How to Read RSS Feeds

Using a RSS Feed reader can seem very complicated at first, but after you get set up to use a reader you will never want to go back to clicking through sites. The idea is really very simple. Instead of clicking into each separate website, you can click into only one website, your reader, and have the information brought to you instantly as it becomes available. The reader will display all of websites you would ordinarily spend time going to each day.

An RSS Feed Reader can also be referred to as news aggregator, news reader, feed reader, or simply aggregator. Continue reading to learn instructions on how to use an RSS Feed Reader and Read RSS Feeds.

Many RSS Feed Readers are Free. Each of these RSS Feed Readers will have different options that you can customize when you become familiar with the program. The feed readers listed here are available and free to use. Sign up with an account or use your existing account information. Listed are only a couple of the many different types of readers that are available to use for free.

• Google Reader
• Awasu Personal Edition
• RSS Bandit
• Mozilla Thunderbird

What are RSS Feeds? RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. This really should be simple like it says. Right? Actually, it is simple once you try it out. I will walk you through step by step.

1. Go to a website (for example: www.nytimes.com)
2. Click on the RSS link. The RSS link is represented by an orange icon as shown here. Often this link will be at the very bottom of the page as it is for the nytimes.com website.
3. Subscribe to your link by choosing what you want to read about and subscribe to the reader you are signed up with. For example, if Google is your reader select “Google” and press “Subscribe Now” then select “Add to Google Reader”
4. The articles will now appear in your Reader account

Some of the feed readers will let you view RSS content in a manner that is similar to reading your email. Others will show the content in a list as it becomes available.  The user can customize options for receiving the feeds and displaying the content. There are some really great websites that rate and review RSS Feed Readers in great detail.