Help with RSS (Real Simple Syndication) Feeds

What are Real Simple Syndication feeds?

Real Simple Syndication (RSS) or Rich Site Summary, as some refer to it, is a popular means of receiving content (such as news headlines) without needing to constantly visit a Web site to see what's new. Updates to the site are broadcasted to subscribers through an RSS feed. When you subscribe to an RSS feed, a new item will appear in your feed reader every time new information is added to the relevant section of the Web site.

What are the benefits of using Real Simple Syndication?

There are a number of benefits to using RSS:

• Select the news you want. RSS allows you to select the type of news and information you receive from Web sites.
• Determine when you get news. You can customize your feed reader to go and fetch the news every five minutes, or every hour - depending on how you want it.
• Unclutter your email inbox. Some people prefer to receive news and information in their feed reader rather than their email account.

How do I subscribe to Real Simple Syndication feeds?

1. Get an RSS feed reader or browse the Web using a Web browser that has RSS functionality built into it.
   
   
2. Visit the Web sites that you want to receive updates from and look for the RSS feed icon. Following are examples of commonly used RSS feed icons.
   
   
   
3. Add RSS feeds to your feed reader. There are a number of ways to add feeds to your feed reader. Each feed reader is a little different. Look for the Help section of your feed reader for instructions. One method of subscribing is provided below:
   
   
   1. Click on the RSS feed link
   2. Copy the URL (Web page address) of the feed
   3. Open your feed reader
   4. Using the URL, add the feed to your RSS feed reader

How do I get an Real Simple Syndication feed reader?

There are many RSS feed readers available. Some can be downloaded for free, while there is a charge for others with more customizable options. Some are available through your Web browser while others are software that needs to be downloaded and installed onto your computer. Feed readers are available for Windows, Macintosh and other operating systems.

Below is a list of some popular RSS feed readers. These links are provided as a convenience and should not be seen as an endorsement by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Why do I see code when I click on the Real Simple Syndication feed links?

If you see code when you click on an RSS feed link, it is because you are browsing the Web using an older version of a Web browser (for example, Internet Explorer 6) that does not recognize RSS feeds. Downloading a newer version of most Web browsers will correct this.