RSS Feeds

Here are answers to some common questions about using RSS feeds (Really Simple Syndication).

What is a RSS feed?

A RSS feed, also known as a XML feed, syndicated content, news feed or web feed, allow you to see when websites have added new content. You can get the latest headlines and video in one place, as soon as it is published, without having to visit the websites you have taken the feed from. The industry standard icon is generally an orange square with white radio waves, RSS icon

How do I start using RSS feeds?

In general the first thing you need is something called a news reader. This is a piece of software that checks the feeds and lets you read any new articles that have been added. There are many different versions, some of which are accessed using a browser, and some of which are downloadable applications.

Browser based news readers let you catch up with your RSS feed subscriptions from any computer, whereas downloadable applications let you store them on your main computer, in the same way that you either download your email using Outlook, or keep it on a web based service like Hotmail.

Using Internet Explorer to subscribe to a feed

• Go to the webpage that has the feed to which you want to subscribe.
• Click the Feed button to discover feeds on the webpage.
• Click a feed (if more than one is available). If only one feed is available, you will go directly to that page.
• Click the Subscribe to this Feed button, and then click Subscribe to this Feed.
• Type a name for the feed and select the folder to create the feed in.
  Click Subscribe.
• To view your subscribed feeds, click the Favorites Center button, and then click Feeds.

How does a feed differ from a website?

A feed can have the same content as a webpage, but it's often formatted differently. When you subscribe, Internet Explorer automatically checks the website and downloads new content so you can see what is new since you last visited the feed.

How can I automatically get updated content?

You can receive content automatically by subscribing to a web feed. When you subscribe to a web feed, you set the interval at which Internet Explorer will check the website for updates. Once you've set an interval, Internet Explorer will automatically download the most up-to-date web feed list.

How can I view my subscribed feeds?

You view feeds on the Feeds tab in the Favorites Center. To view your feeds, click the Favorites Center button, and then click Feeds.

Can other programs display my subscribed feeds?

Yes, Internet Explorer provides the Common Feed List to other programs. This allows you to subscribe to feeds with Internet Explorer and read them in other programs, such as e-mail clients.