I'm usually pretty decent with computer stuff - but somehow this whole RSS feed thing escapes me. How do I add one to my blog? I spent a while trying to look it up online a few days ago but had zero luck. Apparently rss feeds are my Achilles tendon of the blog world? My website is here if you want to look at it: http://everydayillusion.com
And I really want one of the rss feeds where you click on it and it pops up the bookmarks folder, not the kind that takes you to a third party website. Thanks in advance if you can help!
http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Feeds this is really pretty clear.
Your theme has to be coded for it - most theme are I think - there is only a small piece of code that has to be in the theme. But someone else - nico probably will know for sure.
You want a subscribe button, that link tell you how to make one, as you can see you can make one or burn a feed with feedburner making it easier for people to subscribe a variety of ways.
You say you want a direct bookmark - I'm not sure that is really a feed is it? People can bookmark directly via their browser. Most people read blogs off a feed reader not off off their book mark menu at least that is my guess.
You can also burn a feedburner feed but it gives you a feed not a bookmarking type service. I think burning a feed with feedburner is a good idea. I'm not sure how others feel.
Permalink Reply by Anna on January 26, 2010 at 3:32pm
Ah, it looks like it was my RSS feed reader that was making it pop up like a bookmark for me (when I click on a RSS feed like the one below, it pops up a bookmarks window and I add it to the rest of the RSS feeds I follow. I never actually see the RSS feed.)
I basically want one like this, I guess? http://www.wow.com/rss.xml
I haven't looked at your links yet, I'll do that now. Thanks for the response!
Permalink Reply by Anna on January 26, 2010 at 3:52pm
Okay so, it looks like my theme is coded for RSS 2.0.
I can see it here: http://everydayillusion.com/?feed=rss2 kind of. Except it is empty.
Why is it empty? I'm so very confused.
I get the last two posts, partial feed. You have to do to your dashboard, go to Settings, choose reading and set it for full feed, and set the number of posts for however many 3 or 4 is good iI think but some people choose more.
So yea, it is there, it just needs some adjustment. It is nice to have the add me or an RSS icon included for convenience though.
They're still concentrating on subscribe buttons while you're on another subject completely. No offense, but it's probably a fair idea to disregard looking into advertising your RSS feed when it isn't working correctly. (Well, except for cooper's reply a second ago which popped up while I was putting this together...)
My suggestions would be to ensure that any uncommon plugins you're using (particularly any that might have an effect on RSS feeds or post content) are disabled, then try viewing your feed again. Additionally, make sure that the number of posts you make available (WP-Admin > Settings > Reading > "Syndication feeds show the most recent x posts") is set reasonably.
Also, try setting your most recent post (in the screenshot, the one entitled "Stress and Spreadsheets") to a draft/pending review status for a moment and see if your feed shows up correctly. Because WordPress is cutting off before it outputs that particular post's content to your feed, it might be broken in some way (don't fret if it is).
I'll follow this thread, so post back with any new information you have based on these tips. Hopefully we can pin this down without too much fuss.
yes I see her feed, it is just that it is a partial feed. I thought just changing that would make the feed whole. I have her feed o both my reader and home page.
Permalink Reply by Anna on January 27, 2010 at 12:06am
I'm really ignorant here, I'm sure you can tell.
"choose reading and set it for full feed" - cooper
When I went to check this setting, it was set on full text.
"No offense, but it's probably a fair idea to disregard looking into advertising your RSS feed when it isn't working correctly. " - Nick Tabick
In my head, the problem was in people getting to it, (assuming that I too was unable to get to it for some reason) so thank you for clarifying. There is something wrong with the feed itself.
"My suggestions would be to ensure that any uncommon plugins you're using (particularly any that might have an effect on RSS feeds or post content) are disabled"
I haven't added any plugins, but I did go ahead and deactivate any that didn't look important. There was no change.
"Additionally, make sure that the number of posts you make available (WP-Admin > Settings > Reading > "Syndication feeds show the most recent x posts") is set reasonably."
It's set at 10, which was the default.
"Also, try setting your most recent post (in the screenshot, the one entitled "Stress and Spreadsheets") to a draft/pending review status for a moment and see if your feed shows up correctly."
I did this, and when I went to update the feed on my RSS reader it placed a red triangle with an ! in it next to the blog title in my feed - indicating, I assume, that it and the feed are having a fight or something.
Edit: I did also try changing my theme since, well, I didn't code it and I still have no idea how RSS feeds work so I figured it might help, but even on the default theme I have the same problem.
Permalink Reply by Anna on January 27, 2010 at 12:53am
I think I've banged my head against this enough for one day, and I'm going to take a break. I'll check back here after work tomorrow, thanks so much for your help thus far guys.