How to Organize RSS Feeds with Categories
A well-organized RSS collection is a joy to use. A disorganized one becomes overwhelming and eventually abandoned. Here's how to structure your feeds with categories so you can efficiently consume content from dozens or even hundreds of sources.
Why Organization Matters
When you first start using RSS, a flat list of feeds works fine. But as your collection grows, problems emerge:
- Information overload: Hundreds of unread articles feel overwhelming
- Context switching: Jumping from tech to cooking to news fragments your attention
- Finding feeds: Locating a specific feed in a long list becomes tedious
- Prioritization: Not all feeds deserve equal attention
Categories solve these problems by grouping related feeds together.
Category Strategies
There's no single "right" way to categorize feeds. Here are popular approaches:
By Topic
The most common approach—group feeds by subject matter:
- Technology
- News & Politics
- Design
- Personal Finance
- Hobbies
This works well when you want to focus on one area at a time.
By Priority
Group feeds by how important they are to you:
- Must Read: Sources you never want to miss
- Daily: Check these every day
- Weekly: Catch up once a week
- Archive: Rarely check, but keep for reference
This helps manage attention when you have limited time.
By Source Type
Group feeds by what kind of content they are:
- News Sites
- Blogs
- Podcasts
- YouTube Channels
- Company Updates
Useful when you want to consume similar content types together.
By Reading Context
Group feeds by when/where you'll read them:
- Morning: News and updates to start the day
- Work: Industry and professional content
- Evening: Longer reads and entertainment
- Weekend: Deep dives and leisurely reading
Setting Up Categories in RSS Feed Reader
Our free RSS Feed Reader makes category management simple:
Creating Categories
- Click "Add Category" in the sidebar
- Enter a name for your category
- The category appears in your sidebar
Moving Feeds to Categories
- Hover over a feed to reveal the options menu
- Click the move icon
- Select the destination category
Viewing by Category
Click a category name to see all articles from feeds in that category. This lets you focus on one topic at a time without distraction.
Best Practices for Category Organization
Start Simple
Begin with 3-5 broad categories. You can always create more later. Over-categorizing from the start leads to confusion.
Limit Category Count
Most people do well with 5-10 categories. More than that, and you're just creating another layer of complexity to manage.
Use Descriptive Names
Choose category names that clearly indicate what's inside. "Tech" is better than "Category 1". "Must Read" is clearer than "Priority A".
Review Periodically
Every few months, review your categories. Are some too big? Split them. Are some barely used? Consolidate them.
Don't Over-Categorize
Not every feed needs a category. Some feeds are fine in "Uncategorized" or at the top level. Don't force organization where it isn't needed.
Managing High-Volume Categories
Some categories accumulate articles faster than others. Here's how to handle them:
Use the Unread Filter
Toggle to show only unread articles. This hides articles you've already processed.
Mark All Read Liberally
It's okay to mark an entire category as read when you're overwhelmed. RSS is meant to serve you, not create anxiety.
Adjust Feed Selection
If a category is always overwhelming, you might have too many feeds. Consider removing low-value sources.
Create Sub-Categories
If a category has grown too large, split it. "Technology" might become "Programming", "Gadgets", and "Industry News".
The "All Articles" View
Don't forget the unified view showing articles from all feeds. This is useful for:
- Quick scanning across all topics
- Discovering connections between fields
- Processing articles when you don't have a specific focus
Use categories for focused reading, "All Articles" for broad exploration.
Categories and OPML
When you export your feeds as OPML, category structure is preserved. This means:
- Backups include your organization
- You can share categorized collections with others
- Importing to another reader maintains structure (usually)
This is another reason to organize thoughtfully—your work transfers to other tools.
Example Category Structures
The Minimalist (5 categories)
- Work
- News
- Learning
- Entertainment
- Must Read
The Professional (8 categories)
- Industry News
- Competitors
- Tech Updates
- Career Development
- World News
- Design Inspiration
- Personal Interests
- Saved for Later
The Content Creator (7 categories)
- Topic Research
- Inspiration
- Industry Trends
- Competitor Analysis
- Tools & Resources
- General News
- Personal
Conclusion
Good category organization makes RSS sustainable long-term. Start with a simple structure, evolve it as your collection grows, and don't be afraid to reorganize when something isn't working. The goal is a system that serves your reading habits, not one that creates more work.
Try organizing your feeds in our free RSS Feed Reader. Create categories, move feeds, and discover how organization transforms your reading experience.
Organize Your Feeds Today
Create categories and take control of your reading.
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