Although most publishers offer several ways to verify ownership of accounts, a newer method uses a WordPress RSS verification code to achieve authorization instead of uploading blank pages or inserting meta tags to the header of the post. This article will briefly explain how to implement verification codes using Digg.com as an example, since they offer this feature using an option called “auto feed syndication for publishers”. Verification can be achieved by simply adding a WordPress RSS verification code to your RSS feed using one line of text. Currently, it is the only method available for verifying an RSS feed account on Digg.com.
All of this may sound a bit confusing if you are new to adding WordPress RSS verification codes to your feed, but we promise that it’s really very easy to do. You only need to post the verification code to your feed once to verify your account. Once it’s verified, you can completely remove the code from your RSS feed. The code is hidden from your site’s viewers during the process as well.
When Digg asks you to add content in your RSS feed’s next post, you’ll need to create a new post about anything you’d like (it doesn’t have to be about adding the RSS verification code to your RSS feeds).
Digg will provide a code to you and you will need to add that code to your new post. Adding the code to the very bottom of your new post is advised, although you can insert the code within your post wherever you prefer. It will just need to be in the following format to be recognized and verified by the publisher:
The verification key is a long string of letters and numbers that automatically identifies your account with the publisher (Digg.com in this example). If the key provided by the publisher looks like this:
7db248745098821f5678e5708g46001
You will need to add the snippet of code to the bottom of the post in a tag like this:
By adding your RSS verification key in the tagged format above to your WordPress RSS feed, you can ensure that the private RSS verification code remains completely hidden from your visitors, but will still be added to the RSS feed and available for the publisher to verify your account. Once you post the new feed, it usually takes up to twenty minutes or so for your feed to update.
Once your account is verified by the publisher, you may completely remove the line of text containing the verification code.
Adding a verification code to your WordPress RSS feed is a quick and easy way to authorize your feed with the publisher. It takes less time than older methods to complete, and with only one line of code to include, this method is catching on across the web for simple WordPress RSS verification.
So go ahead and set up a test account at Digg.com, and follow this brief tutorial to easily get started implementing this feature for your WordPress RSS feed today.