Rich Site Summary(RSS) tutorial | Search Engine Optimization

By mathewpetrenko
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Word Count: 425

What is RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

RSS = Rich Site Summary. RSS is a special format based on XML, which was first used to unite headers with web content. In fact, RSS feeds are XML files containing data according to the RSS specification, and usually located on a website. Once info about each item is in RSS format, an RSS-aware tool can check the channel for changes and react to the changes in an appropriate way. RSS as introduced by Netscape Inc. In 1999 then later abandoned in 2002 stood for 'Rich Site Summary'. RSS formats are specified using Extensible Markup Language, a generic specification for the creation of data formats. Moreover, Really Simple Syndication is a free and easy way to promote website. As soon as an RSS feed appears in the Internet, any connected computer can access it.



How to read RSS

Think of an RSS reader as just a web browser for RSS content. Now, there are a lot of such tools, both commercial and free. For beginners, web-based aggregators are recommended since they are usually user-friendly. RSS feed readers are set up to periodically check for new episodes in the RSS feeds you are subscribed to, commonly once every hour. Many people read several thousand RSS files.

Free RSS readers:

NewsCrawler

FeedReader

FeedReader

NewsCrawler



How to create RSS

If you would like to create RSS, you can use special online services or desktop applications. Since any RSS feed is a specially formatted XML file, it can be edited with any XML creator. Many software products can make RSS channels in the WYSIWYG mode. If you just wish to make a single channel and do not need to update or edit the feed you can use an online RSS creation tool. There are several tools for creating RSS feeds widely available on the Web.

Software for making RSS:

1. RSS feeds creator.

2. Webvigour RSS creator.

3. RSS builder.

When your RSS file is published, the RSS feed has to be promoted. First step in promoting your newsfeed is submiting it to FeedDirectories. The following websites allowing you to add RSS channels:

- FeedSter.

- YeahReader RSS directory.

- Daypop.

- YeahReader RSS directory.

- Blog Links.

- Daypop.

- Syndic8.

- Technorati.

As you know, submitting your RSS channels is very important for feed popularity and your website SEO.



Free RSS tips

1. After you created an RSS channel, do not forget to add a parser - it is a script that will convert RSS into HTML. Use RSS2HTML.

2. Use only unique content. It increases the rating of your RSS in SE.

3. You can link to the RSS feed from the tag of the HTML webpage.

About the Author

Elena Dmitrieva - author of a series of reviews and articles related to podcasting, RSS, marketing and programming (see the how to create an rss channel tutorial and RSS creator by Extralabs).

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