Google targets RSS feeds in new XSLT removal proposal

Google engineer Mason Freed has initiated a formal proposal to remove XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) support from web browsers, threatening the technical basis that allows RSS feeds to show attractively in browsers. The proposal, submitted via the Internet Hypertext Software Know-how Working Group (WHATWG) this month, immediately impacts the podcast {industry} and content material syndication infrastructure that thousands and thousands of publishers depend on for automated content material distribution.

Based on the WHATWG Github problem #11523, Freed characterizes XSLT as a “area of interest, rarely-used function” regardless of speedy pushback from builders highlighting intensive RSS feed utilization. Dave Jones, representing podcast internet hosting firms, famous that “XSLT is extensively utilized by podcast internet hosting firms to beautify their uncooked feeds,” pointing to Buzzsprout’s implementation as a distinguished instance. The BBC additionally maintains XSLT styling for his or her information RSS feeds, demonstrating continued adoption by main media organizations.

The timing proves notably vital as RSS feeds expertise renewed adoption following person migration away from centralized social media platforms. Business observers estimate over 500 million WordPress web sites mechanically generate RSS feeds, whereas all the podcast ecosystem is dependent upon RSS XML for content material distribution to platforms together with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Eradicating XSLT help would drive these feeds to show as uncooked XML code, considerably degrading person expertise for direct feed entry.

The XSLT removing proposal particularly threatens RSS feed performance, which {industry} professionals instantly acknowledged because the expertise’s major remaining use case. When questioned about RSS feed show, Freed acknowledged this represents “the biggest supply of present utilization” however advised his WebAssembly-based polyfill might present substitute performance. Nevertheless, polyfill options require JavaScript execution and extra useful resource loading, contradicting RSS feeds’ design rules of simplicity and common accessibility.

Podcast internet hosting firms emerged as vocal opponents of the proposal, with representatives noting intensive XSLT implementation throughout the {industry}. Buzzsprout’s RSS feeds exemplify refined XSLT styling that transforms uncooked XML into readable, branded content material when accessed immediately via browsers. This performance proves important for content material verification, debugging, and direct subscriber entry with out requiring devoted feed reader purposes.

Main media organizations together with the BBC preserve XSLT-styled RSS feeds, persevering with practices established throughout RSS’s preliminary recognition surge within the early 2000s. Mary Hamilton famous the BBC’s continued XSLT utilization and referenced the intensive 2013 dialogue when Google first proposed XSLT removing. That earlier proposal generated opposition for 5 years, with builders persevering with to submit counter-arguments as late as 2018.

The Podcast Requirements Challenge, representing {industry} stakeholders together with main internet hosting platforms and content material creators, would face vital technical disruption from XSLT removing. RSS feeds function the common distribution format enabling podcast content material to achieve a number of platforms concurrently with out platform-specific modifications. Degraded feed presentation might affect content material discovery and subscriber acquisition for impartial podcasters who lack sources for advanced technical workarounds.

Business coordination reveals browser vendor alignment

The WHATWG dialogue demonstrates regarding coordination between main browser distributors, with Mozilla engineer “smaug” expressing speedy help for XSLT removing. WebKit representatives indicated “cautious help,” suggesting they might wait for an additional browser to implement removing first earlier than following swimsuit. This sample displays the oligopolistic nature of contemporary browser improvement, the place a small variety of firms management the elemental applied sciences that energy web content material distribution.

Anne van Kesteren from Mozilla proposed coordinating console warnings throughout browsers, indicating pre-planned deprecation methods much like these used for different internet applied sciences. The dialogue reveals browser distributors treating XSLT removing as inevitable reasonably than debatable, regardless of substantial developer opposition documented within the Github problem feedback.

Firefox’s historic removing of RSS help in 2018 established precedent for browser distributors abandoning XML-based applied sciences regardless of person objections. Mozilla’s resolution to present RSS feeds worse remedy than generic XML paperwork demonstrated willingness to actively hinder feed performance reasonably than merely sustaining current capabilities. This aggressive stance towards RSS contradicted Mozilla’s said mission of supporting an open internet.

The coordination between Google and Mozilla on XSLT removing suggests broader strategic alignment on eliminating decentralized content material distribution applied sciences. Critics argue this cooperation serves to consolidate internet content material round platform-controlled APIs and centralized providers that present better knowledge assortment and monetization alternatives for main expertise firms.

The XSLT removing proposal represents the newest section in a scientific marketing campaign towards RSS feed infrastructure that started with Google Reader’s discontinuation in 2013. Google Reader served because the dominant RSS aggregation service, introducing thousands and thousands of customers to feed-based content material consumption. Its closure compelled customers towards platform-specific social media feeds and centralized content material discovery mechanisms managed by main expertise firms.

Mozilla’s 2018 resolution to take away RSS help from Firefox marked one other vital blow to feed infrastructure. Firefox actively prevents RSS feeds from displaying correctly in browsers, treating them worse than generic XML paperwork. This hostile method contradicts Mozilla’s said dedication to supporting decentralized internet applied sciences and person selection in content material consumption.

Browser distributors persistently characterize RSS and XSLT as “legacy” applied sciences regardless of continued widespread utilization throughout content material publishing industries. The podcast ecosystem alone represents a whole lot of thousands and thousands of customers consuming RSS-distributed content material day by day, whereas WordPress installations numbering over 500 million mechanically generate RSS feeds for content material syndication functions.

Every removing of RSS-supporting infrastructure forces content material creators towards platform-specific distribution channels. With out browser-based RSS show capabilities, customers should set up devoted feed reader purposes or depend on social media platforms for content material discovery. This shift advantages centralized platforms that may acquire person knowledge and management content material algorithmic distribution whereas lowering impartial writer attain and viewers possession.

Google’s XSLT removing proposal continues a documented sample of actions particularly focusing on RSS and XML-based content material distribution infrastructure. The 2013 discontinuation of Google Reader eradicated the preferred RSS aggregation service, forcing thousands and thousands of customers towards social media feeds and centralized content material platforms. This strategic resolution preceded Google’s first XSLT removing proposal by a number of months, indicating coordinated efforts to undermine RSS ecosystem viability.

Subsequent actions strengthened this sample. Google’s 2015 Fetch API introduction intentionally excluded XML doc processing strategies whereas offering devoted JSON dealing with capabilities. The identical 12 months introduced proposals to deprecate SMIL for SVG animation and take away the keygen cryptographic component, each applied sciences that allow decentralized content material creation and safe communication exterior platform-controlled environments.

Mozilla’s 2018 RSS help removing from Firefox represented profitable coordination between browser distributors to remove feed performance. Firefox now actively prevents RSS feeds from displaying correctly, giving them worse remedy than generic XML paperwork. This aggressive method contradicts Mozilla’s said mission whereas supporting Google’s broader technique to remove RSS infrastructure.

The sample extends past technical removals to incorporate coverage adjustments that favor centralized platforms. Google’s search algorithm adjustments persistently prioritize massive platform content material over impartial writer RSS feeds. Social media platforms obtain preferential remedy in search outcomes whereas RSS-distributed content material faces diminished visibility, creating financial strain for publishers to desert decentralized distribution strategies.

Various options and {industry} response

Technical workarounds for potential XSLT removing embody JavaScript-based XSLT processors like SaxonJS. These options present related performance however with efficiency penalties and elevated complexity. Browser extensions might probably restore XSLT help, although extension API restrictions could restrict effectiveness, notably in Chrome’s Manifest V3 framework.

The broader developer group has begun documenting XSLT use instances and tutorials in response to removing threats. A number of guides emerged specializing in RSS feed styling, knowledge visualization purposes, and template substitute situations. This grassroots documentation effort goals to show sensible XSLT worth past Google’s characterization of restricted adoption.

Some expertise professionals advocate for various browser adoption to keep up XML help. Browsers like Firefox, Safari, and Edge preserve impartial improvement groups, although coordination via WHATWG usually results in function convergence. Really impartial browsers like Pale Moon or rising initiatives like Servo might protect deprecated applied sciences, however market share limitations cut back their affect.

Business observers be aware parallels between present XML restrictions and historic expertise suppression efforts. Microsoft’s Nineteen Nineties browser technique concerned embracing normal applied sciences, extending them with proprietary options, then abandoning normal compliance to lock customers into Microsoft-specific options. Critics argue Google follows related patterns with fashionable internet requirements.

Financial and strategic issues

The removing proposal extends past technical issues into broader financial territory. XML applied sciences allow cost-effective content material publishing by lowering server processing necessities and simplifying improvement workflows. Publishers notably profit from XSLT’s capability to generate a number of output codecs from single XML sources.

Podcast {industry} infrastructure relies upon totally on RSS XML for content material distribution. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and different platforms eat RSS feeds to populate their directories. Any degradation in browser RSS help impacts the broader podcast ecosystem, although devoted purposes usually preserve impartial XML processing capabilities.

Content material administration system distributors face technical debt from browser function removals. WordPress, Drupal, and different platforms should preserve compatibility throughout browser variations whereas adapting to deprecated performance. These adaptation prices in the end have an effect on pricing and have improvement for thousands and thousands of internet sites.

Google’s broader privacy initiatives show related patterns of changing open requirements with company-specific options. Privateness Sandbox APIs present Google-controlled replacements for industry-standard applied sciences. Publishers should undertake Google’s options or settle for diminished performance and income potential.

The advertising and marketing expertise panorama more and more displays vendor consolidation round main platform ecosystems. Google’s promoting infrastructure, Meta’s social media APIs, and Amazon’s e-commerce instruments create dependencies that restrict impartial innovation. Every eliminated normal expertise reduces choices for firms searching for vendor-neutral options.

Timeline

• 2013: Google discontinues Google Reader RSS service eliminating dominant feed aggregator, proposes first XSLT removing focusing on RSS feed styling, removes MathML help, closes XMPP federation
• 2015: WHATWG introduces Fetch API excluding XML processing strategies whereas offering JSON help, Google proposes SMIL deprecationaffecting RSS feed enhancement capabilities
• 2018: Mozilla removes RSS help from Firefox model 64, actively stopping RSS feed show and treating them worse than generic XML paperwork
• 2019: Google broadcasts Extension Manifest V3 adjustments that prohibit RSS feed reader browser extensions
• 2023: Google renames Bard to Gemini overshadowing impartial RSS-based protocol, proposes Internet Surroundings Integrity API threatening RSS reader purposes
• 2024: Chrome delays third-party cookie deprecation whereas sustaining strain on RSS-based content material distribution
• August 20, 2025: Google abandons cookie deprecation however launches new XSLT removing proposal via WHATWG focusing on RSS feed show capabilities

Abstract

Who: Google engineers led by Mason Freed suggest XSLT removing via WHATWG, with Mozilla help from worker “smaug” and others together with Tab Atkins Jr. and Domenic Denicola

What: Proposal to take away XSLT help from internet browsers, eliminating capability to type XML paperwork together with RSS feeds immediately in browsers

When: WHATWG Github problem created August 20, 2025, following earlier Chromium problem, marking Google’s second main XSLT removing try since 2013

The place: Proposal submitted via WHATWG requirements group affecting Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers globally

Why: Google cites safety vulnerabilities and useful resource constraints, although critics argue strategic motivation to remove decentralized internet publishing applied sciences favoring Google options

PPC Land explains

XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations): A declarative programming language designed for remodeling XML paperwork into different codecs, primarily HTML for internet browser show. XSLT operates via template matching and pattern-based transformations, enabling publishers to separate content material construction from presentation logic. The expertise processes XML knowledge client-side, lowering server computational overhead whereas sustaining clear separation between knowledge and styling. Present browser implementations help XSLT 1.0 from 1999, although extra superior variations like XSLT 2.0 and three.0 stay unimplemented regardless of providing enhanced performance together with JSON processing capabilities.

XML (Extensible Markup Language): A markup normal that defines guidelines for encoding paperwork in each human-readable and machine-readable codecs. XML serves as the muse for quite a few internet applied sciences together with RSS feeds, sitemaps, configuration information, and knowledge trade codecs. The specification emphasizes structural validation, namespace help, and platform independence, making it worthwhile for content material syndication and automatic processing workflows. XML’s hierarchical construction permits advanced knowledge relationships whereas sustaining compatibility throughout totally different programs and programming languages.

RSS (Actually Easy Syndication): An internet feed format constructed on XML that allows automated content material distribution and syndication throughout web sites and purposes, representing some of the profitable and enduring applied sciences for decentralized content material publishing. RSS feeds comprise structured metadata about articles, podcasts, and different content material, permitting aggregation providers and purposes to trace updates mechanically with out requiring customers to manually go to a number of web sites. The format powers all the podcast {industry} infrastructure, with platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and a whole lot of different purposes consuming RSS feeds for content material discovery and distribution. Over 500 million WordPress installations generate RSS feeds mechanically, creating an unlimited community of syndicated content material that operates independently of any single platform or firm. Information organizations, blogs, and content material creators depend on RSS for viewers retention and direct content material distribution that bypasses social media algorithms and platform dependencies. The expertise permits customers to mixture content material from various sources into customized studying experiences via feed readers, sustaining the unique imaginative and prescient of an open, user-controlled internet. RSS feeds additionally serve essential enterprise capabilities together with search engine marketing via content material syndication, automated advertising and marketing workflows, and integration with electronic mail advertising and marketing programs that convert feed content material into newsletters. Google’s 2013 resolution to close down Google Reader considerably impacted RSS adoption, although current years have seen renewed curiosity as customers search options to centralized social media platforms and algorithmic content material curation.

Google: The multinational expertise company that developed and maintains the Chrome internet browser, which holds dominant market share globally. Google’s affect extends via numerous internet requirements organizations, promoting applied sciences, and developer instruments that form web infrastructure. The corporate’s strategic choices relating to browser options immediately affect thousands and thousands of internet sites and purposes worldwide. By way of initiatives like Privateness Sandbox and deprecation proposals, Google considerably influences internet expertise evolution, usually prioritizing its ecosystem of providers and promoting income fashions.

Chrome: Google’s internet browser launched in 2008, constructed on the open-source Chromium challenge and at the moment commanding over 60% international market share. Chrome’s technical choices successfully set {industry} requirements attributable to its widespread adoption amongst builders and customers. The browser serves as the first implementation platform for Google’s internet expertise initiatives, together with Privateness Sandbox APIs and numerous deprecation proposals. Chrome’s improvement workforce actively participates in requirements organizations like WHATWG, usually driving adoption of applied sciences that align with Google’s broader enterprise aims.

WHATWG (Internet Hypertext Software Know-how Working Group): A requirements group fashioned in 2004 by browser distributors to speed up internet expertise improvement exterior conventional W3C processes. Initially based by Apple, Mozilla, and Opera, WHATWG now consists of Google as a dominant participant following Chrome’s market success. The group develops HTML specs and associated applied sciences via collaborative processes, although critics argue Google’s affect has remodeled WHATWG right into a automobile for selling company-specific options reasonably than actually open requirements improvement.

Browser: Software program purposes that interpret and show internet content material, serving as the first interface between customers and web sources. Main browsers embody Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, every implementing internet requirements with various levels of compliance and have help. Browser distributors make technical choices that immediately affect web site performance, content material accessibility, and developer workflows. The aggressive dynamics between browser firms affect internet normal adoption, with dominant browsers like Chrome successfully setting {industry} instructions via function implementations and deprecations.

Internet requirements: Technical specs that outline how web applied sciences ought to operate throughout totally different platforms and implementations. Organizations like W3C and WHATWG develop these requirements via collaborative processes involving browser distributors, expertise firms, and developer communities. Requirements guarantee interoperability between totally different programs whereas enabling innovation inside outlined frameworks. The standardization course of balances competing pursuits together with person privateness, developer comfort, efficiency optimization, and business aims from main expertise firms.

Publishers: Content material creators and media organizations that produce and distribute data via web sites, purposes, and syndication channels. Publishers depend on numerous internet applied sciences together with RSS feeds, content material administration programs, and browser options to achieve audiences successfully. Many publishers use XML-based workflows for content material manufacturing, automated syndication, and multi-platform distribution. Browser function deprecations immediately affect writer technical infrastructure, probably requiring expensive variations or lowering content material accessibility for finish customers.

Advertising: Skilled actions targeted on selling merchandise, providers, or content material to focus on audiences via numerous digital channels. Digital advertising and marketing more and more is dependent upon internet applied sciences together with monitoring programs, content material syndication, analytics platforms, and browser APIs for marketing campaign measurement and optimization. Browser vendor choices relating to privateness controls, function deprecations, and API availability immediately affect advertising and marketing effectiveness and measurement capabilities. The {industry} should frequently adapt to technological adjustments whereas sustaining compliance with evolving privateness rules and platform necessities.