What is a RSS Feed?

A RSS feed (Really Simple Syndication feed), is also sometimes known as a ‘news feed’. It is a standardised format that allows users to be automatically notified when new information is added to their favourite websites.

RSS feeds in a nutshell

In simple terms, it works like this:

You first need to set up or sign up for something called an RSS reader or news reader. After the initial set up, each time you log onto your RSS reader, you are faced with a list of the latest news items from the websites that you have requested RSS feeds from.

In other words if you subscribe to Stone Square, when you log onto your RSS reader you will be notified of the latest additions to our web site.

If any headline grabs your attention, you simply click through and it will take you through to this specific update, so you can read the new content or news article in full.

What are the benefits of RSS feeds?

RSS feeds can benefit both web site visitors and owners.

As a visitor, RSS feeds allow you to:

  • Easily keep up with the latest additions to your favourite web sites
  • Read all your favourite updates in one convenient place
  • Subscribe and unsubscribe at the click of a button
  • Protect your email address from spam - as it is not necessary to subscribe to web sites by email any more

As a web site owner RSS feeds will allow you to:

  • Save time and money while improving communication as customers are automatically updated when you post new content on your web site
  • Provide automated RSS email updates to those visitors who still prefer to receive updates to their inbox
  • Improve your web site’s search engine visibility - as search engines are hungry for new content, they tend to spider web sites with RSS feeds more often
  • Generate more traffic for your web site - customers will be reminded about your site each time you update it and therefore more likely to return to it

How do I get started with RSS feeds?

RSS Reader

In general, the first thing you need is a piece of software called a RSS news reader that keeps your feeds for you and lets you read any new articles that have been added. There are two main types of RSS readers - web based readers and downloadable ones.

While web based RSS readers let you catch up with your feed subscriptions from any computer, downloadable ones let you store the data on your computer. Many RSS readers are free.

Got Internet Explorer 7, Firefox, or Opera?

If you use Internet Explorer 7, Firefox, or Opera (and other modern browsers) you can use the browser to receive your favourite RSS feeds. Simply read your browser’s help files to learn how to get started.

A list of some of the RSS readers available can be found on our RSS feed subscription page.

Subscribing to feeds

Once you’ve chosen a RSS feed reader, all you have to do is to decide what content you want it to receive and subscribe to your favourite web sites - simply watch out for the orange and white RSS feed logo that can be found on RSS enabled web sites.

To subscribe to Stone Square’s RSS feed simply follow the link and you will be taken to our feed subscription page and click on your feed reader’s icon. Alternatively you can use your browser’s built-in RSS reading capabilities as described above.

Do you own a web site and think it might benefit from RSS feeds?

If you regularly update your web site - or are planning to do so, it might be worthwhile integrating RSS feeds with your web site. Please call Sophie or Tim on 01422 343 840 to find out how you could use RSS feeds, we’d be happy to help you.