Blog Syndication (Part I) - How To Create An RSS Feed

What is an RSS Feed?

RSS - Real Simply Syndication was created as a programming language to help webmasters with sharing their "news posts" with other web sites. From there, people have taken this sharing really seriously and an entire network of syndication uses have been implemented throughout the internet. This trend has helped a growing number of bloggers to show their latest information in real time all across the globe.

An rss feed allows you to show your newest blog posts in the form of a; title, description, and link. This information can be syndication practically anywhere online, while providing a great amount of exposure to your blog posts.

Is an RSS Feed Pre-Setup for Me?

If you use services like; BlogSpot.com, WordPress.com, or any other automated source, the chance is that you already have an rss feed setup for you. Just look within your blog for a link called:

• "RSS"
  
• "Atom"
  
• "Rss Feed"
  
• "Subscribe RSS"

...or something along those lines.

If you already have an RSS feed pre-setup for you, don't worry about the next steps below.

===================

RSS Standards 2.0:

===================

As with any programming language, there are rules we must all follow while creating a feed. This tutorial will only go into the specifications for RSS 2.0 only. RSS 2.0 vs. Atom feeds are more practical and easier for the average user to implement. We can find all 2.0 standards from here:

RSS 2.0 Specification:
http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification

=============

Sample File:

=============

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
<title>Sample RSS File</title>
<link>http://www.MartinLemieux.ca/</link>
<description>This is a sample RSS file for creation online.</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<lastBuildDate>Tue, 26 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>
<docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
<generator>Martin's Editor</generator>
<managingEditor>editor@RSSexample.com</managingEditor>
<webMaster>webmaster@RSSexample.com</webMaster>
<ttl>5</ttl>

<item>
<title>Title Number 1</title>
<link>http://www.martinlemieux.ca/posts/?blog=93</link>
<description>Learn how to create and manage your own RSS feed for promoting it online.</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<category>Blog Resources</category>
<guid>http://www.martinlemieux.ca/posts/?blog=93</guid>
</item>

<item>
<title>How To Promote Your RSS &amp; Atom Feeds</title>
<link>http://www.martinlemieux.ca/posts/?blog=85</link>
<description>Many entrepreneurs have their own blog to showcase tips, articles, press releases, and information....</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Sep 2008 12:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
<author>Martin Lemieux</author>
<guid>http://www.martinlemieux.ca/posts/?blog=93</guid>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>

===========================

Sample File Explanations:

===========================

• <?xml version="1.0"?>
  - XML Version
  
  
• <rss version="2.0">
  - RSS Version
  
  
• <channel>
  - Opens the channel for the RSS file
  
  
• <title></title>
  - Title of the RSS Feed
  
  
• <link></link>
  - Link of the posting source
  
  
• <description></description>
  - Description of the RSS feed
  
  
• <language></language>
  - Language type (Ex. EN / FR)
  
  
• <pubDate></pubDate>
  - Date the feed was published
  
  
• <lastBuildDate></lastBuildDate>
  - Date the feed was updated
  
  
• <docs></docs>
  - RSS documentation link
  
  
• <generator></generator>
  - The generating software or source
  
  
• <managingEditor></managingEditor>
  - The editors email address
  
  
• <webMaster></webMaster>
  - The webmasters email address
  
  
• <ttl></ttl>
  - The time allowed before refreshing the source

=================

Each Item Post:

=================

• <item>
  - Opens each item posted within the feed
  
  
• <title></title>
  - Title of each item
  
  
• <link></link>
  - Destination link of each posted item
  
  
• <description></description>
  - Description of each post
  
  
• <pubDate></pubDate>
  - Date published
  
  
• <category></category>
  - Category for the post (optional)
  
  
• <guid></guid>
  - Unique identity link for each item
  
  
• </item>
  - Closes each posted item
  
  
• </channel>
  - Closes the entire channel
  
  
• </rss>
  - End of the rss file

======================

Other Optional Items:

======================

• <author></author>
  - Email & name of the author
  
  
• <comments></comments>
  - Link destination for the blog comments
  
  
• <enclosure></enclosure>
  - List any media objects attached to the post
  
  
• <source></source>
  - The source of the rss channel for the item

=======================

Saving Your File:

You have many options when creating your own feed. Some programmers like to use PHP to dynamically generate the information from a database. RSS files are typically saved as .xml - but by doing so, you need to find a way to update your rss file. If you update everything manually, you won't run into any problems, but if you want to generate the information dynamically, you will need to change the output headers of the file.

PHP Outputting:

Instead of the XML version from the sample above, add this...

<?php
header("Content-type: application/xml");
?>
<?php echo '<?xml version="1.0"?>';?>

This will tell php to output this index.php file for xml/rss specifications. There is an alternative using an .htaccess file, but I’ve spent countless hours trying to make everything work properly and found that .php is much easier to use. Besides, many of the dynamic methods talked about online come from people who have "server admin" access. This tutorial is geared to helping everyone, even if you are on a shared hosting server.

PHP File Saving tip:

When saving your file, create a directory folder called rss and save the file named index.php within it. This way you can promote a simple link, for example: "www.rssfilespec.com/rss/", and not have to worry about promoting the index file like so: "www.rssfilespec/rss/index.php".

RSS / Atom Feed Testing & Validation:

Have fun with this, you may have to brew a couple of coffees before you get it right, but just keep trying and don't forget to test your rss file from this feed validator here: www.feedvalidator.org/ . This feed validator will show you the areas of your rss feed that are either good, or bad.

About The Author:

Martin Lemieux is the owner of many article directories, business directories, and syndication web sites within Adcidia - an eSyndication Advertising Network. To promote your blog or feed, feel free to visit some of these great resources online:

Blog Directories:
http://www.adcidia.com/submit-directory-listings/blog-directories/

Martin's Bloggers Directory & RSS Syndication:
http://Bloggers.MartinLemieux.ca

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

Copyright ©, Adcidia™ - All Rights Reserved. Reprints Accepted.