RSS block

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How can I style/adjust the content inside a campaign's RSS block?

The RSS block in ActiveCampaign allows you to pull and display content from an RSS feed directly within your email campaigns. This feature is particularly useful for sharing dynamic content such as blog updates or news articles without needing to manually update the content every time. Understanding how to style and adjust the content inside an RSS block is essential for maintaining brand consistency and enhancing the visual appeal of your campaigns.

In this article, we will cover how to access the RSS block, step-by-step instructions for configuring it, configuration options available, best practices for effective usage, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions.

How to access this feature

To access the RSS block feature, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Navigate to the Campaigns tab. 3. Create a new campaign or edit an existing one. 4. In the email builder, locate the Design tab. 5. From the toolbar, select the option to add an RSS block.

Step-by-step instructions

Here’s how to effectively style and adjust your RSS block:

1. **Adding an RSS Block**:

  - In the email campaign builder, after selecting the Design tab, click on the Add Block button.
  - Select the RSS block from the menu.

2. **Configuring the RSS Feed**:

  - Enter the URL of the RSS feed you wish to pull content from.
  - Choose the style options.

3. **Styling Text**:

  - You can style the text within the RSS block using limited options:
    - Change the Font Color
    - Adjust the Size of the text
    - Make text Bold, Italic, or Underlined
    - Align the text using options such as Left, Center, Right, or Justified 

4. **Limitation on Other Elements**:

  - Note that modifications to other elements of the RSS feed (such as images or links) are not permitted within the RSS block itself. If those elements need adjustment, you must do so within the original RSS feed.

5. **Styling the Entire Block**:

  - You can also apply overall styling to the RSS block similar to other content blocks, which includes padding, background color, and margins.

Configuration options and settings

The main configuration options for the RSS block are as follows:

• Text attributes:

 * Font Color
 * Size
 * Bold/Italic/Underlined
 * Alignment (Left, Center, Right, Justified)

• Overall block settings:

 * Padding
 * Background Color
 * Margins

Please remember that the styling applied will be consistent across all identically named elements in the RSS feed items.

Best practices and tips

When utilizing the RSS block, keep the following tips in mind:

1. **Maintain Visual Consistency**: Use similar styling elements across your RSS block and other content blocks to maintain a cohesive look in your email campaign.

2. **Test Your Feed**: Ensure your RSS feed is valid and functioning correctly before adding it to your campaign. This will prevent any errors during deployment.

3. **Use Only Highlighted Features**: Leverage the styling options available, but remember that extensive customizations to images or interactive content need to be handled within the RSS feed itself.

Troubleshooting section

If you encounter issues while using the RSS block, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

- **Feed Not Displaying**: If the RSS feed does not display any content, double-check the URL you've provided. It must be a valid, public RSS feed. - **Unexpected Formatting**: Ensure that you’ve applied styling changes correctly, and remember that all identical elements will inherit the same style properties. - **Content Does Not Update**: If your RSS content appears stale, check if the source feed is being updated regularly.

Related features section

For additional insights on email content management, you may find the following features useful:

• Automation
• Email Campaigns
• Segmentation

FAQ section

Q1: Can I change the styling of images in the RSS block? A1: No, the styling options are limited to text only. Any image styling must be managed in the RSS feed itself.

Q2: How can I determine if my RSS feed URL is valid? A2: Use an RSS validator tool online to ensure that your feed is correctly formatted and accessible.

Q3: Are there character limits for articles pulled from the RSS feed? A3: The text pulled will follow the standard character limits set for ActiveCampaign email blocks, which usually apply to content within any block.

Q4: Can I add custom content alongside the RSS feed items? A4: You cannot insert static content directly within the RSS block, so you'll need to use separate blocks for additional content.

Q5: How often does the RSS block pull updates from the feed? A5: The RSS block typically updates in real-time when the campaign is sent, pulling the latest content available from the feed URL.

Q6: What should I do if the formatting looks incorrect in the preview? A6: Always preview your campaign thoroughly in different email clients to ensure formatting appears as intended; modify styling if necessary.

Q7: Can I use multiple RSS blocks in a single campaign? A7: Yes, you can add multiple RSS blocks in a single campaign, but keep in mind that each block is styled separately.

By understanding how to use and style the RSS block, you can inject dynamic content into your campaigns effectively, ensuring your audience receives timely updates that align with your brand's aesthetics. ```