As a website manager or publisher, the best way to deliver quality content to your target audience is to submit your Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds to an RSS directory. RSS directories let users discover great feeds in one place.
RSS directories are usually open for website owners, publishers, and content creators to submit their feeds. They typically organize feeds into categories and subcategories — some host general feeds, while others specialize in specific niches.
But which options are the best RSS-feed readers?
What Is An RSS Feed?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It pertains to Extensible Markup Language (XML) files, which a computer can quickly process and update.
XML enables you to include structured data in your content through tags. Using structured data, you can show headlines, subheadlines, lists, authors, and more. These structured data types also help search engines quickly understand your website.
An XML sitemap leverages the same concept and merges all of that structured data into a single sitemap. This allows search engines to index your websites by simply browsing these sitemaps.
Your audience can subscribe to RSS feeds via your website. RSS feeds use an XML format to deliver your content to a feed reader. As mentioned, RSS feeds pull your website’s latest content and deliver it directly to your viewers via email or a feed reader.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An RSS Feed?
The primary benefit of RSS is that, instead of visiting each website to check for new content, you receive it directly from a centralized location.
The primary way to use RSS feeds is through an application known as a reader or aggregator, such as Google Reader.
How To Submit Your Website To An RSS Directory
There are various ways to add websites to RSS directories. Each directory imposes specific rules and requirements that you must follow to add your feed successfully.
You can usually add your site through a form from the directory. Occasionally, a site administrator needs to approve your submission before it goes live.
Some of the inputs you may be required to submit are the Feedburner URL, the XML-feed URL (i.e., the XML sitemap URL), or your website or blog’s primary URL.
Specialized RSS directory submission software also automatically adds your feeds simultaneously. Such software is usually pricey, but it will save you a lot of time in the long run.
How Do You Benefit From Adding Feeds To A Directory?
Submitting your website’s RSS feeds to an RSS directory is a simple and efficient way to promote exposure to a wide range of interested users. After all, the visitors that RSS directories draw are searching for good feeds to follow.
Another great benefit is the ability to generate your blog's RSS feed and place it anywhere you wish, including your site, so that you can showcase and promote your content even further.
Last but not least, directories aid search engine optimization by including links to your website. Since RSS directories publish them, they serve as optimal backlinks. The backlinks, in turn, are necessary for a website's positioning in worldwide search engines.
Aside from blog postings and news articles, you can also create an RSS feed for a podcast. So take advantage of these technological advances to quickly reach your followers whenever you update your content!
