Atom is just a more precise and accurate protocol. For example, timestamps in RSS feeds come in all shapes and sizes, whereas Atom has an unambiguous time forma

Atom is just a more precise and accurate protocol. For example, timestamps in RSS feeds come in all shapes and sizes, whereas Atom has an unambiguous time format. I would want to validate the product before I start messing around with this kinda tech thing, but the idea is, if I have enough users then want to add support for some extra elements like you've mentioned, I'd support those elements in Atom feeds, so if publishers want those extra elements to show up in my site/app they'd have an incentive to switch formats.