Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds are updated content sent to your computer via the Internet. RSS feeds enable a user to view content from multiple websites on one screen, with all site-specific navigation, advertisements, and branding removed.
For example, a user might visit multiple news sites in any given week to keep up-to-date on recent events. Without RSS, the user must go to each news site individually and find the desired information through each site's own navigation. With RSS, the user subscribes to each site through the browser's built-in subscription functions, or via a standalone news aggregator (also called a news reader) that may be downloaded and installed. The user can then view the aggregated information through a consistent display that automatically sorts the information according to his or her needs.
When the user opens his or her browser and goes to the RSS view, it automatically downloads the latest information from the subscribed sites. Most RSS browsers also let you search the articles (essentially enabling the user to search across multiple sites), sort by a variety of fields (such as title, date, or author), filter/subset by date or source, and customize the amount of information that displays on screen.
RSS also presents an alternative to receiving notifications via email. Unlike email, RSS feeds don't get filled up with unwanted solicitations.
RSS readers come with the following Web browsers automatically:
- Internet Explorer (Windows)
- Firefox (Windows/Mac)
- Safari (Windows/Mac)
In addition, some readers are available as desktop software that you can download and install on your computer. The reader you choose will have instructions for how to subscribe to RSS feeds.
