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Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a lightweight XML format designed for sharing headlines and other Web content. Think of it as a distributable What's New for your site. Originated by UserLand in 1997 and subsequently used by Netscape to fill channels for Netcenter, RSS has evolved into a popular means of sharing content between sites (including the BBC, CNET, CNN, Disney, Forbes, Motley Fool, Wired, Red Herring, Salon, Slashdot, ZDNet, and more). RSS solves myriad problems webmasters commonly face, such as increasing traffic, and gathering and distributing news. RSS can also be the basis for additional content distribution services.
There is another aspect to RSS not often talked about -
advertising. While some of the large corporations are looking
into RSS feeds as a viable revenue-earning business model, there's
nothing to stop you from advertising your products through an RSS
feed. You will reach a larger audience than
advertising on your website alone since the RSS feed is immediate
and in your reader's "face" where they are less likely to ignore
it. And your products will get syndicated to other websites that carry your feed as well as those who've directly subscribed to your feed.
Now if all that sounds good, just wait until you hear how easy it can be to publish RSS....
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