Google is well known for tackling all different possible ways to access information. RSS Feeds are one realm of information that Google has recently tackled with their system called, "Google Reader". It's completely free and easy to use from any computer with internet access.

To use Google Reader, you will need to have a Google account. If you do not have a google account yet, please follow our instructions for doing so.

  1. Since we will be using Google Reader, you can create your account from there. First, go to the Google Reader website. Since you do not already have a Google account, you should see the following graphic to the right of your browser window:

    ... if you do not see this window, and instead see something like this:

    Then you already have an account, or someone else who uses your computer is currently logged in. You will either need to use Google Reader through their account (if they approve) or create a new account by clicking, "Sign Out" at the top right of the window.

  2. On the box above, click on, "Create an account now".

  3. You should be brought to a page that asks for various information. Please fill out the information appropriately and then click, "I accept. Create my account." at the bottom of the page, after the form.

  4. Upon submitting the form, you will receive an email giving you a link to click on. After clicking on the link, you will be brought to a page that thanks you for activating your account. Once this has happened, click on, "Click here to manage your account profile". Once there, on the upper right of the page click on, "Reader":

  5. You now have a Google account and are logged into Google Reader. Please continue onto the instructions for adding an RSS Feed.

Setting up an RSS Feed through Google Reader

  1. Once you are logged into Google Reader, click on, "Add Subscription".

  2. A small popup box should appear. Type in the web address to the site you wish to subscribe to and press, "Add".

  3. You might see a box pop up that looks like this. If you do, simply click on, "Dismiss this message".

  4. You are now subscribed! When you check this page in the future, you will be able to see if new posts have been made to the site you are subscribed to. Right away, you should see the most recent post to the site on your screen.

  5. To see previous posts that have been made, click on the, "List view" tab at the top right of your screen.

  6. ... which will show you all the previous posts made to the site, all the way to the first one ever. Posts that you haven't read yet will be bold on a white background, ones that you have already read will be non-bolded on a blue background.

These instructions apply to almost every RSS Feed you will come across. If have further questions, give us a call at 1-360-565-8400.