FeedBurner changes throwing a wrench into code

February 24, 2009 by Lara Kulpa
Filed under Blogging

: Image by VoIPman via Flickr

In case you’re not aware, FeedBurner (a highly used RSS management tool) was acquired by Google (this happened back in May 2007). As in true Google style, they’ve finally gotten around to messing with it to the point of driving web designers/developers mad.

I admit, I rarely log into my FeedBurner account. But I’m pretty grateful I did, because THAT is how I was notified of the problems that were soon going to mount on my plate. See, there was standard code for creating subscription tools on your blog – and Google had to go and bork that all up, so now I have dozens of sites that need immediate attention (before February 28, 2009 in fact) or subscribers will be in the dark. (For some reason, I’m hearing those “switch to digital cable” commercials in my head now…)

In effect, the code has changed. Depending on your site (all sites I develop are in WordPress), and if and how you’re using any plugins to help drive your feed to feedburner (Feedsmith is most popular), and then depending on your site’s theme setup, you or your developer may have a TON of work to do.

If you’re using any of the popular Revolution Two themes (as I am… ugh), you can find help in the forum here: How To Update Feedburner Code To New Google-Feedburner Code

If you’re using any of Justin Tadlock’s great themes, and are a support forum member, you can view the fixes in the forum here: Feedburner RSS issues with Options Theme

Otherwise, you’re kind of on your own, and will have to use the new tools provided by the Googlenator to help you take care of business.