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Blog Lurking
Did you ever notice how few people comment on blogs? It is estimated that 90%+/- of users are considered “lurkers” and don’t participate in the conversation and only a mere 1% are considered “active participants.” Even some of the most well-read blogs receive a relatively small % of comments. I receive a ton of comments about my blog through emails, phone calls, and face-to-face communication, but very few people post a comment directly on the blog. I am the slightest bit disturbed to learn that many of my audience are considered “lurkers” by orgs like Nielsen, but that’s a conversation for another post. Seriously…why do you suppose this is? Humans love to interact. Do you think the 1% of active users are the people that you can’t get to shut up in the physical world? Or are they the somewhat reserved people who find the blogosphere a safe medium to express opinions? Is there a “blog hump” that we all need to get over? In other words, once you comment once and see you survived the experience, you are more likely to post again. Is it fear based? Since most posts are allowed to be anonymous, I am not sure this is the driving force. Is there such thing as “blog virginity” where users are saving their first time for a special, more meaningful interaction?
What do you think?
April 6th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Well, I don’t know about blog virginity (although that made me laugh), but I do know that when I comment I want to be able to add value to the conversations.
For example, I loved the Turd on the Table post with Dan Lyons. I emailed the link, I even Twittered it to my network. But I didn’t really have anything to say besides, “haha! that’s funny!” so I didn’t leave a comment.
Maybe that’s part of the lurking phenomenon? Of course, now that I’ve revealed myself and come out from the shadows, I’ll retreat back to my cave.
April 6th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
kelli – i hope your post was a memorable first time. if you read blogs and twitter then it’s time to permanently come out of the cave! you are way too cool to be lurking and the blogosphere needs your perspective. sing it loud. sing it proud.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:36 am
My husband & I were just talking about this! We are both blog virgins. He didn’t really understand why people blog & what to do or say to respons. I, on the other hand, fear looking stupid in my response! I often email the links of blogs I enjoy to friends too. I also use your words to talk to others to try to sound smart!
April 7th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
lisa, well you just lost your blog virginity! thanks for doing it here. i highly doubt you would ever look stupid. sharing perspectives doesn’t have a right or wrong answer. it’s all about your insight. the only time i think people look stupid is when they have a tone of arrogance in their communication. something tells me that will never be an issue for you. now go tell your husband it’s time for him to get over the blog hump!
April 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Some interesting theories here. Forrester calls these non-engagers, ‘spectators’: http://tinyurl.com/2vv3dv
My prior commenting fear was due to the fact that what’s posted on the web never dies. I’ll have to live with all my comments for the rest of my life!
Oh well, over it.
April 14th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
sonciary — something tells me now that you are over the hump, you will be commenting up a storm. just what you need…more web 2.0 activity to consume your life!
April 16th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Yeah, I’ve been over it for a while what with all the pre-launch blogger seeding.
Soon you’ll see me all crazy in a YouTube interview blubbering about how I can’t remember life before the social web.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Do you think that having an option to post a private comment to the blogger would get more people to comment in general?
A private comment would take the place of an email but would increase blog interaction – maybe a baby step to full participation? Or do you think people are just more comfortable with email right now?
April 17th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
tom — i want to make sure i understand your question. when you say “private comment” do you mean “annonymous comment” or a comment that only the person blogging would see? most blogs today allow for annonymity. although you usually need to post a name it could be something completely made up. i assume a private comment to the blogger would mean only the blogger would see it and then i’m not sure how that would increase participation. let me know what you are thinking. i appreciate your perspective and look forward to the insight.
kel