In today’s fast-paced digital world, staying up-to-date with the latest news, trends, and updates is essential. But who has the time to monitor websites and news sources? That’s where automation comes in. This guide will show you how to set up an RSS feed in Slack. This will enable you to bring relevant content into your Slack channels effortlessly.
Adding RSS feeds to Slack establishes a centralized information system that streams relevant industry news. Rather than switching between websites and apps, you can have all the relevant updates delivered directly to your Slack channels.
With this understanding, let’s move on to what you need to know before starting the steps.
You need to remember a few essential things before integrating RSS feeds into your Slack workspace.
- You’ll need the URL of the RSS feed you want to subscribe to add an RSS feed to your Slack workflow. Ensure you have the correct and up-to-date URL for the feed you wish to include.
- You may need specific permissions to add integrations or configure RSS feed bots in your Slack workspace. Contact your workspace administrator if you run into any problems.
- You can create a new channel for the RSS feed or use an existing Slack channel to display the updates.
- Consider testing an RSS feed in a private channel before adding it to a public channel or critical workspace.
Now, let’s begin with the steps to get RSS feed in Slack.
Also Read: How to keep Slack status always active
The RSS integration lets you subscribe to a feed URL and receive updates in Slack. This integration lets you fetch feeds periodically and post new items to the feed channel. Follow the below steps.
Step 1: Launch the Slack app or open it on the web from your preferred browser on your Windows or Mac computer.
Note: Ensure you are logged in to the Slack workspace where you want to add the RSS feed.
Step 2: Navigate to the Slack app directory using the below link and click ‘Add to Slack.’
Step 3: On the configuration page, click ‘Add RSS integration.’
You will be taken to the ‘Add a Feed’ page, where you can add your favorite RSS feed. If you don’t have any favorites, a quick Google search will get you an RSS feed to follow, which you can validate quickly.
Once you have the validated link, continue with the below steps.
Step 4: Paste the RSS feed link in the text field adjacent to the Feed URL in the ‘Add a Feed’ section.
Step 5: In the next part, i.e., ‘Post to Channel,’ click on the chevron (arrow) icon and select a channel where you want to reflect the feed.
Step 6: Once all the details are added, click the green ‘Subscribe to this feed’ button.
Note: If you enter the link of the site or webpage, you will see an ‘Error fetching RSS feed’ warning. In this case, ensure you are entering the correct RSS feed link.
That’s it. Slack will map the entered RSS feed to your selected channel. Once added, you will see the Feed name, mapped channel, and last feed fetched time in the Your Feeds section, apparently ensuring that the feed was added successfully.
How to Add More Feeds to Slack
If you would like to subscribe to more than one feed, there are two ways to go about it. One is a traditional route, wherein you come to the ‘Add a Feed’ page and subscribe to the feed. The other way is much more efficient and gets things done much faster. We will discuss both in detail.
Let’s begin with the first method.
Method 1: Using Manage Option
This method is one of the most common ways to add a feed. The steps are the same for the web and desktop app (Windows or Mac). For demonstration, we are going with the Slack desktop application on Windows. Follow the along.
Step 1: Launch the Slack app or open it on the web from your preferred browser.
Step 2: Click on the chevron (arrow) icon next to the Apps, and from the drop-down menu, choose Manage and select Browse apps.
You will be directed to the apps you have integrated with your Slack workspace.
Step 3: Click on RSS.
Note: If you have added several apps to your Slack workspace, you can also use the Search bar to find the RSS app quickly.
Step 4: On the RSS App page, click the Configuration button.
You will be moved out of the app (web page) and taken to a Slack app directory webpage (or a new tab) you are already familiar with (if you have already added a feed).
Step 5: Now, in the ‘Add a Feed’ section, enter the Feed URL you want to add and choose the channel you want the feed sent to. Finally, click ‘Subscribe to this feed.’
That’s about it. You will have to repeat the same steps if you have a lot of feeds you want to follow. Check out the next method if you want another way to connect your RSS feed item with your Slack workspace channel.
Also Read: How to leave a Slack workspace
Method 2: Using the Slash Commands
This method may sound tricky, but it is relatively straightforward and easy. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Firstly, copy the feed address and open the Slack app or its official website.
Step 2: Navigate to the channel where you would like the feed to appear.
Step 3: In the text box, type the below text and hit enter.
Note: Instead of the feed URL, add the actual URL of the feed you want to view.
/feed subscribe feed URL
And there you have it. You will see a message saying Feed subscribed if the URL is correctly entered. If not, you will see an error message.
Now that you know how to add a feed, it becomes crucial to understand how to manage or reduce the RSS feed frequency by removing a feed from the channel; continue reading.
There are multiple ways to manage your RSS feed. Let’s begin with the slash command in line with the above-discussed method.
Method 1: Using Slash Commands
Firstly, you need to know that there are three slash commands;
/feed list, /feed , /feed remove [ID number]
Using the above commands, we should be able to manage the RSS feed. Follow the below steps.
Step 1: Launch the Slack app or open it on the web from your preferred browser on your Windows or Mac computer.
Step 2: Firstly, we would need the unique feed ID number. So, type the below command to see the list of feeds you are subscribed to.
/feed list
Step 3: Now, type the below command to unsubscribe from a feed.
Note: Replace [ID number] with the ID as represented in the image below.
/feed remove [ID number]
That’s about it. The feed with the specific ID linked to it will be removed from the list of RSS feeds you follow. If this method is too difficult, there is an easier way to accomplish the same.
Also Read: Best ways to fix Slack not making notification sound on Mac
Method 2: From the Slack App Directory
Step 1: Go to the RSS Page in the App Directory from your preferred browser on your Windows or Mac.
You will see all the feeds from all channels (except private channels that you are not a member of)
Step 2: Under Your Feeds, click the X next to them.
Step 3: Finally, in the confirmation pop-up, choose OK.
There you go. You have successfully removed a feed from the Slack channel. If you cannot remove a feed, even after following the steps correctly, contact Slack to help resolve the issue.
There is no fixed interval for RSS feed updates in Slack. It depends on the source of the feed. Nonetheless, you can use the /feed command to manage your feeds
You typically receive the article title, publication date, author, and a link to the full article. Nevertheless, you cannot customize the RSS feed updates in Slack.
Yes, the most significant limitation, which you can do nothing about, is that not all websites offer RSS feeds, so you may be unable to follow every source you want.
Keep Yourself Tuned-In
Now that you know how to set up an RSS feed in Slack, you can always be in the loop with the latest news and updates without leaving Slack. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and add your favorite news feeds to Slack. You may also want to read how to delete a Slack channel.
