Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @
This Week's Question
Do you sneak a peek at the
numbers of views
your posts have gotten?
(Submitted by Elizabeth @
My Answer
Well, it's not so much that I "sneak a peek", as the post views are plainly visible in my Blogger dashboard, in the hours and days after I've published a post. I can't help but see them, lol.
The one time I actually focus on these views is whenever I have noticed a big discrepancy between post views and comments left. I really don't understand THAT at all. Sometimes the difference between the amount of views and comments on a single post can be considerable. So this really puzzles me. If a given post has had lots and lots of views, then why hasn't it also gotten lots and lots of comments?
I can give examples of this rather strange phenomenon. So here are three posts that have this huge discrepancy between views and comments, starting with the most recent. (Note: the total number of comments shown below include my replies. I always reply to every single comment, too.)
Blog Tour: Victorian Town, by Nancy Thorne
(Mini-Review & Giveaway included.)
Date: 7/9/18 Views: 293 Comments: 17
Blitz: Shift, by M.A. George
(Mini-Review and Giveaway included.)
Date: 6/5/18 Views: 429 Comments: 4
Shelf Candy Saturday Surprise Giveaway
(Favorite Cover Giveaway included.)
Date: 3/17/18 Views: 1,299 Comments: 36
Interestingly, these three posts all include giveaways. Still, the difference between number of views and comments is puzzling. I have tried to figure this out, and the only thing I can come up with is that many people just don't like reading blogs with a dark background. They will look at my posts if giveaways are included, but then they don't want to take the time to comment. However, the comment box has a white background, so that shouldn't be a problem. I can only scratch my head on this.....
From its beginnings in 2010, my blog has never gotten lots of comments. I've always tried to make my posts interesting, but nevertheless, I just don't get the volume of comments other blogs get. Perhaps this is actually a blessing in disguise. Lol. After all, replying to comments on my blog, and then commenting back on other blogs, is very time-consuming.
One week, I decided to comment on a specific blog hop/meme (which shall remain nameless), to see how many comments back I would get. I commented on a total of fifteen blogs. How many comments back did I get? Five. It was very disappointing, to say the least..... I had taken the time to comment on these blogs, and got no response. Well, I stopped participating in that blog hop.
I have recently come to a conclusion regarding views and comments, and any discrepancy between the two. I can summarize this conclusion with a very well-known modern saying that has become so common, it's now ubiquitous: "It is what it is." Yup!
So now I've taken the stress off of myself regarding comments left on my posts. There's a small group of blogging buddies who regularly comment on my posts, and I've come to be satisfied with that. If my dark background does indeed put off some people, well, I refer back to the famous saying above. I have a very distinct blogging personality, and it involves not only having a dark background, but also lots of images. Minimalist I sure "ain't"! Lol.
I put myself out there with my blog posts. I work hard to make sure they're as good as I can possibly make them. At the end of the day, that has to be enough. I know I did my best. If this is not noticed or appreciated, yeah, refer to that well-known saying again! Just knowing that I enjoyed creating a given post, and poured my true self into it, hey, that's a tremendously GOOD feeling! Because I've given the world what I had inside to share.
So I've come to the point that I no longer worry about the number of comments left on my posts, or on who failed to comment back, or even on how many views my posts have gotten. My entire focus is now on bringing my readers the quality I want to achieve (and continue to improve upon), and that's that!
So I'm throwing out a big, hearty "THANK YOU" to all of you out there who continue to read and comment on my posts, as well as comment back when I've left comments on your blogs! I LOVE my corner of the blogoversary, and you guys are part of it!! :)
The one time I actually focus on these views is whenever I have noticed a big discrepancy between post views and comments left. I really don't understand THAT at all. Sometimes the difference between the amount of views and comments on a single post can be considerable. So this really puzzles me. If a given post has had lots and lots of views, then why hasn't it also gotten lots and lots of comments?
I can give examples of this rather strange phenomenon. So here are three posts that have this huge discrepancy between views and comments, starting with the most recent. (Note: the total number of comments shown below include my replies. I always reply to every single comment, too.)
Blog Tour: Victorian Town, by Nancy Thorne
(Mini-Review & Giveaway included.)
Date: 7/9/18 Views: 293 Comments: 17
Blitz: Shift, by M.A. George
(Mini-Review and Giveaway included.)
Date: 6/5/18 Views: 429 Comments: 4
Shelf Candy Saturday Surprise Giveaway
(Favorite Cover Giveaway included.)
Date: 3/17/18 Views: 1,299 Comments: 36
Interestingly, these three posts all include giveaways. Still, the difference between number of views and comments is puzzling. I have tried to figure this out, and the only thing I can come up with is that many people just don't like reading blogs with a dark background. They will look at my posts if giveaways are included, but then they don't want to take the time to comment. However, the comment box has a white background, so that shouldn't be a problem. I can only scratch my head on this.....
From its beginnings in 2010, my blog has never gotten lots of comments. I've always tried to make my posts interesting, but nevertheless, I just don't get the volume of comments other blogs get. Perhaps this is actually a blessing in disguise. Lol. After all, replying to comments on my blog, and then commenting back on other blogs, is very time-consuming.
One week, I decided to comment on a specific blog hop/meme (which shall remain nameless), to see how many comments back I would get. I commented on a total of fifteen blogs. How many comments back did I get? Five. It was very disappointing, to say the least..... I had taken the time to comment on these blogs, and got no response. Well, I stopped participating in that blog hop.
I have recently come to a conclusion regarding views and comments, and any discrepancy between the two. I can summarize this conclusion with a very well-known modern saying that has become so common, it's now ubiquitous: "It is what it is." Yup!
So now I've taken the stress off of myself regarding comments left on my posts. There's a small group of blogging buddies who regularly comment on my posts, and I've come to be satisfied with that. If my dark background does indeed put off some people, well, I refer back to the famous saying above. I have a very distinct blogging personality, and it involves not only having a dark background, but also lots of images. Minimalist I sure "ain't"! Lol.
I put myself out there with my blog posts. I work hard to make sure they're as good as I can possibly make them. At the end of the day, that has to be enough. I know I did my best. If this is not noticed or appreciated, yeah, refer to that well-known saying again! Just knowing that I enjoyed creating a given post, and poured my true self into it, hey, that's a tremendously GOOD feeling! Because I've given the world what I had inside to share.
So I've come to the point that I no longer worry about the number of comments left on my posts, or on who failed to comment back, or even on how many views my posts have gotten. My entire focus is now on bringing my readers the quality I want to achieve (and continue to improve upon), and that's that!
So I'm throwing out a big, hearty "THANK YOU" to all of you out there who continue to read and comment on my posts, as well as comment back when I've left comments on your blogs! I LOVE my corner of the blogoversary, and you guys are part of it!! :)
What are your thoughts on
this topic?
If you're participating in this hop,
I'll go comment on your
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!!
Thanks for always putting up such interesting posts Maria! I think that a lot by nature, a lot more people will read a site then they will take to comment. I also think that I get a lot of traffic on my blog from bots and automated systems. As I am sure that you know, Blogger shows where lists are coming from. I get a lot from Russia and Eastern Europe. Though am not sure how it all fits together, I think that this relates to the spam issue that we have both posted about.
ReplyDeleteI agree that putting up quality posts is what counts.
Hi, Brian!
DeleteThanks so much for the compliment!! <3 <3
You know, as for people reading a blog post and then not commenting on it, Wendy, in her comment below, says that she sometimes feels that she has nothing worthwhile to add. (I find that hard to believe, though!) I must admit that I, too, sometimes feel that way. However, I have stopped commenting on blogs that I visit for the first time, because, more often than not, I don't get a comment back. So I now limit myself to replying to comments made on my blog, and then commenting back on the blogs of those who have commented here.
Views are important to me in regards to blog tours, which I love to participate in. If this blog didn't get many views, then blog tour companies would not want to include me in their tours. That said, I don't obsess about views anymore. I now strive for quality above all else. Also, I post about books and other topics (such as on the BBH hop) that are interesting to me. Those who are also interested in the same things will gravitate to this blog.
How intriguing that you get a lot of traffic from Russia and Eastern Europe! And yes, I agree that this does relate to the spam issue we have both posted about. That spam comment that was repeated on FOUR of my posts came from a Middle Eastern country. Btw, the Google + profile for that spammer has already been removed. HURRAY!!!
I think I'll be keeping the comment moderation on a permanent basis. It just makes sense. It's SO disappointing for me to come check my comments, see a new one, and think, "Oh, goody!", only to realize, upon closer inspection, that it's a SPAM comment.....
Well, anyway, I just want to add that I'm VERY happy to have you as a blogging buddy, as your comments are always interesting and thought-provoking! <3 <3
Thanks for your thoughts!! Hope you're having a WONDERFUL Sunday!! <3 :)
I don’t get many comments either, and those I do are from “regulars”, some of whom are returning my visit to their blogs, others who simply comment on a particular topic that interests them, though they are following my blog. It does seem odd when you get hundreds of hits and only one or two comments or none. However, I’m thinking that the numbers of hits are not necessarily accurate. One of my posts, which has had about 15,000 hits since 2011, is not very interesting, just an announcement that I’ve finished my month’s writer in residence on a children’s web site. It has no comments at all, not even,”Why is this news?” I really can’t believe 15,000 people have read it.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very pretty as well as interesting, and your posts in white make it quite easy to read. Keep up the good work!
Hi, Sue!
DeleteYou know, I've noticed, after blogging for a while, that this is the way the blogosphere works. There are "regulars" for each type of blog out there. People will naturally gravitate toward those blogs that match their interests, and those are the blogs they will visit and comment on regularly. That's just the way it is!
Yes, I think it's odd when there's such a huge discrepancy between views and blog comments. I guess it's just that a lot of those hits are due to simple curiosity. Once that curiosity is satisfied, people will just move on, as that means they're really not that interested in the post. Not interested enough to make some observation on it, anyway! Lol.
Wendy, in her comment below, has stated that, in the past, she's viewed certain posts, but not commented on them, because she couldn't think of anything worthwhile to add to the discussion. (I find that hard to believe, as she always makes interesting observations, but I have to admit that I sometimes feel the same way, lol.)
You know, I wonder about the accuracy of hits myself. In my "Settings", I've programmed this blog to NOT add my own views of my posts, but the system sometimes ignores that. The Blogger software is often unpredictable. I've given up trying to correct this little glitch.
WOW!! One of your posts has had 15,000 hits since 2011?! I've got to check out that post!!
Thank you SO much for complimenting my blog!!! Music to my ears!! And I'm SO glad you agree that reading white text on a dark background is much easier on the eyes!
Thank you SO much for the interesting and lovely comment!! HUGS!!! <3 <3 :) :(
Wow...you have some MAJOR number of views, Maria.
ReplyDeleteThat is because your posts are ALWAYS interesting. GREAT JOB!! CONGRATS!!
Another wonderful answer to this week's question. THANKS.
It is always so enjoyable to stop by your blog.
Hi, Elizabeth!
DeleteYeah! I just wish I had more comments..... :( But I guess that then it would be much harder for me to keep up with all of them, right? Lol.
You're SO sweet to always compliment me the way you do! I GREATLY appreciate it!! And you're very welcome for my hop answers, too!! <3 <3 <3
Thank you SO much for your lovely comment!! Hope you're enjoying a WONDERFUL Sunday!! HUGS!!!! <3 <3 :) :)
Today is good. I just wish the warm temps were back. :)
DeleteWell, you know you can just HAVE those! I'll send them your way!! LOL.
DeleteI read more blogs than I comment on, admittedly. It has more to do with my just not having something worthwhile to add. Sometimes even with certain types of meme posts (not yours specifically), I feel like I'm saying the same think over and over--and I prefer not to do that if I can help it. It seems like these days I manage to only reciprocate comments and not much else. :-S As you said, it is what it is.
ReplyDeleteI don't pay attention to my page views. I did not even know it was on my dashboard until someone else mentioned it. I'm so oblivious. Or should I say single-minded to be kinder to myself? There was a time earlier in my blogging career in which I became obsessed with stats such as page views and it started affecting the direction I took my blog. It became more of a stressor than fun for me--and a bit overwhelming as I tried to keep up. I don't pay attention to page views anymore, and I am a much happier blogger as a result. I post what I want how I want.
Hi, Wendy!
DeleteI find it hard to believe that you wouldn't have something worthwhile to add to a post discussion, Wendy! Your comments always DO add something interesting! It could just be that you were satisfying your curiosity about a certain post, or blog, and then, having done that, you discovered that the content just didn't match your own interests. That's happened to me, as well. So, in those cases, yes, I guess there really wouldn't be much of a point in commenting.
Like you, I have found myself basically reciprocating comments these days. As I mentioned in this post, on one occasion, I went out on a limb, so to speak, and commented on FIFTEEN blogs in a certain blog hop (which shall remain nameless). Only FIVE of those bloggers commented back. What a BUMMER. So now I just wait and see who comments on my posts, and then I reply to their comments, and comment back on their blogs. Sometimes I do fall behind, but I always make every effort to reciprocate -- both on this blog, and theirs. Yes, it's time-consuming, but VERY rewarding, in terms of friendships forged! :)
You mentioned the dashboard. THAT was the word I was looking for, only it didn't come to me, for some reason. So I have corrected my post. Thanks!! :)
Page views are important to me, although not as important as they used to be. I have taken that saying, "It is what it is" to heart! Lol. I do pay attention to page views, though, because I participate in blog tours. If I didn't get that many views, blog tour companies would not include me in their tours. And I LOVE blog tours! I know that some blog readers and fellow bloggers consider them to be spam, but I totally disagree! (Btw, Wordpress doesn't allow blog tours on their platform.) Besides, I ALWAYS throw in some original content, such as mini-reviews of the excerpts I include in promo tour posts.
Aside from blog tours, I really don't pay that much attention to page views anymore. I started this blog as a personal creative outlet, and heck, it's my ONLY creative outlet at this point in time! So I might as well enjoy what I'm doing here, and who cares if some people don't like the design and/or content? Those who do, will always come over and check out my posts, and comment, if they feel so inclined. It's really all about QUALITY for me, these days!! And that includes my readers and commenters -- like you, Brian, Stephanie, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jackie, Greg, and other nice people with whom I interact!!
As you have pointed out, it can become VERY stressful to obsess over states, whether these are page views, or heck, even comments. I have become much "wiser" as a result of having several years of blogging under my belt! Lol.
So, onward and upward!! Lol. :) :)
Thanks for your insightful comments!! HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!!! <3 <3 :) :)
I don't get as many comments and views as I would like but then again I don't post regularly and that is how you generate views. Quality counts as well but meh. If only I had something to post about ......
ReplyDeleteHi, Jackie!
DeleteWell, I post pretty regularly, and I still don't get as many comments as I would like! Views don't really matter a lot to me, except in reference to blog tours. Tour companies won't allow you to participate in their tours if your blog doesn't get that many views. And I LOVE participating in blog tours! That said, I don't obsess over page views anymore. And I've also stopped caring that much about comments, too.
Bottom line, you have to just ENJOY what you're doing, and who cares who doesn't like it? I suspect that you and I are in the same boat, in regards to comments -- many blog readers and fellow bloggers don't like blogs with dark backgrounds and white text. Well, again, WHO cares?! We've just got to do our thing, girl!! I happen to LOVE your blog design, ESPECIALLY the dark background and white text! I find it much easier on the eyes.
So, no worries! Those who DO like our type of blog will gravitate toward us!!
I also find your blog posts interesting, because your interests match mine. We're both into paranormal fiction and urban fantasy, as well as fantasy.
Just don't give up, and don't let your confidence slip. Keep going!! And you DO have things to post about!! :) :)
I have not only followed your blog, but have added it to my blog roll, as well, so I can see your new posts right away.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! :) :)
Thanks for commenting!! HUGS!!! <3 <3 :) :)
While I don’t obsess over the stats of Google Analytics, I watch out for the data at least once a week. This is my first time on this meme.
ReplyDeleteGayathri @ Elgee Writes
Hi, Gayathri!
DeleteYeah, it's good to be aware of the stats, but not obsess over them. I participate in blog tours, so I do need to have a decent number of page views. But I hardly ever check. I just do my thing! Lol.
Welcome to Book Blogger Hop! I'll be sure to check out your post! Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)