What is the My ABC Widget?

The My ABC Widget is a free tool which delivers ABC content directly to your website, blog or Social Networking portal.

So, instead of having to visit the ABC website for the latest news and other program content, your Widget will stream to you all the latest story-feeds that you've chosen. See something that looks interesting? Click on the headline and you'll be taken through to the full story on the ABC site.

Who can use the My ABC Widget?

Absolutely anyone! All you need is a place to locate your Widget, such as your blog, site, or Social Networking portal. You can also share a link to the Widget you've created with friends through sites like Facebook and Twitter.

How does the My ABC Widget work?

Technically speaking, the My ABC Widget is a means of consolidating a number of ABC digital content-streams in the form of RSS feeds, and delivering them through an HTML-formatted interface.

The headlines (and if you selected, the first line or first paragraph of the story) will update automatically so you can view the latest content without having to visit the website directly. You can view the full story, by clicking on the headline which will take you to the relevant page on the ABC website.

Once you have created your own Widget using the Widget tool, you can easily add it to portals like iGoogle and Netvibes or embed it in your blog or website. You can also share a link to your customised widget on other social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter and many more.

How can I personalise my Widget?

The Widget tool offers three simple steps to help you customise your Widget. Firstly, decide which topics you're interested in. Secondly, decide whether you want to see the headline only, the headline and first line of the story, or the headline and first paragraph. Finally, choose the colour scheme that you like.

How do I get the ABC Widget on my website or blog?

Once you have customised your widget (or not), click on the 'Get this Widget today' button. A layer over the widget will appear allowing you to select from the range of platforms that support the easy install (such as igoogle, netvibes and pageflakes) and follow the instructions.

If your platform is not on this list, copy and paste the code that is displayed to embed it in your own site or blog.

What does embedding mean?

Embedding simply means inserting the Widget into your blog, site, or Social Networking portal. It can be easily removed whenever you want.

How do I embed my Widget into my website or blog?

To embed the Widget, simply copy and paste the provided embed code (which is displayed when you click on the "Get this Widget today" button) into the appropriate area in your blog or website. You should consult the FAQs and documentation of the platform which you've used to build your site or blog to determine exactly where the embed code should be pasted. You'll find that the embed code basically works in the same way as the embed code for other web services such as YouTube or Vimeo.

What does RSS stand for?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. This is a web-standard format for XML feeds, which allows data to be easily shared and distributed.

How much does the My ABC Widget cost?

Absolutely nothing! It's a free download from the ABC.

However, please be aware, as with all web-pages, your internet service provider may charge you for data download. As the Widget is text based, though, the data load will be minimal.

Do I need any special software for the My ABC Widget?

Nope! The ABC Widget is a web-based Widget and therefore doesn't require any installation, or for you to download any software.

How do I change the appearance or content of my Widget once I've got it onto my site?

If you want to make changes to the Widget you've created, then you should simply remove the one you already have and go back to the Widget builder to create a new one. There's no need to uninstall anything, simply delete the piece of code, or remove the box from your Social Networking site, go back to the Widget builder pages, and build a new Widget. You can then embed this in exactly the same way as you did before.

Can I put the Widget on my mobile phone?

No, this Widget is not designed to work on your mobile phone, but, if you have an iPhone, we have a free ABC iPhone App in the App Store. This will give you direct access to the best ABC content. We are also looking at applications and tools for other mobile phones. You can find more details of the mobile services we offer at http://abc.net.au/mobile.

Why are only a few platforms supported?

As we are still in beta phase, we are still testing other platforms and hope to add more as soon as possible.

Who do I contact if I have problems embedding the Widget?

You should be able to find all the information you need to embed a Widget in the FAQs pages of the platforms and sites you want to add it to. If, however, you come up against any major technical problems with the Widget itself then drop us an email at Widgetsupport@abc.net.au and we'll try and help.

How often will stories on the Widget be updated?

As soon as stories are added or updated to the ABC website feeds you've chosen, they will automatically be added or updated in the Widget.

Why do some Widgets only feature one feed of stories (News, Science, Health)?

These are specifically customised Widgets which we have produced for certain areas of the ABC site. You can embed these, like you would with any other Widget, by clicking on the 'Get This Widget today' button, or you can use the Widget builder to make your own.

Widget terms & conditions

ABC content should not be used for commercial gain, or in a context where related content may cause offence.


Subject to these terms and conditions the ABC grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable licence to use and display the selected ABC widget on your website or pages at online social network sites. You may not directly or indirectly charge users specifically for accessing ABC Content or otherwise commercialise such content or attempt to re-sell the ABC content in any way.


You warrant that the site will not include content that is offensive, abusive, harassing, threatening, discriminatory, vulgar, pornographic, libellous, defamatory or obscene or which brings the ABC into disrepute, or which is in breach of any third party intellectual property rights, or is otherwise inappropriate as determined by the ABC in its sole discretion. The appearance of an ABC Widget on any site does not imply that the ABC endorses this site or its contents. You may not directly or indirectly suggest any endorsement or approval of your site by the ABC, or any views expressed within your site.

You may not change, edit, add to or produce summaries of the ABC content on the site, nor place any ABC story content within an HTML frame-set.

Content - Warranty

The ABC Widgets and ABC content is made available on an “as is” and “as available” basis and you download, install and use the ABC Widget and access ABC content at your own discretion and risk.

The ABC has taken reasonable care to ensure that the ABC Widget and content contain no inaccuracies, errors, viruses or defects however the ABC does not warrant that this is the case. You are advised to take all reasonable precautions to protect your computer from virus infection.


The ABC may restrict, suspend or terminate the Widget feed, this agreement, the licence granted or your use or access to the widgets and content at any time without liability. You agree to destroy all copies of the widgets and content upon receiving notice of termination from the ABC.

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