You know, the blog has been feeling rather intense lately. I think it’s that last giveaway and celebratory post and my whacking of Luna that’s stirring up a lot of feelings haha! (but thank you for your input, you guys are really the best!) So I wanted to chill things down a little on the beauty front and ask you something prompted by a question I came across on Twitter.
That’s me leaving a comment on The Woks of Life – it’s one of my fave cooking blogs (I read more cooking blogs than beauty blogs these days LOL!)
Blogging friend Arianne of The Glitter Geek asked on Twitter if you or does anyone still comment or would comment anymore on blog posts, or if your preferred medium of interaction is social media e.g. Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (the 3 most common interactive social media platforms for this purpose).
Curious Q: do you comment on blogs anymore? Do you just engage on the social platforms linking to posts? Admittedly I mostly do the latter.
— Arianne V (@TheGlitterGeek) March 11, 2017
I thought it was an excellent question, because it’s one I have been thinking about as well in recent times 🙂 I’d like to invite you to talk about this, because I think it’s interesting to see how commenting has evolved (or devolved).
From a blogger standpoint, I do like leaving a comment on blogs and I try to whenever I can. This is particularly so if it’s a blog post or topic I feel strongly enough to leave an opinion, or if I’m sufficiently moved to leave a long comment. It’s a hat tip to the blogger for their hard work (because I know how hard it can be) and it serves as encouragement. On friends’ blogs, I would comment regardless, because they’re friends and I like to show a little support, and it’s always a good place to engage in some light-hearted banter 😀 Sadly however, many of my friends no longer blog so I don’t engage as much as I used to.
I also like leaving comments, because I know how it feels, as a blogger, to slave over a blog post, thinking “This is the one! I just know this is going to be an epic post because I have such a strong opinion on it!” … and then hear crickets and see the dreaded “0 Comments” on the post. For old-timer bloggers, comments were, and still are, a way to validate our existence. Just stating facts here! 😛 But I can tell you, from a blogger’s standpoint that blog comments aren’t as active as they used to be just a few years ago. I attribute it to the rise of social media.
From a reader standpoint, there is a strong possibility that I’m already following my favourite bloggers on a social media platform. I’m most active on Twitter and Instagram and that’s where I follow some of the bloggers I read. (Do forgive me if I don’t see your comments on Facebook for weeks or months on end – I have a long-standing dislike of the platform and only have an account because of the blog. No personal account 😛 )
Quite often, I find that sharing a view on Twitter or Instagram gets me a response more quickly than it would, had I left a comment on the blog. Also, with blogs, you’d have to check back to that specific blog post in order to see if there’s a response, unless there’s a system in place to notify you of replies to your comment. Unless it’s a topic you feel strongly enough about, the odds are, you’ve moved on. Also, some bloggers don’t reply to comments. I understand that for some, the volume of comments they get daily can be overwhelming, so they may not respond to every comment. And that’s the risk you run, as a reader.
That said, I too find that on social media, some bloggers don’t reply or respond to comments, or more importantly, questions either. I do get that responding to every comment that says “So cute!”, “I love it!” or “Love this outfit!” is trite and non-productive, but I do think that replying to a question is good manners. However, I also understand that sometimes, comments and questions get buried in the feed, especially if they are very popular personalities. It happens to me sometimes (although I’m not a popular personality LOL!), and for this reason, I prefer questions asked in blog comments because I can come back to it to respond, and there’s no excuse for it being buried anywhere. It’s there, on your dashboard.
But I get that social media is more interactive in that sense. It gives you a sense of immediacy and connection to the person. I also find that people are more willing to interact with me on Twitter or Instagram – perhaps it’s just quicker because you’re already signed in and can tap off a comment on your phone. Perhaps it’s more personal. A blog can often feel a little more faceless, lacking that immediacy of response, and the forms you have to fill BEFORE you can comment can turn some people off, as many people now read on their mobiles and most people are just impatient.
Yet, as I told Arianne, as a blogger, I was conflicted. I love getting comments, because I love that engagement that goes on on a blog. I love reading blog comments on most blogs, because it can sometimes offer a greater insight into the way people think, or offer up an alternative opinion (not troll comments, naturally) and sometimes, comments can be even more interesting than the post itself and offer a better insight into the blogger and their interactions with their readers. Sometimes the way a response is given puts me off and so I stop reading and sometimes a sticky situation is handled so elegantly I’m compelled to subscribe. But as a reader, social media platforms offer me a better option to reach out to a blogger, especially if I know they will reply to a question or comment. As with most things today, it’s complicated 😛
What say you? Do you comment on blogs anymore? Or is social media your preferred method of engagement?
Ironically, yes, I am inviting you to leave a comment on this blog post 😛 LOL! But tell me, have we evolved past blog comments? Should bloggers just close off comments totally just to avoid seeing that dreaded “0 comments”? (It’s not going to happen here on MWS though!)
p/s Just an addendum: I’m not really speaking about my blog per se nor seeking validation – hope it’s not being misunderstood! 😀 This is a general observation based on my conversations with other bloggers and also my observations about what I see on other blogs. It’s a phenomenon that’s been recognised by some “pro-bloggers” as well who blog about blogging, tech and SEO so it’s not limited to just my blog – but to blogging in general.
Paris B
I am absolutely horrible at leaving comments. I always have good intentions to do so but I never get around to it because something else pops up in my life. I read but I sadly, do not comment and that’s really horrible because as you said, as an old time blogger, I get some sort of validation when I do get a comment on a post I worked hard on.
Haha Iz, you’re burning both ends of the candle there! Commenting on blogs is probably low on your list of priorities hehe… But I feel the same to be honest. I haven’t had the time to read a lot of blogs and when I do, sometimes it’s on my phone and I have something long to write and it’s just so hard to type it all out. By the time I have access to a computer, I’d have forgotten. So I’m always very grateful when people take the time to comment, because it tells me they made the effort (and that maybe I should too!) LOL
God, am I ever! I’m behind on blog reading as well. I find it harder and harder to make time to enjoy the things I love doing online because most of my online life is spent replying to comments on my own blog, writing posts, etc…..
I am too! I always feel flattered someone takes a moment to comment because I understand how busy everyone can get so a single comment is take a precious minute or two out of a busy day and I appreciate it great.
But yeah, makes me feel guilty that I’m not making as much effort 🙂
Every time I open my Feedly, I’m faced with about 1000 unread feeds LOL! That tells you how often I have the time to read anything these days. I honestly don’t know how you do it, writing so many posts a day AND keep a business running at the same time! Hats off to you Iz! 😀
It really does depend.
1) How strongly I feel about the topic
2) If others have said what I was going to say – Sometimes I think what’s the point of parroting it?
3) If I agree with others, if I do then yes quite likely. If not, would commenting incense the situation? Not many can walk away agreeing to disagree. Or, would I be attacked for spewing something so completely out of the world? I have no interest in being a part of a war online because life is short. I’ve seen my share and I’m old and bitter HAHA.
4) The sort of tone others have adopted in commenting. If I can see a discussion skewed towards a certain direction I have absolutely zero interest in, I leave.
Generally, I IM/ping you with my comment/feedback but it’s not the same, I know. SORRY!
#4 is actually very interesting. Sometimes, if I see an argumentative thread developing, I don’t jump into the argument, but try to skew the conversation so it’s less intense. From a blogger’s POV, I always appreciate that cos having to deal with argumentative people can be quite a strain. But I’m glad when you IM/Ping me anyway, coz at least you still read my posts LOL!
I haven’t been commenting on blogs for a while now (yours only now that I think about it). Mostly due to laziness of having to write an essay in my comments. I don’t comment via social media unless it warrants a very quick and succinct reply. If the post gets my goat, I’d much prefer to leave a long, rambling reply than writing several 140 character replies on Twitter. A lot of bloggers I know have their readers leave comments on their blog posts via Facebook instead of directly on the blog post and they’re not a fan of it because of that dreaded “0 comments” on the blog. Personally, for my blog, it really doesn’t matter if readers leave comments via social media because it’s still a response. But yeah, I’d still prefer them to leave comments on the blog instead. Unless they’re being snarky. Then they can bloody well leave my blog alone. 😛
I’m just as lazy Tine! (I actually haven’t been reading blogs – keep forgetting to open my Feedly reader!) I have seen the FB comment system too, and some use it in conjunction with their regular blog comment system. I think it’s mostly just to encourage people to leave a comment so it’s not so deserted. I have noticed that because I’m less active on Facebook, I get the odd comment there but it isn’t a primary conversation place (because I hardly ever respond for months sometimes LOL!) For me, Twitter and increasingly, Instagram is where the conversation is at. I don’t mind. But it does bum me when it would have been more interesting to discuss it on the blog
Most of the time I’m just a silent reader…. unless it’s a (to quote your post) “topic I feel strongly enough to leave an opinion” or if I feel strongly about what’s been written, be it a similar experience or the content has facts that I know to be wrong.
I think Facebook’s concept of leaving (short, instant) comments has made us very lazy to type out comments like these on blog posts ^^;;
I hear you about FB, Laura. Sometimes I think people just want to leave an emoticon or emoji instead haha! The advantage FB has is that you’re already signed in so commenting is instant vs having to input the info on a blog you’ve not visited in a while. Usually otherwise, I think cookies ensure you stay logged into the comments (for the most part)
This is what I mentioned yesterday too.
Sadly, people nowadays hardly comment. Not like those days. I still like to leave comments to friend’s blog. But they never responded lol. Number one rule – to always reply to comments regardless which platform i.e. blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc.
Readers told me they are lazy to comment on a blog because they need to type out name, email and the comment itself. In general people are getting lazier lol.
Tsk, I do get bummed by people who don’t respond to comments. I may take a while sometimes, but I eventually get around to it. And yes, how can you expect people to leave you a comment but then not reply (whatever platform you’re on) It’s rude! I’m with you about people getting lazier. Ironic, considering how much more convenient it is these days with mobiles 😛
Not so much if the blogger doesn’t reply back to the comments…
Yes that one does bum me too – can’t have a conversation if no one’s talking back to you or answering questions.
Although things popped up in the social media can get our attention quicker, blog is still having its advantage. We don’t get to be “stalked” if we posted our comments here, unlike in FB! If someone posted something funny or outstanding, I will definitely go and “stalk” them, that’s my weird habit LOL
LOL so I guess blog comments are a good thing to avoid being stalked by unsavoury people haha! I actually have found some new blogs by just reading the comments. At least that was back in the day when bloggers also commented, instead of just sitting there trying to grow their Instagram accounts LOL!
I actually still reply on blogs. But that might be because I am such a social media luddite. Not to brag, but I don’t have a Facebook account.
And I like that sense of connection, not only with the blogger but with the other people commenting on the blog. If we use the example of your recent Luna post, I got to know how other people, with the same skin type as me, use facial oils and even get to know of brands that wasn’t on my radar before. I don’t think social media provide the same kind of cross-connections.
I don’t have a Facebook account (personal) either and I’m happy about that! I don’t care what people say because I really have no desire to be part of the soul-sucking network 😛 You are right about the conversation that a blog post generates, vs social media, where only a fragment of people will view it. But that is also I feel, because people were intrigued enough by the topic to leave a comment. I honestly never know when that sort of conversation will ensue whenever I hit publish 🙂
For me, I prefer just reading the blog. When I feel like there is nothing of value that I can add in the comments then I usually don’t comment. In a way, I prefer social media because it feels less formal and I can always just pop a short comment with one sentence, although most of the time I just like the posts. (I do wish blogs have Like/Love buttons ^-^ then it’ll be way easier for me to show that I love the post hehehe~)
One thing that I really dislike (a pets peeve of mine) is when bloggers decide to turn off the comments. Never! Hehehe~ I guess it’s just that sometimes when you feel like commenting and then there is no comment button, it just make me feel slightly annoyed? (Although I do understand the dreaded 0 comments) I do like to read through the comment section and see what others have to say too =)
Haha Rosalind, you’re definitely of the FB generation hehe… Not that it’s a bad thing. I think a like button on blog posts would be a good thing too – at least as a blogger, we know someone’s reading LOL! 😀 But you know, do whatver is easiest because if a blogger has other SM networks that you follow, they will know that you’re responding to them there too (if they cross post that is) and yes, I don’t get why a blog (not website) should want to turn off comments. I get that some do it so they don’t see the disheartening 0 comments, but sometimes, we just want to say something, and it’s so frustrating not to be able to!
I saw your tweet and decided to comment. I still comment on blogs, but not for social reasons. I comment when I have a question (frequent) or have something valuable to share (not very often haha).
In the changing landscape of the web and shortening attention spans, it’s quite understandable. Commenting on a blog is a rather private conversation. Whereas replying on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook things are more public and therefore more likely to give you that dopamine hit of a like.
Many bloggers today have embraced the trend and don’t even have comments on their blog. Paul Jarvis (https://pjrvs.com/articles/) is one of my favorite “bloggers” and mainly interacts with readers through his email list, which is king for generating revenue from your audience.
I think you’re right about the “like” culture and why people prefer to use social media to comment. I have noticed that trend of not having comments on Tech or SEO topic blogs. I think I can understand if it’s a “teaching blog”, but I prefer lifestyle blogs to keep the comment section open, because it is a lifestyle topic after all, and sometimes, people can have questions and not everyone wants to sign up to yet another email list 🙂
I have to say I barely leave comments on blog posts now and barely even check my twitter account. I mostly use Instagram and do a lot of my commenting there or on Snapchat. Plus the truth of the matter is that I rarely read blogs on my PC anymore. More often than not, I read blogs on my cell phone when I’m waiting. And…. maybe it’s me but the comment box on my phone is pretty darn small and difficult to see what I’m typing and that gets me frustrated. In which case, I just give up on writing anything.
But yeah I am mostly a silent reader unless I feel a particular need to comment. Especially when it’s something that I feel strongly about or have a particular opinion on it. I do try… being that I sometimes write blogs myself, I know it’s really horrible not to leave a comment, however short, on the post itself because as you said, as a blogger, the write does get some sort of validation when a comment is made on the post the writer worked hard on.
Last and not least… there is the lazy factor. I don’t think I need to elaborate on this.
I know many people are leaving Twitter but I love twitter! Haha I’m one of those I guess, who gets her news fix from Twitter and I love the conversations I can have because it’s not based on a photo or video, just text. But you are right about people prefering to read on their mobiles these days. That’s basically why we have larger and larger phone screens don’t we? 😀 SM makes it easier for people to comment but it also makes people lazier. Such is the irony! LOL!
I am actually a silent reader. Don’t be dishearten because of zero comment. I am not good in striking up conversations.
Haha not to worry, here you are commenting anyway Margaret! 😉 But I get what you mean. Sometimes, there isn’t anything to say is there?
I’ve never commented much on blogs ever since I started following them of which they comprise only a handful. In person, I’m incredibly introverted and not a person of many words so that translates to my online persona as well although when I do write, it tends to come out like a karangan. So, as I mentioned in a previous comment, I only comment when I feel rather strongly about a post -this one being an example.
Another reason which applies particularly to your blog as to why my already few comments have dwindled even in more recent years is because you, as the person behind the blog, have evolved. Your posts now tend to be more about higher end products which are beyond my reach pricing wise. I felt that your earlier posts were more relatable because of the price points of the products review and therefore, I had something to contribute in the comments.
This is no complaint or criticism at all and I’m pretty sure you realise that. Everyone changes and those changes occur in different aspects of life. Bloggers are no more bound to cater to the demands of your readers than readers are to remain faithfully bound to bloggers. That’s simply how life is. And the products you use and offer on your blog is absolutely your prerogative and yours alone.
But I am offering this as an explanation simply as a possible answer for why comments may have dwindled. Surely when the products featured on the blog are of a lower price point, it relates to a greater group of people. The more expensive the products are, the more likely they would only apply to those who’ve reached a certain stage in life and these are fewer in comparison to the aforesaid group.
Nonetheless, I still read your posts because I find you relatable above and beyond the products and blog posts themselves. And that is why I now comment more on twitter and instagram (as Harlequinn74) because, as you noted, those platforms are less “formal” and because you often post stuff that are non-beauty related. So there are other topics to which I feel I can respond to.
And finally, to end my karangan here, yes … it is much easier to respond in twitter and instagram when one is feeling malas! 🙂
p/s: I also realise that it can get discouraging when you don’t see responses to your effort and hard work in researching and writing posts that are meaningful and not simply a copy and paste version of the product advertisement. That’s why I make it a point to comment and encourage (hopefully you see my comments as such!) when a post of yours speaks to me.
OK. This is REALLY the end of the karangan! 😛
LOL I have not heard the word “karangan” in erm… a long time HAHA! 😀 But I hear you about why you choose not to comment and I totally understand! I have been told that my tastes are now in the stratosphere (which I sometimes feel awkward about) but at the same time, I guess it’s just a natural evolution. I’ve always had a taste for luxury – I think I’m just now less concerned about what people think, when I talk about it 😀 But, as I told a friend recently, it is for this reason that I try to blog a discussive topic every so often. It often compels people to comment (like here) and it offers me a different POV (as you have, as to why you may not comment as often) But I also get that SM platforms are easier to deal with. I too find myself responding there, because I may not have the time to write a karangan on a blog, but I want to let the blogger know what I think in just 140 characters (I tend to respond on Twitter coz I’m one of the rare ones who actually really enjoys using that platform) But thank you for always being supportive with your comments. I swear, over the years, I have come to “know” quite a few of you, just simply due to your comments and replies, and that is always interesting for me, as I know for a fact that you are there for the long haul (not just a random person claiming to be a long time reader) 😉
I’m more of a silent reader and will normally only comment when I have a strong reaction to the post. I’ve also experienced having a blogger returned my comment with a snarky one, guess he didn’t like what I commented but why put a comment box if you’re not up for discussion? I wasn’t trolling in that case and having uncomfortable experiences like that made me even more hesitant to comment.
You know, I’ve noticed how some bloggers don’t take kindly to comments or differing views. I wonder then why they want to open themselves up to comments when it’s only obvious that people will have differing opinions! LOL! That said, feel free to have a different opinion, I promise not to troll you 😛
I’m a silent reader as well. Unless the topic has really triggered my mind I’ll do the commenting. But sometimes I do hesitate on other’s acceptance when it comes to discussion. Not everyone would agree to what you comment.
I absolutely understand Reeta. We are all entitled to different opinions, but not everyone is receptive of it. I think though, sometimes, it’s in the way that it’s put across, whether by the reader or blogger. Some people are just abrasive or curt. But online, a lot of nuances don’t come through, and that can come across as rude. Still, I know what you mean and why that might stop you from leaving a commnet 🙂
I actually like commenting on blogs especially if it is a topic I feel strongly about to leave an opinion or to share my experience. But I can understand why it can be difficult for some people to leave comments on a blog if you are reading the blog from a smartphone because the comments section is quite a pain to manage. LOL. I do not have a Twitter account so no comments there. I love Instagram though and I signed up for that platform just to follow you 🙂
Thanks for the link to that cooking blog The Woks of Life. My new interest is cooking and I am in the lookout for simple recipes which does not require me to slog at the kitchen for hours 🙂
Haha so I’m the one who made you join Instagram! 😀 I’m a late adopter to the platform myself but I do appreciate when people talk to me there as well although I sometimes find that I have to give a full length proper reply, and I can’t do that because it’s just too tiring to type a long comment LOL Ooh and cooking is so much fun isn’t it? I personally find it therapeutic. Look also on Damn Delicious. She does mostly western style dishes, but they are, for the most part, fairly quick and easy even if she does tend to overdose on cheese (which I don’t really eat and which is expensive as heck here!) but I usually just modify to suit my tastes and just use the technique as a guide. The fun part is that you can’t really go wrong. Well, not TERRIBLY wrong LOL! 😉
I’m not an enthusiast commenter, particularly when I notice that bloggers not respond to comments or answering only to their friends’ comments and other bloggers. Sometimes I take the courage when I want to give advices ( for themes I know well ) or when a post speaks to me. But , If subscribers remain, why feeling disappointment on absence of comment? For me personal, is a feat to comment, my poor english leads me to use google translator and is very difficult , not trustful and time consuming.?
Goodness, are there people who pick and choose who they reply to? That’s so rude! But thank you for always leaving a comment, because it means a lot to me now that I know English isn’t your first language! 🙂 It isn’t so much about disappointment, although that plays a part. But sometimes, we just think you’ve got a good post that people will enjoy, and then you don’t see the feedback and that is when the disappointment can set in. But I’ve accepted that these days, people aren’t so much into commenting anymore, so it bugs me less than it used to 🙂
Usually I do not comment, mainly because I’m intimidated by the thought that the comment will be available for everyone to read…erm..and laziness of course lol. Unless it is a topic that I cannot leave without commenting. 🙂 That said, I still read every MWS blogposts.
Thanks for still reading Jo 🙂 I understand about laziness (often I am too! 😛 ) but thank you for jumping in this time and sharing your 2 cents. See, it’s not so hard! 😉
On and off. Sometimes, I’d delete the whole comment before I click enter. I did that to some of your posts, haha. I’d write a long comment, only to delete it before I click enter. I’m thinking, what if it’s boring to you? Instagram and such, it’s about instant gratification.
LOL! Don’t do that! 😛 But honestly, I do read every single comment and I never find comments boring, because they offer me an insight into the way others think and that interests me greatly! Also, sometimes, that prompts me to write a blog post or to trigger a topic, so it’s cyclical. For me, I enjoy the response on Instagram, but i also find it hard sometimes to reply when I tend to be wordy, and it’s hard to be wordy on the phone or on Instagram LOL!
Yes, I do… sometimes.
And I would read comments from others as well, because sometimes I get to learn other things.
And that is actually why I enjoy blog comments – the conversation and the possibility of learning something from someone aside from the blogger. People are so interesting! 🙂