What is rss

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Quick Answer: RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a web technology that allows websites to publish a feed of their content for users to subscribe to and read in news aggregator applications.

Key Facts

Overview

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a web standard for publishing and distributing content updates. RSS allows website owners to create a feed of their latest articles, blog posts, or other content that users can subscribe to. Instead of visiting multiple websites individually, users can subscribe to RSS feeds and view all updates in a single news reader application.

How RSS Works

RSS feeds are XML documents that contain structured information about website content. When a website publishes new content, the RSS feed is automatically updated with the new article summary or full text. Users subscribe to feeds by adding the feed's URL to their news reader application. The news reader periodically checks subscribed feeds for new content and displays updates to the user.

RSS Structure and Content

An RSS feed contains several key elements:

RSS Applications and Benefits

RSS feeds are useful for blogs, news websites, podcasts, and other frequently updated content sources. Benefits include saving time by aggregating multiple feeds, staying informed about favorite websites, and discovering new content. Professional journalists, researchers, and content enthusiasts use RSS to monitor multiple sources efficiently.

Current Status and Alternatives

RSS usage has declined since the peak popularity of social media platforms and email newsletters. Many large websites have discontinued RSS support. However, RSS remains popular in certain communities including professionals, developers, and privacy-conscious users who prefer decentralized content distribution. Alternative technologies like JSON Feed and REST APIs have also emerged for content syndication.

Related Questions

How do you use RSS feeds?

To use RSS, subscribe to feeds using a news reader application (like Feedly, Inoreader, or NetNewsWire). Copy the feed URL from a website and paste it into your reader. The reader will regularly check for new content and display updates.

What is an RSS reader?

An RSS reader (or news aggregator) is an application that checks RSS feeds and displays new content. Popular options include Feedly, Inoreader, Feeder, and The Old Reader. They consolidate multiple feeds into a single interface.

What is the difference between RSS and podcasts?

RSS is a general content syndication format used for articles and blogs. Podcasts use RSS feeds to distribute audio files. Podcast players use RSS to download and organize audio episodes from creators.

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia - RSS CC-BY-SA-4.0
  2. RSS Advisory Board - RSS Specification Open License