News Feed
A news feed is a list that displays current events, or other posts that a user finds interesting. They can exist on news websites and social media apps.
2025-06-13 · by Felix · in learn
What is a News Feed?
A news feed is a stream of content updates, traditionally used by news websites, online magazines, and blogs to display their latest articles in reverse chronological order — with the newest content appearing first.
Over time, the concept of a news feed has expanded beyond traditional media. Today, nearly every social media platform features a form of news feed: a constantly updating list of posts, photos, or videos from accounts you follow.
News Feeds in Traditional vs. Social Media
| Feature | Traditional News Feed | Social Media Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Source | News websites, blogs | Platforms like Facebook, X |
| Sorting | Newest first (chronological) | Algorithmic (relevance-based) |
| Control | Reader controls subscriptions | Platform controls visibility |
| Format | Often RSS or Atom | Proprietary, app-based |
In traditional news feeds, users or RSS readers decide what to follow. Content is delivered as published — no filters or manipulation.
In social media feeds, algorithms often decide what you see based on engagement, personalization, or ad targeting.
How to Follow News Feeds with an RSS Reader
You don’t have to rely on algorithms or social media to stay informed. Using an RSS reader, you can follow real news feeds directly — without noise or tracking.
Steps to follow news feeds with RSS:
-
Choose an RSS reader
Examples: Ivyreder, Inoreader, NetNewsWire, Readwise Reader, or your own custom reader. -
Find the RSS feed for a site
Most news sites still offer RSS feeds, even if hidden. -
Add the feed to your reader
Paste the URL into your reader’s “Add Feed” option. -
Stay updated automatically
New articles will appear in your reader, sorted by publish time.
Why Use RSS for News Feeds?
- See every update, not what an algorithm decides
- Follow your own interests
- No ads, no tracking, no engagement traps
- Fast, focused news consumption
Pro tip: You can also follow YouTube channels, Substack newsletters, Reddit threads, and even podcast feeds with many modern RSS readers.