Sandy is baffled by the drastic drop in site traffic while she was on vacation in Poland for two weeks even though she had been scrupulously posting all the same. Do readers just stop clicking knowing that the master is out of the house? I’m afraid I cannot provide a plausible explanation to this migratory behavior. Usually site traffic dwindles while I’m on a sabbatical, sometimes for as long as five weeks in Asia, but gradually bounce back when I am back to the neck of the wood.
On a previous post many of you have delurked yourself and left a comment. What I would like to know, my dear readers, is whether you will make a mental note to return and see if I have attended to your comments. Do you expect, in general, a blogger to answer all your comments? And, hypothetically speaking, if a blogger is delinquent in doing so, or being inadvertent, would you stop reading the blog altogether? While the content is what attracts readers and thus builds up authority, I believe comments are integral part of blogging, because it’s the conerging ground of readers. Comments permits two-way communication between bloggers and readers. In order to achieve that balance of giving and taking, I try to make my way around the blogs on my blogroll, leave a few comments along the way, and absolutely take your comments seriously by scrupulously attending to them. What are your thoughts?
Filed under: Blogging, Book Blogging, Personal | Tagged: Blog Traffic, Blogging, Book Blogging, Personal, Site Traffic
I click the box below this box that says “Notify me of follow-up comments via email.” I suppose it’s general etiquette to respond to comments, but the point at which it’s expected is inversely related to how many people normally comment. So the more people that comment, the less of a responsibility there is for the blogger to comment. People, I think, realize it’s difficult to respond to huge amounts of readers.
That’s my take.
I enjoy reading all the comments, and I appreciate my readers in taking the time and efforts of doing so! However, I won’t take it personally if they don’t leave any comments although I’d wonder about them considering if they’re my loyal commenters.
Besides this, I also think it’s polite to answer to my readers’ questions.
And to answer to your question: Yes, I do make a point to return and check your reply on my comments. This is all about interaction.
to me interactivity is a vital element of blogging, but I would also try to check the site traffic daily to learn the relationships between topics, dates, etc. Many readers do not like leaving comments but the visits somehow tell if your writings have captured their attention
BTW, I will try to answer all comments, though might not be in a timely fashion as I did, and would go back and check if other bloggers have replied my comment(s). If I am not answered (frequently), I may not visit the site again
Some bloggers answer comments very attentively. Yet they would not visit back or leave a note to their visitors’ site. Frankly, I may not visit these bloggers either
I love sites like yours where all the comments are responded to. I don’t mind it if not all the comments are acknowledged, but I don’t like it when questions are ignored – especially if I actually wanted to know the answer!
I often want to return to see if a blogger has responded to my comment, but I nearly always forget. I avoid clicking the “notify via email” box b/c my inbox is flooded enough as it is.
As a blogger, I often don’t respond to *every* comment, especially if it’s along the lines of “I really enjoyed this book too!” – but I agree, questions must be answered, etc.
As for traffic, I’ve stopped paying attention to stats. i have a tendency to obsess. I’ve had to stop myself from weighing myself every day for the same reason. I didn’t start blogging for high stats, so there’s no need to make high stats important to my blogging ego
I think I tend to check back if I left a comment and I ask a question or tried to interact in a way that I would expect a response. But I don’t check back and see about all comments that I have left because that would be a whole other animal in itself. If I haven’t said anything that great I would rather spend my time leaving new comments as opposed to hunting up responses to old ones.
Matt – I love that you respond to comments! The two-way communication between blogger and reader is such an important part of blogging. I usually check the comment notification box, but if I forget, I do check back for your responses.
If I want a response I will check the notify me box. Don’t always leave comments and don’t necessarily expect blogger to respond to comments.
Traffic to checking blogs depends on what is going on in my life and how much time I have.
Based on the comments on my “An Observation” post, most people think it is more the summer and vacations that are causing the decline in readership, so perhaps it was a coincidence? Oh well. I will still continue blogging either way! I do make a special effort, if I can, to resond to most of my comments, at least within a couple days of posting. I like it when other bloggers respond to my comments as well, but some don’t, and that’s OK too! I understand people have jobs and can’t always get to it!
When you make a comment you are interacting not just with the blogger but with a community of readers and bloggers. I would only expect a response from the blogger if I asked a direct question. No one should be under any obligation to write anything in a public space, whether it’s the blogger or the readers. I find the blogger’s obsession with statistics and lurkers the least interesting part of the process. WordPress makes it easy to subscribe to many blogs, read the articles of interest, and track replies to comments if need be. As long as there is something of interest to read, I’ll follow the blog; but part of the excitement of discovering new voices is that you grow to like some of the people behind them and this liking (or not liking) can be influenced by the way they respond to comments.
When I leave comments I generally check back – though sometimes I do forget. I don’t stop reading a blog if the author doesn’t respond to comments (Google Reader is too convenient!), but it does make me less inclined to comment in future. I don’t think the blogger has a responsibility to respond – it’s just nice.
I always subscribe to comments if it’s available, but if it’s not, I NEVER return to a site to see if the author has responded. I just comment too many places to have time for that. I do like a response, but if it’s a week later, so be it. It’s just the response that’s nice.
I only subscribe to blogs via a Reader, so if there are no posts, I don’t visit the site. I also mostly read posts in the reader, so I don’t visit the site unless I comment. It doesn’t affect me if someone is out of town; I just am not reading anything on their blog those days. I have lots of other blogs to read…
When I remember, I will bookmark the page under Delicious (using a ‘comments’ tag) so I can check back later. But to be honest, I check back not just to see if the author responded, but also to read what others said in comments after me. I only comment if the post or discussion is interesting to me, so I enjoy seeing what others have to say.
I subscribe to comments on posts I comment on because I like to see the responses of others also. While I don’t necessarily expect a response from the blogger, it’s always nice to get one, even if it’s just “Thanks!”
Lezlie
I don’t usually expect bloggers to respond to my comments, most likely because I don’t usually respond to comments left on my blog. When I comment, I’m generally sharing my reaction to a book the blogger has reviewed, just adding my voice to the conversation that the blogger started. If a debate is going, or if there’s a conversation I really want to follow, I will subscribe to comments, but usually, I just forget or don’t have the time.
I really appreciate when people take the time to leave me a comment, and I try to comment on their blog in turn. I also have some 200 blogs I try to follow (sometimes I’m better than others about that), and I really only comment when the post is of interest to me.
I do not feel bad, nor do i keep tabs on who comments and who does not. I post on lots of blogs, but just when I have something to say.
This was a great post. BTW: I never remember who’s on vacation or who is not….just keep reading those posts!!!
I don’t feel that comments must be answered. If someone asks me a specific question, I do try to answer it. Sometimes work or travel gets in the way. I try to leave comments and I love getting comments!
I never check the box, but after reading all these comments, maybe I will! I try to respond to most substantive comments, especially if they include questions. Comments are often my favorite part of a blog!
I notice a definite traffic drop if I’m away from my blog even if posting continues. I think it’s mostly because I’m then not commenting on anyone else’s blogs. I don’t know how many people look at who’s commented and directly head to return a comment, but there must be some sort of connection.
I love comments but I don’t respond to everyone on my own blog. If they ask a brief question, I’ll respond in a comment, but I’ll send an email for a longer answer. I don’t expect other bloggers to reply either and I rarely return to see if they have – I just don’t seem to remember. =(
I’ll echo what most everyone has said, I do like to respond to comments because I figure if someone took the time to leave me one then I should take the time to respond back.
Now when I leave comments on blogs I do try to check back next time I’m visiting but sometimes I forget or am in a rush
Would I stop reading a blog if there was no interaction? If I liked the content then no but at the same time I probably wouldn’t comment as much anymore.
This is the first time I’m commenting on any blog, although I read many. So I will take this opportunity to say that I enjoy reading yours and instead of just quickly scanning through the post I actually read most of yours.
Regarding actual blog traffic. I very rarely visit the blog directly. I subscribe to the rss feed. I guess you should be able to tell how many subscribers you have and count it towards your overall traffic.
I blog mainly for the act of putting thoughts into writing and the interaction is a bonus. I don’t get a lot of comments on my blog so I do try to respond when someone is commenting for the first time or asking a question. And then I think that using Google Reader has also changed the way I comment lately too.
I believe that there is something about comments that keeps us bloggers going. It tells us someone is listening and taking the time out of their day to even tell us. I check the “notify me” button at the bottom – and greatly appreciate it when folks DO answer a question that I ask.
I enjoy reading blogs and try to leave a comment most times. I don’t get upset if the blogger doesn’t reply back with a message to myself because the blogs that I do comment on, have very attentive bloggers as master/ mistress.
I imagine that perhaps Sandy’s (and possibly others in the same situation at the moment) drop in traffic could be due to the fact that it is the summer holidays and even though she has been posting regularly, her readers may be out of town or don’t have access to the internet or simply want a break from it all. I, myself, have been away on holiday and hardly read any blogs because I was simply busy elsewhere and my online time was severly reduced.
While I enjoy getting comments on my blog, I find that what I really appreciate even more is when blogger answers or acknowledges my comment on their blog.
I love to see a subscribe to post comments RSS option even more than an email follow up option – I don’t need more emails, I want to follow the comment conversation in a feed. It’s as much about what other poeple are saying as it is about the blogger responding.
I make an effort to respond to or acknowledge everyone who comments on my blog. I will confess to having stopped leaving comments on a few blogs where the blogger has never responded after many comments. I don’t stop reading the blog, but I’ll probably stop commenting.
This question has many answers. Part depends on the blog, on the person, on the content. Unless I ask a question, I don’t care if the blogger responds to me. Most bloggers come back and comment on my blog. I guess it kind of depends, but if I consistently comment on a blog and they never return the favor, then I start to think differently about that blogger. I won’t leave so many comments.
When I fall behind on blog reading I do a massive catch up on a few blogs per day. This means going back and reading old posts. I try to comment on those too, so they know I haven’t totally forgotten them. I must say though sometimes when I’m really behind, I read the posts and just lurk. I try to have my comments mean sommething.
As far as stats and stuff, I have a full time job, and try to keep up the best I can. Yes I like to know people are there reading my posts, but I know how my day goes so I’m sure others are just as busy.
Okay, now I think I’m rambling…..
Awesome post Matt.
I answer all of my comments, and the reply gets automatically e-mailed to the author.
As for your friend, I’ve linked to her blog to (hopefully) get her some more traffic. I linked to yours a long time ago; I’d love it if you would link back, too.
Thomas
When I find blogs that I really enjoy reading then I become a regular follower. It’s always nice if the owner of the blog stops by my own or leaves a comment in regards to a question that I may have presented to them. I always respond to comments via email when there’s an address attached. I love forming that kind of friendship with others!!
filthylogician:
When comments become very similar, I’ll attend to them collectively.
Melody:
Half the fun about blogging is the interaction with like-minded readers.
Wordy:
Many readers are regulars who hardly leave any comments. But you are right, the stats can reveal who these readers are and what they are interested in reading. In the past I have have left comments on some blogs and they were never acknowledged. My bottom line is give the blog three strikes and then I’ll move on.
Jackie (Farm Lane Books):
Answer the question is proper etiquette, right? Just like a normal conversation. It takes interaction.
Bibliolatrist:
I still take a peek at my stats every once in a while. I’m just curious and especially want to see what posts are most popular among readers. I usually don’t click on the follow-up/notify button for the same reason you have raised. I’ve already got e-mail notification when readers leave me comments!
Nicole:
I agree that it’s impossible to keep track of all the comments and the discussion threads. It will be a fulltime job! But certain discussions/posts would be imprinted in my head that I would go back and check the latest responses.
JoAnn:
Thank you for creating this atmosphere of interaction. I always enjoy reading readers’ comments and what they thought on book reviews, Booking Through Thursday answers, and my other babblings. It’s like getting together for chat time.
Beverly:
That’s a very practical approach.
Sandy:
I know you’ll not stop blogging just because the stats have dented just a little. Sometimes I also feel the strain of coming up with a full-length post everyday. It does take a lot of brain juice and discipline. As I do not read as quickly as many of you do, I can’t post reviews very often. But either way, I enjoy sharing tidbits about readings and anything that is book related. Summer does have an impact on blog traffic because people are probably taking trips and going out of town.
Joseph:
Very well-said. Now I just enjoy blogging what I read and reading people’s thoughts. After all, content is what drives readership up.
Jenny:
I think bloggers should at least answer questions posted. That’s my bottom line.
I’m still very new to the blogging world. I’ve had my blog for over a year but just started posting things several times a week. I have also just started to comment on other people’s blogs. I enjoy the comments I get and try to respond where I think it makes sense. It is great the way you answer your comments to your blog. I am going to start “checking that box” and being even better about commenting and responding to comments. At the end of the day it is a community that we belong to and that community doesn’t exist if we don’t ever interact with each other. Thanks as always for a great blog and one I look forward to reading everytime I see a new post in my Google Reader.
Rebecca Reid:
The blogs that I read daily I check the comments, because I remembered leaving comments. Otherwise it’s like an ocean out there. It’s impossible to even keep track of blogs in which I left comments.
Brittany:
I’m with you on reading all the comments in a thread that interests. After all, this is what drives me to blogging at the first place. We write to be read, and to be discussed.
Lezlie:
A blogger used to tell me that when she read I have responsed to her comment, it made her feel very special as if she had met with a celeb!
Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog:
I most likely response and check back a post on book review, especially if I’m deciding whether I’ll read the book. I want to know what you all think.
diane:
You’re right, I have so many blogs to follow that sometimes I don’t know whether a blogger is out of the loop or not. But I do notice slowing activity around the blogging world recently, owing to summer and vacation. Whether I get lots of comments or not, I enjoy writing and will keep posting.
Beth F:
I love getting comments and if time permits, I try to attend to all of them. But I definitely would answer questions.
Amy Reads Good Books:
Comments are integral part of a blog because sometimes comments can set the tone for future posts. Readers might indirectly reveal what they like to read in terms of posting topics. On top of all this I enjoy reading readers’ thoughts on books that I review.
Meghan:
I think blogs that are subscription-driven will see a traffic drop when the blogger goes on a vacation. Readers would not be as scrupulous in checking back. But eventually traffic would bounce. After all, I have to say this is a very tight community. Everyone is super kind and well-read!
iliana:
Comment means so much to me that, like you say, I want to take the time to read through and respond to them as readers have taken the time to do so in the first place. I remembered the first days of blogging, sitting in front of the computer, reloading the blog, and itching for comments! Through the interaction of comments I have met many of you!
Ruslana:
Thank you so much for reading my blog. You make my day! There are blogs that I peruse daily and others I skim. The RSS feed is new to me and I do not subscribe to any blogs. I just go down my blogroll and click on the ones that have left me the most recent comments.
Juliann:
I try to attend to all my comments, depending on time. I always make sure I answer questions readers left me.
lena:
Comments would be the perfect driving force/incentive to blogging–posting thought and insightful content. I think content alone is what drives readers to follow a blog. I love reading everyone’s comments because I enjoy the atmosphere of a discussion forum.
cheeky angel:
Blogs are kinda like restaurants in going through waves and periods. People go in and out of town, getting occupied by god knows what that keep them away from their routine, like reading blogs. Summer would be a huge drive from the computer since people go on vacation and trips. I won’t worry about the traffic as much as how readers think of the content.
SuziQoregon:
I would feel awkward when my comments are not acknowledged, repeatedly. I would stop commenting but keep reading.
jennygirl:
I cannot speak for other bloggers. For me time dictates my blogging/web activities. I try to read through all the comments and respond to them. I also try to visit the blogs of people who have recently commented. The result of that is my growing list of blogs that I follow!
Thomas:
Thank you Thomas. i have linked to yours as well.
Staci:
I’m pretty much the same way with my blogs. My growing blogroll means that I can only read certain number of blogs everyday, but I try to make my way around all of them in a week’s time.
Kathleen:
I enjoy reading comments because interaction is what makes a blog exciting. When I read blogs, I also read comments left by other bloggers, especially on posts about a specific book.
Thank you for your kind word and readership.
I do come back to see if you’ve replied, but I wouldn’t be upset if you didn’t–some comments beg for a response, and others don’t. I’m not organized about visiting, commenting, and returning, so sometimes it takes me a week or more to visit everyone I like to read and then get back to see if there’s any reply. Not the best way to participate in a conversation, but we all do what we can with our spare time!
Jeanne:
Thanks Jeanne. I try to respond to comments although sometimes I’m falling behind. I love the interaction and reading what my readers think.
I like to think blogging is NOT a one way street. When I take the time to comment on blogposts, I like it when the blog author repays my interest. This does not mean that I expect a reply on each comment but when I’ve left several comments on different posts and none of them triggers a reaction of the owner, I tend to loose interest in the blog.
It goes without saying that not all comments are worth a reply
I generally don’t keep track of whether people reply to me on their own blogs unless there is an ongoing discussion, but I really do notice if people stop by my blog and comment. I like to see new comments and new faces on the blog and if they aren’t returning the comments on my blog, I tend to lose interest in commenting on their blogs.
I am late to the table here. I think responding to comments is important and that it does improve traffic. But, actually going out to the commenters blogs and leaving a comment there seems to matter more.
I check the notify box if I’ve asked a question or said something that I think will produce a response. But not always.
gnoegnoe:
I hear ya! Blogging is like tango, it takes both ends to participate. I have faded out my comments (and visit) altogether when the blog owner didn’t seem to care to respond to any comment I made.
sagustocox:
I also enjoy seeing “new faces” on my blog. While my schedule might not permit visiting all the blogs, I would at least respond to all the comments visitors have left on mine. Then I’ll make my way around all the blogs.
cbjames:
I try to go back and leave a comment on the commentator’s blog when my schedule permits.
I am very very late to this one due to no internet swine flu and a blackberry that gets picky about when it does the right thing!
I did a post on blog feedback only the other day and comments is something that came up, I try and answer all comments but sometimes you’re away and shamefully as I have two jobs I sometimes just either forget (very bad) or simply don’t have time! I feel bad about this but know I do when I can. I am the same with other bloggers and their comments.
Some people said I wasn’t reciprocal enough but when you have no internet and blackberry doesn’t like blogger its hard! Sometimes I don’t think I have anything extra to add to so I guess I am an active lurker!