To RSS or not to RSS

Are we just throwing away visitors

[netchicken1]

As many sites are providing RSS feeds I was considering to do the same, but came to the conclusion that I am just giving the content of my site away for free.

RSS means no one is exposed to the adverts, and therefore I don't derive any income from it (however pathetic it may be)

Is there a positive side to using RSS that I have missed out on?

[naitsirhc26]

Well, you know, to me RSS definately helps to "remind" visitors to come to your website for further information from your RSS feed.

Let's say you have an RSS feed about all of your new articles, news pieces, etc...that pertain to your site. When setting up the RSS you don't have to include the ENTIRE article on the RSS feed, and the exerpt that is displayed on the RSS feed will basically "entice" the readers to read the rest of the article AT YOUR SITE.

So really, I would say that RSS feeds are very beneficial. A good amount of people (it grows all of the time) view their feeds each day to see if their favorite sites have added any new content, etc...

Hope this helped!

Cheerful Trails,

Christian

P.S. Though I haven't experimented with it, I believe you CAN display Google Adsense ads on your RSS feeds as well. If anyone knows further info on this, please correct me if I am wrong.

[Visit Thailand]

P.S. Though I haven't experimented with it, I believe you CAN display Google Adsense ads on your RSS feeds as well. If anyone knows further info on this, please correct me if I am wrong.

Last I heard a publisher has to apply to be able to feature ads in RSS Feeds and G is not accepting new applications.

This could have changed, and as always is best to ask G directly.

[Marshall]

You have to treat/look at an RSS as if it was a "tease" for a news story in a commercial or a headline of a newspaper "continued on page..." They really should not be more than something to entice a person to visit. That is why it is also sensible to include links to whatever is promoted in the RSS. Then again, if you are not worried about ad revenue, it does not necessarily matter how much information you put it. I know one political web site where the politician puts entire speeches in the RSS. In the end, it comes done to what will benefit your site the most. RSS is a tool like anything else.

Marshall

[iwannano1]

I've thousands of users subscribed via full RSS feed. Many RSS feed only displays summery. Another option is including links to old article from new articles. Everyday I add 50-60 new users. You can put text links and ads banner in RSS feed.

Also note that regular visitor may not click your ads.

[ipetdogs]

Hi guys...

About the advertising on RSS feeds. I believe Feedburner (who Google acquired) has an advertising feature for feeds.

Netchicken, you may want to check out feedburner. Along with providing stats for your feed they also offer ways that people can display your feed on their own website or blog. There's some pretty cool promotional tools there.

[level80]

About the advertising on RSS feeds. I believe Feedburner (who Google acquired) has an advertising feature for feeds.

They do but they require 1000-5000 subscribers to your RSS feed before you can do this. This rules out most people.

Regarding the person who adds 50-60 people a day to their feed? How do you manage to do this or do you just add a lot of content each day?