Evolution of the RSS Icon
December 21, 2005
Microsoft recently got a bit of buzz for adopting the Mozilla RSS icon. Steve Rubel makes a few good points about the new icon taking off:
- This icon is how the coming wave of new RSS users will recognize feeds.
- Another is that it's truly global. The symbol works in every language.
Valid points but if you look at the evolution of the RSS icon (see below), it is very confusing for the new person (i.e. my mom). There is no call to action. When I see the orange icon what am I supposed to do? Is the icon alone supposed to invoke action? Maybe with the reach of Microsoft, the little orange icon will brand itself as "Click here to subscribe to content/updates directly from this site without having to provide an email address." Microsoft has the challenge of adopting the right RSS icon because they cover such a broad audience from early adoptors to general consumers.
Posted by Bill Flitter on December 21, 2005 9:24 AM
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the issue you raise is valid but we can limit its potential for confusion by noting that after "using/clicking" the icon once, maybe twice for moms, folks will then "know" what the icon means.
still a problem for sure but not a deal breaker. street signs work pretty well without words. i think "we" will survive as well.
Posted by Timothy Post | December 21, 2005 7:16 PM
Posted on December 21, 2005 19:16
Great point. The analogy with the street sign makes sense. Maybe Microsoft will start handing out tickets if we don't obey their "sign."
Posted by Bill Flitter | December 22, 2005 1:23 PM
Posted on December 22, 2005 13:23