HOW IT WORKS would entice me to use it! Thanks, & I'll be checking in with BUY LEO A LATTE! VERY SOON...as your Newsletter are the Easiest, Best Laid Out, & Informnative...of ANY & ALL OTHER NEWSLETTER!! A LONG TIME SUPPORTER OF "ASKLEO!" Thank You!! PS: Sorry..for asking "at this time". I was looking thru my archives of your Newsletters.
Posted by: Sebastian San Filippo at August 17, 2008 10:20 PMDear Leo, thanks for useful topic. Recently I tried RSS Channel Writer for my website. It works! :-) No complains.
Posted by: Artak at December 12, 2008 7:39 AMThanks again
Lay off him! God! As if people have nothing better to do with their lives! The article isn't titled, "How does RSS work?", for sheesh's sake; it's titled, "So just what is RSS, and why should I care?", and THAT question he answers quite well indeed.
Posted by: Glenn P. at March 30, 2009 5:18 AM