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Primary Health Care

Keeping up to date using RSS

What is RSS? RSS feed logo

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a web feed that allows users to keep track of updates to their favourite websites.

What advantages does using RSS feeds have?

  • RSS feeds are simple to use.
  • You can keep up-to-date with a range of different web resources, like websites, journals, blogs and searches.
  • You can download apps onto your phone or tablet to follow your RSS feeds.

How do I get started?

To get started, you will need to use an RSS reader to manage your feeds. Feedly logo is a popular tool for handling this.

To get up and running with Feedly, go to www.feedly.com and create an new account, or sign in using your Google or Facebook account.

Read through the following instructions for more information on how to use Feedly:

1. To add new content to your feed, click on the + ADD CONTENT button.

Feedly - Add content

2. A search box will appear where you can type in the name of a web resource that you would like to follow.

Feedly - Search for resources

3. Click on the FOLLOW button to add the resource. You will be prompted to add the new feed to a current collection or to create a new collection (Collections help keep your feeds in order.)

Feedly - Follow Resource

1. You can also add a feed by searching for the URL:

Feedly - Search URL

2. A website might have an RSS feed already set up. You can click on this to get a URL, which you can copy and paste into Feedly.

Feedly - Add existing source
  1. Go to PubMed and search for the subject you would like to create an RSS alert for.
    PubMed search keywords
  2. Once the results for your search have been returned, click on the Create RSS link.
    PubMed - Create RSS link
  3. The RSS Settings panel will then pop-up, where you can set the number of items to display as well as a name for your feed. Click on the Create RSS button to accept your settings.
    PubMed - RSS Setttings
  4. Click on the XML button to launch the RSS feed’s XML page.
    PubMed - XML link
  5. The RSS feed's XML page should launch in a new tab. Go to the new page and copy the URL from the address bar.
    PubMed - XML page
  6. You can then paste the URL into Feedly.
    PubMed - Paste XML URL
  • Feeds can be organised or removed through the Settings feature located on the side panel.
    Feedly - Settings
  • Different options are provided with which to lay out your feeds.
    Feedly - View layout options
  • The Feedly app can be downloaded from the App Store or from Google Play.
    App Store logo Google Play logo