Pings

Google's RSS Reader

Google now has an RSS reader of its own: Google Reader. Their FAQ covers the basics.  One cool feature is that you can place a star on items that you want to check out again later. Other readers may already do this, I am not sure (I use FeedDemon and I don't think it offers this). 

Consumers unaware of their RSS usage

A new Yahoo white paper on RSS (in PDF) provides the latest snapshot of how Internet users are adopting this new technology.

Here are some of the findings:

• Twelve percent of users are aware of RSS, but only four percent have "knowingly" used it.
• Twenty-seven percent of Internet users consume RSS syndicated content on their personalized start pages -- My Yahoo! or My MSN, for example -- without knowing that RSS is involved.

Clearly, RSS is becoming part of the Internet experience. But, it is not happening because Internet users are downloading RSS readers and seeking out RSS feeds. It's happening because companies like Yahoo, Microsoft and Google are integrating RSS into the products they make. I do believe there is a segment of "power users" (e.g. reporters) who will take advantage of RSS to manage large amounts of incoming information on the Internet (using FeedDemon, for example). But, most will enjoy the "benefits of RSS" (as noted below) without realizing it.

The paper offers some advice:

To position RSS among mainstream Internet users, it is essential to effectively communicate the benefits of RSS (ease, convenience, access to information of interest). Internet users do not understand how to use the XML button, how to actively seek out RSS feeds, or even what the term RSS means. Instead, they need a simple interface where they can choose the information and content that interests them. This is where personalized start pages and browser-based experiences can help move RSS into the mainstream.

See also, "RSS Needs to Become Seemless," from Micro Persuasion.

Corporations Investing in RSS

A Forbes.com article this week, "The Rise Of RSS," does a good job of covering the latest on the growing business of RSS.

Here are some highlights from the aricle: 

• Microsoft will incorporate RSS in the next version of Internet Explorer and in Longhorn, the next version of the Windows operating system. 
• AskJeeves has purchased Bloglines, a RSS and blog content aggregator. (AskJeeves is owned by IAC/InterActiveCorp.)
• RSS Investors, a new venture capital fund, already has $20 million in the bank and seeks as much as $100 million.
• The article notes that other venture capital funds such as Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers have also invested in RSS or RSS-related firms.
• Rojo Networks has released a next-generation RSS reader.

RSS use low, but higher among blog readers

A new study by Nielsen//NetRatings shows low awareness and use of RSS among blog readers, reports ADWEEK. 

Nielsen//NetRatings polled 1,000 members of its research panel who read blogs. It found that nearly two-thirds of the respondents either never heard of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) or did not know what the technology is used for. The study found only 11 percent of Web log readers use RSS to monitor blogs.

However, a recent Forrester study shows that only two percent of online adults and five pecent of online teens use RSS. So, blog readers appear to be adopting it at a higher rate than other web users.

See, "One in Ten Weblog Readers Personalize Content with RSS Feeds, According to Neilsen/Netratings," from Netratings.com (in PDF)

See "RSS Mystifies Most Blog Readers," from ADWEEK.

RSS use in North America

Emarketer summarizes two reports on RSS use showing that as many as 5% of online users in North America are using RSS.  Certainly, we are talking about earlier adopters here.  But, remember that IE 7.0 will include RSS in the browser.  Also, the Forrester report notes that some users of My Yahoo may not be aware that they are using RSS.

Read the story on EMarketer.