What Is A Feed?

It’s almost impossible to browse the internet without at least noticing the presence of web feeds. In just a short amount of time they’ve become highly prevalent – and unmistakeably useful. Use this guide for further information on the hows, the whys, and the wheres of web feeds.

The Overview

In the simplest of terms – feeds are a data format used to update users with frequently updated content. Distributors, which are bloggers & website owners, syndicate or send their content – using feeds – to the public. If you’re subscribed to that website or blog’s feed – you’ll be updated when new content is published from that specific distributor. Feeds oftentimes come in the form of HTML and can be read as either full posts or links to the new content.

How to Read a Feed

The area in which you read feeds is generally called a feed “aggregator.” One of the most popular being Google Reader. This is what I’ve used since discovering the wonders of feeds – and haven’t turned to any other service since. It’s simple to use, online, and free. Within your chosen aggregator you have the ability to subscribe to different feeds – and then whenever those feeds are updated with content – that new information will be automatically displayed in your aggregator service. Many publishers also give the ability to have their feeds sent to you via email, but personally, an online service works best for my own needs.

Feeds, along with aggregators, have revolutionized the way we get our news. The news, in this era, is now completely personal – due to the work of web feeds. Take a look at the following lists of web-based and desktop aggregator services.

Desktop Aggregators

Web Based Aggregators

How to Share a Feed

Sharing a feed is becoming increasingly easier as blogging services such as WordPress & Blogger cater further to web feeds. With most blogging platforms and services a web feed will be automatically created for your own use. Data formats will range from Atom to RSS.

Now, you may be wondering – why do I need to share my feed? With the high use of today’s feed reading – it would be a large boat to miss if you aren’t currently publishing feeds for your blog, community, or informational websites. Feeds are the easiest way for people to stay up-to-date with your content and help to entice readers and subscribers come back for more of what you have to offer. With the simplicity of publishing feeds – there’s no reason not to jump on the web feed boat.

How to Sync Your Feed with Google Feedburner

Google Feedburner is an extremely powerful service when combined with your current web feed(s). Once you register for an account you will be given the opportunity to “burn” your feed to Feedburner – and then use that new feed link when spreading and sharing your feed. Once this has been accomplished you’ll then be given a whole range of features and tools. Some of which include.

Ability to view statistics on how many subscribers you currently maintain.
The option to offer email based feed updates.
Tools for monetizing your feed.
Fun feed count “chicklets” to display on your blog.

Feedburner is such a wonderful tool that it would take more room then available to describe all of its features. I’d suggest heading over immediately, burning your feed, and reaping the rewards and benefits of Feedburner.

Conclusion

Web feeds can be daunting and confusing – granted – but the effort and time invested in learning more about the service will be returned to you tenfold. Feeds have revolutionized the way we read and publish news on the net, and it can become a reserve of publicity unequaled from any other avenue.

Share with us how feeds have increased your blogging success!

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