Most of us are drowning in information.
Emails. Social feeds. Notifications piling on notifications.
You look away for one minute and miss three posts from a writer you actually wanted to read—because an algorithm decided you needed fourteen kitchen remodeling hacks instead.
There’s a better way to keep up with the things you care about. No fuss. No overwhelm.
It’s called RSS.
If the name sounds technical, relax. This guide is for regular humans, not engineers.
Let’s get you set up in the next few minutes.
What RSS Actually Is (In Plain English)
RSS is basically a “follow” button for the entire internet.
Any time a site you follow publishes something new, RSS quietly pulls it into one clean feed. You stay in control.
No algorithm deciding what you see. …
Most of us are drowning in information.
Emails. Social feeds. Notifications piling on notifications.
You look away for one minute and miss three posts from a writer you actually wanted to read—because an algorithm decided you needed fourteen kitchen remodeling hacks instead.
There’s a better way to keep up with the things you care about. No fuss. No overwhelm.
It’s called RSS.
If the name sounds technical, relax. This guide is for regular humans, not engineers.
Let’s get you set up in the next few minutes.
What RSS Actually Is (In Plain English)
RSS is basically a “follow” button for the entire internet.
Any time a site you follow publishes something new, RSS quietly pulls it into one clean feed. You stay in control.
No algorithm deciding what you see. No ads wedged between articles. No emotional manipulation engineered to keep you scrolling.
Just updates from the places and people you choose.
If you want the technical backstory, here’s a solid explainer: https://www.w3.org/RSS/
But you don’t need any of that to use it.
Why RSS Is the Best Way to Keep Up With What Matters
You never miss posts from your favorite creators.
Everything shows up in order. Nothing gets buried by a feed curated for engagement metrics instead of your interests.
You get a quieter, calmer reading experience.
No autoplay videos. No “recommended for you” rabbit holes. No rage-bait in your peripheral vision.
You can ditch email for newsletters (if you want).
Some RSS readers let you follow newsletters directly inside the app. That means you enjoy your favorite writers without choking your inbox. This feature usually costs a few bucks a month (Feedly, Inoreader, and Readwise Reader all offer it), but even free RSS plans give you the bigger win: clarity and control.
You build your own personal internet.
Your interests. Your pace. Your feed.
Step 1: Pick Your Reader
Here are my three favorites:
Feedly — Best for most people. Simple, works everywhere, beginner-friendly.
Inoreader — Great if you love organizing. Powerful filters and folders once you’re comfortable.
Readwise Reader — Premium “everything in one place” tool. Combines RSS, newsletters, YouTube, PDFs, and highlights.
Any of these will work beautifully. Pick one and create a free account. You can’t go wrong.
Step 2: Add Your First Site
This is where it gets fun.
In your reader’s search bar, type the name of a site you love. Or paste the full URL. The reader will find the feed automatically.
To test it out, here is one you can add right now:
mike-taylor.org — Hand-picked research, tools, tech, and weekly discoveries.
You just built the foundation of your feed.
Step 3: Add a YouTube Channel (Optional)
Copy the link to any YouTube channel you follow. Paste it into your reader.
Done.
Every new video from that creator will now show up like a regular post. No ads. No “Up Next” spiral. No algorithm trying to keep you watching.
Step 4: Add a Newsletter (Optional—Usually a Paid Feature)
If your reader supports it, you can follow email newsletters directly in RSS.
Just paste the newsletter signup link or use your reader’s “Add Newsletter” option. Future issues arrive in your RSS feed instead of your email inbox.
Your inbox stays clean. Your brain stays focused.
Step 5: Create a Few Simple Folders
Don’t overthink this part. Start with something like:
A-List — Sources you’d actually miss if you skipped a day.
B-List — Great content, but you won’t lose sleep if you fall behind.
News
Learning & Ideas
Creators I Follow
This structure keeps RSS from becoming its own kind of overwhelm. You’re curating as you go, not drowning in a new flood.
Step 6: Let It Run
Give it a day.
Tomorrow, you’ll open your reader and see a clean feed of exactly the things you care about—and none of the things you don’t.
RSS feels like magic once the posts start flowing in.
How to Use RSS Comfortably Every Day
Here’s a routine that keeps things peaceful:
Daily (10 minutes)
Scan your A-List folders for anything new. If you have extra time, browse your B-List and explore.
As you discover new sites, creators, and sources you like, add them. You’re building your own personal internet, one feed at a time.
What This Actually Feels Like
You open your reader.
Twelve new posts.
Every single one from someone you chose to follow.
No ads wedged between you and the ideas. No algorithm guessing what you want. No dopamine-engineered infinity scroll.
Just signal. Just substance.
It’s your internet now—built by you, for you.
If you start using RSS after reading this, I’d love to hear what feeds you added first. Drop me a note and tell me what you’re following.