> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.summate.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sources

> Individual content providers in your digests

Sources are the individual content providers within your [blocks](/concepts/blocks) - each YouTube channel, RSS blog, or email sender that you add to create your digests.

<Frame caption="Choose from Email, YouTube, or RSS block types to add sources">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/summate/8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC/images/sources/sources-overview.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC&q=85&s=7209aaaf68e02d43433f78175526771f" alt="Overview of different source types in Summate" width="727" height="531" data-path="images/sources/sources-overview.png" />
</Frame>

<Info>
  **Email sources** are managed through your [Inbox](/concepts/inbox) - all
  received newsletters are automatically available as sources. **YouTube and RSS
  sources** are added directly when you create blocks in your digest.
</Info>

## What are Sources?

A source is a specific content provider:

* **Email source** - A particular newsletter sender (e.g., "Morning Brew")
* **YouTube source** - A specific channel (e.g., "Fireship")
* **RSS source** - A blog or website with an RSS feed (e.g., "TechCrunch")

Each [block](/concepts/blocks) in your digest pulls content from the sources you've selected for that block.

## Source Types

### Email Sources

Email newsletters from any platform - Substack, Beehiiv, ConvertKit, Mailchimp, or any email-based newsletter.

<Frame caption="Manage approved and blocked newsletter senders in your Inbox">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/summate/8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC/images/sources/email-sources.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC&q=85&s=e202fe32ab2bff98a132d72b5a86e439" alt="Email sources in the Inbox showing active and blocked senders" width="1060" height="987" data-path="images/sources/email-sources.png" />
</Frame>

**How to add:**

1. Set up your [Summate Inbox](/concepts/inbox)
2. Forward newsletters to your inbox (see our [auto-forwarding guide](/guides/auto-forwarding/overview))
3. New senders appear in your Inbox and are automatically available as sources
4. Add senders to Email blocks
5. Block spam senders with one click if needed

**Management:**

* **Active sources** - Senders available to add to blocks (default for all received newsletters)
* **Blocked sources** - Spam senders you've blocked with one click
* Manage senders through your [Inbox](/concepts/inbox)

### YouTube Sources

Individual YouTube channels you want to follow.

<Frame caption="Import your YouTube subscriptions or add channels manually">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/summate/8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC/images/sources/youtube-sources.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC&q=85&s=b3fdf6e097cc40c55672694afff87aad" alt="Adding YouTube channels by importing subscriptions or pasting URLs" width="935" height="1198" data-path="images/sources/youtube-sources.png" />
</Frame>

**How to add:**

1. Create a YouTube block in your digest
2. Connect your YouTube account for one-click import of all subscriptions
3. Or paste channel URLs directly

**Management:**

* Filter out Shorts if desired
* Videos with unavailable transcripts are automatically filtered

<Note>
  We plan to add more management tools for YouTube sources in the future.
</Note>

### RSS Sources

Blogs, news sites, and any website with an RSS feed.

<Frame caption="Import Substack newsletters or add RSS feeds by URL">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/summate/8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC/images/sources/rss-sources.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=8HKDTQsY3US3G0xC&q=85&s=13e9c1505d4069e1fedebeec68ace43d" alt="Adding RSS feeds by entering website URLs" width="1061" height="1205" data-path="images/sources/rss-sources.png" />
</Frame>

**How to add:**

1. Create an RSS block in your digest
2. Enter a website URL - Summate tries to auto-detect the RSS feed
3. Or paste the RSS feed URL directly if auto-detection doesn't work

**Management:**

* Short content (less than 10 words) is automatically filtered

<Note>We plan to add more management tools for RSS sources in the future.</Note>

## Managing Email Sources

Email sources have the most management tools available for controlling what appears in your digests.

### Managing Senders

When a new newsletter arrives in your [Summate Inbox](/concepts/inbox), it's automatically available as a source.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review Your Inbox">
    Check your [Inbox](/concepts/inbox) for newsletter senders
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add to Blocks">Add senders to Email blocks in your digests</Step>

  <Step title="Block Spam">
    If spam newsletters appear, block them with one click
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Focus on quality newsletters. If low-value content makes it through your
  forwarding filters, block those senders immediately to keep your Inbox clean.
</Tip>

### Source States

* **Active** - All newsletter senders received in your Inbox (default state)
* **Blocked** - Spam senders you've blocked that won't appear in your digests or Inbox

## Source Quality

<Warning>
  We recommend monitoring high-quality sources only, not spam or low-value
  content. Quality sources lead to better digests and more efficient use of your
  AI credits.
</Warning>

## Best Practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Start Small" icon="seedling">
    Begin with 5-10 high-quality sources per block and expand gradually
  </Card>

  <Card title="Review Regularly" icon="calendar-check">
    Check your Inbox weekly and remove inactive sources monthly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Be Selective" icon="filter">
    Block low-quality senders immediately to keep your Inbox clean
  </Card>

  <Card title="Organize by Block" icon="layer-group">
    Group related sources together in the same block for better organization
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Newsletters not appearing in Inbox" icon="envelope">
    If newsletters aren't showing up, check the [Inbox page](/concepts/inbox) for common troubleshooting patterns and setup guidance.
  </Accordion>

  {" "}

  <Accordion title="YouTube channels not showing videos" icon="youtube">
    * Verify the channel is actively publishing new content - Check if videos have
      transcripts available (videos without transcripts are filtered)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="RSS feeds not updating" icon="rss">
    * Verify the website still has an active RSS feed
    * Try finding and entering the RSS feed URL directly
    * Check if the website is still publishing new content
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Set Up Inbox" icon="inbox" href="/concepts/inbox">
    Configure your email forwarding
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Blocks" icon="cube" href="/concepts/blocks">
    Add sources to your blocks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build Digests" icon="newspaper" href="/concepts/digests">
    Create your first digest
  </Card>
</CardGroup>