|
Home / Internet / Technologies / RSS
RSS Feed Tips to Help Search Engine Optimization
By:Sharon Housley
Copyright 2006 Sharon Housley
RSS feeds are a great communication medium, and when properly managed, web feeds can bring in significant Internet traffic. RSS feeds should contain compelling themed content with episodic titles that are united in common broad theme. Use RSS feeds as an online marketing and search engine optimization tool. Just as optimizing an HTML web page will increase exposure, so too will an RSS feed that is properly optimized and promoted. Use these simple tips to improve your web feed exposure.
Channel Title
The channel title in your RSS feed is one of the most important aspect. The channel title should be keyword rich and contain information related to the general theme of the RSS feed. In order to maximize compatibility with RSS readers, it is best not to include any HTML in the channel title. The channel title is a website visitors first glimpse at the RSS feed, so its important to make an impression and attract the interest of casual browsers. Additionally, many of the RSS feed directories and search engines use the information contained in the RSS feed's channel title and description to index the feed. In order for the feed to be properly categorized, it is important that the information contained in these fields be relevant to the contents contained in the feed. If included at all, the blog, brand, or company name should be at the end not the beginning of the RSS feed channel title.
Channel Description
The channel description field provides an opportunity to expand on the broad theme of the RSS feed. The channel description should contain related keywords and phrases, but it should be written to capture the interest of readers not search engine spiders. HTML can be used to decorate and emphasize specific text in the description field. In summation the channel description should provide a compelling overview of the RSS feed's contents.
RSS Feed Item Titles
The item titles should be 50-75 characters with spaces. In order to increase readability and compatibility with news readers, the RSS feed item titles should not be encoded with any HTML. Think of an RSS feed item title in the same way that you would a webpage title. The RSS feed item title is your opportunity to capture the interest of your reader. Really an RSS feed item title is nothing more than a headline. The most effective item titles are calls to action that grab the readers attention. Include pertinent keywords or keyword phrases in the items title and this will help any individuals doing deep feed searches for specific content.
Optimize RSS
Optimize all aspects of the web feed. While the feed should be optimized for search engines, using the same techniques a webmaster uses on a website, the optimization should not be at the readers expense. The content in an RSS feed is often what leads readers to click or not click through. Readers will judge RSS feeds on the quality of the content. This means that grammar and punctuation do matter. Consistent grammatical errors will reduce the writers credibility and the number of subscribers.
Anchor Text
Using RSS feeds, publishers have the unique opportunity to determine the anchor text that will be used to link to internal website pages. RSS feeds are often syndicated, and even more often compelling feed items will often be re posted by other publishers. With that in mind, when including links back to a website in the item description field, use anchor text that is a relevant keyword or phrase. Anchor text is one factor that search engines use in determining a website's ranking for specific keywords and phrases.
Number of Feed Items
Routinely prune the old items in an RSS feeds and archive the content contained in the feed to ensure that feeds load quickly in RSS readers. If you are using a third party service to host your feeds, keep in mind that FeedBurner will truncate or not display RSS feeds that it finds to be too large.
Heading Tags
If you are displaying an RSS feed as an HTML web page it makes sense to use H1 or H2 tags to display the RSS feed's item titles. If the RSS feed is optimized, the website will benefit from the keyword emphasis by using the header tags.
RSS Feed URLs
As with HTML web pages, the URLs contained in an RSS feed should contain keywords if possible. Use hyphens not underscores, to separate the keywords in the RSS feed's URL.
Add an Image
Consider adding an image to your RSS feed to enhance its appearance in an RSS reader. The image should be no large 144x400 and it is recommended that the image be 88x31. Most RSS readers will display the feed image above the feed contents, this is a great way to reinforce brand and establish brand recognition. Additionally you can add images to the RSS feed's description field. In all cases, it is important that the full URL to the image be referenced, because if the feed is syndicated it will report a broken image if its attempting to retrieve it locally.
Some of the RSS feed directories use the feed's website favorite icons to flag the RSS feed. The RSS feeds containing a favorite icon stand out from others in the directories so be sure to include a favicon in the domain's root directory. RSS feeds are a great marketing tool, but like web pages, they must be optimized so that you can reap the full marketing benefits. Taking the time to implement some basic optimization tips will steadily increase your RSS feeds exposure.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: rss feeds, seo, search engine optimization, marketing, optomisation, internet marketing, rss, atom, xml, internet, marketing, xml feeds, news feeds
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.
|
|
| Top RSS Articles |
- 1). Using RSS Fields In Communication By : Jeremiah Patton
RSS is fast replacing email marketing and newsletters. You would not want to be left behind would you? Your competitor will surely overtake you and speed right up. RSS is mostly called Really Simple Syndication, although some give other meaning to the acronym. It is a process by which you could place a feed on websites that can read RSS from your directory.
|
- 2). Proven Tips Tools and Tactics To Blog Rss By : wirat
When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a tool useful for saving or retaining updated information on websites that you frequently visit or websites that are your favorite.
|
- 3). RSS... and WHY Its Being Considered The Newest Player In The VIRAL Marketing Game By : styles98
I have a quick question to ask you... "Are you sick and tired of hearing about RSS(Real Simple Syndication) and how it can take your online business to New levels with VERY little effort on your part?"
If you answered 'YES' to the question above then stop reading this article Right Now!
If you answered 'NO' then your going to love what I'm about to reveal to you about RSS and WHY its being consider the newest player in the VIRAL marketing game.
|
- 4). A Guide to RSS Aggregators By : Jeremiah Patton
One of the most popular features of Internet portals, websites, pages and even emails is a frame that features an organized list of news headlines and periodic updates from other web sources. Really Simple Syndication, formerly “Rich Site Summary” or simply, RSS makes this possible.
|
- 5). How to Offer your Users an RSS Feed By : Tim Shaw
Everyday more and more people and websites are offering RSS (Really Simple Syndication) news feeds. It is great for businesses and websites- it is free advertising for them when people read their news feed each day, and search engines like websites which offer an RSS feed, as it shows they have interesting, changing content. Here’s how to offer one.
|
- 6). Blog RSS Explained By : Jeremiah Patton
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a tool useful for saving or retaining updated information on websites that you frequently visit or websites that are your favorite. RSS utilizes an XML code which scans continuously the content or subject matter of a certain website in search for new informations then transmits the information updates by way of feeding the information to subscribers.
|
- 7). RSS Feeds Go Crazy in the Marketplace By : Quentin Brown
Geeks and Bloggers use RSS exclusively for the publishing and subscribing to news headlines and blog feeds, however many other innovative and useful applications of RSS have been sprouting up here and there.
The marketplace is quickly learning that you can use RSS content feeds for so much more and its getting crazy and wild out there in the business world.
|
- 8). RSS(Real Simple Syndication)-- EXPLAINED In Plain English By : styles98
RSS(Real Simple Syndication) is the talk around the net these days because of its many benefits.
I'm sure you've received several emails(like I have) telling you to jump on the "RSS" band wagon and that it's the answer to all your Internet and Email marketing woe's because of its syndication capabilities.
With RSS Directories and Search Engines coming into the mix as well these days for RSS feeds you really have to decide whether or not you really want it get in on the "RSS" craze.
|
- 9). Top 10 Reasons WHY "RSS Autoresponders" Are Becoming A Permission Email Marketers BEST Friend By : styles98
IS Permission Email Marketing Is In Trouble?
With the rising concern of Spam Filters/Blockers, Blacklisting, Bounce Backs and CAN-SPAM Act laws, email is sadly becoming a VERY unrealible vehicle to deliver your marketing messages to your customers, Therefore, resulting in "Time Wasted" and "Loss Of Profits".
IS there a solution to this never ending concern for Permission Email Marketers?
You bet there is.
|
- 10). Using RSS To Make Money Online By : Chet Holcomb
You probably know that RSS stands for "Remote Site Syndication", but what does that really mean to you as a marketer and more importantly can you use RSS to make money online?
As you keep reading you will learn to understand the benefits of using this recent technology in your internet marketing efforts to increase traffic and profits.
Plainly put, RSS feeds are printed in XML, a unique mark up dialect much like html.
|
| New RSS Articles |
- 1). Tips to Selecting an RSS News Aggregator By : Sharon Housley
Copyright 2006 Sharon Housley
Reading RSS Feeds
While many have resisted the urge to decipher the meaning behind the acronym RSS, the vast majority of technically knowledgeable online surfers have begun incorporating RSS into their daily routines. Why go through the hassle of understanding something new, the novice might want to know? Because it saves time, and time is a precious commodity these days.
|
- 2). Tips for Promoting Your RSS Feed By : Sharon Housley
Copyright 2006 Sharon Housley
There is little argument from webmasters and publishers that RSS brings in traffic. So once you've made the leap and created a feed, how do you tell your visitors about the feed?
1. Submit Your RSS Feed to RSS Directories.
This will not only increase the number of sites linking to your website and increasing your link popularity, it will also increase the RSS feeds profile.
|
- 3). Cashing In With RSS Feeds By : P. Wolbers
You may already know that RSS stands for Remote Site Syndication, but what does that mean to you and more importantly, how can you use RSS to help you make more money?
Simply put, RSS feeds are written in a computer language called XML, a special mark up language much like HTML. This means that they have mechanisms included that identify structures in a document.
|
- 4). What Can RSS Do For ME? By : Allen
If you have used the internet lately you have most likely heard of something called “RSS.” If you are anything like me I am sure that you have wondered what this “RSS stuff” is all about. I am going to try and answer that question as well as explain a little bit about how RSS can be useful.
For the purpose of this article RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication”.
|
- 5). RSS By : Norma Allan
To the uninitiated RSS is the buzzword but what is it?
RSS is a family of web feed formats, specified in XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) and used for Web syndication. RSS is used by (among other things) news websites, weblogs and podcasting.
· Really Simple Syndication
Web feeds provide web content or summaries of web content together with links to the full versions of the content, and other metadata.
|
- 6). How ? - RSS improve my Search Engine Rankings By : dev
1. RSS Feeds Provide Instant Themed Content?
There are several publishers of RSS feeds that are specific to a particular theme. Since the feed is highly targeted, it could contain several keywords that you want to rank highly for. Adding these keywords to your pages helps Google tag your site as one with relevant content.
2. RSS Feeds Provide Fresh, Updated Content
RSS feeds from large publishers are updated at specific intervals.
|
- 7). RSS And Multi-Media Content Delivery By : Tom Takihi
RSS, or Really Simple Syndication as it is generally known, refers to a family of file formats that is used for web syndication. It is normally used to automatically deliver newly posted content from websites – including forums, blogs and news sites, among others - to its readers. However, RSS is also useful for other things aside from delivering written content thanks to “enclosures” or media attachments.
|
- 8). How Can You Explode Your Website Visitors Overnight Using RSS? By : Rolf Olsen
Imagine a tool that would:
1. Simply allow you to add all of your RSS feeds into a list.
2. Select which RSS feed directories you would like to submit your feeds to
3. And with the push of a button blast your feed instantly to all of them
4. Possibly double or triple your income, with the extra traffic almost overnight.
RSS Announcer Is Easy To Use-
RSS announcer is so easy to use, that even a child could figure it out.
|
- 9). 5 Reasons Why RSS Will Thrive in 2006 By : Jim Kreinbrink
RSS is a technology whose time has come. Five trends driving the demand for RSS include:
1. Spam controls
As users have demanded better spam controls, ezines have lost favor. Many ezines are now scooped up by aggressive antispam measures before hitting users’ inboxes. RSS is already moving in to take the place of ezines. RSS is better suited to keeping site visitors aware of updates anyway: Site articles are best added one at a time.
|
- 10). RSS and Blogging By : Horace Lai
Thanks to RSS (Real Simple Syndication), the content on your website can be shown to internet users across the world. Any news that is fed through RSS can make its way to any RSS reader. Infact, major websites such as Google News, is based on taking in the RSS feeds and displaying them. Any news opened on Google News will take the user to the source of the content, which brings in another source of traffic, backward links, and better search engine rankings.
|
|
|
