Many bloggers, myself included, have lost a significant number of blog followers in recent weeks. It's always a boost to your ego to see numbers rise but things going in reverse isn't so pleasant.
It turns out that the major reason is that Blogger has made changes to who can follow our blogs via Google Friend Connect in what they call an attempt to 'streamline' things. Basically, if you don't have a Google account profile but follow blogs through Blogger, you will now no longer be able to do so and will be removed as a follower. Your options from now on are to either get a Google account or else to follow using readers like feedly.
I know that it's only a number, that I don't blog for the stats and that this recent change was beyond my control. But it's still hard not to take it personally. I've been blogging for six years now and have enjoyed seeing my readership grow and treasure the friends I have made through my writing. I have a Twitter and Instagram account for this blog and while I enjoy using both of these platforms, blogging is still something I enjoy very much and put thought and effort into. I don't blog as often as I did in the early days but putting posts together using my own material along with references and research where necessary is still part of my everyday life.
I like how my blog has changed to reflect who I am now compared to who I was when I started Sydney Shop Girl. I like that what I write about isn't forced and that I haven't had to fit my writing into the usual pigeon holes that bloggers seem to get defined as. I'm delighted that you've been along for the ride and I hope that you'll stick around to read the blog in some capacity if it can't be as an 'official' follower.
I don't know when and if my blogging life will end but I am determined to not let the numbers determine this.
If you're a blogger yourself, has this change in the follower system affected how you feel about your blogging?
I'll be returning to normal programming for my next post but in the mean time, have a lovely weekend.
Is it bad that this is the first I've heard about this? haha! How do you find out if your numbers have dropped? I have no idea what my numbers usually are, I've never been any good with numbers anyway. I'm sure there will be plenty of people following along with you still SSG, I've always enjoyed reading your blog and your insights :) And it's frequently an education for me - as seen in posts like this, ha!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mica!
DeleteSSG xxx
I am a hard core ssg groupie, no google rules will keep me away!
ReplyDeleteWord.
DeleteSSG xxx
I have never used their way of following blogs, I prefer my own personal feed reader set up on our server. :) I do feel bad for the people who are now no longer followers - how do they find the blogs they liked to read now? Google really loves to mess people around. :(
ReplyDeleteI know. I don't know what purpose these changes actually serve except that it was someone job to just make a change. Any change.
DeleteSSG xxx
I didn't know of this! I blog here on Blogger (granted it's been awhile), but I only have a handful of followers. I love reading your posts about what you and your little one are doing in Sydney,Australia.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely words, Tracie!
DeleteSSG xxx
I've always great toy using Feedly, so I wouldn't know the difference. I feel sorry for the people who were following you through Blogger, who have suddenly lost their subscriptions. How will they find you now? If they were loyal readers, they will find you again.
ReplyDeleteWise words, Simone.
DeleteThank you!
SSG xxx
Being a babe in the woods and with about 500 bookmarked blogs I have no idea what you are talking about but never miss checking in with SSG. I also commented on Leslie's (hostess of the humble bungalow) blog on this topic as well.
ReplyDeleteCindy F
Awwww... thank you Cindy!!
DeleteSSG xxx
Just thought I would chime in and say I'm following on feedly. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of your followers aren't following through a google account. After Google reader was retired, a lot of people shifted to feedly or bloglovin. I think there's more of your followers out there than you think :)
ReplyDeleteI check in here every few days and will still do that. Thanks for your great blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading!
DeleteSSG xxx
No but at all as when I started no one read it so it doesn't make me feel bad. Also I've developed a thicker skin along the way.
ReplyDeleteThat thicker skin is so important in the blogging world.
DeleteSSG xxx
I'm a follower via Bloglovin so I haven't missed a thing! I never understood Google Friend Connect and I started the whole blogging thing just as that was being messed about with so didn't see the point in trying to work it out. Bloglovin has its issues but at least it won't suddenly disappear or boot half your followers! And whilst I'm another who doesn't blog for the stats, all the same it's nice to know you're not just shouting into the void...
ReplyDeleteWell said about not just shouting into the void, Rachel.
DeleteSSG xxx
I don’t see the actual purpose or what solution it creates on the implementation of this change either. They indeed love messing up with people’s accounts especially those who really organize their online activities. Nevertheless, hopefully the lost followers will eventually find their way back to your blog Sydney SG.
ReplyDelete