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How to Use RSS Feeds: A Complete Guide

• 6 min read • RSS & Feeds

RSS feeds are one of the most powerful and underrated tools for staying updated with content you care about — without the distractions of social media or the chaos of algorithmic timelines.

This guide will show you how to start using RSS feeds today, no matter what device you're on.

What Are RSS Feeds?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a web standard that allows websites to publish a structured list of their latest content. Instead of visiting multiple websites or relying on social media to surface content, you use a feed reader app that checks all your subscribed feeds and shows you new content in one place.

Think of it like email, but for blog posts, news articles, and updates from any website.

Why Use RSS Feeds?

  • No algorithms: You see every post, in chronological order
  • Privacy: No tracking, no ads, no data mining
  • Control: You decide what you see and when
  • Efficiency: Check dozens of sites in seconds
  • Distraction-free: No comments, no likes, no notifications — just content

How to Get Started

Step 1: Choose a Feed Reader

A feed reader (also called an RSS reader or aggregator) is the app where you'll read all your feeds. Here are the best options for each platform:

iOS

  • Feeder: Popular choice with cross-platform sync
  • NetNewsWire: Free, open-source, beautifully designed for Apple devices
  • Reeder: Premium app ($5) with excellent UI and gesture controls

Android

  • Feeder: Cross-platform with sync support

Desktop & Web

  • Inoreader: Advanced filtering, automation, and search features
  • NewsBlur: Web-based with smart filtering and training
  • NetNewsWire (macOS): Native Mac app with iCloud sync

Step 2: Find Feed URLs

Every website that publishes content has (or should have) an RSS feed. Here's how to find it:

Look for the RSS icon: Many sites have an orange RSS icon in the footer or header. Click it to get the feed URL.

Common feed URL patterns:

  • example.com/feed.xml
  • example.com/rss
  • example.com/feed
  • example.com/atom.xml

For Jottings sites: Every Jottings microblog has three feed formats available:

  • yourname.jottings.me/feed.xml (RSS 2.0)
  • yourname.jottings.me/atom.xml (Atom 1.0)
  • yourname.jottings.me/feed.json (JSON Feed)

Step 3: Subscribe to Feeds

Once you have a feed URL, adding it to your reader is simple:

  1. Open your feed reader app or website
  2. Look for "Add Feed" or "Subscribe" button (often a + icon)
  3. Paste the feed URL
  4. Click "Subscribe" or "Add"

That's it! New posts from that site will now appear in your feed reader.

Step 4: Organize Your Feeds

As your feed list grows, organization becomes important:

  • Create folders: Group feeds by topic (e.g., "Tech", "Design", "Friends")
  • Mark as read: Keep your feed reader clean by marking batches of articles as read
  • Unsubscribe liberally: If you find yourself skipping a feed, unsubscribe. Quality over quantity.

Feed Formats: RSS vs Atom vs JSON Feed

There are three main feed formats, but they all do the same thing:

  • RSS 2.0: The most widely supported format. Works with all feed readers.
  • Atom 1.0: A modern alternative to RSS with better date/time handling and specifications.
  • JSON Feed: A newer, human-readable format that's easier for developers to work with.

Which one should you use? It doesn't matter. Most feed readers support all three. Choose whichever the website offers (usually RSS 2.0).

Tips for Feed Reader Mastery

Start Small

Don't add 100 feeds on day one. Start with 5-10 of your favorite blogs or sites, then gradually add more. Quality over quantity.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Most feed readers have keyboard shortcuts for reading, marking as read, starring articles, etc. Learn them — you'll be much faster.

Set a Daily Reading Time

Treat your feed reader like email: batch-check it once or twice a day instead of constantly refreshing. This prevents information overload.

Discover New Feeds

Follow feeds from:

  • Blogs you already visit manually
  • Writers you follow on social media (many have blogs with feeds)
  • News sites for specific topics
  • Subreddits (use services like RSS Bridge)
  • YouTube channels (paste the channel URL into your reader)

Advanced Features

Many modern feed readers offer:

  • Read later: Save articles to read offline or on another device
  • Filters: Auto-categorize or hide posts based on keywords
  • Full-text extraction: Some readers can fetch the full article text for feeds that only show excerpts
  • Search: Search across all your feeds and archived articles
  • Integrations: Send articles to read-later services like Pocket, Instapaper, or Notion

Why Jottings Sites Are Perfect for RSS

Every Jottings microblog comes with RSS feeds built-in. No setup, no plugins, no configuration.

  • Three formats: RSS, Atom, and JSON Feed for maximum compatibility
  • Tag feeds: Subscribe to individual tags (e.g., /tag/photography.xml)
  • Always up-to-date: New jots appear in your feed reader within seconds
  • No paywalls: RSS feeds aren't affected by subscription walls or membership tiers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RSS dead? No! RSS usage has been growing steadily since 2020. Developers, writers, and power users rely on it daily.

Do I need to pay for a feed reader? No. Excellent free options exist (NetNewsWire, Feedly's free tier, Inoreader's free tier). Premium options ($5-10/month) offer extra features like search, filtering, and team collaboration.

Can I follow social media accounts via RSS? Not directly, but tools like RSS Bridge, Nitter, and Bibliogram can generate RSS feeds for Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms.

How often do feeds update? This depends on your feed reader. Most check for updates every 15-60 minutes. Premium readers offer real-time updates.

Get Started Today

The web is better when you control what you read. RSS feeds give you that control.

  1. Pick a feed reader from the list above
  2. Add 3-5 feeds you already follow
  3. Check it tomorrow morning

If you run a blog, newsletter, or microblog, make sure you have an RSS feed. It's the most respectful way to deliver content to your audience — no tracking, no algorithms, just a direct connection.

Every Jottings site has RSS built-in. Start your own at jottings.me and give your readers the gift of a clean, ad-free feed.

RSS isn't dead. It's the antidote to algorithmic chaos.

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