What is an XML data feed?

XML feed is a basic file, which is used for online services, most often for promoting products on Google, Facebook and on Comparison Shopping Services. In XML feeds are usually sent data of hundreds – thousands of products. XML feed is usually on some URL address, for example www.eshop.com/feed.xml.

What is XML feed with example?

XML should be used whenever you have data that will be shared across various networks or devices. Some XML feed examples could be a CD catalog, a food menu, or a list of job postingsa company is looking to fill.

How To Set Up XML Feed Monitoring

As was mentioned above, XML data files generated by our XML Report Services (XRS) framework can be imported to your SQL database, dashboards, or any type of reporting system with XML data source support.

In some cases, you may need to monitor values of particular XML report parameters. For example, you may want to be notified if the status of a particular device in your account is changed.

The XRS framework utilizes HTTP(S) requests to provide access to XML reports. Thus, XML Feed monitoring is similar to HTTP (S) monitoring. Follow the provided steps to setup XML Feed monitoring for the use case described above.

First, create and copy the link to the XML Feed you want to monitor. Once you have the target link copied, create an HTTP monitoring device, and provide the link in the URL field. To be notified on the XML content changes, you need to specify a keyword or assertion string in the Content Validation string. In the case of the device state monitoring, specify the corresponding device parameters. For our example the content validation string can be as following:

Name="<A target device name>" Status="In progress"

Then set up other monitoring device parameters as required (see HTTP(S) Device). Once the monitoring has been started the system will monitor the XML content generated in a real-time mode to the provided URL. Using this approach and by customizing your XML Feed you can be notified of any changes in the report parameters you need to keep tabs on.

The advantages of XML FEED monitoring by Dotcom-Monitor are not limited to monitoring the Real Time XML reports generated by Dotcom-Monitor XRS framework. You can monitor such type of XML FEED as commonly known RSS Feed.

Understanding RSS

To better understand how to set up RSS Feed Monitoring with Dotcom-Monitor and its benefits, let’s have a closer look at the RSS technology.

RSS stands for Rich Site Summary. It is a family of XML formats that are used to create news feeds, publish article announcements, blog changes, etc. Using RSS formats, it is possible to collect, process, and provide to an end-user information in convenient to consume form. Generally, to parse and convert data generated in the XML format, special RSS reader services and news aggregation applications and websites are used. Most modern RSS Feed can be used free of charge.

In the recent past, RSS feeds were used exclusively to collect updates on sites – news, articles, and other frequently updated information. The RSS updates were collected using various aggregators such as Google Reader and My Yahoo. Nowadays, RSS is still an important tool for the modern Internet. It is widely used for publishing news and updates to one website from an RSS feed of another website. If the XML reports generated by Dotcom-Monitor are considered — a typical use-case is a dashboard on a third-party website with an XRS report. The report can present real-time updates in the state of monitoring devices that were created within a Dotcom-Monitor account, changes in an account summary, particular device status, etc.

The are several versions of RSS. The most popular versions of RSS are:

• RDF Site Summary (RSS 0.9 and 1.0)
• RSS 2.0
• Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91, RSS 1.0)

In general, RSS file structure can be broken down into three blocks:

• Metadata – headings, subheadings, images, descriptions, body text.
• Hyperlinks – for reading the full version of the articles.
• Additional metadata – article categories and other additional information.

Thus, using an RSS feed can be considered as reading an abstract to a book, overview a table of contents, or newspaper’s headlines. Thus, an RSS feed gives the user (subscriber) the opportunity to read the title and a small quote from the full article (usually the first few lines, or a short summary of a web page) without visiting the website. In addition, to provide a subscriber with access to original content, RSS feeds include the link to the source page. Using the link, a user can open a webpage with the full content of the specific article presented in the feed.

Since an RSS feed is an .XML file, if you simply open this file in a browser, for example, Google Chrome, you will see something like the following picture:

 

It is obvious that it is not convenient to read an RSS Feed in not formatted form unless you are used to code writing and reading. To parse, convert and present XML feed content in a user-friendly format a number of special applications can be used (RSS readers or Feed readers). For example, Freedly, NewsBlur, and online web services for collecting and displaying RSS feeds (for example, Google Reader, etc.). Modern browsers can also work with RSS feeds.

RSS Feed Monitoring with Dotcom-Monitor

Dotcom-Monitor provides you with a fast and simple way to set up RSS Feed monitoring. Create an HTTP(S) monitoring device with RSS Feed URL, set up content validation, specify the monitoring parameters and you will be notified every time the system detects changes in the specified keyword string or in case of issues with accessing the feed’s URL. Use the initial XML file to find an exact XML parameter name and value you want to monitor for changes in the feed.

YAHOO SEARCH XML FEED

Yahoo may offer search results through an XML feed. Partners must own and operate these sites, and manage their own search engine results pages. Our XML service includes both sponsored search ads and algorithmic web results.

These results are passed to our partners in an XML format, so partners can parse and present beautiful, rich user experiences that monetize and deliver value. Our comprehensive marketplace of sponsored search ads, combined with a world class set of web search results, means that search results can be competitive, compelling and generate user loyalty.

Combine all this with superb business controls, such as filtering, sensitivity and more, and we can help you reach your goal of having a great search experience for your site.

YAHOO HOSTED SEARCH

Yahoo Hosted Search (YHS) provides partners with a complete solution for a powerful, scalable search experience for users. YHS is hosted by Yahoo, but offers partners some flexibility to optimize their experience for user engagement and revenue. It is currently available in over 30 countries.

YHS is a scalable solution that allows partners to:

• Offer a rich search experience for users, that is hosted by Yahoo and on par with search.yahoo.com, in over 30 countries with no serving costs for partners
• Optimize the look and feel of the search results page for user experience and revenue
• Easily track revenue and metrics via the Partner Insights tool
• Access 24/7 technical support

A few of the benefits of YHS include:

• Yahoo’s first class user intent detection technology, so that only the most relevant results are returned
• Robust set of features at par with Yahoo web search, including image modules, structured content, search refiners and more
• Ability to route users to a fully-hosted Yahoo search results page or to call for the co-branded Yahoo search results page within an iFrame
• Cost savings from not needing to deploy and maintain the partner’s own search platform

There are several ways partners can leverage YHS, including Fully Hosted YHS, YHS iFrame and YHS for DNS.

Fully Hosted Yahoo Hosted Search

Fully Hosted YHS provides partners with a co-branded and customizable Yahoo search experience available across PC, tablet and mobile devices.

Yahoo Hosted Search iFrame

YHS iFrame can be added to any approved partner web page across platforms. It provides a customizable Yahoo search experience, but with the partner’s own branding, header and footer.

 

 

 

Yahoo Hosted Search DNS Search

YHS DNS Search leverages our industry leading technology to offer users sponsored and algorithmic listings in the case of a “Page Not Found” message. This allows partners to monetize their error traffic while delivering an exceptional user experience. YHS DNS Search is customizable and available on desktop (mobile coming soon).