Internet giants have learned to compete for our undivided attention over the past decade using an information sorting system called RSS.  Netscape originated this term about ten years ago, and back then it stood for Rich Site Summary.  Over the years it has been adapted by other moguls, and Microsoft renamed it as Really Simple Syndication about three years ago.

An RSS feed is a way for you to bookmark your favorite internet sites.  It also alerts you when the site publishes a new blog or other information.  RSS feeds are free, and they can even be sorted into categories.  To do this you subscribe to a free RSS feed reader, usually available as part of your email manager.  A bonus of RSS feeds is that your feed reader can learn what subjects really interest you by analyzing what you subscribe to.

People love RSS feeds not only because they are free, but also because they are efficient ways to gather information and simultaneously avoid spam.  You don’t have to provide your email address or subscribe to a newsletter.  The feed reader you use keeps a list of the RSS feeds you’ve chosen.

It’s simple to subscribe to an RSS reader.  Prominent home page sites such as Google, Yahoo, and others offer readers.  Just go to the browser on your home page and type in Google feed reader, or Yahoo feed reader, or whatever your favorite home page is.  You’ll learn quickly if they offer one.

Once you’ve picked a reader, you’re ready to start subscribing to RSS feeds.  Look at the toolbar near the top of your internet page.  The symbol for RSS feed has been standardized to a square with radio waves emanating from the lower left corner.  It’s probably right next to the little house that symbolizes your home page.  When you’re on a website that does not offer an RSS feed, the square will be gray.  If an RSS feed is available, the symbol is orange.  You can click on the orange symbol and you’ll be asked for the name of your feed reader.  What many people prefer to do, however, is copy the URL marks from the top of the page, toggle back to your feed reader page, click on the box to add a subscription, and paste the URL code into the box.  The reason some people prefer this is that it eliminates much of the html code you sometimes get from simply clicking on the orange RSS square.

People who want a feed reader that’s a little more sophisticated than the one that comes with your free email service can subscribe to standalone feed readers.  To look at reviews of these, just type “RSS feed reader reviews” into your browser. Even the standalone readers are offered free, but many of them do feature advanced products for those who upgrade to a paid subscription.  You can even send podcasts to the audio equipment you carry with you.  It’s all up to you to decide what level of information you want and how you want it sorted.

Are you wondering if you can offer an RSS feed?  You probably can if you have a blog or a website.  Most website and blog hosts offer members the opportunity to set them up.  You can take advantage of this tool so that people who come cross your website can easily bookmark it to return to it or can receive automatic notification whenever you update your site.  This provides a real opportunity to expand for affiliate marketers, with the caveat that people will quickly unsubscribe if the only updates they get from your site are sales pitches.  People use RSS feeds to get genuine information, and those with vivid blog exchanges or relevant informational articles will attract and retain subscribers.

Ultimately, people are encouraged to test the waters of RSS feeds, and they will be surprised to discover the depth and breadth of available options!

Fredi Donosa