September 14, 2024

Feedly Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Feedly Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Beginner at a computer following a Feedly tutorial in a serene home office.

Key Highlights

  • RSS feeds and artificial intelligence are at the core of Feedly a popular news aggregator.
  • With a Feed account, users can organize and access their favorite news sources all in place.
  • Feedly offers both a free version and a paid version with additional features.
  • The platform allows to customize their reading, save articles for later, and share content with others.
  • Feedly is trusted by millions of readers and organizations around the world for its privacy and reliability.

Introduction

Feedly has revolutionized the way we consume news and information. With its powerful features and intuitive interface, it has become the go-to news aggregator for millions of readers worldwide. Whether you are a beginner looking to get started or an experienced user looking to optimize your Feedly experience, this step-by-step guide will take you through everything you need to know.

Understanding Feedly: An Overview

Feedly is a popular RSS feed reader and news aggregator that allows users to curate and access their favorite sources of news and information. By subscribing to RSS feeds from various websites, blogs, and news outlets, users can stay up-to-date with the latest articles and content from their favorite sources. Feedly aggregates these feeds into a single platform, making it easy to browse and read articles from multiple sources in one place.

What is Feedly?

Feedly is a news aggregator and RSS feed reader that helps users stay informed and organized. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, which is a technology that allows websites to publish their content in a standardized format. By subscribing to RSS feeds from different websites, users can receive updates and notifications whenever new content is published. With a Feedly account, users can access and manage their subscribed feeds, organize them into categories, and customize their reading experience. Feedly also offers features like saving articles for later, sharing content with others, and integrating with other apps and platforms.

Why Choose Feedly for Your News Aggregation?

Feedly stands out as a news aggregator for several reasons. Firstly, it offers a wide range of RSS feeds from leading newspapers, trade publications, influential bloggers, YouTube channels, and more. This means users have access to a diverse and comprehensive set of sources. Secondly, Feedly incorporates artificial intelligence through its AI research assistant, Leo. Users can train Leo to filter out the noise and prioritize the topics, events, and trends that matter to them. This saves time and ensures that users only see the most relevant content. Lastly, Feedly is a versatile platform that allows users to organize, curate, and share industry insights with their team. It offers integration with popular social media platforms and other apps, making it easy to share and collaborate.

Setting Up Your Feedly Account

Setting up a Feedly account is quick and easy. To get started, visit the Feedly website or download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you have installed the app or accessed the website, you can sign up for a new account. You can use your Google or email account to create a Feedly account. After signing up, you can personalize your account settings, choose your preferred layout, and start adding your favorite feeds.

Signing Up for Feedly

To sign up for Feedly, you have two options: using your Google account or your email. If you choose to sign up with your Google account, simply click on the "Sign in with Google" button and follow the prompts to authorize Feedly to access your Google account. This will make it easier to import your existing RSS feeds and preferences. If you prefer to sign up with your email, click on the "Sign up with email" button and enter your email address and a password. Once you have completed the sign-up process, you will have access to your Feedly account and can start customizing it to suit your needs.

Navigating the Feedly Interface

The Feedly interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. Whether you are using it on the web or through the mobile app, you will find a similar layout and navigation system. The main dashboard displays your subscribed feeds and categories in a visually appealing and easy-to-read format. You can navigate through your feeds by scrolling vertically or using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Feedly also offers a browser extension that allows you to access your feeds directly from your browser toolbar. This makes it convenient to quickly check for updates and read articles without leaving the webpage you are on.

Customizing Your Feedly Experience

One of the great advantages of using Feedly is the ability to customize your reading experience. You can add your favorite websites, blogs, and news sources to your Feedly account by subscribing to their RSS feeds. This ensures that you always have access to the latest articles and updates from your preferred sources. Feedly also allows you to create new feeds based on specific topics or keywords. This way, you can follow specific interests or trends and receive relevant content directly in your Feedly account.

Adding Your First Feed

Adding a feed to your Feedly account is simple. Start by finding the URL of the RSS feed you want to subscribe to. Many websites, blogs, and news outlets have an RSS icon or a "Subscribe" button that will lead you to the feed URL. Once you have the feed URL, open your Feedly account and click on the "+" button or the "Add Content" option. Paste the feed URL into the provided field and click "Add." Feedly will then fetch the feed and display the latest articles from that source in your account. You can repeat this process to add as many feeds as you like.

Organizing Feeds into Categories

Organizing your feeds into categories is a great way to keep them organized and easily accessible. Feedly allows you to create custom categories and assign feeds to them. Here are some tips for organizing your feeds:

  • Create categories based on topics or interests, such as "Technology," "Sports," or "Fashion."
  • Use drag-and-drop to move feeds between categories.
  • Prioritize your favorite feeds by placing them in a "Favorites" category.
  • Create a "Read Later" category for articles you want to save for later.

By curating your feeds into categories, you can streamline your reading experience and focus on the content that matters most to you.

Mastering the Feedly Basics: A Beginner's How-To

Now that you have set up your Feedly account and added your favorite feeds, it's time to master the basics. This section will guide you through the essential steps of using Feedly to read, organize, and share articles from your subscribed feeds.

Step 1: Selecting and Subscribing to Sources

The first step in using Feedly effectively is selecting and subscribing to your favorite sources. To do this, search for websites, blogs, or news outlets that you want to follow and find their RSS feed URL. Then, add the feed URL to your Feedly account using the steps outlined earlier. Once you have subscribed to a feed, Feedly will display the latest articles from that source in your account. You can click on an article to read it in its entirety or save it for later using the "Read Later" feature.

Step 2: Using the Read Later Feature

The Read Later feature in Feedly allows you to save articles that you want to read at a later time. When you come across an interesting article, but don't have time to read it immediately, simply click on the "Save for later" button. Feedly will store the article in your "Read Later" category, making it easy to find and access later. You can also use the "Read Later" feature to save articles for offline reading. If you want to read an article in its entirety, simply click on the article title, and Feedly will open the full article in a new browser tab.

Step 3: Sharing and Saving Articles

Feedly makes it easy to share and save articles that you find interesting or want to share with others. You can share articles directly from Feedly to popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Simply click on the share button next to the article and choose the platform you want to share on. You can also share articles via email by clicking on the email icon and entering the recipient's email address. Additionally, Feedly allows you to save articles to popular note-taking and bookmarking apps like Evernote, OneNote, and Pocket.

Advanced Features to Enhance Your Feedly Use

In addition to its core features, Feedly offers a range of advanced features and integrations to enhance your reading experience. These features are available through the Feedly Pro subscription and include:

  • Advanced keyword alerts: Set up alerts for specific keywords or topics, and Feedly will notify you whenever new articles matching those keywords are published.
  • Train Leo: Feedly's AI research assistant, Leo, can be trained to prioritize certain topics, events, and trends based on your preferences. This helps filter out irrelevant content and delivers the most relevant articles to your feed.
  • Integration with other apps: Feedly offers integration with popular apps like Buffer, IFTTT, and Zapier, allowing you to automate tasks and streamline your workflow.

Integrating with Other Apps

Feedly integrates seamlessly with a variety of other apps, making it easy to share and save articles across different platforms. Some popular integrations include:

  • Buffer: With the Buffer integration, you can schedule and share articles from Feedly directly to your social media accounts.
  • IFTTT: Feedly's integration with IFTTT allows you to create custom automation workflows, such as saving articles to your favorite note-taking app or adding them to a spreadsheet.
  • Zapier: Zapier enables you to connect Feedly with thousands of other apps and automate tasks based on triggers and actions.

By integrating Feedly with your favorite apps, you can streamline your workflow and make the most of your reading experience.

Setting Up Keywords and Alerts

Feedly's keyword alerts feature allows you to set up alerts for specific keywords or topics. This feature is especially useful if you want to stay updated on specific subjects or trends. You can create keyword alerts by navigating to the "Alerts" section in your Feedly account settings. Simply enter the keywords or topics you want to monitor, and Feedly will notify you whenever new articles matching those keywords are published. Additionally, you can train Feedly's AI research assistant, Leo, to prioritize certain topics and events. This ensures that you receive the most relevant and timely content based on your preferences.

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Conclusion

To sum up, mastering Feedly can revolutionize how you consume news and information online. By customizing your feeds, organizing content into categories, and leveraging advanced features like integrating with other apps, you can tailor your reading experience to suit your preferences. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your Feedly use, this step-by-step guide equips you with the tools to efficiently navigate and maximize your Feedly account. Stay informed, stay organized, and stay ahead with Feedly – your go-to platform for curated content at your fingertips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Access Feedly Offline?

Yes, you can access Feedly offline. Feedly offers an app for iPhone and iPad that allows you to read articles even when you don't have an internet connection. Simply save articles for offline reading using the "Read Later" feature, and you can access them anytime, anywhere.

How Do I Customize My Feedly Layout?

To customize your Feedly layout, simply go to your account settings and navigate to the "Layout" section. From there, you can choose from various layout options, including a compact view or an expanded view. You can also customize the default layout for new feeds and adjust the font size and line spacing to suit your preferences.

What Are the Benefits of Upgrading to Feedly Pro?

Upgrading to Feedly Pro offers several benefits, including advanced features like keyword alerts, integration with other apps, and the ability to train Leo, Feedly's AI research assistant. Feedly Pro also offers additional functionalities like unlimited sources, enabling you to access a wider range of content. The enterprise plan provides even more features and benefits for organizations.

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