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The Persistent Signal: Call For Participation

Written By: Zachary Kai » Published: 4 Apr 2026 | Updated: 4 Apr 2026

Somewhere, right now, a feed is updating. No algorithm curates it. It just arrives. RSS is perhaps the quietest of internet rebellions. And it's still running.

I want to know how you use it. Not in the abstract, but in practice. This survey is for anyone who still tends their feeds: whether three subscriptions or three hundred.

Table Of Contents

What'll Happen
Compensation
The Questions

What Happens With Your Answers

I'm collecting these responses to write about RSS culture: how it persists, who keeps it alive, and what it means to people who never gave it up (or who came back to it).

I may quote anonymised responses in a future post, but I'll never share your name, email, or any identifying details. You can also opt out of being quoted at all in the final question.

Once I get enough responses, I'll publish a retrospective, but this is always open.

I'm not selling this data. I'm just a person who thinks RSS is worth writing about.

A Thank You: Free Zine of Your Choice

Your time is worth something. So, I'll send you a digital/printable zine from my catalog. In the form, pick whichever you prefer. Once I receive your response, I'll email it to you.

The Questions

Fifteen questions. Most are short. A few invite a little more if you want to give it.

1. How Long Have You Been Using RSS?

2. Roughly How Many Feeds Do You Subscribe To?

3. Which RSS Reader Do You Use?

4. How Often Do You Check Your Feeds?

5. What Do You Primarily Follow Via RSS? (Select The Best Fit)

6. What First Drew You To RSS? How Did You Discover It?

7. Do You Read Personal/Indie Blogs, Mainstream Publications, Or Both Via RSS?

8. How Has Your RSS Usage Changed Over The Past Few Years?

9. Do You Share Or Recommend Things You Find Through RSS To Others? How?

10. What Do You Love Most About Using RSS?

11. What Frustrates You Most About RSS Or Its Ecosystem?

12. Have You Ever Maintained Or Published An RSS Feed Yourself?

13. Do You Use Any Tools Or Workflows To Manage Or Filter Your Feeds?

14. What Do You Think Would Make RSS More Appealing Or Accessible?

15. Anything Else You'd Like To Share?

Your Free Zine

Pick any zine from my catalog and I'll send the digital/printable version your way.

It's 100% optional. You don't have to pick one if you'd rather not.

Which Zine Would You Like?

Where Should I Send It?

I'll only use this to send your zine and a brief thank-you note. Nothing else.

What You'd Like Me To Call You:

Your Email:

May I Quote Your Responses (Anonymously) In A Future Post?

Thank you for taking the time. The signal persists because of people like you: tending their feeds, staying subscribed, keeping the quiet web alive. I mean that.

Credits

Thanks to Varve for spotting an error with the form.

Copy + Share: roadlessread.com/notes/rssqs

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