What is an RSS feed?

An RSS feed (Really Simple Syndication) is a format used to distribute new content published on websites. It lets people receive the latest updates from their favorite websites automatically, without having to visit those sites. An RSS feed usually contains the title, a short description and a link to the full article or post.

How does an RSS feed work?

RSS feeds are structured as XML files (eXtensible Markup Language), which computers can read easily. Users subscribe to the RSS feed of a website with an RSS feed reader, a dedicated program or app that can read RSS feeds. As soon as a website publishes new content, it updates its RSS feed, and the feed reader shows that new content automatically, so the user sees it right away.

Is the technology behind RSS feeds outdated?

RSS feeds are considered somewhat outdated, especially next to newer technologies such as social media and push notifications, yet they still offer specific advantages. RSS feeds are particularly useful for anyone who wants to follow a large volume of content without being interrupted by advertising or by algorithmically curated feeds.

Where are RSS feeds still used in marketing?

In marketing, RSS feeds are used to distribute content regularly and to increase the visibility of websites. They are useful for content marketing and can be built into email newsletters, websites and social media, so that the latest posts or offers reach a wide audience immediately. RSS feeds are also frequently used in automated marketing setups to update content dynamically across different platforms.

Whichever channel you distribute through, the content itself still has to earn its visibility. That is the job of content freshness and of steady SEO support, not of the feed. New articles appear in our SEO magazine, and the SEO glossary explains the terms around it.