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Of Internet Users, Only 4% Knowingly Use RSS

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i'll-tell-you-why dept.

yogikoudou writes "Recent research conducted by Yahoo! and Ipsos reveals that while 12% of surveyed Yahoo users know what RSS is, only 4% of surveyed Internet users use it (PDF) (and know they use it). Podcasting is also reviewed, with the conclusion that 2% of surveyed people use it. The increasing number of blogs should go with an increasing number of syndicated readers, as they are now an important part of the web." I've said it before, I'll say it again- if RSS was called SpeedFeed every user would have to have it.

5 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. 4% is still a lot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    4% know what the heck RSS is, is a lot.

    All these Web2.0 companies thinking they're targetting the general Internet public with their RSS, podcasting etc... mashups are only targetting the high-end users of the Internet, and these are the users that only sign-up once, try it for a min or two, then dump it and move on to the next greatest thing.

  2. It's like I've always said... by Channard · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... most people don't know their RSS from their elbow.

  3. Overload. by IAAP · · Score: 5, Interesting
    ...try it for a min or two, then dump it and move on to the next greatest thing.

    I dumped it because I was suffering from information overload. Seeing all the shit happening in the world was just increasing my stress levels. Also, so much of the information is duplicated it just wasn't worth getting. It's amazing how much is plagiarized from AP, Reuters, etc...

  4. Where RSS shines by Bluelive · · Score: 5, Insightful

    RSS just isn't handy for news sites, but it becomes really handy for tracking for very good blogs that update seldom and/or irregularly.

  5. Re:Why use RSS by Hackeron · · Score: 5, Informative

    >> Maybe i just haven't found a good RSS reader yet. They all seem to me to be lacking something.

    Thats right, the built in crap or even standalone readers just show you whats recent. Get a reader like aKregator

    1) Integrates with Kontact and Konqueror showing articles next to your todo list and emails
    2) Manages articles as read/unread as apposed to just whats "current"
    3) Allows advanced searching through indexed articles (hate searching slashdot for that article?)
    4) Allows a convenient way to archive articles for later read on many websites without having to visit the websites

    I do agree the RSS built into firefox and ie7 and even many standalone readers are just useless, they just show you whats currently on the site. aKregator allows you to catch up on news any time.