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Great question!! I unfollow if they have it set to a summary feed - so if I can't see their pictures and just get a snippet in my Google Reader, I unfollow. I can't wait to see what other people say!
Oh, I'm with you on the Summary thing, I read blogs on my iPhone and if I have to go to an external link it takes too long. I like to see everything on one page.
Another reason I might stop is when the blogger seems to be addressing people they know and not the general public.
There is one I'm subscribed to that i used to look forward to now that posts about 3 times a day and although it's supposed to showcase her crafts and thrifty home decor, I see pictures of her kids. I think the blogger lost touch with the readers and gearing the posts towards her family. If that's the case, change the description and let people know.
Okay, so I'm going on and on about this but there's one more. If you are going to use a form with headers so it's easier to post what's happening, please check the spelling. And for goodness sake, do not write LOL after every sentence! Not everyone gets the joke.
I agree about the summary feeds...I hate having to click on them & going over to their website to look at the days post. I sure hope people look at this & change their settings. Spellbinders is getting annoying now, not only do you have to click to get to their website but once there you have to click again to see the rest of the post, I hate that.
Great question!! I unfollow if they have it set to a summary feed - so if I can't see their pictures and just get a snippet in my Google Reader, I unfollow. I can't wait to see what other people say!
If the style of the stamper is no longer mine. Even if it is awesome quality, there are some styles that just don't appeal to me any more so I'll unsubscribe.
and sometimes I just go nuts and unsubscribe every single blog and start from scratch to clear out clutter in my brain.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I unfollow neglected blogs. If the blog author hasn't posted in a long long time and doesn't have any note up on their blog as to when they will be back, I unfollow it. I do try to go to the author's profile and see if they started a new blog for any reason so I can follow them there.
Great question. I am a follower addict. Last summer I was trying to follow over 500 blogs daily! So, one by one I brought that down to 50. Now, I am over 350 again.
What is the fastest way to unfollow a blog? If I don't do it one x one, they just don't go away. I have thought about unfollowing them all and starting over. For me, I would need to do that quarterly.
Summary feed? Is that in Google Reader and there if you don't see photos and such some of you unfollow?
Great question. I am a follower addict. Last summer I was trying to follow over 500 blogs daily! So, one by one I brought that down to 50. Now, I am over 350 again.
What is the fastest way to unfollow a blog? If I don't do it one x one, they just don't go away. I have thought about unfollowing them all and starting over. For me, I would need to do that quarterly.
Summary feed? Is that in Google Reader and there if you don't see photos and such some of you unfollow?
I would love my blog to be part of those blogs you like to surf through daily. I've got a new posting up today that is inspirational for living life and artistic to put those mixed media mediums to work. ;) hope to meet you over there.
I have been wondering this forever, i always get so sad when I see my followers go down, I'm always thinking ... did I offend someone, why would someone go to the trouble to unfollowing a blog ??? Thanks for this great information!
I also don't like when the blog becomes just a big advertisement for a company.
I'm with you, I use to like this one blog but now every time I go there, there is nothing creative and its alike on big infomarcial. And I feel like enough already, I get ..... the product is ... please buy it...
But please, please please stay creative, show me great projects, cards, scrapbooking pages I can do with these projects, by seeing the product used I will decide if I want to buy it.... not because you tell me 100 times in your video that its a good product. ..... am I the onyl one that feels that way?
I'm with you, I use to like this one blog but now every time I go there, there is nothing creative and its alike on big infomarcial. And I feel like enough already, I get ..... the product is ... please buy it...
But please, please please stay creative, show me great projects, cards, scrapbooking pages I can do with these projects, by seeing the product used I will decide if I want to buy it.... not because you tell me 100 times in your video that its a good product. ..... am I the onyl one that feels that way?
I think your sentiment is quite common. I know I've felt that way.....especially when the talent doesn't seem to measure up to the hype.
Wow . . . these are all great reasons. I agree with the summary feed (although I have a few rare exceptions), negativity, and, the biggie for me - political or religious rants. Even if I agree with the rant, it's not what I came to the sight for and it usually results in a lot of drama.
Probably the biggest turn off for me is if someone posts for exclusively one company especially if it's a company whose products don't match my style.
I subscribe mostly by e-mail, but if I click on the actual blog and it has a really stark or busy design, I probably won't subscribe at all or will eventually unsubscribe.
All that said, though, I'll still subscribe, with or without the rants, negativity, drama, poor blog design, . . . as long as they have a pulse on what's going on in the industry, inspire me with their craft and entertain me with their writing. Tall order, right?
. . . as long as they have a pulse on what's going on in the industry, inspire me with their craft and entertain me with their writing. Tall order, right?
Wow! Such a good question... I've often wondered this about my own blog's followers but never thought to post the "why?" here. This discussion gave me some good tips (I checked my feeds!!) which I plan to put to use.
I'm with StickUps... I just want to be informed, inspired and entertained. Beautifully put!
Thanks for a good topic and some insightful discussion!
__________________ Sara www.studio-sara.com
Proud Creative Crew and SCS Fan Club Member
I'd like to know t if my blog is set to summary feed too. I don't even know what it is! :confused:I just checked through mine and I don't see anything that refers to summary feed:confused:
I'd like to know t if my blog is set to summary feed too. I don't even know what it is! :confused:I just checked through mine and I don't see anything that refers to summary feed:confused:
In Blogger it's Settings > Other > Allow Blog Feed? Set this to "Full"
Sorry - you're still in the old blogger interface - switch to the new one and you'll see what I'm talking about
Ahhh, I remember that now. I had not switched yet, because I wanted to make sure my design would not change. It didn't and it says 'full' under allow blog feed so I'm okay.
I've stopped following blogs if they seem to have way too many giveaways for products I don't really believe they care about in the first place. To me, it's like they sold out. I haven't seen this much with stamping blogs, mostly with other types of blogs I read.
I have to agree it's a great question...mine has to be
lack of posting I have about 3 month rule nothing for 3 months and I leave..
religious beliefs shoved at me if its on every card and every post
the same format everytime eg. card, what I used,how I did it.. goodbye
as Leeane said too much family stuff
The negativity thing has got me ...because on my blog I have a monday moan mainly about craft things but sometimes about just what has annoyed me..and I find my subscriptions have gone up...all depends on the person I suppose.
Hmm. My feed is set to full, not a hint of religious rants, no giveaways, but still get dropped from time to time. Could it be I just stink? ;). I guess it's possible, but I wish I wasn't so focused or rather aware of followers. Inam always so thrilled when i get a new person. Mind you, I am totally thankful for the ones I have. I just seem to enjoy the blogs that I follow and would love to know that more folks glimpsed at mine.
Hmm. My feed is set to full, not a hint of religious rants, no giveaways, but still get dropped from time to time. Could it be I just stink? ;). I guess it's possible, but I wish I wasn't so focused or rather aware of followers. Inam always so thrilled when i get a new person. Mind you, I am totally thankful for the ones I have. I just seem to enjoy the blogs that I follow and would love to know that more folks glimpsed at mine.
I just pinned your gorgeous lavender card and then I saw this!! You do NOT stink. You are amazingly talented.
I'm kind of confused on a lot of blogging stuff. I found (and love Google Reader) and am following a lot of blogs I've found via pins on Pinterest.
My question is: If I subscribe to someone in Google Reader, is that the same as physically clicking on a "follow me" or "subscribe" button right on the blog page? Do the blog authors know that they have x number of people subscribed via Google Reader?
And my next question is: Why would a blog author no want to have their feed on full? Are there repercussions to do with bandwidth or something with having it on full versus summary? I don't like the summary ones for the same reasons mentioned above but some I've found some of the "big names" such as Amazing Paper Grace/Becca's Bows has hers set to summary. I sent a message one time asking why and never got a response.
Thanks for your take on this!
__________________ Leslie Harnish
Sambro, Nova Scotia
Canada
I'm kind of confused on a lot of blogging stuff. I found (and love Google Reader) and am following a lot of blogs I've found via pins on Pinterest.
My question is: If I subscribe to someone in Google Reader, is that the same as physically clicking on a "follow me" or "subscribe" button right on the blog page? Do the blog authors know that they have x number of people subscribed via Google Reader?
And my next question is: Why would a blog author no want to have their feed on full? Are there repercussions to do with bandwidth or something with having it on full versus summary? I don't like the summary ones for the same reasons mentioned above but some I've found some of the "big names" such as Amazing Paper Grace/Becca's Bows has hers set to summary. I sent a message one time asking why and never got a response.
Thanks for your take on this!
Whether you subscribe through Reader or with the follow button, the blog owner does know the total number of subscribers.
People who are selling things or have advertising on their blog may want you to click over to see that info and may choose summary for that reason.
Sometimes I've told people and found they didn't know they had their feed set that way too.
I lose and gain one at a time ..I figure because I am a crafter, quilter, card maker and cook and I like to change things up that people aren't really impressed with that teehee but since I do this for me and think it's great when people take the time to look I don't mind at all
In Blogger it's Settings > Other > Allow Blog Feed? Set this to "Full"
Lydia, you are so very helpful. I appreciate how knowledgeable you are and how willing you are to share that knowledge. I checked my settings and mine was set at full. I wouldn't have had a clue how this could have affected someone viewing my blog. Thank you once again for your help.
The only time I have unfollowed blogs has been for the reasons stated...constant negative posts and when the artwork is just not me. Everyone has their own style, but the Gothic card making is not really for me nor are the R rated cards! I love a sense of humor, but sometimes it is way over the top.
I'd be interested to know how most blog owners know how many subscribers they have in Google Reader etc. I only found the 'details and statistics' menu in Google Reader by accident one day. This menu shows how many subscribers my blog has in Google Reader. I might be wrong, but I doubt that many bloggers would know where to go to find that information...so I am interested to know if there is another, simpler way.
Also, I am one of those terrible bloggers that use summary feed. It is not accidental, I do it for a reason...so I can give you my two cents worth on that subject. I don't have any advertising on my blog, or make any money whatsoever from my blog, but I figure that if you want to see what I've made, or what I am posting about, you can come and visit my actual blog and see it, and maybe leave me a comment while you are there too!
I think of people using Google Reader like people peering through my living room window to see what I'm up to, rather than knocking on my front door to see how I am and say hi. Call me crazy (I don't mind)...that is how I feel, and I don't mind at all if people choose not to look at my blog because of it.
I also enjoy looking at the statistics of where people are coming from, what pages they are looking at etc. It is interesting info, and also gives a vague indication of what people are looking for, and what things of value they see in your blog. It is information that I don't believe you can see if they are only looking at your RSS feed.
I totally understand why some people don't bother with blogs on summary feed, but I thought I'd let you know that some people do have a reason for it.
I have a new blog so not many followers yet. But I love looking at blogs and am forever searching them.
I would have to say the only reasons I unfollow blogs have all been listed...lack of posts for a VERY LONG TIME, if a blog turns more to religion or politics, and if a blog no longer has crafty stuff and is more all about someone's family. Don't get me wrong I love reading about people and their families and kids and all. I just like to see a craft item thrown in too.
Hi Lydia,
Also, I am one of those terrible bloggers that use summary feed. It is not accidental, I do it for a reason...so I can give you my two cents worth on that subject. I don't have any advertising on my blog, or make any money whatsoever from my blog, but I figure that if you want to see what I've made, or what I am posting about, you can come and visit my actual blog and see it, and maybe leave me a comment while you are there too!
I think of people using Google Reader like people peering through my living room window to see what I'm up to, rather than knocking on my front door to see how I am and say hi. Call me crazy (I don't mind)...that is how I feel, and I don't mind at all if people choose not to look at my blog because of it.
I find your looking into the front window analogy very interesting. This would have never occurred to me. In my mind, Google reader is just another tool to look at something and achieve the same end result. Just like I can use a Kobo to read War and Peace, I can also buy the hard copy book. The end result is the same - I read the book. Or, if I need to make a phone call, I can do it on my cell phone, my land line or even through Skype. The end result is I still made a phone call. Just like I'm still looking at a blog, but just through a different tool.
I use Google Reader as an organizational tool. I follow so many lovely blogs and get inspired by so many cards, recipes, creations, etc. that I would never have the time to be able to go to each and every one of them manually if I had to use just a favourites list, for example.
Thanks for sharing your logic. I wonder if others do this for the same reason or what some of the other reasons might be. There's the other side of the story :-)
__________________ Leslie Harnish
Sambro, Nova Scotia
Canada
I've stopped "following" almost all blogs and just subscribed through Google Reader instead. It keeps me from entering giveaways that I wouldn't check back on, and I can "unfollow" someone without hurting their feelings. Many times I'll unsubscribe in Google if someone becomes a DT member for a company that isn't my style, because I know that I won't ever comment if I don't care for the theme of the stamps, and if I'm never going to comment, what is the sense of following them?
Kristin, your blog is beautiful! I find it really visually appealing, and I love looking at visually appealing blogs :-), so it is one I'll visit again and again.
lharnish, I understand completely why people prefer readers. They wouldn't be so successful if they weren't such great organisational and time saving tools :-). I also have Google Reader (which needs a bit of cleaning up itself) and I have a favourites list in there (I keep blogs on short feeds in there too). When I see my favs have blogged, I go to their site to see what they are up to. I have fast internet here, so that prolly makes a difference too. If I was on something slow, or mobile, I definitely wouldn't want to be going to the actually sites, that'd be...painful.
T.Joy, I also un-follow if people's style changes to something I don't much enjoy, or if they get too wordy. I'm a pictures person at heart.
Kristin, your blog is beautiful! I find it really visually appealing, and I love looking at visually appealing blogs :-), so it is one I'll visit again and again.
lharnish, I understand completely why people prefer readers. They wouldn't be so successful if they weren't such great organisational and time saving tools :-). I also have Google Reader (which needs a bit of cleaning up itself) and I have a favourites list in there (I keep blogs on short feeds in there too). When I see my favs have blogged, I go to their site to see what they are up to. I have fast internet here, so that prolly makes a difference too. If I was on something slow, or mobile, I definitely wouldn't want to be going to the actually sites, that'd be...painful.
T.Joy, I also un-follow if people's style changes to something I don't much enjoy, or if they get too wordy. I'm a pictures person at heart.
Best wishes...
Thanks so much on the sweet comment on my blog. I am excited to get more posts up. My kiddos go back to school tomorrow so I will have a little more peaceful crafty time!
interesting thread. i have really struggled with my blog this year. when i had my online store i had a lot of followers and a lot of comments. then i closed my stores and was on a few DTs but i felt stifled and felt like my posts were ringing hollow even tho i did not feel that way. plus i hate info-mercial blogs so i gave those up too and just do my own thing. funny thing is - my readers have gone down in gigantic numbers since i have done those things. i don't do all the gimicky give away stuff so no one comes anymore. which as a previous poster stated makes me think does my work just suck? and the few who do read almost never leave a comment so it sort of reinforces that feeling. on the other hand i have a close friend who is everything (almost) that was mentioned here and her following and her comment numbers are off the charts. so i wonder if i should bother with the blog anymore. it used to be a fun way to meet people and interact but since that isn't there anymore it feels like it's just a time waster now. and a source of insecurity as an artist which i totally don't need. i am my own worst critic as it is!
on the other hand i try to consider other possibilities. i am not a commenter myself so i am doing the exact thing i don't like! i also have been in the blogging arena for 6 years - in the beginning it was new and different and a smaller world. and i read lots of blogs. now i find i rarely ave time to do it anymore. i also don't do all of the things i always used to do to "grab attention for myself" so of course - i am not grabbing attention but my life is just so much busier now.... anyway, interesting topic and always on my mind. especially lately as i try to decide if i am going to bother to continue with my blog....i will make my art regardless...
Unfollowing blogs...
. I really need to clean up my reader. I would unfollow a blog if there have been no new posts in quite sometime, content changed as mentioned above, lots of "advertising", also constant negativity is a big one for me. There was one blog I followed and every other post was about negative things. I have tried really hard to decrease the negativity in my life - crafting and blogging are my escape 
