---
title: "What is RSS and why should you use it?"
description: "RSS is an open standard that lets you follow your favourite sources without algorithms or ads. Learn how it works and why it's worth coming back to."
date: "2025-01-15"
author: "PulsingFeed Team"
tags: ["rss", "technology", "media"]
readingTime: 5
---

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is one of the oldest and most useful standards in internet history. Although it was created over 25 years ago, it is experiencing a renaissance today — largely because more and more people are looking for an alternative to algorithmic social media platforms.

## How does RSS work?

Every website that supports RSS publishes a special XML file — called a feed — which contains a list of the latest articles along with their content, publication date, and links. An RSS reader regularly checks these files and collects new entries in one place.

Imagine that instead of visiting a dozen favourite sites separately, you receive all new articles in a single, organised list — without ads, without recommendations, and without tracking.

## Why is RSS better than social media?

Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn decide for you what you see. Their algorithms optimise for engagement, which often means showing sensational, controversial, or popular content — not necessarily valuable content.

RSS works differently:

- **You control the list of sources** — you subscribe to exactly what you want to read
- **Chronological order** — articles appear in the order of publication, without manipulation
- **No tracking** — the feed server does not know who is reading it
- **Openness** — RSS is a standard, not a product of one company

## How to get started with RSS?

All you need is an RSS reader — an application that aggregates feeds. PulsingFeed is exactly that kind of reader, ready to use immediately, without registration and without fees.

1. Open [PulsingFeed](https://app.pulsingfeed.com)
2. Choose the sources that interest you from a list of over 70 available feeds
3. Read articles in one place

You can also find the RSS feed address of any website — often it's enough to append `/feed` or `/rss` to the end of the URL.

## Who else uses RSS?

RSS is particularly popular among:

- **Journalists and analysts** who need to monitor many sources simultaneously
- **Developers** following tech blogs and open source project announcements
- **Researchers and students** gathering material from various fields
- **Privacy-conscious readers** who do not want social media accounts

## RSS and the future of the internet

Growing fatigue with social media platforms is making RSS an increasingly attractive alternative. The IndieWeb movement, the ActivityPub protocol, and the growing number of independent blogs are all signs that the open internet is alive and well.

RSS is not nostalgia. It is a tool that simply works — and one that gives you full control over what you read.