RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds are a great way to distribute and consume content in a structured format. They allow you to automatically share content from your website or podcast to anyone that subscribes. In this article, we'll walk through the steps to create an RSS feed from scratch.

First, we want to introduce IFTTT. It is an RSS feed automation platform that connects your website to 1000 different apps and tools on the internet. Its is free to join, so start automating your RSS feed today!

What is an RSS feed?

An RSS feed is an XML file that contains structured data about published content. This file can be read by RSS readers, feed aggregators, and automation services like IFTTT to distribute updates.

Step-by-step guide to creating an RSS feed

1. Understand the basic RSS structure

An RSS feed is an XML document that follows a specific format. Here’s a basic example:

2. Create your RSS feed XML file

WordPress

If you are using WordPress simply add /feed/ to the end of your website’s domain name.

Example: https://yourdomain.com/blog/feed/

Squarespace

If you are using Squarespace you just need to add ?format=rss to the end of any page.

Example: https://www.yourdomain.com/blog?format=rss

Other CMS

If you are using a different CMS like Webflow or Wix, just search, "RSS feed (CMS)" and there are often widgets you can add to help create an RSS feed. There are also free web app options that will help you generate RSS feeds for your website or podcast.

https://rss.app/rss-feed

https://rss.com/

3. Validate Your RSS feed

To ensure your feed is properly formatted, use an RSS validator such as:

W3C Feed Validation Service

FeedValidator.org

4. Promote Your RSS Feed

Share the RSS feed URL with your audience, or integrate it with services like IFTTT to automate content distribution.

Automate RSS Feeds with IFTTT

IFTTT is an automation platform that lets you connect your RSS Feed with 1000 different services. For example, you and your audience will be able to automatically connect your RSS feed directly to Pocket, Google Sheets, or Twitter. With over 30 million users, we have a few popular RSS feed automations. Click the Applet below to start automating your RSS Feed.

Automate RSS Feeds with IFTTT

Creating an RSS feed will help you and your audience to distribute your content. Your content is great, but it is even better when it is automatically shared to your social media pages or your audience's e-readers. Try creating an RSS feed for your website and explore ways to automate your content with IFTTT!