What IS going on?!
Dear readers, have I written anything offensive? Has my blog become too boring/too one-dimensional/too daft/too predictable/too... something people simply don't like?
Don't get me wrong - I know that out of the entire number of readers, only a small group actually do read my blog, and even less leave comments. I also know that it is only natural that people come and go in blogland, just like anywhere else.
And of course the fun of blogging does not completely depend on how many (if any) readers the blog has - but it is a large part of the fun. I really enjoy this form of communication, and just as I like reading and commenting on your blogs, I appreciate each and every one who takes the time to come over to mine.
So, what's going on? I am really puzzled.
(And obviously those who have left are not going to read this and answer my question. Daft, really, to ask at all.)
*Actually, I think there were 122 earlier this week. That's 5 leaving in the space of a few days, definitely giving me something to think about.
Can't imagine what's going on. Always enjoy your blog, though I don't comment a lot.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It doesn't have to be a lot - I appreciate each and every comment (unless it is of the spammy kind, which very rarely makes it through the filter anyway).
DeleteThat is strange, isn't it? I have been reading your blog for a little while but I have never commented before. I just thought I would say that I really enjoy it. I especially enjoy your photos of the countryside. And posts about books, of course books.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer, for your first comment here, and for reading my blog!
DeleteOdd, because i read but don't always comment, yet i always enjoy it. As far as i can tell, you've written wonderful posts, nothing to make people flee.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I can't think of anything really offensive, either. I try to stay away from potentially offensive stuff such as politics and religion. Maybe some of my fashion pics can be annoying with my outfits not being to everybody's liking...
DeleteI always read your blog and have never been offended. I wonder if it is some kind of blogspot glitch.
ReplyDeleteNot sure, Softie. Thank you for the encouragment!
DeleteI always enjoy your blog! Don't worry, please!
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Anonymous! Seeing the reaction to this post, I really don't need to worry, do I :-)
DeleteSame has happened to my blog. I think it might be that some people are taking their blogs off temporarily for the Christmas period, and so their profiles disappear too. I agree it is very disheartening!
ReplyDeleteStrange way of handling a blog - why take it off instead of simply letting it lay "still", so to speak. But you're right, that could be a reason, although I never thought of it.
DeleteI often forget to add myself to the followers list, but I have done so now to help stop the slide :)
ReplyDeleteThat's very good of you, thank you :-)
DeleteI'm here for the duration! I always start my day in Germany with you, then go on to England, Scotland, Canada, and back to England before ending in my own country. I love your blog and have never found anything you've written to be off-putting. Maybe people are clearing their list in preparation for the new year? Please don't be too upset (although I know it is hard not to have responses to your posts!) ... personally I really enjoy you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Jill! It is very nice (and flattering!) to know that my blog is your first stop in Blogland every morning.
DeleteYes, some people are possibly clearing their reading list. I do that every now and then, too.
I can't imagine why anyone would be offended. That's really strange. I love your blog and don't plan to go anywhere!
ReplyDeleteI just went and checked. ..I've lost two!
DeleteJennifer, so have I. I can't say I'm very bothered, but I wonder whether they're the same two?
DeleteThank you, Jennifer! I am glad to have found your blog, too.
DeleteI'm still here!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Frances!
DeleteMe too, I’m still here.
ReplyDeleteActually, I’ve lost about 5 in the last two months, 2 a couple of days ago. I think just before Christmas and the new year people tidy up their blogs; some people close down blogs and then followers disappear automatically.
I used to worry that I might have offended someone; I don’t do that anymore. I am also not obsessed with followers as I used to be and I very rarely follow a new blog now. Old friends are fine, I don’t worry about anyone else. I also don’t bother to find out who has left so I can stop following them.
Your blog is just fine, it’s YOUR blog and you write what you like.
Frohe Weihnachten, Meike. Gruss an die Mama und mein liebes Deutschland.
Thank you, Friko!
DeleteYou are right, of course. It is MY blog and I can write what I want. Some things in my life are of the kind that I am really not interested in other people's opinion. But since this blog is sort of "public", I deliberately avoid topics such as politics, sex and religion, topics that could cause arguments.
I once posted a review of a book by Barack Obama, and that caused someone to post a very strange comment - don't want to repeat the experience!
Frohe Weihnachten auch für Dich und Beloved, Ursula! Die Grüße richte ich sehr gerne aus.
I’ve just checked, from 517 this morning I now have 506! Something must be wrong somewhere. That is too many for one day to be normal.
ReplyDeleteNo, actually it was 527 this morning!
ReplyDeleteThat is really quite a lot for one day! Looks like something "big" is going on in the background. Maybe blogspot are cancelling accounts that have been passive for a certain number of years.
DeleteI've lost 2 since I commented on your blog this morning, very strange.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I am not the only one to have observed this, I am beginning to think that some "spring cleaning" is taking place on blogspot. Maybe accounts that have not been accessed in a number of years are being cancelled.
DeleteI lost one this week also. Maybe Blogger is doing some kind of clean up of inactive accounts...? I always enjoy your posts. I don't comment often enough probably, but it is a pleasure to read what you write. You broaden my horizons. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Aisling, what a kind thing to say! Reading other blogs broadens my horizon considerably, too :-)
DeletePerhaps blogspot is not working properly......?
ReplyDeleteWordPress sometimes baffles me. Recently on a day you had commented I checked my stats and saw I had only had people visit from the US and the UK....The spring cleaning idea makes sense, too....
I always enjoy reading your blog!
Thank you, Kristi!
DeleteI guess we won't really find out for sure what was/is going on, but I have stopped worrying about it now anyway - thanks to the many kind comments to this post, and because it looks like I'm not the only one to have observed a sudden decline of followers.
Just to let you know that I have now added you to my favourites on my iPad as I rarely use the computer now unless it's for some serious writing. I had to search for you again through Frances's blog. I think your blog is great, so keep doing what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteThat's so kind of you, thank you, Maggie!
DeleteMeike the same has happened to me, and I cannot blog as often as my blog won't accept my photos from my iPad, frustrating as I miss keeping in touch, but five gone in a weekend? Must be something wrong at blog headquarters! By the way, Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDear Julie, good to know you're still around! Merry Christmas to you, and I am looking forward to seeing more of your lovely work next year.
DeleteI've just checked this morning and I've lost 2 as well. Mind you I have no idea who many of my followers are. I often think YP has a good approach: he doesn't show his followers on the blog.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Graham, I don't know the majority of my followers, really just those who comment and whose blogs I follow as well.
DeleteThat's odd...my Google Friend Connect followers have dropped a couple recently too. It must be plot.
ReplyDeletePossibly the same two that we all seem to have lost recently.
Delete