RSS Updates for Bluesky and Mastodon

This guide shows you how to get RSS feeds for Bluesky and Mastodon, so you can follow your favorite accounts without opening the apps or websites. You’ll learn how to generate feeds for individual profiles, hashtags, and lists, and how to subscribe to them in any RSS reader. No coding or special software is required—just a few minutes and a modern web browser.

What You’ll Need

• An RSS reader (like Feedly, Inoreader, or a desktop app like Thunderbird).
• The URL of the Bluesky or Mastodon profile you want to follow.
• For Bluesky: a way to copy text from a web page (your browser’s address bar works).
• For Mastodon: the instance’s domain (e.g., mastodon.social) and the username you want to follow.

Step-by-Step

For Mastodon

1. Find the profile URL. In your browser, go to the Mastodon profile you want to follow. The URL looks like https://mastodon.social/@username.
2. Append .rss to the URL. Add .rss at the end of the profile URL. For example: https://mastodon.social/@username.rss. This works for any Mastodon instance.
3. Copy the feed URL. Highlight the full URL with the .rss suffix and copy it.
4. Add to your RSS reader. In your RSS reader, choose “Add Feed” or “Subscribe” and paste the URL. The reader will fetch the feed and start showing new posts.
5. For hashtags: To follow a hashtag, use the URL format https://instance.social/tags/hashtagname.rss. For example, https://mastodon.social/tags/tech.rss.
6. For lists: If you have a list on Mastodon, you can get its RSS feed by visiting https://instance.social/lists/your-list-id.rss. To find the list ID, go to your list page and look at the URL—it contains a number after /lists/.

For Bluesky

1. Go to the profile you want. Open Bluesky in your browser and navigate to the profile (e.g., https://bsky.app/profile/username.bsky.social).
2. Copy the profile URL. Copy the full URL from the address bar.
3. Use a third-party service to generate the RSS feed. Since Bluesky doesn’t offer native RSS, you need a service that converts profiles to feeds. One popular option is https://bsky-to-rss.vercel.app. On that site, paste the profile URL into the input box and click “Generate RSS.”
4. Copy the generated feed URL. The service will give you a URL that ends in .rss. Copy that.
5. Add to your RSS reader. Paste the feed URL into your RSS reader as you would any other feed.
6. For hashtags (feeds): Bluesky doesn’t have traditional hashtags, but you can follow custom feeds (like “What’s Hot” or topic-specific feeds). To get RSS for a feed, use a service like https://bsky-to-rss.vercel.app that supports feed URLs. Paste the feed’s URL (e.g., https://bsky.app/feed/abc123) into the service.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong URL format for Mastodon. Some instances use a different path, like /users/username. If .rss doesn’t work, try the alternative: https://instance.social/users/username.rss.
• Forgetting the .rss extension. On Mastodon, the feed is only served when you add .rss to the URL. Without it, you get the HTML page.
• Using a Bluesky handle instead of a full URL. The RSS converter needs the full profile URL, not just @username. Always copy the entire URL from your browser.
• Subscribing to a feed that requires authentication. Some Mastodon instances have restricted feeds. If you get an error, check if the instance allows public RSS. Most do, but some don’t.
• Not updating the RSS reader. RSS readers cache feeds. If you don’t see new posts, force a refresh in your reader.

Tips

• Use a dedicated RSS reader. A good reader will let you organize feeds into folders and set refresh intervals. Popular choices include Feedly, Inoreader, and The Old Reader.
• For Mastodon, you can also use the .atom extension. Some readers prefer Atom over RSS. Try https://instance.social/@username.atom if .rss doesn’t work.
• Combine multiple feeds. Some RSS readers allow you to merge feeds into one “bundle.” This is handy if you want to follow several Bluesky accounts in one feed.
• Check the feed URL in your browser first. Before adding to your reader, open the feed URL in a browser. If you see XML code, it’s working. If you see a web page, the URL is wrong.
• For Bluesky, consider using a service that supports multiple accounts. Some services let you generate feeds for multiple profiles at once, saving time.

Troubleshooting

• Feed not updating. If the feed doesn’t show new posts, try clearing your RSS reader’s cache or manually refreshing the feed. Also, check if the profile is active—if the user hasn’t posted recently, the feed won’t change.
• Getting a 404 error on Mastodon. This usually means the username is incorrect or the instance doesn’t allow public RSS. Double-check the username and try the /users/ path. If it still fails, the instance may have disabled RSS.
• Bluesky converter not working. If the third-party service fails, try a different one. Search for “Bluesky RSS generator” to find alternatives. Also, ensure the profile URL is correct and that the profile is public.
• Feed shows “This feed is private.” On Mastodon, if the user has locked their account, their posts are not public. You can only follow them through the app. No RSS workaround exists for private accounts.
• RSS reader says “Invalid feed.” This often happens when the URL points to an HTML page instead of XML. Re-check the URL for typos and ensure you have the .rss suffix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get RSS for a Bluesky hashtag?

Bluesky doesn’t use hashtags in the traditional sense, but you can follow custom feeds (like “What’s Hot” or topic-specific feeds). Use a converter service that supports feed URLs, and paste the feed’s URL into the service to get an RSS link.

Does Mastodon offer RSS for direct messages?

No. Direct messages are private and cannot be accessed via RSS. RSS only works for public posts.

Can I follow a Mastodon user who is on a different instance?

Yes. The RSS feed URL works for any public profile on any Mastodon instance. Just use that instance’s domain in the URL.

Will the RSS feed include replies and boosts?

By default, Mastodon’s RSS feed includes original posts and boosts, but not replies. Bluesky’s RSS via converters typically includes original posts and reposts, but not replies. Check your RSS reader’s settings for filtering options.

Is it possible to get RSS for a Mastodon list?

Yes. You can get an RSS feed for a list by using the list’s ID in the URL: https://instance.social/lists/your-list-id.rss. To find the ID, go to your list page and look at the URL—it contains a number after /lists/.

What if the Bluesky profile is private?

Private profiles cannot be followed via RSS. The converter will likely return an error or an empty feed. You must follow the account within Bluesky to see their posts.

Related

• OneNote Handwriting: Does It Make It Prettier?
• History of Google: From Garage to Global
• VIP Virtual IP Address: Definition, Failover & How It Works