What is RSS?

If you have a Web site or blog, one of the best ways to keep visitors updated and generate a consistent stream of returning traffic is to display an RSS link prominently in your sidebar. I'm more more than a few people have the following question: OK, but what is the RSS thing anyway?

RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication. Depending on your point of view, it's either a terribly ironic or blissfully perfect acronym. The purpose of RSS is to deliver content to readers so they can stay up to date on the happening on their favorite web pages.

RSS is often referred to as "feeds". While I'm not certain on the origin of this, there is at least one theory floating around in my cerebral cortex: Information is food for the brain. If you wish to gather information from any particular source on the Internet, RSS is the proverbial doggy bag used to collect said info you use to feed your brain's face at a later time.

Stupid analogy, but works well enough.

How can you receive information from a RSS feed? By email or RSS Reader. There are a ton of RSS readers to choose from. Some are browser-based, some are web-based, and others are desktop programs that store the the information.

One of the best web-based RSS readers available is Google Reader.You can label feeds and separate they into categories, use keyboard shortcuts to navigate it's interface, and with a special add on,use Google Reader to make Julian Fries(not really)!

More often than not, you'll see an option to subscribe via email along with the familiar RSS button. Email subscriptions are convenient for those who don't want to use an extra external service to maintain their feeds. Just like RSS readers, your email address will gather information sent form the website you subscribe to.

In theory, RSS feeds allow readers to get total access to a web pages content without actually visiting that site every time. That would be true if it weren't so blatantly wrong. Not every update can be read in it's entirety through RSS syndication.

Publishers have the ability the either share whole posts, or small snippets in RSS updates. This practice of providing a "teaser" to gain interest form people who are already interesting in your your site can be seen as an annoyance by most. Thankfully, most people have no probably with displaying full updates to those who subscribe via RSS.

RSS is a great way for busy readers to stay in the loop. Next time you're browser one of your favorite web pages and see that little orange button with the circle and two lines, don't hesitate to click on it.