Posted on Sunday 11th of November 2007 at 13:29 in Blogging

An evil way to cheat your way to unlimited RSS subscribers

Let me get the pleasantries out of the way: this isn't a post for me to discuss the benefits of RSS (because that's been done countless times before), nor is this article here to explain what you're doing wrong - this is a post discussing psychology and more importantly how to leverage users in a very evil and dishonest way using the Email RSS subscriber widget that Feedburner provides.

Whether you have 1,000,000 readers or just 1, the chances are you're aiming to convert more readers in the future. The thing you need to understand about humans is that we're naturally a pack animal and we give information more importance when more people say it's good. This is clearly exemplified by the rise of sites like Digg and Reddit (that allow users to vote on which news stories are the best).

If you've got no visitors, no feed subscribers and therefore nothing to brag about then it's going to be very hard to convert more users. So, what about faking your RSS subscribers so people think that 1,000 people are subscribed to your feed? That changes things...

What you need to do:
1. Set up an email address that catches all email sent to a domain
2. Enter as many random email addresses @ that domain into your subscription box
3. Go through the inbox and confirm each fake address (as they all forward to the same place)
4. Put the Feedburner feed-count on your site to entice more readers to subscribe.

################################################
If that's not enough information, continue reading and I'll explain it in greater depth.
################################################

How to be evil and give yourself as many feed subscribers as you wish
This is where having your feeds managed by Feedburner becomes especially useful; not only do they offer Email subscription widgets to install on your blog but they also count towards your overall feed count. In basic terms, having 0 RSS subscribers and 50 Email subscribers still gives you a feed count of 50. Moreover, John Chow discovered in his How I Gained 4,691 RSS Reader In 1 Month post that the only way Email subscribers to stop being counted is if they physically unsubscribe (or close their email address).

So if you could somehow fake having 1,000 Email subscribers on your account, then you would have a statistic worth bragging about - which would in turn entice more users to subscribe... It's another example of the rich getting richer; only when you have something do people want to give you more.

So how can it be done?
Surprisingly it's rather easy. All you need is hosting that allows multiple Email accounts to be set up (which most do) although you only need to create one more. All you need to do is create a second Email address that catches every piece of email sent to your domain that doesn't resolve. Let me explain using examples:

I have steven.york@seopher.com registered as my contact address, but I also created a catch-all@seopher.com which catches everything that doesn't go to my steven.york one. So if you sent an email to abc@seopher.com it would be forwarded to catch-all@seopher.com. So you can enter any email address you like and it will always end up in my catch-all inbox.

You can now sit infront of your RSS Email subscription form and enter any number of email addresses into the subscription box, it really doesn't matter what you enter because unless it is matched against a specific address, your catch-all will hold it. This means that if you enter:

a@yourwebsite.com
b@yourwebsite.com
c@yourwebsite.com

All three will have the confirmation emails forwarded to your catch-all, so all you need to do is go through each confirmation email and click on the link. That marks that address as active and Feedburner adds that user to the list of RSS subscribers. So if you have the patience you can sit and add 1,000 fake Email addresses into the subscription box, then later go through the 1,000 emails you have and confirm each account.

So there you have it, a very evil way to have more RSS subscribers. Of course I don't encourage this behaviour and you should only ever consider using this as a method to break down the mental barriers people have: so they look beyond the lack of subscribers to see your excellent content.

Enjoy this article? Why not subscribe to the full RSS feed?

Add Your Comments

Comments

Showing most recent 20 of 47 comments [View all comments]

Welcome to our website,and you will enjoy the sunshine service. Let's abandon all the worry,and enjoy the happy shopping travel.All the chanel watch andchanel replica watch are most in fashion boutique this year.rolex replica and chanel j12 watch and the chanel watches show your chaming temperament. In addtin, the chanel watch and the other chanel watches make you mold your unique glamour this winter.The swiss chanel watch have the high quality but low price. replica watches and replica rolex have all the style and cheapest price chanel j12 watch watches. Enjoying the fun of net purchase! chanel watchesWe will supply you the perfect service and after sale support system. Our honest will bring you absolute satisfaction.

by chanel j12 watch on Wednesday 10th of March 2010 at 17:44

cheap GHD hair straighteners
GHD straighteners wholesale
GHD styler
GHD IV styler
GHD Babyliss Hair Straighteners
GHD IV Mini Styler
GHD IV Salon Styler
GHD IV Styler Mk4 Black
GHD IV Styler MK4 Dark
GHD IV Styler MK4 Gold
GHD IV Styler MK4 Kiss
GHD IV Styler MK4 Pink
GHD IV Styler MK4 Pure
GHD IV Styler MK4 Purple
GHD IV Styling Set
GHD MK5 Black
GHD MK5 Dark
GHD MK5 White
New GHD RARE Styler
GHD Precious Gift Set
GHD Benefit
GHD Pretty in Pink
GHD RARE Styler
Instyler Rotating Hot Iron
New Instyler Rotating Hot Iron
Newest Instyler Rotating Hot Iron

by GHD straighteners on Sunday 7th of March 2010 at 23:22

That's awesome! I can't wait to get into it.

by gucci watches on Friday 5th of March 2010 at 18:16

MBT Shoes Sale offer powerful training shoes Cheap MBT Shoes

by mbt shoes sale on Thursday 4th of March 2010 at 22:24

Whoa! I am looking forward for the next updates of your awesome worship. It would be great if you have other great things

just like this. I really love it. Thanks!

by replica on Thursday 4th of March 2010 at 19:15

can show a man not only his wealthy but also his high taste.replica rolex submariner watchesAs the society developed, many people are pay more attention to one's wearing than before, especially a watch. replica rolex submariner watches If you are wearing a famous brand watch, people will look up you, also will love to do business with you. You will be a successful man with a such luxury fashion watch.

by replica tag heuer on Thursday 4th of March 2010 at 17:44

coach handbag
coach purses
coach bags
cheap coach handbag

coach designer handbags
coach handbag
coach replica handbags
coach wallets , replica coach wallets
ed hardy handbag
ed hardy purse
ed hardy wallets
juicy handbag
cheap juicy handbags
juicy wallets
tous handbag
cheap tous handbag
tous wallets
chanel handbag
cheap chanel handbag
chanel wallet
louis vuitton handbag
cheap louis vuitton
louis vuitton wallet
gucci handbag
discount gucci handbags
gucci wallet
d&g handbag
d&g handbag bag
cheap d&g wallets
prada handbag
prada wallets
cheap prada handbags
christian audigier wallets
christian audigier handbag
christian audigier bag

christian audigier bags
fendi handbag
fendi bag
fendi wallet
miu miu handbag
cheap miu miu handbag
cheap miu miu wallets
dooney&bourke handbag
cheap dooney&bourke handbag
cheap dooney&bourke wallets
burberry handbag
cheap burberry handbags
burberry wallets
brand sunglasses
armani sunglasses
burberry sunglasses
cartier sunglasses
chanel sunglasses
Christian Dior Sunglasses
Coach Sunglasses
D&G Sunglasses
ED Hardy Sunglasses
Fendi Sunglasses
Ferragamo Sunglasses
Gucci Sunglasses
Louis Vuitton Sunglasses
Nike Sunglasses
Okey Sunglasses
Police Sunglasses
Prada Sunglasses
RayBan sunglasses
Versace Sunglasses
Wholesale coach handbags
cheap coach handbags
cheap coach handbag
coach designer handbags
replica coach handbags
new at coach
coach leather handbag
cheap coach purses
coach replica handbags
cheap coach bag
coach outlet
authentic handbags
cheap coach
coach discount
buy cheap handbags
discount cheap handbags
fashion coach handbag
authentic coach handbags
leather coach handbags
wholesale coach purses
coach online
buy coach bags
cheap coach purse
coach wholesale
discount coach bag

discount coach handbags
discount coach handbag
discounted coach handbags
discounted coach handbag
discount coach purses
replica coach handbags
discount designer handbags
designer handbags
discount coach
coach handbags on sale
cheap coach purses
coach replica bags
replica coach
clearance coach handbags
fake coach handbags
discount coach wallets
cheap coach handbag
authentic coach handbags
coach designer handbags
coach bags on sale
fake coach bags
cheap handbags wholesale
discount designer purses
cheap coach bag
authentic handbags
replica coach purses
wholesale designer handbags
buy coach handbags
coach handbags sale
coach hand bags
coach bags sale
coach bags online
fendi handbags
fashion handbags
cheap replica coach handbags
discount coach bag
wholesale coach handbag
discounted handbags
discount designer handbag
authentic coach handbag
fake coach
coach diaper bags
handbags on sale
coach wholesale
inspired handbags
fake coach purses
coach purses on sale
authentic designer handbags
coach sunglasses
replica designer handbag
ralph lauren handbags
coach luggage bags
coach handbags 2008
coach handbags online
new coach handbags
coach handbags store
authentic coach bag
spring coach bags
coachhandbags
classic coach handbag
buy coach bags
coach onsale
coach ergo handbags
coach hand bag
1sale coach bag
ladies coach handbags
coach baby bag
discount coach outlet
red coach purse
coach leather handbags
coach leather handbag
coach sling bags
coach shoulder bags
coach leather bags
hand bags
cheap coach outlet
buy cheap coach bag
buy cheap coach purses
buy cheap coach bags
buy cheap coach handbags
coach purses zoe
coach handbag zoe
coach wholesale
cheap replica coach handbags
cheap replica coach bags
buy replica coach bags
buy replica coach handbags
buy replica coach purses
china coach purses
buy china coach purses
wholesale coach purses
buy designer coach purses
buy designer coach handbags
buy designer coach bags
coach of new york
i like coach
coach nice
buy nice coach handbags
coach com
coach usa
coach make of
buy fake coach handbags
buy fake coach purses
buy fake coach bags
coach made of
cheap of coach
coach gift
coach women's
coach of women's
fake coach handbag
fake coach purse
fake coach bag
fake coach bags
fake coach purses
wholesale designer coach handbags
real coach handbags
buy real coach handbags
usa coach handbags

by coacha handbags on Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 at 01:36

I like it ,great

by tennis racquet on Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 at 01:08

http://www.mbt-lami.com discount Mbt shoes outlet, supplying Mbt Lami and Mbt Sport,Shop now!

by Bush CC on Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 at 23:21

0302sllrk My company and I are reputable ugg bailey button ,credible, and have helped people just like you ugg shoes 5389 in over 5 different countries.I've been doing business online since March, 12 2002 ugg ultra tall .I've helped hundreds of people with ugg ultra short their wedding speeches.My company was on the front page of ugg nightfall boots the'The Wall Street Journal' June 19, 2002. http://www.ecboot.com/products_new.html

by ugg classic crochet on Monday 1st of March 2010 at 23:43

by tag heuer watches on Sunday 28th of February 2010 at 17:20

Very happy I can comment here!
Best wishes for this year.

by movado watches on Sunday 28th of February 2010 at 17:13

Spring is near,every girl wants to be the bride in the special season.They are eager to put on beautiful Wedding Dresses or the Bridal gowns.During the day the Wedding gowns is the good choose,and the night,if you want radiant,you need the Evening gowns.About the bridesmaid,they have to wear Bridesmaid Dresses in order to avoid grab limelight with the bride.And the Flower Girl has the Flower Girl Dresses,too.In the wedding,the Cocktail Dresses and the Evening Dress is necessary,too!And remember,the Wedding Dress of the Bridal Dress must be the most glaring!

by wedding dresses on Tuesday 9th of February 2010 at 23:45

I am very like it, I wish you happy every day!

by ugg boots london on Monday 1st of February 2010 at 00:12

Nice airtical, i would like to tell all of my friends about it. By the way, i would like to introduce everyone of you a very nice website, it offers cheap replica rolex paypal for men and women. Such as rolex replica,
rolex replica watch,
replica rolex watch,
fake rolex watch,
fake watches .You can find almost all the replica Rolex series there. They have Latest style and classic style. Though their price are low,don’t worry about it’s quality.Every detail of replica rolex shows its original marvelous designs and the best imitation technology. I have bought from them for so many times, and very satisfied with the their goods and service. Come on, choose one you love it.

by replica watches on Wednesday 27th of January 2010 at 19:52

we are supportive of this thought, right

by airmax90 on Wednesday 27th of January 2010 at 18:09

Replica Rolex watches. Are you looking for cheap designer Rolex，www.watchwax.com provides the best Links of Swiss Rolex replica, replica watches,replica Rolex watches.

by replica watches paypal on Tuesday 26th of January 2010 at 00:52

GHD Limited Edition Purple Gift Set Model:103007 $217.00 $132.00 Save: 39% off
hair straightener
chi iron
ugg boots
boston-bruins-c-101_102.html">new jersey
The ghd Travel Hairdryer comes with variable voltage for worldwide performance, auto shut
off feature means dryer shuts off automatically if wrong voltage is selected and resets
itself when cool.Folding handle for compact packing and the dryer.

by GHDPrincess on Friday 15th of January 2010 at 00:26

Purple Ugg Boots 5819 classic Cardy Model:1010307
$260.00 $100.00
Save: 62% off
Inspired by the popular UGG Australia Classic Crochet, the Women's UGG Cardy is the footwear equivalent of your comfiest cardigan sweater. With soft, wool-blend knit uppers and lowers, this style features 3 oversized buttons that allow you to wear the uppers fully buttoned, partly buttoned, slightly slouched or completely cuffed down. Light, flexible, grooved outsoles deliver excellent traction, and suede heel guards enhance durability. Inside, soft sheepskin sock liners deliver cushiony comfort and breathability all year round. 15" tall. Imported.
Australia Sheepskin UGG Boots Sale,Wholesale and Dropshipping Available.

by Christmas uggboots on Thursday 14th of January 2010 at 22:43

I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day!

by Abercrombie Fitch on Thursday 14th of January 2010 at 17:29