Common issues with feed structure

We frequently encounter these common problems when dealing with XML files, if you can avoid these, it will make the process of implementing new feeds much faster:

1. No encoding of special characters such as &
   
   Make sure that all special characters are encoded as entities, or escaped via CDATA directive.
   
   NOT VALID:
   <name>Black & White</name>
   
   VALID:
   <name>Black &amp; White</name>
<name><![CDATA[Black & White]]></name>

2. Double encoding of special character using both CDATA directive and entities
   
   Example:
   <name><![CDATA[Black &amp; White]]></name> is syntatically valid, but the CDATA directive will prevent special handling of XML entities, and the text will be parsed verbatim, in this case Black & White. Use either CDATA or entities, not both.