What Is an RSS Feed?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It’s an XML file that lives on your website and publishes new content—blog posts, news, podcasts, or social updates—in a standardized format. Subscribers use an RSS reader (like Feedly or Inoreader) to pull in your feed and see every update in one central dashboard.

How Brands and Influencers Use RSS Feeds

1. Auto-Share Blog Posts on Social

• Link your RSS feed to tools like Zapier or IFTTT to automatically post new blog entries to Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

• Saves time and ensures you never forget to promote fresh content.

2. Curate Industry News

• Aggregate multiple RSS feeds from industry blogs or news sources into a single newsletter.

• Position your brand as a trusted curator and keep your subscribers in the loop.

3. Power Your Podcast Distribution

• Podcast apps rely on RSS feeds to list new episodes.

• Simply upload your audio file, update your feed, and platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify will pick it up.

Why RSS Feeds Matter

Efficiency: Instead of emailing every subscriber or manually posting on social, an RSS feed automates content delivery.

Control: You decide what appears in your feed—no algorithms or paywalls standing between your content and your audience.

Audience Retention: Subscribers get updates the moment you publish, keeping them engaged and coming back.

Integration: Pair RSS with marketing tools (email platforms, social schedulers, website widgets) to create seamless workflows.

Common Misconceptions

• "RSS Is Dead": In reality, RSS usage is growing among power users, businesses, and developers who value control and automation.

• "It’s Only for Blogs": RSS works for podcasts, video channels, press releases, product updates, and even job listings.

• "You Need Tech Skills": Most CMS platforms (WordPress, Squarespace) generate RSS feeds automatically. Third-party services and plugins handle the rest.

Practical Tips to Get Started

1. Find Your Feed URL:

• On WordPress, append /feed to your site URL (for example, https://yourdomain.com/feed).

• In Squarespace, go to Settings → Advanced → RSS.

2. Test in an RSS Reader:

• Subscribe to your own feed in Feedly or Inoreader to confirm updates appear correctly.

3. Automate Social Sharing:

• Use tools like Zapier, IFTTT, or Buffer’s RSS integration so new posts go live on social channels automatically.

4. Curate & Repurpose:

• Combine multiple feeds into a newsletter using Mailchimp or Campaign Monitor.

• Embed your RSS feed on a website page or sidebar widget for live content updates.

An RSS feed is a simple yet powerful tool to keep your audience informed, streamline your content pipeline, and maintain full control over distribution—no matter your niche or industry. Give it a try and watch your engagement grow!