What is an RSS Generator?
What the RSS Generator Is
The RSS Generator is a specialized tool that transforms any public webpage into a structured, auto-updating data stream.
While most websites are designed for human browsing, they often lack the technical interfaces required for software to monitor them. The RSS Generator bridges this gap by monitoring a specific URL for changes and outputting those updates in a format that other tools can instantly read and process.
The Generator is designed to solve a specific problem: the lack of machine-readable data on the modern web. To understand the broader strategic advantages of using RSS for information control, automation, and privacy, see our Guide to RSS.
What the RSS Generator Is Not
Not manual monitoring. Manually checking pages does not scale and produces no usable data history. The RSS Generator tracks updates automatically.
Not a one-time export. Exports capture data once. The RSS Generator stays connected to the page and updates continuously.
Not ad-hoc scraping. Scrapers depend on custom code that breaks when pages change. The RSS Generator handles extraction, retries, and format consistency without user maintenance.
Not a browser extension. Browser tools require manual action. The RSS Generator runs independently and updates feeds whether you are online or not.
Not a site-wide crawler. The RSS Generator monitors only the specific URL provided, ensuring high-accuracy updates from a targeted page rather than crawling an entire domain.
Why the RSS Generator Exists
Modern systems need a simple, reliable way to detect updates without relying on platforms, algorithms, or fragile page structures. While many websites continue to publish frequently changing content, fewer expose a stable, machine-readable feed.
RSS provides that interface: a consistent format that separates content from presentation and allows monitoring, aggregation, and automation at scale. The RSS Generator extends this advantage to webpages that do not offer RSS natively by converting page-level content into a reliable feed that updates automatically as the source changes.
Output Formats: XML, CSV, and JSON
The RSS Generator produces three formats for every feed, ensuring the data is compatible with any technical environment:
XML (RSS/Atom)
For feed readers and RSS-compatible tools.
JSON
For APIs, web applications, and automation workflows.
CSV
For spreadsheets and databases.
All formats update together. When new content is detected, every output reflects it.
How Updates Work
The Generator follows a rigorous, automated cycle to ensure data integrity:
- Scheduled Fetching. The source page is checked at regular, pre-set intervals.
- Item Identification. The engine identifies new content by comparing the current state of the page against its historical record.
- Deduplication. The system ensures that only brand-new items are processed. Previously seen data is skipped to prevent duplicate alerts in downstream tools.
- Endpoint Refresh. The XML, JSON, and CSV endpoints are updated with the new data payload.
Once set up, the feed continues updating as long as the page is available. No manual triggers are required and failures are retried automatically.
Practical implication: Once configured, a generated feed requires no ongoing maintenance. It continues updating indefinitely, adapting to minor source changes and recovering from temporary failures automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Generator and native RSS?
Native RSS is published by the source website itself. The Generator creates an equivalent feed from pages that do not offer native RSS, producing the same structured output that downstream systems can consume identically.
Does the Generator work with JavaScript-heavy websites?
Yes, the RSS Builder can render JavaScript before extracting content. For pages where content loads dynamically, enable the "Render JavaScript" option to ensure all elements are visible during extraction.
How often does the Generator check for updates?
The refresh rate depends on your plan. Feeds are checked on a regular schedule, and any new content detected is added to the output automatically. Higher-tier plans offer more frequent refresh intervals.
Is the generated feed URL permanent?
Yes. Once created, your feed URL remains stable. You can integrate it into automation workflows, readers, or applications without worrying about the URL changing.
What happens if the source page changes its layout?
The Generator adapts to minor layout changes automatically. For significant restructuring, you may need to regenerate the feed or use the RSS Builder for more precise control over content extraction.
Can I generate feeds from password-protected pages?
The Generator works with publicly accessible pages. For authenticated content, you would need to use alternative approaches such as API integrations or authenticated feed endpoints.