Types of blog readers.
It was my mother’s birthday today. She was feeling too sick to even have us over for cake. I felt so bad. I was so excited to give her the present that we got her. Josh, my sister, my father, and I all went in on a present for her and we think she’s going to absolutely love it! Plus, the idea came from me (and from one of my coworkers) so I’m extra excited!
You want to know what it is now, don’t you? Well, my mom reads my blog so you will just have to wait! You can say Happy Birthday to my Mom, though! If she can figure out how to read the comments again, she’ll probably appreciate it. So far, she’s figured out how to click “CAITLIN’S BLOG” on the tab I put in her bookmarks browser. I think it’s adorable.
My mom told me once that she didn’t actually read what I said, but she loved to look at all the pictures that I wrote and it gave her a general idea of what I wrote. I couldn’t believe my mother was one of THOSE blog visitors – one that clicked out that X unless she saw pictures. Are you one of those blog readers? Well, I guess I’ll never know if you are because you won’t still be here.
I decided there are types of blog readers. This is my list so far.
- Cling to your every word. These blog readers read everything you say no matter what. If they went away on vacation, they’ll probably still read the 7 entries from when you were away and comment on them all. They probably leave entire paragraphs, too, commenting on everything you said. They could probably answer trivia about you and score higher than your best friend.
- Casual skimmer. These blog readers tend to read bits and pieces of the blog entry. Usually they’ll read the first sentence of each paragraph and read bits and pieces here and there. If something tickles their fancy or there is something that particularly interests them, they’ll probably go back and keep reading. They leave comments frequently too because they usually have something to say… being they have a general gist or a pretty good gist of what they’ve read.
- The first and last sentence! These blog readers tend to read the first and last sentence. If there is a list, maybe they’ll read that. They’ll leave comments but they’re usually one liners and sometimes they’ll be absolutely irrelevant to what the post is about showing that they had not read more than two words.
- No thanks. It’s not pretty. If there’s no pictures or fancy images, these blog readers are gone in 10 seconds. Their attention spans are short and they usually only comment on image posts and only about the images. The post is usually about the images, though, so they usually get away with it.
So, do you have any to add? Well, besides the mean commenters, of course, but we won’t add them.
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I generally read everything, if it’s interesting after about the first paragraph (needs to grab my attention!). I do pay attention more if there’s photos (with comments), but it’s not necessary to me. If it’s not that interesting, I might start skimming… I guess I kind of switch it up how I read blogs!
Happy birthday to Caity’s mom =) I hope she feels better soon! No fun being sick on a birthday.
Don’t know which I am. I don’t read the first and last line.. I guess I am a skimmer
I actually don’t know what kind of blog reader I am! It really depends. I sort of “return the favour” to people who read my blog, and who I KNOW read my blog. If I know someone reads my blogs “religiously” I feel like I should do the same. I love pictures in a blog but the downside is that there isn’t much to comment on, besides “LOVE those pictures!” Most of the time I do love them because it really gives a better insight into the person’s life.
I know a lot of blogs ramble on an on and those are the kinds that I read a lot quicker. If something seems long on the first glance… admittedly it is a turn off but I’ll delve in, in the hopes that the person keeps me engaged! I can totally stand reading long entries but if I’m not engaged in any way and the blog seems to have no direction, sadly, I might leave.
I think it’s terrible to read the first and last sentence! I don’t know how that works. I would feel like I’m completely missing the picture. Even if the blog is boring, I would still want to read more than just a few sentences, then I would be able to make an appropriate judgment.
I wish your mum a happy birthday! I’m sure she’ll find that comment link. :B I’m not too sure about my mum since she doesn’t read blogs unless someone posts something of interest to her on a blog, and she comes across the link through Google. I don’t think she really knows how they work though… I feel a tad sorry for my mum in that sense!
I know I’m rambling…! But I thought I should add that there are certain kinds of people who read just a short part in the middle of the blog, then comment on that, because it seems like they read the lot. O_O
This one person I know reads my blog, since she’s told me, but she never comments. :P My other friend finds that really “creepy” because it seems as if they’re stalking you. XD
I’m not really sure which group of blog readers I fit in to. Probably a mix of the first two depending on the blog. I tend to read but not comment since I figured out the whole Google feed reader thing.
Happy Birthday Caitlin’s Mom! I hope you get to feeling better soon. Cake is the best part of a birthday after all.
Can’t wait to hear what you got. :)
I read the entire entry of every blog I read but don’t always comment and I’m one of those who goes back and reads old ones too. I’ve always liked to read. Happy birthday to your mom!
I don’t think I’m really any that you listed. For me it depends on the blog. =P If I have an emotionally connection to the blog or individual blogging, I read the blog, regardless of whether I find it interesting or boring. For those that I don’t really have a connection with, I skim.
So yeah, I guess I fit into one of your categories, however for me it does depend on the blog and the writer. Maybe I’m weird? LOL.
happy birthday to your Mom! I tend to read a lot of blogs but sometimes don’t know what to say but I always try to post something =)
I think I’m a mix of the first 2 as well. If I’ve something to say, I’ll comment but if not, I’ll just read it. I notice on my blog that quite a number of people read but don’t comment and it makes me wonder if my posts are boring. The number of comments on a blog post usually reflects how interesting the post is and if people just look at the post and close the page, maybe my posts just doesn’t interest them.
There are another kind of people that just read the title, view the images and try to return a comment because I’ve previously commented on theirs. I’m not the kind that have the habit of returning comments unless I’ve something to say. But some people are very persistent on returning comments and will even leave a “great post!” comment just to “return” the comment (Personally, I find that meaningless).
I’d say I’m mix of first two. Oddly unless the photos are really fascinating and/or beautiful, I won’t be that interested myself. I generally prefer reading long posts (I love reading) and I comment if I have something to say and if I feel that I am able to put it in words. It actually happens fairly often that in my mind I have zillion things to say but in the end I’m not able to write the comment because I don’t know what to say or I write comment and then I’m like naah and go away. :/ I am little weird blog reader… Anyway I hope mum gets better :)
I’m probably a casual skimmer who skims the entire post, then. xD I don’t really cling to every word someone says, but I will go back and re-read more closely if the post seems very interesting.
Judging by this, I think you need an extra category between #1 and #2… people who don’t read bits and pieces of entries, but still aren’t as dedicated as #1.
Also, the kinds of blog readers who’ll read every post but never comment. I’ll do this particularly with non-personal blogs, but some personal blogs as well. I guess these people are interested in what you have to say, but either feel they have little to add themselves, or else are just too shy (for whatever reason).
I also hope your mom feels better soon. Happy birthday to her! :)
Happy birthday to your mom!
Like the previous few readers, I’m in between the first two. Some blogs I will read everything, others I will read what titles sound interesting and I may or may not comment on either type, it depends on whether I have something to say. Photo posts are difficult, you want to praise the photos but just saying that can sound like spam.
Happy Birthday, Caity’s mom!
I’m definitely a mix of a skimmer and a “cling to every word” reader. If a post has many photos, I’m more likely to skim over it, though, and go for the long rambly posts.
I would also vote you add Jess’ suggestion — I have plenty of those readers. They comment, if they comment at all, on MSN and such, although I urge them to drop a comment *on the site*. :D
He he. Usually with your blogs, I read the whole entry because they’re not that long, you have a good writing style, and the entries aren’t boring. I’d say in general, I’m somewhere between the first and second types.
What about the people that don’t read any of the entry at all. They just leave a comment, “nice site” so you’ll go and visit theirs. I haven’t seen too many of these people in the last five years or so though. I think they realized “nice site” won’t get them visitors and will mostly likely get them picked up by the spam filters.
happy bday to your mommy :)
You forgot the person who is just there to comment so you’ll go to their blog.
I tend to fluctuate depending on the blog and the day. There are just some days I can’t seem to finish an entire blog post.
Happy birthday, Caity’s mom! Hope you feel better soon!
I’m definitely a casual skimmer. If I read every word of every blog I was subscribed to, I’d be here all day. :P If it really catches my interest, I’ll read the whole thing – and there a few blogs that are so well-written that I ALWAYS read the whole thing. I also find that if it’s broken into small paragraphs/lists, I’ll be more likely to read the whole thing. Regardless, I always try to get a good gist of what the blogger is talking about before I comment – because there’s nothing more embarrassing than leaving a comment and realising it wasn’t actually relevant.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAITLIN’S MOM!! It sucks that you were sick on your birthday D:
I’m a cross between casual skimmer and “cling to your every word”. I skim first, and almost always end up reading every word. I tend to not read in order, though :P For example, I’m attracted to lists, so I read your list first. Then I read the second and third paragraphs, and then I read the first. I’m just weird like that…
I think I am a mix of the first two, leaning more towards the skimmer side.
Happy Birthday to your mum!
I read every word when something big time hits me on the head.
Sometimes, I read all and then print to reread and journal about.
Sometimes I skim to get the idea quickly.
Sometimes I read and never return because it doesn’t interest me.
Happy Birthday to your mum :)
I normally skim but if it looks interesting enough I will read it fully :)
My blog is SO plain, I probably get a lot of the “no thanks” ones because I get quite a number of visits in a day but very few comments :P
I try to be pretty good and read everything but sometimes, I definitely skim. It’s not due to a lack of interest but due to time constraints. It’s like wanting to check up on a friend except you only have 5 mins so you drop by, see how they’re doing and leave a quick hey how are ya?
Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITY’S MOM!!! :)
I think I’m a skimmer. I have a ton of blogs on my Reader, and I check in multiple times per day. I’d say I open 75% of the personal blogs I read, and far fewer of the TV/politics/food/craft/whatever blogs, which I only open if the subject catches my eye.
I don’t comment much when I’m not active on my own blog for some reason, but I am almost always reading personal blog posts.
Depending on the blog I’m a mix of the first two, however I barely EVER comment. (Except for now obviously) Because I never comment, no one ever finds my blog so I don’t get comments and therefore don’t get new blogs to read etc. I’m like a blogger/blog reader of a different kind, one no one ever sees! Teehee.
I’m not quite sure that I fit into your list of blog readers. I will usually start reading, word per word. If the entry doesn’t catch my attention after the first paragraph or two, I might just start skimming. Once I do that, though, I usually never really comment, unless there is something in the blog entry that caught my attention and I just HAD to have my say. I will usually only ever comment if I’ve read the whole thing (so yes, I read this entire entry word per word).
I do like entries with pictures, because it makes it easier to know exactly what someone is talking about. It feels as though I’m much more a part of that person’s world because we’re looking and thinking about the same thing. Not sure if that makes sense. However, I don’t require it. I won’t scoff if there are no pictures. It’s all about the entry itself for me. :)
I totally agree with you about the types of bloggers. I’m kind of a mix of a few of them. I’ll read back a few posts to get a hang of who the person is at first, but not after, and i’ll probably keep coming back and, depending on the mood I’m in, either browsing or reading most, if not all, of a new entry.
One thing I’m really bad at, though, is commenting. I always, always read, but hardly ever comment. I’m working on getting better at it… I feel bad when I don’t comment back, but I’m usually reading right before bed and end up getting tired and going to bed instead. [I fought myself this time. It's 3:44am]
I’m kind of a skimmer, I guess. I tend to read the first paragraph and the last paragraph, instead of sentences, to see if I’m into an entry. Then, I go back and re-read the whole thing. I also check the categories or tags to make sure that I’m into something first. I also can vary on my reading style based on how I feel, though I’ve learned to try to skip blog-reading on days when I just don’t feel like I can commit.
Oh, and I don’t want to sound creepy stalker girlish, and I know it’s only been a couple of days, but I was wondering if you’d heard anything about the hives.
Happy Birthday to your mom!
Once I find a blog I like, I’m kind of a “cling to every word” kind of girl. I read every post, but don’t always comment.
I’m more toward the first type as in I will read the entry from the first word to the last word but usually I may just read a few entries before the latest. And at time I would come back to check for update especially on blogs which I can relate to. There are also time when I would just skim through if I do not relate to the topic and if I do not find it interesting.
PS: Happy Belated Birthday to your mother. May she be blessed with good health and happiness.
I’m not a big picture person, so that’s not me. I do tend to be more of a skimmer, unless it’s something really interesting.
HAHHAAHAHA this list is hilarious. I actually have maybe two or three friends who are the first types of blog readers. But they’re affiliates, not so much real life friends but I wish they were.
They’re the best kinds of people because they actually seem to care about your life. Makes you feel like you’re blogging for more than just yourself. :)
Everyone else is a casual skimmer & I can always tell because I’ve gotten a lot of comments that totally don’t even talk about what I was talking about so it irks me.
Actually, the most is the third one. But of course, you can never tell if someone is the 4th type just because they’ll never leave you a comment.
There are people who read your every sentence but are for some reason, too shy to leave you a comment. It kind of irritates me because I love hearing about what people think about what I wrote but for some reason can’t muster up a comment?! Or they’re just lazy..or they don’t have time. I don’t know. I get a lot of those. Some of my friends read all of my blogs but they never say anything to me until I repeat a story I told on my blog & they’re like, “oh yeah I read that on your website”…wow ty I had no idea you were reading it because you never leave me commments. -___-
But you do find the people who look at your site for 5 seconds. I’ve looked at my stats page deal. It’s like 40% of people who just see your site for 5 seconds & then jet off. Whatever. I’m a mix of a casual skimmer or a full on blog reader.
If someone’s blog is boring, skim. If someone’s blog has purpose, read.
Happy birthday to your mother! For the longest time, my mom thought that you had to type in the URL for a site in google search. -__- They’re a little slow with technology. I don’t blame them. When they were kids, computers were used for the stock market.
I’ve read that in a lot of blogs. People don’t like to look at walls of text and they don’t really read. The like photos. I’ve been trying to use more and more but… I don’t think they wanna just look at my dolls every time they visit and I don’t really feel comfortable about putting my son on my site.
I’m a Marathan reader. I am totally into reading all of a post and really getting to know the person I’m reading about (partially a clinger) but don’t tend to read all the time. Instead when I get a long time to browse online I will sit and read several posts by that one person. I comment when I have something to say, the more I feel like I “know” you the more I will comment, but often I will comment on older posts bc I’m just now getting around to reading them then.
And as for your mom, my mom is the same way – not too great at browsing the internet but tries to keep up. I had to add a shortcut on her desktop for my blog (which is mainly pictures anyway) and my flickr account too. Its cute to see her try!
I’m probably somewhere between a skimmer and cling to your every word, haha. I don’t read enough blogs to dissect what type of blog reader I am.