Google News RSS Feed changes: A Speedy Guide

Google has made significant changes to its RSS feed functionality, impacting how users receive updates from Google News. These changes,implemented in late 2023,require users to adapt their methods for tracking news. Here’s a breakdown of what happened, why it matters, and how to continue getting the news you want.

What Changed?

Previously, Google News provided a straightforward RSS feed that allowed users to subscribe and receive updates in their preferred RSS reader. Google discontinued the original RSS 2.0 feed. Now, Google News offers feeds in a different format – atom 1.0.More importantly, the urls for these feeds have changed significantly. The old, predictable URLs no longer work.

Why Did Google Make This Change?

Google hasn’t explicitly stated the reason for the change. though, it’s likely part of a broader effort to standardize feed formats and potentially improve the efficiency of its news delivery systems. The move to Atom 1.0 aligns Google with a more modern standard for web feeds.

How Do I Find the New RSS Feed URLs?

Finding the new URLs isn’t as simple as it used to be. Google doesn’t publicly list them.You need to use a feed revelation tool or inspect the page source of a google News section to locate the Atom feed link. Here’s how:

1. Navigate to the Google News section you want to follow. For example, go to Google News or a specific topic page.
2. View Page Source: Right-click on the page and select “View Page Source” (or similar, depending on your browser).
3. Search for “atom”: Within the page source, search (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) for the word “atom”.
4. Locate the Link: You should find a link tag with the type set to “request/atom+xml”. This is the new RSS feed URL.

What if I Can’t Find the Feed?

Some Google News sections may not have publicly available Atom feeds. In these cases, you may need to explore choice methods for staying updated, such as:

• Google Alerts: Set up Google Alerts for specific keywords or topics.
• Follow News Sources Directly: Subscribe to the RSS feeds of the individual news publications you trust.
• Social Media: Follow news organizations and journalists on social media platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Google has switched from RSS 2.0 to Atom 1.0 for its News feeds.
• Old RSS feed URLs no longer work.
• finding the new Atom feed URLs requires inspecting the page source.
• Not all Google News sections have publicly available feeds.
• Alternative methods like Google Alerts and direct subscriptions are available.

Resources

• Google News RSS – Starting point for exploring Google News.
• Google Search Central: RSS Feeds – Official Google documentation (though not specifically updated for the recent changes).

Publication Date: 2025/11/20 06:24:46