Learning how to follow blogs starts with choosing where to read updates. Use an RSS reader to collect posts from several websites. Subscribe by email if you prefer updates in your inbox. A platform reader offers another way to manage subscriptions.
You don’t need all three. Start with the method you already feel comfortable using. Then add a few favorite blogs and check that updates arrive.
Choose how you want to receive blog updates
Choose based on your reading habits and the blog’s available options.
| Method | A good fit when you want… | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| RSS reader | New posts from several blogs in one place | The blog needs a usable feed or a supported workaround |
| Email subscription | Updates alongside your other email | The publisher decides which content gets emailed |
| Platform reader | Subscriptions within a service you already use | Support depends on the platform and the blog |
| Bookmarks or saved articles | A quick way to revisit selected pages | Saving a page alone does not subscribe you to updates |
RSS and reading apps usually work together. RSS supplies the updates. The app collects and displays them.
Email subscriptions work differently. A blogger might email every article, a weekly roundup, or a separate newsletter. Read the signup description before subscribing.
If you still need sources, start with these ways to find blogs to read. Then return here to organize your favorites.
How to follow blogs with an RSS reader
An RSS reader lets you check several blogs in one place. You add each source once, then return to your reading list.
What RSS means
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It lets websites share new content through a feed that reader apps can check.
Think of a feed as a regularly updated list of articles. A reader checks that list and shows the entries it finds. You don’t need to understand code or download the feed yourself.
Updates may not appear immediately after publication. Readers check feeds on different schedules, as Inoreader’s feed guide explains.
Add your first blog
Here’s a simple setup using Inoreader:
- Create an account and sign in.
- Copy the homepage address of a blog you enjoy.
- Select Add feed, then Website.
- Paste the address into the search box.
- Review the results and recent article titles.
- Select Follow beside the relevant feed.
These steps follow Inoreader’s setup instructions. After subscribing, place the blog in a topic folder.
Check the preview before following. A site may offer separate feeds for articles, comments, or individual categories. Choose the one that matches what you want to read.
For example, imagine following three cooking blogs and two travel blogs. Create folders named “Cooking” and “Travel.” Then browse each topic when it suits you.
Find a feed when the website address fails
First, try searching by the blog’s name instead of its address. Feedly’s help guide recommends this when a URL search fails.
Next, look on the website for an RSS link or icon. Common places include the footer, sidebar, and subscription page. Copy the feed link and paste it into your reader.
Avoid assuming every website uses the same feed address. Adding “/feed/” to a URL may work on some sites. It is not a universal rule.
If nothing works, check the publisher’s help page or contact them. Ask whether they offer a public feed for new posts.
How to subscribe to blogs by email
Email suits readers who want updates without checking another app. Start with the blog’s own subscription form.
- Look for “Subscribe,” “Newsletter,” or “Get new posts.”
- Read what the subscription includes and whether it costs anything.
- Enter your email address.
- Open the confirmation email, if one arrives.
- Follow its confirmation link to complete the signup.
- Choose topics or delivery frequency when those options exist.
Check your spam folder if the confirmation email seems missing. Also, make sure you entered your address correctly.
A newsletter may not include every blog post. Some publishers send selected links or subscriber-only articles. Others email each new post. The signup page should explain what to expect.
Create an email folder or label for your subscriptions. A filter can move matching messages there automatically. This keeps reading material together without crowding your main inbox.
To stop receiving updates, use the email’s unsubscribe link. Deleting messages doesn’t cancel the subscription. If you only want fewer emails, look for preference settings first.
Which reading app should you use?
Start with a tool that makes adding and reading blogs easy. These three options support blog subscriptions in slightly different ways.
| App | Why consider it? | How you add a blog | Relevant limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feedly | You want to group website feeds into folders | Search by name or paste a website or feed URL | Its RSS Builder for sites without feeds is a Pro+ feature |
| Inoreader | You want feeds plus optional monitoring tools | Use Add feed and search for a website | Web feeds and newsletter feeds require Pro |
| WordPress.com Reader | You already use WordPress.com or prefer its Reader | Add a site through Manage subscriptions | External blogs need a compatible feed |
These are examples, not a ranking. Their official guides explain Feedly subscriptions, Inoreader source types, and WordPress.com subscriptions.
WordPress.com Reader can also follow blogs hosted elsewhere. Open Manage subscriptions, choose New subscription, and enter the site or feed address. Select Add site to follow it.
Try your chosen reader with a few blogs before paying. Check whether the reading view and organization suit your habits.
Also distinguish following from saving. Following a feed brings future entries into your reader. Saving an article keeps that particular page for later. One action does not always include the other.
What if a blog has no RSS feed?
Look for an email subscription first. It may be the simplest way to receive updates.
Next, check whether the publishing platform offers a follow button. Read what that button does. It might add posts to a reader or enable notifications.
Another option is a tool that watches the website for updates. For example, Inoreader offers Web feeds through its Pro plan. These let you select items on a page.
Check compatibility before paying for this feature. A monitoring tool may not work with every page. Site changes can also affect what it detects.
For a blog you read occasionally, a bookmark may be enough. Set a weekly reminder to visit it. This takes manual effort but avoids adding another subscription.
Keep your reading list manageable
Start with five blogs. Add more once reading becomes a habit.
Use a few broad folders, such as work, hobbies, and weekend reading. Too many folders create extra sorting without making articles easier to find.
Choose a regular reading time. Ten minutes over breakfast or a weekly catch-up may be enough. Save longer pieces for when you can give them more attention.
Remove subscriptions you regularly skip. You don’t need to finish every article or clear every unread count. Your reading list should reflect what interests you now.
Add one favorite blog today. Check that its recent posts appear, then build from there.
FAQs
Why does my reader show only part of a post?
The publisher may provide only a summary in its feed. Open the original article to read the rest. A feed subscription does not bypass a publisher’s paywall.
Can I move my subscriptions to another reader?
Often, yes. Look for an export option labeled OPML. This file stores a list of feeds that compatible readers can import.
For example, WordPress.com Reader supports OPML imports and exports. Check both apps before switching. Read status, saved articles, and other settings may not transfer.