The power of the RSS feed

and the old new internet

My RSS feed has become part of my daily life now. I am seeing more of the content I want, compared to social media. I still have FB and Instagram accounts that I check via the browser, but I am accessing them less and less.

What is RSS?

I tend to get this question when I ramble on about it to people. RSS is Really Simple Syndication, and it is old internet. It is a way to distribute content and keep readers up to date with their favorite podcasts, blogs, websites and even you tube channels. It was how people kept up to date with blogs etc, before social media. The majority of websites send out content via RSS, you have probably seen the little icon while surfing the web. When a blogger hits publish on a piece or someone uploads a new video to their You Tube channel, you can see it on your RSS reader.

RSS Readers

There are so many RSS readers out there and plenty of blog posts on which one might be best for you. I use the Feedly app on my tablet for collecting my RSS feeds. Some are browser based readers and others are apps. Either way, you can start collecting your feeds into these readers.

The great thing about RSS readers is that you see everything as it gets published, in chronological order. No ads and no sponsored posts to block up your feed, you won’t miss anything due to any algorithm not showing you posts. Great if you are sick of social media like me. You can collect websites or pages into folders as one feed, or keep them separate to just check up on your favourite you tuber.

What can you add to RSS feeds?

Almost anything. The main thing that you can’t get, is most social media platforms. So encourage your favourite creator to make a blog, Substack or YT channel, so you will never miss their posts. Here is a list of content I have collected in my RSS feed:

• News Websites

• Blogs

• You Tube Channels

• Sub-Reddits

• Google Alerts

• Substack Newsletters

• Scientific Journals

• Online Magazines (Horse & Hound)

Substacks

Sometimes I forget about the Substack newsletter I have signed up to, when it comes into my inbox. Often when I get the email, I don’t have the space to read it, mark it as read and never open it again. With the RSS reader, I can sit down with my cup of tea and see what all my Substack writers are up to, when I have the time and space to do so.

Less flashy flashy

I have noticed since slowly coming off social media and accessing my content via the RSS reader, that short videos like reels, are just flashy flashy. They often don’t add value, are distracting and just designed to keep you hooked on the app - Meh. Accessing my content mainly text based, long format posts and videos have improved my mood, concentration and attention span- Win!

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