About RSS
RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". It's a standardized way to keep track of updates from multiple websites.
There are two components to it:
- An RSS feed: A file that has the updates a site wants you to know about.
- An RSS reader: A browser add-on, app, or other service that periodically checks those files across different sites, and uses them to create a timeline of posts that you can read.
I use the Feedbro browser addon for Firefox on desktop (Website) and the Feeder app on mobile Android devices (Play Store, F-Droid) to subscribe to sites via RSS. You can also receive RSS updates through email with a free service like Blogtrottr.
(Many RSS readers allow you to import/export feed lists as an OPML file, so you're able to take the sites you're subscibed to across readers and devices. The option to do so is typically in the settings tab.)
Steps for subscribing to an RSS feed:
- Right click on the RSS feed link (or press and hold on mobile devices.)
- Copy the URL.
- Open your RSS reader.
- Select "Add a new feed" (or variations thereof.)
- Paste the URL in the "Feed URL" box.
- Load and/or save the feed (steps depend on reader.)
... and that's it! (Well, mostly.)
Some feed readers let you automatically detect RSS feeds by entering the homepage of a blog. You might get multiple feeds if the site has them, like a separate "Blog" and "Comments" one, but this can help if you can't find an RSS feed link at all.
Anyway, if you'd like to learn more about RSS feeds, or even make one yourself on a free webhost like Neocities, you can check out the webpage "Handwriting your RSS Feed" by Everest Pipkin.
My site's RSS feed is here. Why don't you give subscribing to it a shot?