If you’ve been online in any great depth, you’ll have come across the concept of RSS feeds. RSS feeds are a particularly popular way of delivering content to users who request to be kept up to date with the latest developments, and its popularity and distribution continues to grow as more and more users realize the advantages it brings. But what’s it all about, and how can it benefit you as an Internet user and business owner? We’ve put together a quick RSS FAQ to help clear up what exactly it does and why it’s helpful.
What does RSS stand for?
RSS stands for ‘really simple syndication’ – quirky but accurate. It provides a mechanism whereby web users can keep up to date with content coming from a particular source, such as a blog or newspaper. The content is delivered automatically when it’s published (i.e. it’s automatically syndicated to the user’s RSS reader), and is presented in an easy-to-read way within one central reader application, which allows the content to be viewed.
What’s the point?
RSS is actually quite a useful tool. By feeding content updates as they happen, you never miss out on what’s going on, and it brings full coverage to you, rather than you having to go searching. RSS is also a quick way to publish content on your own website, related to your interests and the interests of your visitors, for free from some of the web’s most respected sources. Added to that, it is the web standard for syndication, allowing users to collate content from a range of sites in the same format through their RSS reader, so it’s pretty handy all round.
How can it benefit me as a user?
Imagine checking even 10 blogs or news-sites everyday for the latest stories and updates. If this sounds like you, you could benefit from using RSS. RSS presents all the information you crave in an easy to handle, single location so you simply head on over to your RSS reader rather than checking out website after website. It also presents updates in chronological order so you can quickly identify new content, outwith the ‘noise’ of the website on which it originates. Syndicating stories from the BBC News website for example will provide the content you desire without the need for you to go looking for it.
Are there business benefits?
Yes. As a content publisher (or even a website owner with a news-section or blog), the ability to have your content automatically seen by a number of users is very valuable. Say, for example, you had over 10,000 users subscribing to your RSS feed – imagine the potential of promoting a special offer, or publishing a coupon code on your blog. It’s almost as good as guaranteed traffic, and gives you influence and the ability to command attention as and when you choose to publish. Many of the world’s top bloggers and news sites rely on RSS as a substantial proportion of their value to prospective advertisers, and you too could benefit from this captive (and usually responsive) audience.
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