Using RSS for YouTube Channels and Podcasts

RSS isn't just for blogs and news sites. You can use it to follow YouTube channels without YouTube's algorithm and subscribe to podcasts without a dedicated podcast app. Here's how to use RSS for all your video and audio content.

Why Use RSS for YouTube?

YouTube's subscription feed is famously unreliable. Even if you subscribe to a channel, there's no guarantee you'll see their videos. The algorithm decides what appears in your feed based on engagement metrics, not your preferences.

RSS solves this problem:

• See every video: No algorithm filtering what you see
• Chronological order: Videos appear when published, not when YouTube decides
• No account needed: Follow channels without a Google account
• Unified feed: YouTube videos alongside your other RSS content
• Privacy: YouTube doesn't track your viewing habits through RSS

Finding YouTube RSS Feeds

Every YouTube channel has an RSS feed, but YouTube doesn't make them easy to find. Here's how to get them:

Method 1: Use the Channel ID

YouTube RSS feeds follow this format:

https://www.youtube.com/feeds/videos.xml?channel_id=CHANNEL_ID

To find the channel ID:

1. Go to the YouTube channel page
2. Look at the URL. If it shows /channel/UC..., that's the channel ID
3. If it shows a custom URL like /@username, view the page source and search for "channelId"

Method 2: Use a Converter

Several websites convert YouTube channel URLs to RSS feed URLs. Search for "YouTube to RSS" to find current options.

Method 3: Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions detect RSS feeds on YouTube pages and display them in the toolbar.

Example YouTube RSS Feeds

Here's what a YouTube RSS feed looks like:

• Veritasium: https://www.youtube.com/feeds/videos.xml?channel_id=UCHnyfMqiRRG1u-2MsSQLbXA
• 3Blue1Brown: https://www.youtube.com/feeds/videos.xml?channel_id=UCYO_jab_esuFRV4b17AJtAw

What YouTube RSS Includes

YouTube RSS feeds contain:

• Video title
• Video description
• Publication date
• Link to watch the video
• Thumbnail image

You won't be able to watch videos directly in your RSS reader—you'll click through to YouTube. But you'll have a reliable notification of new uploads.

Podcasts and RSS

Unlike YouTube, podcasts are built entirely on RSS. Every podcast is distributed via an RSS feed—that's how podcast apps work. They're just specialized RSS readers for audio.

This means you can add podcast feeds directly to our RSS Feed Reader and see new episodes alongside your other content.

Finding Podcast RSS Feeds

Method 1: Check the Podcast Website

Most podcasts list their RSS feed URL on their website, often in the footer or a "Subscribe" page.

Method 2: Use Podcast Directories

Podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Pocket Casts often link to the RSS feed:

• Apple Podcasts: Search for the podcast, click the share button, look for "Copy RSS Feed"
• Podcast Index: Search at podcastindex.org for any podcast's RSS feed

Method 3: Check Common Hosts

Many podcasts are hosted on platforms with predictable RSS URLs:

• Anchor/Spotify: anchor.fm/s/[id]/podcast/rss
• Libsyn: [podcast].libsyn.com/rss
• Buzzsprout: feeds.buzzsprout.com/[id].rss
• Transistor: feeds.transistor.fm/[podcast]

Benefits of Podcasts in RSS

Unified Reading List

See new podcast episodes in the same feed as blog posts and news. Great for people who consume both text and audio content.

Show Notes and Links

Podcast RSS feeds often include detailed show notes with timestamps, links, and summaries. These can be easier to browse in an RSS reader than in a podcast app.

No App Required

You don't need a separate podcast app to know about new episodes. Add feeds to your RSS reader and click through to listen when you're ready.

Organizing Video and Audio Content

When adding YouTube and podcast feeds, consider creating dedicated categories:

• YouTube: All video content in one place
• Podcasts: Audio content together
• Watch Later: Videos you want to watch when you have time

Alternatively, organize by topic: a "Technology" category might include tech blogs, tech YouTube channels, and tech podcasts together.

Limitations to Know

YouTube RSS Limitations

• No direct video playback in RSS readers
• Only shows recent videos (usually last 15)
• Community posts and Shorts aren't included
• Live streams may not appear reliably

Podcast RSS Limitations

• Can't play audio directly in most RSS readers
• Premium/paywalled episodes may not appear
• Spotify-exclusive podcasts have no RSS feeds

Alternative: YouTube via Invidious

Invidious is a privacy-respecting YouTube frontend that offers RSS feeds for channels. If YouTube RSS gives you trouble, try:

https://invidio.us/feed/channel/CHANNEL_ID

(Replace invidio.us with a current Invidious instance)

Building Your Media RSS Collection

Here's a starter process:

1. List the YouTube channels you want to follow
2. Find each channel's RSS feed using the methods above
3. Add them to your RSS reader in a "YouTube" category
4. List podcasts you listen to
5. Find each podcast's RSS feed
6. Add them to a "Podcasts" category
7. Check your feeds daily to stay updated

Conclusion

RSS gives you algorithm-free access to YouTube and podcasts. While you won't play media directly in your reader, you'll have a reliable way to know about new content from your favorite creators. Combined with text feeds, you get a complete picture of your information diet.

Add your first YouTube or podcast feed to our free RSS Feed Reader and experience media consumption without algorithmic interference.