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Simon Wright

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4 Ways to Quickly Find WordPress RSS Feed URLs

Locating the URL of a WordPress RSS feed is easy using a plugin such as WP RSS Aggregator. This article shows you how.
How to locate the URL of a WordPress RSS Feed

Finding the WordPress feed URL is easy using a plugin such as WP RSS Aggregator. This article shows you how.

RSS feeds are a valuable asset for your WordPress website, offering a multitude of benefits such as content syndication, increased traffic, brand-building, and reputation enhancement. In this article, we’ll explain RSS feeds and guide you through the process of leveraging them effectively on your WordPress site.

Discover eight ways to locate the URLs of these powerful tools and harness their potential. Whether you’re new to RSS feeds or looking to optimize your use of them, this article has you covered.

How do I find the RSS feed URL of a WordPress website?

Where a WordPress website has an RSS feed, its URL is generally created automatically in its HTML page source and can be found in the /feed/ directory.

For example, if your website is www.mysite.com, the RSS feed URL would be www.mysite.com/feed/, in which case WordPress will only display the posts and comments.

If you only wish to see the RSS feed for a specific category, the URL can be modified to www.mysite.com/category/category_name/feed.

Similarly, the URL of the RSS feed can be adjusted to display only a particular author (www.mysite.com/author/authorname/feed), or for comments, it will be (www.mysite.com/comments/feed).

Here are more tips to help you manually and quickly find a WordPress RSS feed URL:

1. Find the WordPress RSS feed URL by checking the source code

Finding the WordPress RSS feed URL by checking the source code of a website is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you locate the feed URL:

  1. Visit the website: Start by visiting the WordPress website for which you want to find the RSS feed URL.
  2. Right-click and inspect: On the website’s page, right-click anywhere on the page or the content area where you suspect the RSS feed might be located. A context menu will appear; select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element.” This will open the browser’s Developer Tools panel.
  3. Open the HTML code: In the Developer Tools panel, you’ll see the website’s HTML code. Take a look at the elements on the page.
  4. Use the search feature: In the Developer Tools panel, use the search feature by pressing Ctrl+F (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+F (Mac) to open the search bar.
  5. Search for keywords: In the search bar, type keywords like “rss” or “xml.” Press Enter to start the search.
  6. Look for the feed URL: The search results will highlight any instances of “rss” or “xml” in the HTML code. Examine these results to find the RSS feed URL. It may appear in a tag like <link>, <atom:link>, or similar.
  7. Verify the URL: Once you’ve found a potential RSS feed URL, click on it to open it in a new tab or window. This will confirm that it’s indeed the RSS feed for the website.
  8. Save or subscribe: If the URL in the new tab displays the website’s RSS feed content, you can either bookmark it for future reference or subscribe to it using your preferred RSS reader.
  9. Custom feeds: Keep in mind that some websites may use custom RSS feed URLs. In such cases, the term “rss” or “xml” may not appear explicitly in the HTML code. Look for unique identifiers or paths.

By following these steps and searching the source code, you can quickly find the WordPress RSS feed URL for the website you’re interested in. This allows you to stay updated with the latest content from the site or use the feed for other purposes like content curation or syndication.

2. Using a plugin to locate the feed URL and set up RSS feeds in WordPress

To save you from finding the RSS feed on a WordPress site yourself, a plugin like WP RSS Aggregator can help you do it automatically, eliminating the need to mess around with paths like /feed/.

It does this by inspecting the code of the website you plan on using to see if an RSS feed is available. Where a feed is present, the plugin will proceed to use it, and if not, it will warn you that no RSS feed is available.

Of course, that’s not all WP RSS Aggregator can do, as it also allows you to:

  • Import content from various feed sources such as WordPress blog feed URLs, news sites, and social media networks.
  • Combine multiple feeds into one and embed it into your site using simple shortcodes.
  • Manage all your RSS feed sources from a single location in your WordPress backend.

The plugin automates the entire process, eliminating the need for you to add each post manually – a real time saver! Best of all, the core plugin is free, plus there are several competitively priced add-ons and premium plans available to enhance its functionality further.

3. How to generate posts automatically from an external RSS feed using WP RSS Aggregator

WP RSS Aggregator is available with a powerful Feed to Post feature that automatically adds content to your website from external sources.

Feed to Post works by importing RSS feed items from external sources and publishing them as individual WordPress or custom posts. What’s more, the look of the posted content will match your site’s branding as the settings of your theme’s CSS or page builder are applied to them.

Feed to Post is a premium feature, but it is well worth buying given how quick and easy it makes populating your site with content, whether you’re creating a content hub or just adding industry news. This makes it perfect for new blogs that don’t have many articles, to begin with.

Here is an overview of how to use WP RSS Aggregator and the Feed to Post add-on to automatically create posts from an RSS feed:

Step 1 – Download and activate WP RSS Aggregator

First, download and activate WP RSS Aggregator as you would any other plugin. As it is available in the WordPress plugin repository, you can do this by choosing ‘Add New’ under ‘Plugins’ in the WordPress admin panel and using the search box to find WP RSS Aggregator.

Location of the WP RSS Aggregator plugin in the WordPress admin panel

Step 2 – Download and activate the Feed to Post add-on

A new RSS Aggregator submenu will appear in the menu of your WordPress admin panel. From this, select ‘Upgrade’ and then choose ‘Purchase & Install’ under the Feed to Post section. Follow the prompts to purchase, install and activate the add-on.

Location of the Feed to Post add-on in the the WP RSS Aggregator upgrades screen in the WordPress control panel

Step 3 – Create a new feed source and configure the post settings

Select ‘Feed Sources’ from the RSS Aggregator submenu and then click on ‘Add New.’

Location of the Feed Sources option in the WP RSS Aggregator submenu

Next, enter into the URL field the address of the website from where you wish to source post content. Also, you can give the new feed source a memorable name in the ‘Name this feed’ field – in our example, we have called it ‘Example RSS.’

Note that if the URL you have entered has a valid feed, a preview of it will appear on the right-hand side. Conversely, if no feed exists, a warning will show, in which case you will need to find an alternative URL with an RSS feed.

Screenshot showing a URL and name being assigned to a new feed source, plus the location of the feed preview panel

Step 4 – Choose the settings

If you wish, you can now go through and adjust some of the other settings. More details of those are available in the WP RSS Aggregator Knowledge Base, or you can simply hover over the ‘?’ by each option for a brief explanation of what it does. Then, when you have finished configuring the settings, go ahead and hit ‘Publish.’

Step 5 – Admire your new posts!

Congratulations, you have now created your first feed source and pushed the content from it to new posts!

If you now click on ‘All Posts’ in your WordPress backend menu, you will see that a bunch of new draft posts have been generated from the RSS feed. You can now go through these and edit them if you wish, and once you are happy with them, publish them.

The new posts in the WordPress backend created by WP RSS Aggregator's Feed to Post add-on

Here is what one of the posts looks like once published:

Example of a post published using the Feed to Post add-on in WP RSS Aggregator

Please check out this article for further information on adding RSS feeds to your site.

4. WP RSS Aggregator features and premium options

WP RSS Aggregator is a versatile plugin that gives your WordPress site the ability to aggregate and manage RSS feeds. Discover the core features that come completely free, offering unlimited possibilities for content integration and customization. Explore the premium add-ons that take your RSS aggregation to the next level, enabling you to tailor your content, filter for relevance, and even eliminate plagiarism concerns. Whether you’re a casual blogger or a seasoned developer, WP RSS Aggregator has something to offer. Let’s explore the features and premium options that can transform your WordPress website. 

WP RSS Aggregator offers a wealth of features in its free core plugin, including:

  • Unlimited content imports from multiple feed sources.
  • Automatic content fetching from RSS feeds.
  • Multilingual support for various languages.
  • Integration of playable YouTube videos.
  • Configurable limits for improved performance.
  • Creation of custom RSS feeds.
  • Developer-friendly action and filter hooks.

Enhance your experience further with premium add-ons available directly within WordPress:

  • Full text RSS feeds: Retrieve complete content from feed sources by converting excerpts into full-text RSS feeds.
  • Customizable templates: Tailor grid and list templates with ease, even utilizing custom CSS.
  • Keyword filtering: Filter RSS content based on specific keywords, categories, tags, or both, delivering relevant content to your audience.
  • Source categories: Organize feed sources into categories, ensuring content displays in a structured manner.
  • WordAi and Spinnerchief integration: Prevent plagiarism by automatically rewriting feed content with WordAi.com or SpinnerChief.

For ultimate functionality, consider upgrading to one of our premium WP RSS Aggregator plans (Basic, Pro, or All Access). Features vary depending on your choice, but you can expect premium add-ons, automatic image imports, author, tag, and category settings, custom field mapping, premium support, and more.

Get started with your RSS Feeds and WP RSS Aggregator

RSS Feeds are a great addition to any WordPress site. They can add fresh new content from external sources such as other blogs, news sites, and social media channels the moment it is published. Moreover, having your own RSS feed means subscribers remain updated on your latest offerings without requiring them to make frequent trips back to your site.

WP RSS Aggregator is an excellent plugin allowing you to add RSS feeds to your WordPress website easily. Even with the free version, you can identify external sources that have RSS feeds and combine them into one for inclusion in your content. Best of all, a plugin like WP RSS Aggregator does all this effortlessly without the need for any coding knowledge!

To get the free core version of WP RSS Aggregator, click here, or here to purchase one of the premium plans.

FAQs

Q. What is an RSS feed? 

A: An RSS feed, short for “Really Simple Syndication” or “Rich Site Summary,” is a standardized system used by online publishers to distribute and share web content. It allows users to subscribe to websites and receive automatic updates in real-time, making it easier to stay informed about new articles and posts. RSS feeds are not limited to news sites; they can be found on various websites, including blogs and other content-rich platforms.

Q: What are the key benefits of using RSS feeds on a WordPress website? 

Using RSS feeds on a WordPress website offers several advantages:

  • Improved SEO through backlinks from syndicated content.
  • Enhanced user engagement by adding diverse content sources.
  • Immediate notifications to subscribers about new content.
  • Avoiding the clutter of email inboxes.
  • Protection against unsolicited content (spam).
  • Building brand awareness and trust.
  • Keeping track of published posts.
  • Monetization opportunities through affiliate links in feeds

Q. Who can use RSS Feeds? 

RSS feeds are versatile and can benefit a wide range of users, including:

  • New bloggers who want to automate content creation.
  • Sports websites providing live scores.
  • Content publishers looking to syndicate their material.
  • Website owners sharing expertise and generating content for other sites.
  • Educational institutions distributing assignments and notices.
  • Businesses use feeds for special offers and promotions. In essence, anyone can harness the power of RSS feeds to streamline content distribution and stay connected with their audience.

Q: How do I add an RSS feed to my WordPress site?

Adding an RSS feed to your WordPress site is a straightforward process. Most WordPress themes include built-in support for RSS feeds. To display your site’s main RSS feed, simply add “/feed” to your site’s URL. You can also use widgets or plugins like RSS Aggregator to customize and display feeds from other websites or sources on your site.

Q: How can I remove unnecessary feed URLs?

To remove unnecessary feed URLs from your WordPress site, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Go to settings and select reading.
  3. In the reading settings page, find the for each article in a feed, show option.
  4. Choose summary instead of full text to display only article summaries in your feeds.

Scroll down and click the save changes button to save your settings. This will remove the unnecessary full-text feed URLs from your site and display only article summaries in your feeds.

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