RSS Feeds on Your Squarespace Site
TL;DR:
- Squarespace creates RSS feeds automatically for blogs, events, galleries, stores, and albums
- RSS feeds update in real-time when you publish new content
- Find your RSS URL by adding
?format=rssto any page URL - Connect RSS feeds to email services like Mailchimp for automated updates
- Feeds show your 20 most recent posts (300 for podcasts)
- RSS readers like Feedly display your first image and text snippet
Understanding Squarespace RSS Feeds
Squarespace builds RSS feeds automatically for various page types including blogs, events, and store pages. These feeds update in real-time, so anyone subscribing to your feed gets your latest content without you lifting a finger.
The system shows up to 20 entries for regular posts and 300 for podcasts. This prevents your feed from getting too heavy while keeping subscribers up to date.
How to Find and Use RSS Feed URLs
Getting your RSS feed URL is straightforward. Take any Squarespace page URL and add ?format=rss to the end. That's your RSS feed link.
You can use this URL to set up feeds in news aggregators, email services, or anywhere you want your content to appear automatically.
Setting Up Email Subscriptions with Mailchimp
Here's how to connect your RSS feed to Mailchimp for automated email updates:
- Create a new list in Mailchimp for your content notifications
- Add a newsletter block to your Squarespace site and connect it to your Mailchimp list
- Set up an RSS campaign in Mailchimp using your page's RSS URL and link it to your prepared list
This setup means new blog posts trigger automatic emails to your subscribers.
How Your Content Appears in RSS Readers
RSS readers like Feedly display your content with specific formatting:
- The first image from each post
- A text snippet (usually 100-200 characters)
- The author's name (unless the post gets featured)
The order and formatting of content in your Squarespace posts affects how they appear in RSS readers. Put your best image first and write compelling opening sentences.
RSS for Podcasts
If you're podcasting, RSS feeds connect your Squarespace content to platforms like Apple Podcasts:
- Set up a dedicated blog page for your podcast episodes
- Upload and organize episodes on this page
- Use proper RSS tags for effective syndication
Squarespace handles the technical RSS formatting, but you'll need to submit your feed URL to podcast platforms manually.
Troubleshooting Common RSS Issues
Posts not showing up: Only your 20 most recent posts appear in the feed. Older content drops off automatically.
Images not displaying: RSS readers pull the first image from your post. Make sure you're adding images properly in Squarespace.
Feed not updating: RSS feeds update in real-time, but some readers cache content. Try refreshing or checking the feed URL directly.
FAQs
How do I find the RSS feed URL for a specific page?
Add ?format=rss to the end of any Squarespace page URL. For example, if your blog is at yoursite.com/blog, the RSS feed is at yoursite.com/blog?format=rss.
Can I change how my blog appears in RSS readers?
Yes, but your options are limited. RSS readers display your first image and opening text, so structure your posts accordingly. You can't customize the RSS template itself.
Why aren't all my blog posts showing in the RSS feed?
Squarespace RSS feeds only show the 20 most recent posts. This is built into the system to keep feeds manageable.
Do RSS feeds work with password-protected content?
No, RSS feeds only work with publicly accessible content. Password-protected posts won't appear in your feed.
Jargon Buster
RSS Feed: A format that delivers updated web content from blogs or websites to subscribers automatically.
XML File: The technical file format used for RSS feeds, representing your content as structured text.
Feed Reader: Software or online service that collects RSS feeds, letting users read updates from multiple sources in one place.
RSS Campaign: An automated email campaign in services like Mailchimp that sends updates based on your RSS feed.
Wrap-up
RSS feeds give your audience an easy way to stay updated with your content while connecting your Squarespace site to email services and other platforms. The setup is straightforward, but remember to check how your content appears in different RSS readers and adjust your posting style accordingly.
Most RSS issues come down to understanding the 20-post limit or how images and text display in readers. Keep these basics in mind and your RSS feeds will work smoothly.
Ready to dive deeper into Squarespace automation? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more advanced tutorials and troubleshooting guides.