Affiliate marketers are constantly fed the same stale advice. Article marketing, YouTube, forum posting, directory submissions—the usual suspects. We’re told to jump through these hoops like it’s the only way to drive traffic. But let me let you in on a little secret: there’s an unsung hero out there that’s been getting zero love, and it’s time we change that. Enter: RSS Submission.
Wait, don’t yawn just yet. RSS is not just some dusty relic from the early 2000s.
It’s a powerful, underutilized weapon in your affiliate marketing arsenal. Stick around, and I’ll show you how it can revolutionize your backlink game and bring a steady flow of traffic to your site—without breaking a sweat.
WTF Is RSS Anyway?
Let’s start with the basics, because if you’re like most people, you’ve heard the term, but you might not fully grasp it. RSS stands for Rich Site Summary, though some call it Really Simple Syndication. That’s a good name for it because, well, it’s really simple. Imagine you’ve got a bunch of favorite blogs—you don’t want to check each one daily for updates, right? RSS feeds solve that problem by letting you subscribe to updates in one place, like a personalized news ticker.
Back in the day, RSS feeds were the ultimate tool for keeping up with content without slogging through dozens of bookmarks. An RSS feed is basically a constantly updating list of recent articles or information on a website. Think of it as a conveyor belt of fresh content—delivered right to you.
RSS Readers like Feedly, Inoreader, and (back in the day) Google Reader let people gather all those feeds in one place. It’s like having your own digital newspaper that pulls in only the content you want. And here’s the key: RSS doesn’t just benefit readers; it’s a phenomenal tool for marketers if you know how to use it right.
Why RSS Submission Should Be On Your Radar
Here’s the deal: RSS feeds can be a secret weapon for SEO and traffic generation. While the idea might not be as flashy as TikTok virality or Instagram ads, it works—and works well. You can leverage it for:
- Building Backlinks
- Generating Consistent Traffic
- Wider Content Distribution
Let’s break this down.
1. Backlink Generation
SEO 101: Backlinks are golden. You know that, I know that—even your Aunt Edna knows that, and she still thinks Facebook is a search engine. The problem is getting quality backlinks without spending a small fortune or signing your soul over to a shady “SEO expert.” RSS submission is a cost-effective way to get quality backlinks.
Here’s how: RSS Feed Aggregators.
An RSS aggregator is a site that pulls in feeds from all over the web and creates a dedicated page for them. When you submit your feed to these aggregators, they create a page for your content—along with backlinks to your original articles.
No need to beg for backlinks or email bloggers for favors. The aggregators set it up for you. You just submit your feed once, and it updates itself every time you publish something new. It’s like planting a tree that waters itself.
Why This Matters:
- Passive Backlink Creation: You don’t have to lift a finger once your feed is submitted.
- Dofollow Links: Some aggregators provide dofollow backlinks, which are far more powerful for SEO than the nofollow links that most social shares give you.
2. Driving Traffic Consistently
Here’s the kicker: those aggregator pages aren’t just there to make your backlink profile look pretty. They also serve as potential traffic sources.
Think about it—you submit your RSS feed to a dozen aggregators, and now there are a dozen places where people can find your content. And it’s targeted content because, let’s be honest, only the people interested in your niche are subscribing to feeds about your topic.
Imagine it like digital fishing nets cast all over the internet. Instead of hoping people find your website, these feeds bring them to you. And every time someone reposts or syndicates your content, you’re getting free advertising—all thanks to that humble RSS feed.
How To Use RSS Feeds Like A Pro
Alright, I can hear the question already—“But how do I actually do this?”
Here’s the simple 3-step strategy to make RSS work for you:
Step 1: Set Up Your RSS Feed
If you’re running a blog, congratulations, you already have an RSS feed. Most CMS systems like WordPress create these automatically. In fact, your feed URL is typically just /feed at the end of your domain. So, for example, yoursite.com/feed is your RSS link.
Step 2: Find RSS Aggregators
Now that you have your feed link, you need to find the right places to submit it. Here’s a quick list to get you started:
| Aggregator Site | Why Submit Here? |
|---|---|
| Feedage.com | Popular and well-indexed 🌐 |
| RSSMountain.com | Wide content syndication 📢 |
| Blogarama.com | High DA (Domain Authority) 💸 |
| Alltop.com | Curated feeds, more niche credibility 👍 |
Step 3: Submit & Forget
Unlike other SEO methods, where you need constant tweaking and analyzing, RSS feed submissions are set-it-and-forget-it. Submit to a dozen aggregators, and you’re done. Your feed will automatically update as you publish new content, keeping your backlinks fresh without any added effort.
RSS vs. Traditional Traffic Methods: A Quick Comparison
Let’s lay it out—how does RSS stack up against more conventional traffic methods? Here’s a comparison:
| Method | Cost | Time Investment | Traffic Type | Backlink Benefits |
| RSS Submission | $0 (usually) | Initial Setup | Organic, Passive 🌱 | High-Quality Backlinks 🔗 |
| Paid Ads (PPC) | $$$ | Constant Monitoring | Paid, Temporary 🚁 | No SEO Benefit |
| Guest Blogging | Low to Medium | Writing Articles | Niche, Active 📣 | 1-2 Links per Article |
| Social Media | Free/Paid | Daily Posting | Social, Variable 🚀 | Nofollow Links |
Don’t Overlook the Power of Simplicity
You don’t need a Ph.D. in marketing to see that RSS submission holds serious potential for getting quality backlinks and consistent traffic. You just need a little patience, a list of aggregators, and a few minutes to submit your feed.
And let’s be real: marketing can often feel like a never-ending list of new trends and “must-dos.” But sometimes, the simplest tactics—those classic old-school moves—are the ones that still work the best. RSS submission might not be “sexy,” but neither is compound interest, and you see how effective that is.
Quick Start Checklist for RSS Submission
👉 Check Your Feed URL: Make sure it’s working (test it in a browser).
👉 Find 10-15 RSS Aggregators: Use the list I gave you, and Google for more.
👉 Submit & Forget: Set aside 30 minutes today to get them all done.
Final Thoughts
Most affiliate marketers ignore RSS because it seems outdated, or maybe they just don’t understand its value. The truth is, anything that helps you get your links out there for free—that’s worth a second look. RSS isn’t going to make you an overnight millionaire, but it can definitely give you a steady stream of backlinks and help bolster your overall SEO strategy.
Remember, you don’t need to jump on every flashy trend out there. Smart marketers look for sustainable, efficient ways to get ahead. RSS feed submission might just be one of those old-school tactics that’s been overlooked for too long—but now, you know better.
So, take action, dust off that RSS feed, and let it start working for you. You’ll be surprised at how a little effort can create a long-lasting impact.
Imagine making money while you play, rest, or even sleep! That’s what affiliate marketing is all about. It’s a way to make money all the time, no matter where you are. While some people say you can get rich quickly, affiliate marketing is more about planning and working smart to make money for a long time.
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing means getting paid to tell others about products. You help someone find a product, and if they buy it, you get some money. You’re like the helper that connects the product with people who might like it.
There are three important people in affiliate marketing:
| 🎯 Who | 💼 What They Do |
|---|---|
| Seller/Creator | Makes or sells the product. It could be a big company or just one person. The product can be something you use or something online. |
| Affiliate/Marketer | Talks about the product to people and gets paid if people buy it. |
| Consumer | The person who buys the product and gets to use it. |
Types of Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing can be done in a few different ways:
- Unattached Affiliate Marketing: The marketer doesn’t really know much about the product. They just want to get people to click and buy.
- Related Affiliate Marketing: The marketer knows about the product area but hasn’t used it. They still talk about it because they understand the topic.
- Involved Affiliate Marketing: The marketer knows and uses the product. They can give real stories about how good it is. This helps people trust them more.
When a marketer knows a lot about the product, people are more likely to believe them and buy it. Being honest and trustworthy is very important.
Ways to Get Paid in Affiliate Marketing
There are different ways for affiliates to earn money:
- Pay Per Sale: You get paid when someone buys the product.
- Pay Per Lead: You get paid when someone signs up or fills out a form.
- Pay Per Click: You get paid when someone clicks on the link, even if they don’t buy anything.
- Pay Per Install: You get paid if someone downloads an app or software through your link.
Some Facts About Affiliate Marketing
- In 2022, companies spent $8.2 billion on affiliate marketing in the U.S., up from $5.4 billion in 2017.
- About 81% of brands use affiliate programs to sell their products.
- Affiliate marketing makes 16% of all online sales around the world.
Why Affiliate Marketing Is Good (And Sometimes Hard)
Affiliate marketing can be awesome, but it’s not always easy. Let’s look at the good and the tricky parts:
🌟 The Good Stuff:
- Make Money While You Rest: Once your work is set up, you can keep making money without doing more every day.
- No Customer Problems: You don’t need to help customers or solve problems. The seller takes care of all that.
- Work From Anywhere: You can work from home, the park, or even the beach!
💩 The Hard Stuff:
- Takes Time at First: You need to put in time to make good content and get people to visit your page.
- Lots of Competition: Many people are trying to do the same thing, so you have to work to stand out.
- Depend on Others: If the company changes the rules, like paying less, you have to follow.
Ways to Do Affiliate Marketing
There are lots of ways to tell people about products. Some of these are:
- Influencers: People with lots of followers on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube can talk about the products to their fans.
- Bloggers: Writing about products helps people find them on Google. This works well for explaining products in detail.
- Email Marketing: Sending emails to people can remind them to buy things they are interested in.
- Microsites: Small websites about one product or topic are good for getting people to take action.
- Big Websites: Big sites with lots of people can put banners or ads that get clicks and make sales.
| 🚀 Channel | 📈 Best Use |
| Influencers | Talking to their followers about products. |
| Bloggers | Writing helpful reviews and guides. |
| Email Lists | Sharing special offers to loyal fans. |
| Microsites | Focusing on one thing for quick sales. |
| Large Media | Getting lots of clicks and attention. |
Tips for Being a Great Affiliate Marketer
- Find Your Niche: Be an expert on one topic. People will trust you more if you know a lot about a specific thing.
- Be Honest: People trust you when you tell the truth. Talk about products you really like.
- Make Friends: Work with other people who do similar things. This can help you grow faster.
- Use Different Channels: Don’t just use one way to market. Use blogs, social media, and email so you can reach more people.
- Use Tools Like Scaleo: Keep track of what works and what doesn’t. This helps you make more money.
The Reality of Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a bit like planting a garden. You need to spend time at the beginning to plant the seeds. After a while, your garden starts growing on its own, and you just need to take care of it a little. If you set things up well and keep working on them, your efforts will keep paying off.
How Affiliate Marketing Compares to Other Ways to Make Money
| 🏆 Way to Make Money | 💰 Scalability | 🕒 Time Needed | 🏠 Starting Cost |
| Affiliate Marketing | High | Medium | Low |
| Dropshipping | Medium | Medium-High | Low-Medium |
| Digital Product Sales | High | High | Medium-High |
| Freelance Services | Low-Medium | High | Minimal |
Affiliate marketing can grow a lot once it’s set up, unlike freelance work where you always need to be working to earn money. Making digital products can also make a lot of money, but it takes a lot of time and work first.
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing isn’t about getting rich right away. It takes time and effort, but if you do it right, you can make money without having to work every single day. Use tools like Scaleo, be honest, and try different ways to reach people. After a while, you can have a business that runs by itself and gives you freedom.