1. Knowledge Base
  2. >
  3. RSS Feeds

RSS Feeds

This content only applies to Gator Website Builder hosting plans which are accessible by going to app.gator.com.

For more articles, check out the HostGator Gator Website Builder category
or directly access the Gator Knowledge Base.


Long ago, in the early ages of computers, users would have to frequently revisit blogs and preferred websites to find out if anything new had appeared. In this millennium, computers can instantly tell us when something new has happened, the moment it happens, often in the form of notifications, emails, or feeds knowns as RSS.

RSS, or "Really Simple Syndication," is a standardized system for the distribution of unique content, such as blog posts, that comes from a preferred online internet source. This article will cover how to add an RSS feed, and how to use an RSS feed with an RSS reader.

Adding an RSS Feed to Your Builder

To add an RSS Feed Subscription button once you have added a blog:

  1. Start from the main account dashboard and navigate to the page to which you would like to add the RSS feed button. We will add the RSS button to our Post Page for this example. (Which is the template for how all blog posts look.)Navigate to the page you would like to add the RSS feed button to
  2. Next, click on Elements.
    click on Elements
  3. Click on Blog Elements.
    Click on Blog Elements
  4. Click on BLOG RSS. This element will anchor to your cursor.
    Click on BLOG RSS
  5. Click where you would like to drop the Blog RSS within the editor.
    Click where you would like to drop the Blog RSS within the editor
  6. Once set, be sure to Save and Publish your site so that people can begin subscribing to the blog. 
    Save and Publish


Pro Tip: You can add the RSS Feed by dragging and dropping the button to any page or post section you like. Please Note: A viewer must click the RSS button in order to receive updates regarding new content in your blog from their RSS Reader.
 

How to use an RSS feed with an RSS reader

RSS readers allow viewers to follow news from all their favorite websites and blogs in one location. The reader itself is the avenue that keeps track of the new content and provides that content to the viewer to have easy access to it. 

There are many RSS Readers out there, but we will assume you are using a standard plugin to chrome for this example.

  1. From the plugin (and in almost any case) you will have a section that looks similar to an email inbox. Here you will see a list of all the different RSS feeds that you may have subscribed to and some options for sorting out the content.
    you will have a section that looks similar to an email inbox
  2. When you select an item from the RSS feed, you should see a preview of what that content contains.
    When you select an item from the RSS feed, you should see a preview of what that content contains
  3. As with most any RSS reader, you will have the ability to instantly view the content, mark the content as favorite or, mark as read.
    you will have the ability to instantly view the content, mark the content as favorite or, mark as read
  • Each reader has its look, feel, and set of options, but for the most part, they operate the same. Which reader you choose may depend on the type of computer you have, the type of browser you are using, or simply what preferences you have.


    • Pro Tip: Still confused about RSS Feeds and Readers? Try searching online for what other bloggers have to say about this. Be sure to read reviews thoroughly and only download content from trusted sources.