What Is An OPML File - RSS Syndication

By: Martin Lemieux

RSS Feeds are sweeping the internet. Are you doing your best to promote your many RSS feeds? One way to promote multiple RSS feeds is through an OPML file. OPML means: Outline Processor Markup Language. OPML is just a fancy name for "multiple rss feeds in one file".

What is the Text Book Definition For OPML?

"OPML (Outline Processor Markup Language) is an XML format for outlines. Originally developed by Radio UserLand as a native file format for an outliner application, it has since been adopted for other uses, the most common being to exchange lists of web feeds between web feed aggregators." Source: wikipedia.org

What is the Simple Definition For OPML?

An opml file (file.opml) simply lists multiple xml/rss/Atom feed urls. For instance, if you have a members club with 1000's of RSS feeds generated by your system, you can simply create an OPML file to list them all. Many RSS agragators and RSS search engines will accept your opml file for submission. This takes out the time needed to submit each rss feed one at a time.

Makes sense?

Do I Need An OPML If I Have One RSS Feed?

No you don't. The whole strategy behind creating an OPML is to be able to list multiple RSS feeds, or even 1000's of rss feeds all at one. Again, the larger your site, the more an OPML is needed to promote the RSS feeds generated by your system.

How Do I Create An OPML File?

It's actually really easy. Start by opening a Notepad or SimpleText file. OPML is very similar to an RSS feed format, as shown below...

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OPML FILE SAMPLE:
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?><opml version="1.0"> <head> <title>Article99.com Category RSS Feeds</title> <dateCreated>Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:13:14 -0400</dateCreated> <dateModified>Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:13:14 -0400</dateModified> <ownerName>Article99.com</ownerName> <ownerEmail>xml@article99.com</ownerEmail> <link>http://www.article99.com/rss-feeds/data.opml</link> </head> <body> <outline text="Internet Marketing"> <outline text="Affiliate Marketing" type="link" url="http://www.article99.com/rss-feeds/title-description.php?cat=1"/> <outline text="Article Marketing" type="link" url="http://www.article99.com/rss-feeds/title-description.php?cat=119"/> <outline text="Blogging - RSS" type="link" url="http://www.article99.com/rss-feeds/title-description.php?cat=2"/> </outline> </body> </opml>

Save your file as "myfile.opml" or whatever you want.

Activating OPML files through scripted PHP!

Just like an RSS feed, your opml feed can also be parsed through php by adding rss/xml headers.

That's it! Nothing much to it really. A few years back, it took me days to learn this simple language. The reason for this is lack of documentation. OPML.org is a great source to start with. This site also offers and OPML feed validator to make sure that your OPML file is valid and correctly laid out.

There are other options you can add to your OPML file, but over time I realized nothing else is really necessary.

This brings us to the last question...

Where Can I Promote My OPML File?

Good question. Some RSS feed directories do accept OPML file submissions but not all of them. Sometimes you have to look deeper within the site to find instructions on how to submit your opml feed. Other times you might need to contact the webmaster/editor via email to send them your opml files.

The key is to 1st try searching for opml submission directories, or look thourgh rss feed syndication directories for instructions on submitting your OPML file. I've gone ahead and contacted webmasters in the hopes that they accept opml submissions rather than submitting 1000 rss feeds one at a time.

About The Author:

Martin Lemieux is the owner of a successful article directory network. For more information about OPML files and how to submit them online, please visit:

Syndicate Over 50 Different OPML Feeds:
http://www.Adcidia.com/opml-feeds/

To grab an RSS/OPML file from Article99.com, please visit:
http://www.Article99.com/opml-feeds/

Martin's RSS Feed:
http://www.MartinLemieux.ca/xml/

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