How to set up an RSS feed on WhatsApp: a tutorial for news sites and groups
To send an RSS feed to WhatsApp you need three things: your site's feed URL, a group where the bot is an admin and a tool that reads the feed and posts new items. In 9bot, this is done under Integrations, on the RSS and news card, with a posting schedule and a limit of items per post.
How it works in practice
What you need to post RSS on WhatsApp
Direct answer: WhatsApp does not read RSS feeds by itself. You need a tool that checks the feed at intervals, finds new items and sends title and link to the group. The prerequisites are:
- the feed URL. On WordPress sites it is usually the site address followed by /feed/;
- a WhatsApp group connected to the 9bot dashboard, with the bot as admin;
- a schedule, so news is not sent overnight or in excess.
Manual, Zapier or Make, and 9bot: which path to choose
There are three common ways to bring a feed into a group:
| Path | How it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | Someone copies title and link of each story into the group | Depends on staff on duty; delays and misses after hours |
| Zapier or Make | An RSS trigger starts a flow that calls a WhatsApp sending service | Billed per task or credit; requires a third party WhatsApp connector |
| 9bot | The bot reads the feed and posts to the group on the set schedule | Paid plan with a 7 day trial; the bot must be a group admin |
Integration tools bill by usage. In Zapier, each completed action counts as a task, and the Pro plan with 750 tasks costs US$19.99 per month billed annually. In Make, each module action uses credits that expire at the end of the term. On top of that, the WhatsApp sending step depends on a third party connector or API with its own cost and rules.
Step by step in the 9bot dashboard
- In the side menu, open Integrations and click Configure on the RSS and news card.
- Paste the feed URL and click Verify Feed to confirm it is valid.
- Under Posting schedule, choose the sending mode (see the table below).
- Set the Interval (minutes) and the Maximum news per post.
- Click Save RSS.
| Schedule option | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Fixed interval | Sites that publish continuously, checking the feed every X minutes |
| Default times (06:00 and 18:00) | Morning and late afternoon roundups |
| Custom times | Sections with their own timing, such as market close |
Best practices for news groups
- One feed per section: sports, business or local groups receive only the right category feed. In WordPress, each category has its own feed.
- Limit per post: a few items at a time keep the group from turning into a wall of links.
- Fixed times: readers build the habit of opening the group at the same hours.
- Announcement only group: let only admins send messages so news stays visible.
- Measurement: track active members and exits in Reports to tune frequency and timing.
For the full distribution strategy, see how to connect news sites to WhatsApp and news groups on WhatsApp.
What about WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp Channels have no native RSS reading, and the Meta API does not post to channels (checked on Oct 9, 2026). The tutorial above applies to groups. For channel options, see the guide how to automate a WhatsApp channel with RSS.
Read also
Frequently asked questions
How do I add an RSS feed to WhatsApp?
What is the RSS feed URL of a WordPress site?
Can I post RSS to WhatsApp Channels?
Do Zapier or Make replace a group bot?
How much does 9bot cost?
Post your news to WhatsApp at the right time
Today 326 customers worldwide use 9bot to run groups and communities. Paid plan with a 7 day trial: US$35 per month for the first 3 months and US$70 after that, with the coupon FIRST9.
