How To: Create Google+ RSS Feeds

Earlier last month, I wrote on how to subscribe to Google+ users using PlusFeed. I used it, and then I realized that I wasn't getting my own feed anymore. I discovered that the free service had been disabled due to cost issues, as detailed by the creator +Russell Beattie. The code is open source, and you can roll your own service, if you have the know-how and the time. If you don't, but still want to create RSS feeds for your own public posts, or just to track your favorite Google+ users, there are other free services you can use in its place.

Get Your Google+ ID

These sites all work on the same principle. Copy and paste your Google+ identification number, and add it to the end of each URL. If you're not sure how to get it, go to http://plus.google.com, and then click on your name. The string of numbers after http://plus.google.com is your Google+ user identification number.

This is an example of what you'll see once you add your Google+ identification number to the correct URL.

Once you see the above page, select how you want to subscribe to the feed via the drop-down menu.

• GPlusFeed was ported by +Ted Kulp.
• Google+ to RSS Feed was created by +Jeff Turner.
• Plus One Feed Generator Warning: their contact page was flagged as an "attack page" by my browser, so proceed with caution.
• Plu.sr lets you create both a mobile page for your Google+ account, and an RSS feed. Created by +Andy De Ruyter.

RSS Feeds Are Not Perfect

The Google+ posts you'll be seeing in your RSS reader will be incomplete. Some of the issues I ran into included: not being able to view YouTube videos, shared posts do not display the actual post being shared, and there's no ability to view comments or +1s on the post itself. Photos, +mentions, and hyperlinks display properly. You cannot view any posts that are limited, only posts that are public.

I would recommend using RSS feeds for two scenarios:

• Mitigate the "noisiness" factor of your Google+ stream by creating RSS feeds for the loudest people in your circles and consume their content via another platform, such as Google Reader or Bloglines. If you don't comment a lot and just like to read or skim posts from popular people, this will make your life a lot easier. If you do comment and respond a lot to individual posts and people, this method isn't recommended, since you'll be missing out on a lot of conversations and discussions that might be interesting to you.
• Create an RSS feed for your own Google+ feed so you can share your thoughts and information outside of your Google+ circles. It's also a good way to review your own work, and improve upon it.