How to Use RSS Blocks on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Add RSS blocks to display your blog's RSS feed directly on your Squarespace site
- Use FeedBurner to create cleaner, more professional-looking RSS feed URLs
- RSS blocks only work on Squarespace 7.0 sites – they're not available in 7.1
- Visitors can subscribe to your RSS feed through their preferred RSS reader
RSS blocks are a Squarespace 7.0 feature that lets you display your blog's RSS feed on any page of your site. If you're running a 7.1 site, you'll need to use other methods to promote your RSS feed.
Adding RSS Blocks to Your Squarespace 7.0 Site
RSS blocks only work on Squarespace 7.0 templates. If you're using a 7.1 site, skip to the FeedBurner section below for alternative ways to improve your RSS feed.
Step 1: Add the RSS Block
While editing your page, click the insertion point where you want the RSS block to appear. Select the RSS block from the content options.
Step 2: Configure the Block
Click the pencil icon to open the block editor. Choose which blog page you want to display the RSS feed for. You can select from any blog page on your site.
Save your changes and the RSS block will display a link to your chosen blog's RSS feed.
Using FeedBurner for Better RSS Feeds
FeedBurner creates cleaner RSS feed URLs that look more professional when visitors view them directly. This works for both 7.0 and 7.1 sites.
Step 1: Set Up FeedBurner
Go to FeedBurner and log in with your Google account. Enter your blog's RSS URL (usually yoursite.com/blog?format=rss) and follow the setup process.
Choose a custom title and URL for your feed. Copy the FeedBurner URL once it's created.
Step 2: Replace Your Squarespace RSS URL
In your Squarespace admin, go to Pages and hover over your blog page. Click the settings gear icon and find the Feeds tab.
Paste your FeedBurner URL into the 'RSS Feed Replacement URL' field and save. Now when people access your RSS feed, they'll see the enhanced FeedBurner version.
Promoting Your RSS Feed on 7.1 Sites
Since RSS blocks don't exist in 7.1, you'll need to manually add RSS feed links:
- Add a text block with a link to your RSS feed
- Include RSS feed links in your navigation or footer
- Mention your RSS feed in blog posts or newsletters
Your RSS feed URL is always yoursite.com/blog?format=rss (replace 'blog' with your actual blog page URL).
FAQs
Can I use RSS blocks on Squarespace 7.1?
No, RSS blocks are only available on Squarespace 7.0 templates. You'll need to manually add RSS feed links on 7.1 sites.
Do I need FeedBurner for my RSS feed to work?
No, FeedBurner is optional. It just makes your RSS feed look cleaner when people view it directly in their browser.
Can I display RSS feeds from other websites?
RSS blocks in Squarespace only work with your own blog pages. You can't use them to display external RSS feeds.
Will RSS feeds work on mobile devices?
Yes, though most mobile users will need an RSS reader app to subscribe to feeds.
Jargon Buster
RSS Block – A Squarespace 7.0 feature that adds a link to your blog's RSS feed on any page
FeedBurner – Google's service that creates enhanced RSS feed URLs with better formatting
RSS Feed – A file that contains summaries of your blog posts, allowing people to subscribe and get updates
7.0 vs 7.1 – Different versions of Squarespace with different features and capabilities
Wrap-up
RSS blocks are handy for 7.0 sites but remember they're not available in 7.1. FeedBurner can improve your RSS feed's appearance regardless of which Squarespace version you use.
Most visitors won't interact with RSS feeds directly, so don't worry if this feels like a technical extra. Focus on your main content and consider RSS as a bonus feature for the tech-savvy readers who prefer feed readers over social media or email updates.
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