Apr 28, 2008
What Is RSS? A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader
(Abraham here. Thanks to Molly for letting me invade her blog. I hope this article will be helpful enough to earn me my keep.)
If you read even one blog regularly, RSS is for you. It will save you time, I promise.
Some of you may be wondering, “Doesn’t everyone use RSS?” The answer is no; less than 6% of internet users take advantage of this extraordinarily helpful technology.
I’ve read lots of posts on what RSS is and how to use it, but they’re limited in their helpfulness. There are just too many options out there to fully explain any one of them in a post that tackles RSS as a whole. So I am going to use the majority of this article to help non-RSS-users get started on Google Reader.
If you follow these instructions, you will be subscribed to your favorite sites and already saving time by the end of this article.
What Is RSS and Why Is It Worthwhile?
The acronym RSS stands for a couple things. The most helpful as far as a clear explanation of what it’s for is “Real Simple Syndication.”
RSS is a technology that allows you to subscribe to any website that has one of these 
in the address bar. You can then track every site you’re subscribed to without having to go to each individual site.
If you’re like me there are a couple websites that you love to read. Without RSS, I would be looking at these sites regularly to see if there were new material. Depending on how often I checked, I wouldn’t see anything new most times I visited.
With RSS, I never again have to go to a site that has no new material. I subscribe to the sites I enjoy and am updated every time they post.
This is especially helpful for keeping track of those bloggers who we want to read but who only post every 3 months.
Why I’m Focusing on Google Reader
If you’re not a current RSS-user and would like to be, my hope is that by the end of this article you’d have everything you need to begin. In order to do that, I need to pick one feedreader to show you how to use. (“Feedreaders” are the programs that people use to collect and manage their RSS subscriptions.)
I’ve chosen to use Google Reader for 3 reasons:
- It’s free and available to everyone no matter what computer or browser you use.
- It is by far the most popular feedreader that’s out there right now. On both the blogs I write for, Google subscribers are between 35-40% of the readership. The next most popular feedreader only claims about 5% of readers.
- It’s really easy to use, so let’s get started.
Setting Up Google Reader
1. Create a Google account.
2. Go to Google Reader and make sure you’re signed in.
Adding a Subscription in Google Reader
1. Select “Add Subscription” from the left column.
2. Type in the address of a blog you want to subscribe to and click “Add.”
Adding a Subscription from Elsewhere Online
1. When you are visiting a site that you want to subscribe to, click on the orange icon in the address bar or on a link provide on the site.
You will either see a page like this:
Or like this:
2. On either page, select Google as the reader you want to subscribe with.
3. On the first page, you will need to click “Subscribe Now.”
4. On either page, choose “Add to Google Reader.”
Reading and Managing your Subscriptions
Reading Options
You now have a few of your favorite blogs listed in the left column of your Google reader page. The best way to go through your feeds is up to you. Here are some options.
- Home, at the top of the left column, is where you can see new, unread posts listed with just a few lines of content.
- All Items, just below “Home,” is where you can see new, unread posts listed with all their content.
- Selecting an individual feed from the list in the left column allows you to see new posts as well as scroll down through older ones.
Scanning Options
In the upper right corner you will see tabs for “Expanded view” and “List view.” These allow you to decide whether you see all content as you scroll through your feeds or just titles and the first few words.
Marking as Read
You will mark a post as read when you click on it. Scrolling through posts will also mark them as read, although you can turn this feature off in settings if you want to. Finally, if you want to mark all your new posts as read at once, you can do so at the top of the “All Items” page.
Unsubscribing
When you change your mind about being subscribed to a blog, you can unsubscribe by going to the settings in the upper right corner.
You’re All Set!
As you poke around in Google Reader, I’m sure you’ll find more nifty ways to improve your RSSing. But for now, you should have what you need to go on a wild subscription binge.
You will, of course, want to subscribe to Molly’s blog and and to the blog of whoever referred you here. And then maybe even to mine. :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments. Happy blog reading!
I am an avid google feed reader, but how do I get that little orange square to appear in my blog so that people can subscribe to mine?
Thanks!
Great idea to post about the RSS feeds! I’ve been using this for about 6 months and I don’t know how I did without it. Saves so much time!
Wow, very helpful RSS post. And, I agree, GoogleReader is the way to go!
I will be the FIRST to report that I JUST DID THE GOOGLE READER RSS FEED READER THINGY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!! THANK YOU, ABRAHAM! (I feel like that WIll Ferrell character that can’t control the volume of his voice!)
I will still probably check Molly’s blog a little more frequently because I love reading the comments that all these amazing women write.
I used to have bloglines but eventually switched to google reader on the advice of Jason Rhodes. I really really like it!
Be careful, it can become addictive. Before you know it, you won’t check your reader for 2 days and you’ll be 500 posts behind!!
My issue is that it doesn’t seem to save any time…and I enjoy leaving comments. Call me old fashioned, but I just don’t think that RSS is the way to go for me. But nice job on the article, Aber!
Great summary, Abraham.
(And hi, Molly! I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now, and I can’t remember if I’ve commented yet. So a shout out to you, too. I’m here for the long haul, obviously.)
Two questions:
1. I use Bloglines as my blog feedreader. How does Google Reader compare?
2. I haven’t put a RSS feed button on my blog because, with Bloglines, I can subscribe to any blog whether they have that button or not by using the Bloglines toolbar. So I thought it was somewhat superfluous. Is it not?
oh no…his a mac freak…don’t listen to them…
(if not take window screeni’s :P)
…hehe jk…
[...] Read the whole thing here. [...]
[...] What Is RSS? A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader 29 04 2008 I’m taking this straight from Abraham Piper who writes on his wife’s blog about what RSS is and how to subscribe to sites using Google Reader. This is a very simplistic and yet thorough explanation. If there’s at least one site you like to read, this is something that will save you time from the minute you start using it. Read his full article here. [...]
Sarah,
I’m not sure what the best way to advertise or link to your feed on a blogspot blog is. Does anyone else know?
Kelly,
1. I’d say if you’re already set up with a feedreader you like, don’t switch to Google.
2. You’re right that people can subscribe without a subscribe button on your blog, but a lot of people don’t know that. So a button let’s them know they can subscribe and offers a friendly reminder/invitation to people that already know.
In a strictly functional sense, it is irrelevant. Promotionally, it is invaluable.
Does anyone else know?
One easy way to do it with a Blogspot Account is through Feedburner.com. It is a free service that takes the feed from your blogspot account and burns it into one, streamlined feed.
Then, you can copy and paste the the code for their RSS icon into a sidebar element with a message that will entice your readers to subscribe (e.g., click here for digitized syndication bliss).
Also, if you do it this way, when someone clicks on the RSS Icon, feedburner allows him (or her) to subscribe with whatever feed reader that they currently use.
Example: See the Rss icons in the Sidebar. See the Feedburner page these icons take you to.
Of course, the amount of readers who will choose to pass on this option is directly proportional to how often your posts exceed 22 words. :)
Hope this helps,
TMI……….this would require change and most of us don’t like change. Especially where the internet is concerned. I am old enough that we didn’t have internet when I was in school and barely had computers. This is mumbo jumbo speak this RSS.
[...] about how to sign up to use this FREE reader, step-by-step instructions can be found by clicking H-E-R-E. Hopefully, one of the first RSS feeds you will want to add to your Google reader is LemmonsAid. [...]
[...] [From What Is RSS? A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader « The Pipers] [...]
[...] beginning of a collection of theologian trading cards, coming soon to online retailers (really!). RSS Reader for Complete Noobs Abraham Piper has a tutorial to guide you through getting setup with Google Reader (in case you’ve [...]
Thanks Abraham! I didn’t know such a thing as google reader existed! I’m subscribed now! YAY!
[...] using something called RSS is the answer. Here is some good RSS reading advice with Google Reader here, or here with other options. I love this practical and helpful [...]
[...] Piper (son of the Rev. John), explains. [...]
So I’ve finally managed to set this up and this is the first blog added to my list of subscriptions.
Google Reader is the best! It is so much better than trying to visit each of your favorite sites individually.
Thanks for the advice on setting up a subscribe button.
Wow. Thanks for the helpful tutorial Abraham. I had no idea what RSS was, but I think I’m all set now. Can’t wait to see how it works for me.
Beware the lure of the blog crawling habit.
I went gung-ho Google Reader a year ago, but had to stop very soon because I was wasting too much time reading blogs, and things linked to blogs, and things linked to things that were linked to blogs, etc.
About a week ago I got back on, since I was doing the same blog-crawling thing manually and just wasting even more time. I consciously avoided putting certain feeds on there that I’d know I’d waste time on, and put instead some Gospel-centered feeds, resolving to read those first.
Technology… can be simultaneously very useful and very dangerous.
Thanks, Abraham, this is very helpful!
Another explanation of RSS that I’ve found very helpful is from a video called Common Craft — I thought I’d pass it along as a complementary explanation to your own: http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english
[...] UPDATE: Here’s a great post from Abraham Piper, the Web Editor at Desiring God Ministries, on RSS and how to use Google Reader! [...]
Thanks for the help! I don’t know how to do a trackback, but I did put a link to this article from my blog, Here’s the quote- “I’ve had time to find new blogs since The Pipers taught me how to use Google Reader.”
[...] what you know now, what would you focus on?" I’ll be trying to listent with all ears.- Abraham Piper has written a brilliant introduction to RSS and the wonder of Google Reader, if you don’t know what those two things are, and you read plenty of blogs then you need to [...]
[...] Here are some helpful instructions, courtesy of Abraham Piper via Molly Piper’s blog. [...]
Thank you very much, Abraham. I have been checking in on various blogs manually and getting a couple (like Desiring God) by email. I was aware of RSS feeds but didn’t attempt to learn how they worked. Your tutorial was just what I needed. I am now signed up for all the blogs I used to check and numerous news sites or magazines that have feeds. It has only been a couple of days since I set things up but I can already see that this is going to be a huge time saver.
So, thanks for the help.
[...] What Is RSS? A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader [...]
THANK YOU! 2 days now – and it’s even better than you said it would be. I will also have to take note of comment #23 because there is so much going on out there!! How on earth do I internalize all the great stuff I’m learning??? Anyway, that’s not your problem, just wanted to say thanks for a very helpful tip.
Like the others, I really appreciate the tutorial. Very helpful. At once, I set up Google Reader for the one blog I follow daily (multiple times, daily), Desiring God. Yes, it does keep me from going to the site multiple times a day, just in case something has been posted. But, ya know what? I miss the visuals of the DG blog! Torn between techno-efficiency and the “at home” feel of the blog site itself.
[...] http://thepipers.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/what-is-rss-a-step-by-step-guide-to-google-reader/ [...]
[...] Abraham at The Pipers has written a tremendously helpful post that gives step-by-step instructions on how to set up subscriptions with Google Reader. So go, check it out, and set up your own feedreader–oh, and don’t forget to to subscribe to Badgers on the Loose. [...]
[...] Not one to duplicate something that’s already doing a fine job, I’m going to suggest you head over the Pipers blog and Abraham’s great article What is RSS: A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader. [...]
[...] if you’re a regular blog reader, you should read this article by Abraham Piper explaining what RSS is and how you can use it to streamline your blog reading. I [...]
Abraham, before I read your post in the DG blog I had wanted to use RSS feeds but didn’t know how. Your encouragement and clear, walk-you-through-it directions were just what I needed. Now, 6 weeks down the road, I am so glad I did it. Makes keeping up with my favourite blogs a breeze, just like you said it would. Thank you!
[...] members who might not be familiar with concept of syndicated feeds, there is a nice, easy intro here, and a more in-depth article here. If this all seems too technical, and overly complicated, [...]
[...] If you haven’t discovered Google reader yet, check out Abraham (and Molly) Piper’s Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader [...]
Hey, I know this is a suuuuuuuppppppper old entry of yours, but I finally have a minute to ask you a question. How do I get the RSS sign to be displayed on my page so people can add my blog to their list?
Thanks…..saw you the other sunday ~ you look so good! Hope you are doing well and feeling well. j
I was wondering if people know that you have subscribed to their blog. I read a few blogs that are friends of friends, and I would feel a little weird if they knew I read their blog. Thanks for the great explanation!
If you subscribe by email, they can see your address. But if you subscribe by RSS, no one can tell. All they know is a total number of subscribers–not who they are.
Thanks for the quick response! Can you subscribe by e-mail through the google reader?
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I now have more time to subscribe to even more blogs!
That you very much for the information abraham since feedburner had offered me a great traffic from loyal readers that help me overcome my low traffic from search engines.
Hope you do better
ht tp:// ww w.resourcesandmoney.blogspot.com
Hey
I have been using google reader for few days now. But for some sites it does not show the full article. It shows only the first few lines / snippets. Is there anyway I can get full articles without having to click on the link to read the article?
Thanks
This was the best explanation I have read. Thank you. Those of us that are computer illiterate thank you so much.
[...] be kept informed of posts and/or comments. If you don’t know what RSS is or how to use it, here is an explanation for you. A short explanation of RSS is that you can have a list of updates on [...]
[...] some more help? Try this post or this [...]
[...] If you want an easy way to keep up with the blog to know when our next post finally does appear, I’d recommend using something like Google Reader. Abraham Piper explains how it works here. [...]
[...] Where can I get more info? Abraham Piper turned me on to Google Reader. He explains it much better than me on The Piper blog. [...]
[...] Subscribe by email or RSS. (If you don’t know what RSS is, my husband can show you. It’s really easy.) 2. Contact me to let me know you’re a subscriber. 3. I’ll [...]
This was the best explanation I have read. ike the others, I really appreciate the tutorial. Very helpful. At once, I set up Google Reader for the one blog
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Thank you.
[...] Lopez. I have a feeling that, should she be successful, it will be well worth keeping her on your Google Reader or frequently checked [...]
[...] This is a “blog” which means you can subscribe to it via RSS feed services like Google Reader. If you’re not familiar with blogs and RSS feeds, take a look at this post by Abraham Piper which will introduce you to Google Reader. [...]
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I have tried many other feed readers but was most comfortable with Google (though sometimes it is slow).
[...] subscription through a blog reader – click here (one minute video) and here (step-by-step instructions for setting up my favorite reader, Google Reader) for further [...]
[...] some more help? Try this post or this [...]
Thanks for explaining what RSS is. I never really quite understood it, but it seems like by subscribing to certain feeds, you don’t have to continuously visit the site directly to keep up to date with new updates. Thanks for the tutorial.
[...] a feed reader yet, I encourage you to do it today! If you don’t know how to go about it, click here to read Abraham Piper’s step-by-step article on getting started with google [...]
[...] But seriously, how many blogs do you currently subscribe to by email or in your feed reader? For some of you, it may only be a handful – and if Organizing Your Way is among them, thank you for considering what I have to say worth your time! (For more about feed readers, Abraham Piper from 22words has a great post called “What is RSS?“) [...]
[...] to Subscribe to CraveCommunity.com Posted on July 18, 2009 by Jono Smith Abraham Piper gives you the low-down on how to make sure you don’t miss any CraveCommunity [...]
[...] If you’d like to know more, there is a clear and helpful step-by-step guide to Google Reader on the Pipers’ family blog. [...]
[...] read on a regular basis. If you don’t know how to subscribe to blogs, there is a great article here about how to subscribe through an RSS [...]
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.
[...] We try to post almost daily, but I recommend using RSS or subscribing to have it sent to you via email (see button at right). Abraham Piper provided a very helpful tutorial on RSS here. [...]
Why would you need an RSS if you can simply bookmark your websites using a social bookmarker? Wouldn’t this be just as effective?
[...] you don’t know about this whole subscribing thing please see this helpful guide created by Abraham [...]
Hey, i am the owner of pastisold.com.Thank’s for sharing this info.This is very useful and informative material.Good post and keep it up friend.
Hay Dude , i w/ ur write. LOL Please come to my blog
Thanks for the tutorial on RSS and Google Reader. I’ll have to figure out how to add the RSS option to my blog. :)
Best wishes,
Brook
Matt5verse6.blogspot.com
[...] One of the best ways to keep connected to ChurchWith.us is to subscribe via our RSS feed. If you’re not sure how to do this, Molly Piper has got some instructions for you. [...]
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