# Adding author context to RSS (Jon Henshaw, Coywolf)

# Adding author context to RSS

By Jon Henshaw — Posted on May 2, 2026.

RSS, ATOM, and JSON feeds may be getting a much-needed update to the spec with the addition of [Byline](https://www.bylinespec.org/), which provides structured identity (AKA: author details) for syndication feeds.

Byline was created by [Terry Godier](https://terrygodier.com/), maker of [Sourcefeed](https://www.sourcefeed.app/) and [Current](https://www.currentreader.app/), because he wanted feeds to include more details about the author, further enhancing the reading experience in his RSS reader app.

These are the key elements Godier would like added:

## Author Definition

The author is defined once at the feed level with an `id` that can be referenced by items.

## Context

The `context` element provides a human-readable bio. Keep it under 280 characters and focus on relevant information: who you are, what you do, and what readers can expect.

## Perspective

Each item can have its own `perspective`. In this example, the first post is `personal` (opinion/experience) while the second is a `review`.

## Theme

The author specifies preferred colors and style. Feed readers may use these for subtle visual customization like author card borders or accent colors.

## Proposed RSS shape

```xml
<byline:contributors>
  <byline:person id="annie">
    <byline:name>Annie Park</byline:name>
    <byline:context>Designer and photographer based in Portland. Previously design lead at Figma. I write about creative tools, process, and the indie web.</byline:context>
    <byline:url>https://annie.example.com</byline:url>
    <byline:avatar>https://annie.example.com/avatar.jpg</byline:avatar>
    <byline:profile href="https://mastodon.social/@annie" rel="mastodon"/>
    <byline:profile href="https://github.com/anniepark" rel="github"/>
    <byline:now>https://annie.example.com/now</byline:now>
    <byline:uses>https://annie.example.com/uses</byline:uses>
    <byline:theme color="#4A90A4" accent="#FF6B6B" style="light"/>
  </byline:person>
</byline:contributors>
```

The spec is under consideration and is expected to be accepted and published for use before or by the end of this year.

Learn more at [bylinespec.org](https://www.bylinespec.org/).

## Additional context (from bylinespec.org at fetch time)

bylinespec.org frames the problem as "the context problem" — diverse content types (personal blogs, corporate releases, journalism, satire) appear identical in feed readers; the reader has to remember who someone is and what kind of post this is.

Design principles called out on the spec site:

- **Progressive enhancement** — feeds without Byline keep working.
- **Decentralized identity** — URIs and IndieWeb conventions; no central registries.
- **Format-agnostic** — same model for RSS 2.0, Atom, and JSON Feed.
- **Privacy-respecting** — no tracking; pseudonymous identities supported.

License: CC0 1.0 (public-domain dedication). Maintainer: Terry Godier. Companion tools: validator and generator.