RSS isn't a format that's super-helpful for publishers. There are a variety of reasons why. But it's an absolute dream for consumers. And that's what makes it so awesome, so powerful.

Case in point: I saw someone had unsubscribed from one of my email newsletters, and when I went to go read the "reason why" field, they'd filled out: "subscribed to the RSS feed instead."

That's right, my email newsletter has an RSS feed (thanks Buttondown!), and they prefer to receive the newsletter that way rather than via email. And can I blame them? Absolutely not! I love RSS. Is it better for my vanity to have their email address in my database instead, rather than some nebulous XML file going out to who-knows? Of course. But again, this format keeps on winning year after year because it's one of the best consumer-first features of the open web.

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paradox460 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

The rise of email only newsletters has been irritating. Thankfully a lot of readers (I use inoreader) let you create mailboxes that just turn into entries in your reader

	▲	Beijinger 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		https://kill-the-newsletter.com/

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not--felix 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I like the idea of 404 media to provide a paid full text rss feed. This makes it a lot better for publishers.

	▲	extra88 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		Yes, Talking Points Memo also has full text RSS feeds for paid subscribers.

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rs186 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

That's an extremely rare edge case that fails to justify your point spectacularly.

I thought the comment says "it was an absolute dream for consumers" but actually it says "it's". Sorry to burst your bubble, if you ask any normal person who does not spend 10 hours on HN per week, chances are that they have never heard of the term RSS in their life.

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AvAn12 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

I think there are a lot of us out there in fact. Managing a queue of feeds in an RSS reader is much more pleasant than having newsletters mixed with email. Separation of purpose is a good thing for most, imho

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0cf8612b2e1e 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Does not help that the browsers killed native RSS support. To bring up the infamous example, many normal people were using Google Reader.

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skylurk 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Nearly everyone I know has a favorite podcast. Even if they never heard of RSS, they are probably using it.

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seec 19 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It's a bit sad that you get heavily downvoted but it shows that they have a completely distorted view of reality.

I still use RSS but I am completely with you on this. Most people, even those who work in tech related fields very rarely know what RSS is and when you explain it to them, they mostly don't care.

I have had a very nice example where I explained what RSS/Feedly was to an interested graphic artist/designer (pretty competent with computers, spends all day on it). Once she got it, she told ME it was basically the same as email newsletter or subscribing to a Facebook page, Twitter feed or things like that. Which of course it is.

So, she couldn't be bothered to try the thing and set it up. I completly get it. For those who are used to it, it makes sense. If you already have your subscription stuff managed elsewhere, it's just more work for little benefits for most people.

What's more RSS actually inverse the responsibility in the relation, and you become the one who has to manage long term changes. Some feeds change URLs and I don't even notice it and you need a specific software to read them, which might be paid and might change overtime. And unlike emails, you can't even archive it easily, you need another software or a reader that has the functionality.

It's just a hassle and the reason most people don't care is because they can get the same benefits without paying for anything or having to manage/learn new stuff.

RSS is just a technology that matches an idealism about the world, very prevalent in the optimist technophile sphere. But the reality is that people don't want to make that much effort for some dubious "advantage" and they are right.

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rs186 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Oops, apparently people don't like me saying some truth out loud.

	▲	AlexeyBelov 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		Yes, you're a clearly a victim.