Speaking theoretically, the image element in RSS should be used to insert graphics into an RSS feed. Just theoretically! In fact, according to some tests made during the writing of an RSS guide for Html.it, this element works only in Firefox. What's more, Firefox accepts it only when it's put in a a direct descendant of the channel element. That is, it doesn't work in an item element. Developers are then forced to use the string <img /> to insert an image into their RSS feed. Oh well...