What is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary.  RSS is a standard for publishing regular updates to web-based content.  Using this standard, web publishers provide updates, such as the latest news headlines or weblog postings.  Meanwhile, consumers use RSS reader applications 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.  A feed is just a summary of Web content that is updated on a regular basis.

RSS is based on XML, a language similar to HTML.  RSS feeds come in different standards (0.92, 1.0, 2.0).  Another well-known choice similar to RSS is Atom.  All formats have certain advantages, but RSS 2.0 seems to becoming more popular with most readers.  eBay uses RSS 2.0 feeds at the bottom of many search pages, announcement, and discussion boards.

Consumer Bottom Line: RSS makes reviewing a large number of sites in a very short time possible.

Publisher Bottom Line: RSS permits instant distribution of content updates to consumers.

How do I read RSS Feeds?

There are two primary categories of feed reading applications: installable desktop programs and online services.

There are many desktop applications for Windows and Mac OS system users (Feedreader.com and RSSReader.com are two popular desktop readers).

If you would prefer to use an online service to track and manage your feeds, you have the advantage of being able to access your feed updates anywhere you use a web browser (and in some cases, on mobile devices).  Also, any upgrades or new features are added automatically.  (Bloglines.com, My Yahoo, My MSN, and Google Reader are popular online services.)

How can I publish my own RSS Feed?

If you have a website or weblog, you can add RSS syndication as a publishing option, in some cases automatically.  If you are using a hosted publishing tool like TypePad, WordPress, or Blogger, you probably publish a feed automatically.  If your web host does not offer automatic RSS syndication, you may need to program the feed yourself.

Where is RSS headed?

RSS is almost a mainstream technology; the popular press is all over it and consumer services are rapidly moving to integrate it into existing products.  And that’s just for bringing you the latest headlines, personal publications, and other textual content.  RSS is moving beyond just publish text:

Entertainment: Podcasting, a word derived from Apple’s “iPod” and “broadcasting”, is a method of publishing files to the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically by subscription, usually at no cost.

Commerce: Apple’s iTunes Feed Generator informs you of updates to their growing music library across genres you specify.  By have a feed of your products, you can be easily listed in services like Froogle.

Images: Flickr’s photo sharing tools provide all sorts of RSS feeds.  Host your images on Flickr and see them syndicated anywhere on the web, usually in blogs.

Bottom Line…

RSS is an important way of publishing information about a website and Search Engines pick up feeds very quickly in search results.  Blogs are a way of promoting a website by providing links and information regarding products and services offered on the website.  Even Google has its own blog to give sights into product and technology news.  ( http://googleblog.blogspot.com/ )