I recently made the decision to unsubscribe from a number of RSS feeds that only included summaries of the content contained in the blog posts that were being distributed via the feeds.

The act of unsubscribing from these feeds was based on two factors. First, it is highly frustrating to browse my RSS reader of choice in an offline mode while dealing with content summaries. As I go down the list of feeds that I read I sometimes come to a content summary and then have to take the step of marking the item as ‘unread’ so that I can come back and read the item via my browser once I get back online. What a waste of my time!

The second factor in my decision to unsubscribe is based on convenience. Whether I’m online or offline I get into a nice flow when reading RSS feeds that allows me to absorb quite a bit of information in a short period of time. So maybe I could deal with bumping into partial content feeds while offline by placing them in a different folder in my RSS reader, which happens to be Onfolio. Now I’m creating a separate process just to deal with summaries. Even more of a time waster. Even if I did that I would still be taken out of my flow of absorbing information when reading partial content feeds. If I want to read the whole of an item I then must go to the web page in a new window. This process slows me down and defeats the purpose of using an RSS feed reader.

In my opinion RSS is about convenience. By utilizing RSS to distribute content the publisher is making it more convenient for the content consumer by allowing them to: a. Get automatic updates when new content is published and b. Read using the tool of their choice at the time of their choice. Both of these are very good things that maximize the uptake of content published on the web.

Some publishers balk at full content feed items because they want visitors to go to their website to maximize ad impressions or affiliate link clicks. That’s not exactly the best way to gain the affection of users on the web. I don’t think anyone likes to feel like a fish that needs to be reeled in so the publisher can get a payday. Other publishers might subscribe to the theory that partial content feeds spur participation via comments on posts. I can’t speak for the many people who consume web content via RSS. I only know that reading via RSS has never stopped me from commenting when I want to comment. I simply mark an item and then come back later to check my marked items so that I visit the website and comment.

You might be a bit confused because the last process I described is the same as the process for dealing with partial content feeds. That is true. The difference is that I make the choice to visit the site. Publishers who post partial content feeds make the choice for me by not providing the content to allow me to make my own decision.

My advice for publishers is simple. Remember that RSS is about convenience for the content consumer. It is possible to use full content RSS feeds to promote your products and services or earn revenue via advertising if that’s what you want to do. You will be better served in the long run if you focus on distributing compelling content that convinces visitors to patronize your business or visit your website to take part in the extended conversation. Treating your subscribers as fish on the end of the line may seem like a good idea but you just might be limiting the reach and effectiveness of your message.

[tags]Social Media, Blogging, RSS[/tags]