You’ve probably heard of RSS feeds—those little orange icons that were all over the web a decade ago. While they may seem like an old-school tool from the early blogging days, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is far from outdated. In fact, RSS feeds are making a quiet comeback. They’re now used by marketers, bloggers, podcasters, publishers, and developers to automate content distribution, curate news, and boost SEO visibility without lifting a finger after setup.
At its core, an RSS feed is a standardized XML file that delivers a list of updates from a website. This file can be read by RSS readers, email tools, aggregators, or even apps like Slack and Discord. That means your blog posts, podcast episodes, or product updates can show up automatically in someone’s feed without them needing to visit your site manually.
What is an RSS Feed Generator?
An RSS feed generator is a tool that creates an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed from a website or digital content source—even if the original site doesn’t provide one. These generators scan web pages, extract recent updates, and convert them into a standardized XML format that feed readers and automation tools can consume.
RSS feed generators are useful for bloggers, content marketers, podcasters, and businesses that want to syndicate updates across platforms without manually coding XML files. Many modern tools require no technical knowledge—just input a URL, and the tool does the rest.
Why is RSS Feed Important?
- It automates content delivery across multiple platforms.
- It works without social algorithms messing with your reach.
- It’s open, decentralized, and privacy-friendly—unlike many modern platforms.
Whether you run a small blog or manage content for a larger brand, understanding and using RSS gives you more control over how your content is shared.
But creating RSS feeds isn’t always easy—especially if your site doesn’t generate one automatically. That’s where RSS feed generators come in.
Benefits of Using RSS Feed Generators
So, what exactly does a feed generator do?
In simple terms, a free RSS feed generator lets you create an RSS feed even if your website doesn’t have one built-in. You just give it a webpage URL (like a blog or news site), and it scrapes the content and builds a clean feed for you.
Time-Saving Automation
With an RSS generator, you don’t need to manually update your audience every time you publish something new. Your feed takes care of it automatically. This is especially helpful for:
- Bloggers who publish weekly
- News sites with multiple updates per day
- YouTubers and podcasters who post episodes regularly
Better Content Distribution
RSS feeds can be connected to:
- Email newsletters (like Mailchimp or ConvertKit)
- Social media automation tools (like Buffer or Dlvr.it)
- News aggregators (like Feedly or Inoreader)
This means your content can reach audiences in more places without additional work.
SEO and Syndication Boost
Search engines love fresh content—and RSS feeds help search engines crawl your updates faster. Plus, some RSS directories index your content, giving you backlinks and added visibility.
Ideal for Email Digests and Notifications
You can integrate your RSS feed with email tools to send out automatic newsletters based on your latest content. Many marketers use this setup to send “weekly roundups” or new blog alerts.
No Coding Skills Required
Most free tools are user-friendly—even for beginners. You just plug in a URL, and the tool generates a feed link you can use anywhere.
How to Choose the Right RSS Feed Generator
There are dozens of RSS feed generators out there—some with powerful customization, and others that are ultra-simple.
But how do you pick the right one for your needs? Start by asking yourself a few questions:
Is Your Site Missing a Native RSS Feed?
Some platforms like Shopify, Wix, or even custom CMS setups don’t always have built-in RSS. A generator fills that gap.
Do You Need Visual or Content Customization?
Some tools let you control how your feed looks, what elements it includes (images, summaries, timestamps), and how often it updates. Others keep it very basic.
What Format Do You Need?
Standard RSS 2.0 works for most people. But podcasters might need iTunes-compatible feeds, and developers may want Atom or JSON formats.
Where Will the Feed Be Used?
- For email automation: Choose tools that integrate easily with email platforms.
- For news aggregation: Look for tools that let you include structured metadata.
- For developers or power users: Opt for open-source or code-friendly options.
How Often Should the Feed Update?
Not all free tools offer frequent refresh rates. Some update once every few hours, while others are near real-time.
Do You Need API Access or Embedding Options?
Some advanced tools offer API endpoints or widget code, letting you embed the feed on your website or app.
6 Best Free RSS Feed Generators (Reviewed)
There are many RSS feed tools out there, but not all of them are easy to use — or actually free. We’ve tested and reviewed six reliable, free RSS feed generators that you can start using today, whether you’re creating a new feed from scratch or turning social content into a feed.
FetchRSS
Best for: Creating RSS feeds from any public website or social profile
FetchRSS is a powerful and user-friendly tool that allows you to generate RSS feeds from almost any site — even if that site doesn’t offer a feed natively. It uses a visual feed builder where you select which elements to pull (titles, dates, images, etc.).
- Free plan includes up to 5 feeds
- Works with news sites, blogs, Facebook pages, YouTube channels, and more
- No coding required
Website: https://fetchrss.com
RSS.app
Best for: Quickly generating RSS feeds from webpages or social media
RSS.app lets you create feeds from almost any public page, including Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. It also offers widgets, so you can embed your feed into websites easily.
- Free plan includes limited feed access and updates
- Visual feed preview while building
- Great for social media feeds or niche websites
Website: https://rss.app
Feedity
Best for: Turning structured web pages into RSS feeds
Feedity is a simple tool that generates custom RSS feeds from structured web content. It works best with regularly updated pages like blogs, product listings, or news sections.
- Allows content filtering and keyword targeting
- Free plan offers basic feeds with limited refresh rate
- Premium version allows automation and branding
Website: https://feedity.com
FiveFilters Feed Creator
Best for: Developers or advanced users who want full control
FiveFilters is a more technical feed builder that can extract content from pages without feeds. It’s open-source and can be self-hosted or used via their hosted service.
- Free, open-source option
- Supports full-text RSS feeds
- Ideal for scraping headlines and summaries
Website: https://createfeed.fivefilters.org
PolitePol
Best for: Minimalist RSS creation from public pages
PolitePol is a lightweight and privacy-focused tool that turns any public web page into an RSS feed. It’s open-source, and doesn’t collect your data or require registration.
- No sign-up required
- Clean and simple interface
- Free to use, with a GitHub repository available
Website: https://politepol.com
Zapier (RSS by Zapier)
Best for: Automating RSS feeds into workflows
Zapier isn’t a feed generator in the traditional sense, but you can use it to create custom RSS feeds or actions based on RSS updates. It’s perfect for combining RSS with email, Slack, Google Sheets, or other tools.
- Create RSS feeds from apps or databases
- Send RSS items to other tools automatically
- Great for power users and automation lovers
Website: https://zapier.com/apps/rss
How to Choose the Right RSS Feed Generator
With so many tools out there, how do you pick the right one? Here’s a quick guide to help you choose based on your goals:
- Want to automate your blog updates? Use RSS.app or FetchRSS.
- Need to pull content from a structured HTML page? Try Feedity or PolitePol.
- Looking to integrate RSS into workflows or apps? Use Zapier’s RSS features.
- Prefer an open-source or private setup? Go for FiveFilters or PolitePol.
Most tools offer a free tier, so you can test a few options to see what works best before upgrading or integrating further.
Smart Ways to Use RSS Feeds for Growth and Automation
Now that you’ve seen the top tools for generating RSS feeds, the next step is knowing how to use them effectively. Whether you’re running a blog, a business site, or a content-heavy platform, there are many ways RSS feeds can save time and grow your audience.
Automate Your Email Newsletters
One of the most powerful uses of an RSS feed is automating your email marketing. Instead of manually sending new content each time, you can connect your feed to an email service provider like:
- Mailchimp – Use the RSS-to-email campaign feature to send automatic updates
- ConvertKit – Set up RSS-triggered broadcasts or sequences
- MailerLite – Use RSS campaigns to share blog posts or updates
This is perfect for bloggers, content marketers, or businesses with regular updates. You can choose to send emails instantly, daily, weekly, or monthly based on your feed.
Distribute Content on Social Media Automatically
You can also use RSS feeds to post your latest content to social platforms without doing it manually. Services like:
- Buffer – Add your RSS feed and queue posts to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Dlvr.it – Automatically publish feed items to social channels
- IFTTT or Zapier – Trigger social posts whenever your feed updates
This keeps your social presence active and your audience engaged — even when you’re not logged in.
Curate Industry Content with Feed Aggregators
RSS isn’t just for pushing out your own content. It’s also a great way to curate content from others. Feed readers like:
- Feedly
- Inoreader
…allow you to subscribe to feeds from multiple sources, organizing them by topic or interest. You can then share this curated content with your audience via social posts, newsletters, or blog roundups.
Embed Feeds on Your Website
Want to display updates from another site or blog? Use an RSS widget to embed a feed directly on your site. This works well for:
- Showing recent posts from partner blogs
- Featuring news headlines in a sidebar
- Sharing YouTube or podcast episodes
Many RSS generators and plugins offer embed options. Just drop the widget code or shortcode into your site and your feed will appear automatically.
Build Custom Content Apps or Dashboards
RSS feeds also work great for developers or power users building custom dashboards, apps, or internal tools. You can use RSS data to:
- Build a personal news dashboard
- Create a Slack bot that shares updates
- Feed content into an internal knowledge base
Tools like Zapier, Integromat (Make), or even Google Sheets + RSS integrations can help automate these processes without needing to write code.
SEO Benefits of RSS Feeds
Besides automation and content distribution, RSS feeds can also support your SEO strategy. Here’s how:
Faster Indexing
RSS feeds help search engines discover new content on your site quickly. Submitting your feed to platforms like Google Search Console can speed up indexing when new posts are published.
Better Crawlability
If your site has complex navigation or buried blog posts, an RSS feed provides a direct list of fresh links. This makes it easier for search engines to crawl and understand your content structure.
Content Syndication
Some RSS directories and news aggregators republish your feed content with backlinks. This can give you valuable referral traffic and authority signals — as long as the sites are reputable.
Internal Linking Opportunities
Using RSS widgets on your site can also improve internal linking. For example, showing related posts in your sidebar (via feed) keeps users browsing longer and boosts engagement metrics.
Where to Submit Your RSS Feeds
Once your RSS feed is live, you can submit it to directories or platforms to increase visibility. Here are some places to start:
- Google Search Console – Submit feed URLs for faster indexing
- Feedly – Add your feed to their content network
- Flipboard – Submit your blog as a content source
- Bloglovin – Get listed and followed by new readers
- RSS directories – Sites like Feedspot, RSSGround, and more
Submitting your feed not only boosts reach — it also helps build backlinks and attract a loyal audience who prefers RSS consumption.
Tips for Managing and Optimizing Your Feeds
To make the most of your RSS feed, follow these best practices:
Keep Your Titles and Summaries Clear
RSS readers pull titles and excerpts. Make sure your headlines are compelling, and your summaries give enough context to click through.
Use Featured Images If Possible
Feeds that include thumbnails or images tend to get higher engagement, especially in email and social platforms. Choose tools that support image scraping.
Stick to a Consistent Publishing Schedule
The more predictable your updates, the better for automation and for subscribers who rely on your content. Weekly or biweekly posting works well for most industries.
Monitor Your Feed Links
Use tools like Feed Validator (https://validator.w3.org/feed/) to check if your RSS feed is valid. Broken or improperly formatted feeds can cause problems for subscribers and aggregators.
Track Performance with UTM Tags
Want to know where RSS traffic is coming from? Add UTM tags to links in your feed so you can monitor click-throughs in Google Analytics or other platforms.
Wrapping Up
RSS may not be the newest tool in digital marketing, but it remains one of the most powerful for content distribution, automation, and reach — especially when paired with the right free RSS feed generator.
Whether you’re a blogger trying to automate email newsletters, a marketer distributing content across channels, or a developer building apps — there’s an RSS tool out there for you. And with the tools and tips above, you’re now fully equipped to use RSS to its full potential.
Explore one of the free RSS generators we covered earlier, and start building smarter content workflows today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do all websites have RSS feeds?
No, not all websites include RSS feeds by default—especially modern platforms like Shopify, Wix, or custom CMS solutions. That’s where RSS feed generators become essential.
Are RSS feeds still used today?
Yes. While less visible than in the past, RSS feeds are widely used for email automation, podcasting, news aggregation, and app development. They remain a reliable way to distribute content without relying on social media algorithms.
Is it legal to create an RSS feed from another website?
In most cases, creating a feed for personal use is fine. However, if you’re redistributing content or using it commercially, make sure to respect copyright laws and the site’s terms of service.
Can I use RSS feeds to send newsletters?
Absolutely. Many email platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and MailerLite allow you to create automated RSS-to-email campaigns that send your latest content to subscribers.
What’s the best free RSS feed generator?
It depends on your needs. FetchRSS and RSS.app are great for beginners and social media feeds. Feedity works well with structured content, while FiveFilters is ideal for developers and advanced users.