What is a feed reader?

This screen is part of a Web Feed Reference section for the Web Feed Generator. Please ask us if you cannot find the answer to your question.

A feed reader is a software tool that can be used to monitor, organise and read news feeds. The name feed reader is quite broad because there are lots of ways you can read feeds!

Feed readers are built in to several Web browsers and can work with your email program, so that news items appear in your new mail folder like normal messages. Other "stand-alone" feed readers run in their own window on your computer, but embed your Web browser in their display so you can open Web pages directly.

Feed readers do a lot of work behind the scenes to keep track of news feeds. They automatically download the latest items and notify your customers when new items are available. All your customers need do is glance at the updates to see if there is anything they want to read further. This means they never have to visit your Web site to find out if it has been updated, but you never miss the updates when they happen.

There is a great deal of excitement and business speculation about news feeds and many software houses are promoting trial versions of their feed readers for free (known as "beta" releases). See our browser- and email-based feed reader guide for pointers.