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Full Feeds = Fewer Comments?
By JLP | December 4, 2007
One thing I have noticed since changing from partial to full feeds is the number of comments has dropped. My theory is that since readers no longer have to actually visit my blog in order to finish reading a post, they’re less likely to leave a comment. Of course, this could just mean that I haven’t been posting comment-worthy posts lately. I’m not sure. All I know is that the level of comments has dropped. It seems quiet around here…
Oh, and if you aren’t a subscriber to AllFinancialMatters, I urge you to become one.
Topics: Blogging | 16 Comments »
December 4th, 2007 at 1:22 am
Yep. I am a heavy user of google reader and I know that I am less likely to comment on the articles.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Full feeds or not, I am only likely to post on a topic where I can positively contribute; otherwise my comment is a waste for other readers to skim.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:21 am
I’m a google reader user too – one thing that really encourages me to actually come to the site and comment is when the feeds include the number of comments in them (e.g. The Simple Dollar). If I see something has been commented on a few times, I usually click through to read them and perhaps leave one of my own.
December 4th, 2007 at 6:32 am
I agree with what Michele said…
But I also use Google reader and a lot of times I won’t click on the sites that don’t offer full feeds… I just ignore them unless the subject really catches my attention.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Like #2, I only comment when I feel that there is something to add. I’ve only got so much time in which I check all my feeds, and commenting on everything for commenting sake isn’t good for my time management.
Generally my reading process goes like this:
* Read article
* Decide if article might have interesting supplemental comments
* If so, preview (see below) site and read comments
* Decide if I think that I can add anything to the discussion
* Post comment if necessary
Whether you use full feeds or partial feeds, it doesn’t alter that decision making process. (Although, for a site using partial feeds, I have to really like their content to not drop them)
I do like to use the GreaseMonkey user script that adds IFrames into google reader. This is handy for seeing full feeds, seeing comments, and commenting without having to actually leave the google reader interface. Anybody interested can find it here: http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/9455
December 4th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Hmm. I don’t have anything new to say, I just want to leave a comment that will somehow persuade you to stick with the full feeds because they are sooooo nice!
Unfortunately, the only thing I can think of to add is: “FEWER comments. Comments are countable, therefore, fewer not less!” =)
December 4th, 2007 at 9:06 am
I prefer full feeds because I can figure out if I have something to contribute. Beware partials–if the first part doesn’t look interesting, I’ll move on…
December 4th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Like Mrs. Micah said, if the very beginning of a partial feed doesn’t interest me, I’m much less likely to click through to read the rest of it. But with a full feed, I’m more likely to at least skim it.
But I also feel like you haven’t been posting as much lately.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:59 am
r,
Geez,… For some reason I can’t keep “fewer” and “less” straight! I’ll do better from now on.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Awww, it’s surprisingly comforting to see it changed! Thanks!
No worries on mixing them up – it was one of my father’s pet peeves when I was growing up, so at this point it just sounds wrong to me when they’re backwards. But there are plenty of other things that bother other people that I mix up all the time (who vs whom, for example…). And that versus which. I’m trying to work on that one.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
r,
Well, I couldn’t let an error like that coexist on a blog of perfection. LOL!
My biggest pet peeve is when people use “then” in place of “than.” I’m sure they do it because they spell it the way they say it or hear it but it still gets on my nerves.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Feedburner allows you to include the comment count at the end of each article in your feed. Not sure if you use that, but it could help interaction a bit.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I’d strongly suggest only a partial feed, especially if you want comments, and more ad impressions.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Partial feeds get partial attention. You have to write a strong opening to get enough interest to encourage the click through. Otherwise, you could write a strong intro, but aggravate people to see poor content.
Likewise, a full feed needs to encourage discussion. If it’s only going to get “good read” “good article” “cool” or similar comments, then is the “extra” commenting worth it?
December 5th, 2007 at 12:19 am
Zen,
By “comments” I meant thoughtful contributions to the discussion. I think that’s what makes a blog work. I can’t tell you how many times I have read a comment to one of my posts and thought, “Wow! I never thought about it like that before.”
I may be the one writing the blog, but I’m also learning a lot from my readers.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:20 am
lorax,
Are you joking?
I’m not thinking about switching back to partial feeds. I was just making an observation that it seemed like the level of comments dropped off after I switched to full feeds.