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Introduction to Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

by Ken Dennis

Really Simple Syndication is exactly what its name states: a very simple way to syndicate your website's content to other websites and news reading programs. This article describes the benefits of creating an RSS feed, and not how to produce one, or integrate other peoples RSS feeds into your website.

RSS is a lightweight XML design with a very easy format, very similar to HTML tags. Simply put, an RSS feed is a file that has a title, description, and link to your content. Implementing an RSS feed on your website takes a very short time and is a great way to drive traffic to your website. But don't think that article writers are the only ones who can benefit from this form of information dissemination; it has many great practical purposes.

RSS gives you the ability to have a list produced that can be integrated in part, or whole into another website. RSS gives you the ability to have other websites have up to date, accurate information from you online in seconds. Headline news, technical articles, website updates, security alerts, or your favorite food recipes are just a few of the things that you can syndicate!

You would be surprised at how many websites have RSS feeds that you may not have noticed. Generally you can identify a website that syndicates their content by a graphic (normally at the bottom) that says "RSS" or "XML" or identifies in other ways that their articles are syndicated.

In addition to people receiving your syndicated articles over websites, there are many websites who keep up to date databases of RSS feeds. You can search their websites for your favorite topics and see what feeds provide information you like, then have it mailed to you, or browse it online. In addition Web browsers such as Mozilla FireFox have introduced the live bookmark concept, which allows you to add dynamic content such as RSS feeds to your favorites. This creates a folder in your favorites that polls your favorite feeds from time to time to keep you up to date constantly!

Really Simple Syndication is a great way for webmasters to provide a valuable service to their users, other websites that may rely on them, and increase traffic and reputation.

Ken Dennis is an Aerospace Telecommunications Technician and amateur journalist. Check out his website for more articles and content.
 

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