Create RSS Items with Zapier

With Zapier, you can automatically add new items to an RSS feed whenever something happens in another app. This guide walks you through how to set up the RSS by Zapier app as an action step so your Zap builds and updates a custom feed that other tools or subscribers can follow.

The steps below are based on the official help documentation and show you how to configure each field, choose the right mode, and make the most of dynamic content.

What the RSS by Zapier app does

The RSS by Zapier app lets your Zap act as an RSS feed generator. Instead of manually publishing RSS entries, every time your Trigger event runs, the action will add a new item to a feed URL that Zapier hosts for you.

You can then share that feed URL with other services or people, such as:

RSS readers and news aggregators
Other automation tools
Publishing workflows that ingest RSS

This setup is ideal for activities like publishing blog updates from other platforms, syndicating new records, or turning app events into a public or private feed.

Before you start with Zapier

To follow this how-to, you need:

A Zapier account with access to the editor
At least one app you want to use as a Trigger, such as a form tool, CMS, or CRM
Any data fields you want to publish already available from the Trigger step

Once those are ready, you can add the RSS by Zapier action to your workflow.

How to add RSS items in Zapier

Use the RSS by Zapier app as an action step that runs after your Trigger. Each time the Zap runs, it creates one new item in the feed.

Step 1: Add the RSS by Zapier action

In the Zapier editor, create or open a Zap.
Set up your Trigger app and event, and test it to pull sample data.
Click + Add action.
Search for RSS by Zapier and select it.
Choose the event Create Item in Feed (or the equivalent option in your interface).

Zapier will now show the action fields needed to define your RSS feed and the content of each item.

Step 2: Configure the RSS feed details

In the RSS by Zapier action, the first fields control the overall feed, not just a single entry. These values remain the same for every item the Zap creates.

Feed URL: Enter a unique URL endpoint where the feed will live. Zapier hosts this URL. Treat it like an ID for your feed, such as https://zapier.com/feeds/your-custom-path (the exact pattern may vary).
Feed Title: Provide a human-readable title, like “New Support Tickets” or “Latest Deals”.
Feed Author Name: Add the main author or organization name that will appear in the feed metadata.

Choose names that clearly describe the purpose of the feed so others can easily recognize it when subscribing.

Step 3: Map RSS item fields in Zapier

Next, configure the fields for each individual RSS item. These use data from earlier steps in your Zap.

Item Title: Add plain text or mapped fields, such as the name of a new record or article title.
Item Author Name: Optionally map an author or owner field from the Trigger data.
Item Content: Include the main body of the content. This can be plain text or HTML supported by the RSS spec and Zapier.
Item Link: Provide a URL for the item, such as a live page, record link, or public detail view.
Item Publish Date: Optionally specify a date field. If you leave it blank, Zapier will usually use the Zap run time.
Additional attributes: Depending on the interface, you may be able to set categories, GUIDs, or other advanced fields when available.

Use the field picker in the Zapier editor to pull data from the Trigger or earlier actions. This ensures each item is fully dynamic.

Choose feed mode in Zapier

The RSS by Zapier action typically supports different modes for how items are stored and displayed. The exact labels can vary, but the concept is the same.

Mode 1: Append items to a growing feed

This mode keeps adding items to the feed while it grows over time. Use it when:

You want a complete history of events.
Subscribers should see all past entries, up to the feed limit.
You use the feed as an archive of changes.

Check the options in your Zapier action to ensure it does not overwrite previously created entries.

Mode 2: Maintain a limited or rotating feed

Some setups let you limit how many items appear at once. The RSS by Zapier app may include a field to set a maximum item count.

Use this mode if:

You only want to show the most recent entries.
You are sending the feed to tools that prefer a small, updated list.
You want older items to fall out of the feed automatically.

Adjust the limit so it suits the reader or application that will consume the feed.

Test your Zapier RSS feed

After configuring the action, it is important to test the Zapier setup so your feed behaves as expected.

Click Test or Test step on the RSS by Zapier action.
Confirm that the test creates an item successfully.
Copy the feed URL from the action field.
Open the URL in a browser or RSS reader to verify the structure and content.

Check that the titles, content, and links match what you expect. If something looks incorrect, return to the Zapier editor and remap the fields.

Use your Zapier RSS feed in other tools

Once your feed works, you can plug the RSS URL into any tool that accepts an RSS source. Common uses include:

Sending the URL to a website widget that displays news or updates.
Connecting the feed to another Zap in Zapier that uses RSS as a Trigger.
Giving subscribers the URL so they can follow updates in their favorite reader.

You can combine your feed with other automation and optimization strategies described on resources like Consultevo to build sophisticated workflows.

Limitations and notes for Zapier RSS

Keep these points in mind while designing your workflow with the RSS by Zapier app:

There may be a maximum number of items kept in the feed at any time.
Some HTML tags or special characters in item content may be filtered or encoded.
The feed URL you choose should remain stable, because subscribers depend on it.
Only the Zapier account that owns the Zap can edit the feed configuration.

If you change the Zap significantly, test again to confirm that subscribers still see valid, updated entries.

Where to find official Zapier documentation

For the most accurate and up-to-date behavior of the RSS by Zapier app, always review the official help guide. You can read the original instructions at this Zapier support article about adding items to an RSS feed.

Use that article together with this how-to so your automation remains aligned with any new features, limitations, or interface changes.

Next steps with Zapier

After you have a working RSS feed, you can expand your automation strategy:

Trigger the same Zapier feed from multiple apps.
Filter or format data before it reaches the RSS by Zapier action.
Chain feeds into publishing or notification Zaps for multi-channel syndication.

By combining the RSS by Zapier app with other actions and filters, you can build a powerful, automated publishing pipeline that keeps subscribers and systems up to date without manual work.

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