How to Combine RSS Feeds with Other Podcasters

RSS feeds play a vital role in keeping audiences up-to-date on the podcasts they love. These feeds act as a conduit, allowing podcast episodes to reach various platforms and subscribers effortlessly. But, RSS feeds can go beyond bringing a single podcast to a single audience. They can also be combined with other podcasters to create an effective way of cross-pollinating audiences.

3 Key Benefits of Combining RSS Feeds

Combining RSS feeds with other podcasters can bring your podcast a wide range of advantages. So, here are three of the ways your podcast can benefit from combining RSS feeds with other podcasters:

1. Efficient Resource Management

Managing multiple podcasts individually can be an arduous task that drains your resources. However, by combining RSS feeds, you can split that effort with other podcasters to reclaim your valuable time and energy. Instead of juggling a feed by yourself, you can offload some of that work to nurture a single, high-quality feed between the group. This consolidation also allows you to streamline content creation, marketing efforts, and audience engagement between your group’s podcasts.

1. Cross-Pollination of Audiences

By featuring episodes from fellow podcasters within the combined feed, you introduce your audience to fresh voices and captivating content. Simultaneously, your podcast gains exposure to the loyal followers of collaborating podcasters. This symbiotic exchange expands your listener base, fosters a sense of camaraderie, and cultivates a thriving ecosystem of podcast enthusiasts.

1. Convenience for Your Audience

Instead of navigating multiple feeds, you give your audience a single feed with multiple related shows they can enjoy. This eliminates the hassle of subscribing to individual shows separately and gives your audience a seamless listening experience. A combined RSS feed fosters listener loyalty, encourages binge-listening, and ensures your content remains at the forefront of your audience’s podcasting endeavors.

How to Combine RSS Feeds with Other Podcasters

The process of merging RSS feeds with other podcasters is relatively simple but requires a bit of technical knowledge. You also need to ensure the RSS feed remains user-friendly for listeners.

Confirm Feed Formats

Before merging RSS feeds, ensure that all participating feeds use the same feed format, such as RSS 2.0 or Atom. Incompatible feed formats may cause errors during merging. If any of the feeds use a different format, consider converting them to the desired format by using an online converter or adjusting the feed settings within your podcast hosting platform.

Resolve Conflicting data

Any conflicting metadata can cause issues once two podcasts merge. To avoid this, you need to review the data of all podcasts on the combined RSS feed. Start by reviewing all metadata elements within the merged feed, including episode titles, descriptions, publication dates, and author information. Once reviewed, identify any conflicts that arise and ensure that episode numbering for all podcasts follows a logical sequence.

Merging Podcast RSS Feeds

You can either manually merge your RSS feed with other podcasters or use a third-party tool like PodBlend to simplify and automate the process. To manually merge your RSS feed with other podcasters:

1. Begin by accessing the XML code of the RSS feeds you wish to combine. You can do this by navigating to the source of each feed or by using an RSS feed reader that allows you to view the XML code.
2. Open a text editor or XML editor of your choice to work with the XML code. Notepad or Sublime Text are popular options.
3. Copy the content of one RSS feed’s XML code and paste it into the appropriate location within the XML code of the other feed. Ensure that you insert it in the appropriate location within the <channel> element.
4. Repeat this process for any additional feeds you want to combine, pasting their XML code within the <channel> element as well.
5. Review the merged XML code to ensure there are no syntax errors or inconsistencies. Pay attention to elements such as <item> tags, episode titles, descriptions, publication dates, and author information.
6. Save the merged XML code as a new XML file with an appropriate name, such as “combined_feed.xml.”
7. Test the validity of the merged feed using an RSS feed validator to make sure it conforms to the RSS specifications.

With PodBlend, you can skip this entire process and go straight to setting up your combined RSS feed. It automates this process removing any technical barriers and allowing you to focus on your podcast’s content instead of the technicalities of merging RSS feeds.

Best Practices for Using a Combined RSS Feed

Once you create your combined RSS feed, you need to figure out the best ways you can put it to use. Here are three best practices for using a combined RSS feed that can help you maximize the value of combining RSS feeds:

Coordinate Releases with Your Other Podcasters

To keep your combined RSS feed fresh and captivating, it’s crucial to maintain a consistent schedule of content creation. Collaborate closely with your fellow podcasters to ensure a steady flow of high-quality episodes. Establish a content calendar or communication system to plan and coordinate the release of episodes, avoiding any overlaps or gaps in content. 

Regularly Update Metadata

As you release new episodes, it’s essential to update the metadata within your combined RSS feed. This includes revising episode titles, descriptions, publication dates, and other relevant information.

Take the time to review and revise the metadata, ensuring it accurately represents the content and maintains consistency across all episodes. Pay attention to details such as proper formatting, spelling, and grammar. Whether you update the XML code directly or utilize the tools or platforms used to merge the feeds, ensure that the changes are reflected in the combined feed.

Collaborate and Communicate with Your Podcasting Group

Maintain open lines of communication with your collaborating podcasters to ensure a smooth and coordinated approach to updating and maintaining the combined RSS feed. Regularly share updates, plans, and any changes related to the feed with all participating podcasters.

Foster a collaborative environment where feedback and suggestions are encouraged. The insights and ideas from your collaborating partners can contribute to the continuous improvement of the combined feed and enhance the overall podcasting experience.

Conclusion

Combining RSS feeds with other podcasters amplifies the impact of your podcasting efforts. It enhances the listener experience, makes your backend processes more efficient, and exposes your podcast to new listeners. With PodBlend, you can even avoid the technical process of merging podcast RSS feeds and get straight to the benefits!