# How to Do Content Syndication in WordPress (Beginner’s Guide)
Alright, WordPress enthusiasts and digital content creators, buckle up! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of content syndication. Yes, that magical realm where your content flies off your site and lands gracefully on other platforms, potentially earning you fame, fortune, and maybe even a few backlinks. Let’s break down how to do content syndication in WordPress and ensure you’re not just throwing your content into the digital abyss.
## What Is Content Syndication, and Why Use it?
Imagine you’ve spent hours, maybe days, crafting the perfect blog post. It’s witty, informative, and so good it could make Shakespeare weep with envy. Content syndication is like sending your literary babies out into the world, allowing other websites and platforms to share your masterpiece.
But why, you ask, would you let others showcase your hard work? Here’s the deal:
– **Wider Audience** – It’s like throwing a pebble into a digital pond and watching the ripples reach new shores. More eyes on your content, more potential visitors.
– **Build Partnerships** – It’s the digital equivalent of making friends in high places. Sharing content can lead to fruitful collaborations.
– **SEO and Backlinks** – Each time someone shares your content and links back to you, it’s like a thumbs-up in the eyes of search engines.
– **Increased Social Reach** – When content curators share your work on social media, it’s not just their aunt and high school buddy seeing it; it’s potentially thousands of new followers.
## How Does Content Syndication Work in WordPress?
WordPress, bless its heart, makes content syndication smoother than a jazz saxophonist on a Saturday night. Thanks to RSS (Really Simple Syndication), your content gets neatly packaged into an XML document that can be easily shared and subscribed to.
Just tack on `/feed/` to your WordPress site’s URL, and voila, you’ve got an RSS feed ready to be devoured by eager readers and platforms.
## How to Share Syndicated Content as a Publisher/Blogger
Now, before you start syndicating content faster than a cat video goes viral, let’s talk strategy. You don’t want to lose out on traffic or get penalized for duplicate content.
### 1. Only Syndicate Summaries Instead of Full Content
Keep ‘em wanting more by only sharing excerpts. In WordPress, go to Settings » Reading and choose ‘Excerpt’ instead of displaying the full text. It’s like giving away a free sample of ice cream; it just leaves people craving for the whole scoop.
### 2. Add a Link Back to Your Original Article in RSS Feed
Don’t let content scrapers get all the credit. Use a plugin like All in One SEO to automatically add a link back to your article in the RSS feed. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs back to your website.
### 3. Properly Use Canonical URLs
Make sure search engines know the content originated from you by using canonical URLs. WordPress does some of this automatically, but for those special cases, plugins like All in One SEO have your back.
### 4. Create and Submit RSS Sitemap
Just like a treasure map leads to gold, an RSS sitemap leads search engines straight to your latest content. Use All in One SEO to create one and submit it to Google Search Console to ensure your content gets indexed pronto.
### 5. Track Your Website Analytics
Keep an eye on your traffic with MonsterInsights or a similar tool. Knowing where your visitors are coming from can help you adjust your syndication strategy and ensure you’re not dancing in the dark.
## How to Share Syndicated Content as a Curator
Curating content? Here’s how to do it without stepping on any digital toes or getting slapped with a copyright notice.
### 1. Finding Syndicated Content
Look for unique, high-quality sources. Mix it up to give your audience a cocktail of perspectives and insights they won’t find elsewhere.
### 2. Ask Permission to Share
It’s just polite. Plus, it can open doors to collaborations and ensure you’re on solid legal ground.
### 3. Use Auto-blogging Software
Tools like Feedzy can automate the process, but remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Don’t turn your site into a content dumping ground.
### 4. Make It Easy to Request Content Removal
Add a contact form for removal requests. It’s better to deal with a direct request than a formal complaint later down the line.
And there you have it, a beginner’s guide to content syndication in WordPress, served up with a side of humor and practical tips. Remember, syndication is a tool in your digital arsenal. Use it wisely, and watch your content, and your site, thrive in the wild, wonderful world of the web.