Good day to you all, hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was very good as I managed to reach my goal of having seen 225 out of 250 movies out of the IMDB top 250 after I watched For A Few Dollars More. Knowing the list is constantly changing I’m sure I’ll drop below that number again, but I know I’ve reached it. Now onto the Monday Question.
I think that you’d agree with me that the most statisfying things about blogging is the interaction with other bloggers. For many it is the main reason they keep doing it and recently I’ve been thinking a bit about the subject, specificaly about likes and comments.
This week’s question:
What are your feelings about likes and comments?
You could see both of them as forms of appreciation of your work, but lately my thoughts on likes have changed drastically. As I visit quite a few blogs I noticed that there are bloggers who are present on a lot of blogs when it comes to likes, but who never leave any comments. It made me start wondering what a like really means. Does it mean they’ve read what you’ve written or that they just quickly scrolled down to the like button and moved on. If the last thing is the case then that like is totally useless. I have to admit that I quite often press the like button after reading something, but after thinking of this has slowly changed and I now try to leave comments with every blog I visit even if it’s just short. It’s a bit more effort, but I’ve noticed that you get more back when you do so.
What are your feelings about likes and comments?
I love both, but I prefer comments, of course. But I understand that sometimes there’s just no time to leave a comment or you dodn’t know exactly what to say. Sometimes I just “like” posts but I try to leave a comment every time, even if just to show my appreciation.
I have reduced the number of likes I do without comments, I usally add a comment to the like I’ve given 🙂 But I can understand you won’t comment each and everytime. Sometimes (especially if they are graphics or short posts it’s the perfect way to show appreciation.
Comments are vastly preferable to likes. A conversation is always better than a head nod, and I appreciate even a simple “Nice post!” more than a like. That said, I do appreciate likes as well if they come from somebody that I know is a genuine reader; if it’s somebody who usually comments but this time they haven’t, I just figure they don’t have anything more to say than “Nice post!” and that’s fine.
What does bug me are the ones that you’ve noticed, where they just like stuff and never say anything. They frequently follow the blogs, and like every post, and like every post on other peoples’ blogs, but they don’t say anything. And I don’t think they genuinely read the articles. There are some where I’ve gotten “likes” within seconds of the post being published. My reviews are usually over 1000 words in length — you can’t tell me somebody got through the whole thing that fast. I suspect it’s probably a form of spamming — hoping that having their Gravatar in the “Like” section will drive a few clicks their way.
Thanks for your lengthy comment 🙂
I think that is a important factor, whether it’s somebody you know who is a genuine reader. I’ve gathered a lot of followers I now know and appreciate their likes from, but clicking around through other sites I know a couple of people who are serial likers who are just out to “promote” their own blog without seemingly caring or reading what other bloggers have to say. I know the like within seconds and that’s easy to do with the reader, but I consider that spamming as well.
Congratulations on reaching your goal! That’s pretty impressive, I might take on the IMDB challenge next year perhaps.
I’m pretty guilty for simply leaving ‘Likes’ on posts, but I do genuinely read and enjoy such posts. I’ve never really thought about it, but I think I’ll try commenting more next time… But I do appreciate all ‘Likes’ and comments on my blog regardless!
Thanks a lot Patricia! I’ve been working on this for quite some time, so I have not watched all those this year, although I could have with all the movies I watch yearly 😉
Nice to hear your thoughts on the subject!
I appreciate both. It’s valid feedback, either way. Morgan’s thoughts on a conversation, via comment, being preferable are weighty, though. The sweet spot I believe is where you get similar numbers of likes and comments. It’s a rare thing, but certainly something you look and work for. Good subject, Nostra.
Exactly, I usually double up when I comment on other blogs and also leave a like. I know they can brighten up days! Thanks!
I love when I get both likes and comments, but comments are the best. I love being able to talk to other bloggers and become friends with them too. Likes are great and comments are awesome, but someone who likes and comments might just be the greatest person ever. 😛
Yeah, it’s awesome being able to get into conversations about whatever with other bloggers, it’s what makes it so much fun.
Admitadley, I used to be a serial “like”r. But a while back I decided that I must fully read the post before I “like” it.
As for comments I enjoy both getting and giving them.
What a confession 😉 Happy to hear you’ve changed your ways Victor 😉
I love both, but I always enjoy comments more. Here’s the thing, though. I am TERRIBLE at the social aspect of blogging (it’s incredible I even started doing it) which is why I tend to give more likes than comments on the posts I enjoy. However, the last couple of weeks the community has managed to draw me out of my shell a little (especially folks like you) and I’m trying to keep it up by commenting more.
Congrats on reaching your goal – that is a lofty one! And keep asking these questions…they really make me think.
The social aspect is what keeps me going and makes it so much fun. I remember when there would hardly be any readers even though I put quite a lot of work into my posts. When I became more active I got more visitors and likes and comments and I’m very grateful for the amount of subscribers to my blog and the amount of reactions I get to posts like this.
Nice to hear I’ve helped to draw you out of your shell! A great tip is just to click through to the sites of the other bloggers who have commented. They all have awesome blogs and are very social and fun to get to know.
I try my best to keep coming up with interesting questions every week and plan on sticking to it for a while!
Thanks for the tip! I actually see some familiar names scattered through here and you are right – there are awesome sites represented here.
Lindsey raises a great feature below with the “recommended reading” widget – I use it, too, so I can share posts I think my readers might like as much as I did (I especially love when they are differing opinions!).
I Don’t Like The Likes, But Not Everyone Is Going To Leave A Comment. So It’s At Least A Way To Find Out Who’s Actually Checking It Out.
And It Lets Me Read More From The People Whom I KNOW Read Me. Comments Are Great hehehe 🙂
Ya Know Ya Know?! 😉
-B.
I know! 😉
I don’t have a like button in my posts, it’s nice to have one. But I think it’s the same like one time a blogger mentioned my blog as one of the #FF on twitter that week because he liked my article, but the person did not leave any comments. It was a nice surprise. I think ‘like’ buttons just means they appreciated your post. Of course I like comments, especially when they felt sincere.
whoa, 225 from 250, just a little more! congrats on that one.
I’ve been thinking of disabling it, but decided against it because there are people who visit regularly (and sometimes comment) who can show their appreciation that way.
That’s a nice surprise indeed. I always like things like that 🙂
I’m not sure I will ever reach 250 and won’t set it as my goal, but will try to watch a couple of more which are high on the list. Even if the list changes they are usually very cool movies worth watching.
I like that 🙂
Having got that long-form like off my chest you’ve raised a really good subject.
I think it splits evenly – comments are good but think of many of the likes as an introvert’s way of saying ‘love your work’ – but I don’t feel confident that I have anything valid to add…but I’m here you know…
Yeah, I think that’s the case and not everyone has the time to leave comments, which is something I realise as well.
I hit “like” when I enjoy the post (and want to share it with my blog’s readers, since my “likes” are automatically sent to a “recommended reading” widget on the front page of my site). I go through my followed blogs on the WP reader twice a day to keep caught up and I actually do read it all, but I only like to comment if I feel like I have something substantive to say.
Wow, that’s a cool feature. I don’t use the WP reader much (unless I want to discover new sites) and do most of my reading through email.
I had this same thought when I was receiving likes and no comments. But, like my past obsession with states and view. I had to make myself stop stressing over it. Especially since I discovered other ways people were viewing my site that I had no clue about.
For me, I hit like to my blog friends so they know I stopped by, but only really leave a comment when I have something to comment. And, tend to think no matter how delusional the thought may be, everyone who visits my blog reads every words. haha. I like Lindsey’s idea. Need to look into that.
Yeah, never good to stress over something like a blog.
I think that you way of doing it sounds good, especially if you know the other blogger.
I Like posts when they’re good and cool, but I don’t have anything specific to say about them that hasn’t been said already by others. I assume that’s how people who like my posts operate as well, so it doesn’t bother me any. That said, I’ve never had any serial likers myself. That sounds like it could be a bit irritating after some time.
Nice to hear your thoughts on it. Yeah, it can be irritating if you notice it, but you only do so if you visit a lot of other blogs…
No like button on FRC, only comments which are cool to get. Nice article Nostra!!
Thanks a lot Scott!
Much prefer comments, naturally, but I understand that sometimes you read something and don’t necessarily know what to say. This of course only applies to us WordPress lot, those Blogspotters get comments or nothing! I do worry though that some of my ‘likes’ come from people who don’t actually read the article but just press it as they’re scrolling through the reader.
Maybe you’ve quickly entertained them with the few words they read during their scrolling and just hit the like because of that 😉
I don’t know about LIKES as I don’t use them (only on Facebook for me, where I think they are great for statuses and images etc.). For an article/film review I don’t think they as worthwhile. However, I do take a Twitter re-tweet as a kind of “like” – it doesn’t necessarily mean “agreement” but an appreciation of the content I suppose.
Yeah, I do find Twitter to be a great way to show your appreciation. On the other hand my feelings are not the same when it comes to reblogs which WordPress offers. I always thought it was a strange idea to do that.
Its tricky, because even though I love getting the ‘like’, whilst I want to believe that person has read my article, Im dubious and imagine some are just flying through their reader hitting the button. I normally try and comment if I feel I can add to the post, or even write a ‘great job’ kind of post, since I love getting even small comments like that. The extra few seconds someone takes to do it is nice and well appreciated. But if I ‘like’ something, even if I dont comment because I dont feel I can add to the conversation, I guarantee I have read the post 🙂
Yeah, I appreciate that effort as well, even if it is a small comment.
To be honest, I’ll take anything I can get. But what I like better than like and comments are shares. I’d much rather someone pass my work on to someone else than just click that they read it. That would be the real compliment.
Yeah, that is a big compliment indeed. Thanks for commenting Margaret!
I’m with Margaret on this one. For me it’s: like = scanned thru your post. comment = read your post. share = liked your post 😉
Nice DMan!
Great question Nostra! I have some bloggers who does that constantly, hitting the LIKE button without ever commenting and it makes me wonder if they really read it or not. For me, if I like a post enough, I usually leave a comment. But of course getting a LIKE is better than nothing, ahah.
Thanks Ruth! Maybe you should just ask them! I guess a like is better than nothing…it means someone at least glanced at your work 😉
Firstly, congratulations on hitting 225 of the IMDB Top 250. I’ve been working on watching them all but constantly get distracted by a huge mountain of other films I am looking forward to watching!
But on to the question: sometimes when people like my posts I do wonder if they have actually read it because some people just hit ‘like’ almost as soon as I’ve posted a new blog, surely they can’t have read it?! But sometimes I hit the ‘like’ button when I’ve read a blog but not posted a comment although since I have found out about these ‘floating likers’ (as I’ve decided to call them) I do try to leave a comment when I read a blog, even if it is just a short one, just to let the author know that I have appreciated what he or she has to say. I find comments to be a lot more enjoyable as they offer for a higher interaction with other bloggers and, if we’re honest, isn’t that why we write? Especially if those other blogs relate to the same subject as mine.
Thanks a lot, it’s something I really started focussing on last year, so I’m happy that I’ve made it this far!
Yeah, there are so many amazing bloggers out there, so it’s always a great thing when they leave a comment and you can connect on some passion you both share.
I prefer to leave comments but I do leave likes quite a bit – sometimes the topic is something I don’t have much to say on or it’s a review for something I want to see but haven’t and I like that they take the time to post the article but I don’t read the whole thing because I don’t want any spoilers (I always read at least the first couple of paragraphs though). I’m fine with anyone liking or commenting over at my site. Just the fact that people are taking the time to stop by my place whether they read or scan is cool with me!
I’m like that as well when it comes to spoilers, so I’ll quickly scan through it or just say I did in the comments and that I’m looking forward to it.
Congratulations on reaching your goal this week!
I’m happy with people leaving a like or commenting on my blog. It’s pleasing to see the number of likes and comments growing and it means a lot that people are taking the time to read and think about my blog. As a blogger I find that reading comments and posting back is a good way of finding new insights into a movie, helping me to pick up on things I might otherwise have missed. I always make sure that I read something before I ‘like’ it.
Thank you Natalie!
Yeah, that growth is fun to see and very flattering for your ego 😉 I’ve learned quite a bit about details I’ve missed in movies through other bloggers as well.
Of course I love comments as much as anyone else, but actually I love likes as well. They’re like hugs to me. It’s a gesture of love, without words, and it really warms my blogging heart whenever I receive one.
Nicely put Jessica, I will now see them as hugs in the future 🙂
If i like a post then i will put a like, if i have something to say i will put a comment. Other than that i quite like the comments to start a conversation if they are for my posts 😀
Hahaha, I think you are not the only one who likes that Tim 🙂
Great question, Nostra, this is something I have often wondered myself. I try to comment whenever possible, but if I am in a hurry or have nothing useful to say, I will “like” instead. However, there are definitely a lot of people who “like” and never leave comments, which leads me to believe they don’t actually read the posts. But hey, I suppose them clicking to my post will help generate ad revenue a tiny bit, so I can’t complain too much. 🙂
Thanks Eric. It is weird that people would only do that and spend so much time on doing so, but I do see it happening. I guess it might help a bit 🙂
I’m wondering though, how do you generate ad revenue with your blog?
I signed up for the WordAds program. I’m not getting much revenue, but it’s still worth it to me since the ads aren’t very intrusive. As far as I can tell, the only ads shown are embedded videos at the bottom of new posts.
So what kind of money are you looking at, only a couple of dollars or more?
Not too much yet. Like $10-15/month.
I try to comment as much as I can but like some other people have suggested, a like for me means I read the post and I liked it, but nothing really substantial to add. Great question.
Thanks, commenting is the most rewarding I think (especially for the one wrote the post)
I hear your concerns on this. I often worry that a ‘like’ is just a throwaway thing and that the person has not even read what I have written. But I actually think that most people who like it have actually taken the time to read it and enjoy it. That’s my approach. I read plenty of blogs that I don’t ‘like’, save that for those that I am genuinely impressed with.
I guess you are write, there are always some rotten apples who misuse the system, but the most will be genuine.
Didn’t know you could do this ‘like’ thing. Is this just for WordPress blogs? Either way it’s always nice to hear people’s feedback. It’s great to see numbers of visitors but it would be great if every single person that read a post just left even one word comments like ‘nice’ or ‘rubbish’. Just to know somebody read it is the nice thing.
Yeah, I think it is a WordPress thing, but maybe Blogger has something similar (I don’t know the platform that well).
I love comments, both leaving them and getting them 🙂 You have to know that movie blogs usually get less comments than some other ones, but they get more visits at the same time. Most people who like reading film news or reviews don’t comment. That is why there are so little film blogs and sites with a lot of comments. The comments usually come from other site or blog owners.
I see you have a lot of comments like my own blogs, which means that you get it right and that you probably return the love and visits, which is always lovely, but quite rare in this web world of ours 🙁
Yeah, I know movie blogs are a little different and the interaction comes more from other movie bloggers, which I love, because they know as much (or even more) about the subject.
I enjoy both. I’m guilty of liking tons of posts, but I only like posts I read…and only posts about movies I’ve seen / plan to see.
I think likes work as a good way to show you enjoyed it, even when you can’t think of anything to comment.
So you do quite a bit of reading I guess 🙂 I wish I had as much time for it…the number of unread emails in my mailbox is always an issue….
Sorry I’m so late to this one Nostra. I’ve a helluva backlog to get through. In answer to your question, I often press the like button whenever I visit. If I have time I’ll comment but a lot of my blogging is done on the go so its not always possible. Sometimes I don’t even have anything worth contributing so the like button is my way of quickly appreciating their work.
No problem, the door is always open 😉
I see, so it does seem more people do use the like for a valid reason.
Personally, i prefer comments than likes because to me, at least i know that someone reads my blog and that with their comments, somehow it kind of boost and encourages me to keep on blogging. But somehow, a like will be good if the person has nothing to comment. Anyway, i just want to give a thumbs up for your filmviews and i enjoy reading your blog posts! Thanks for the critical filmviews! (Y)
Yeah, they are better, but then again likes do show people appreciate what you have done. And comments are motivating indeed. If I wouldn’t have any I probably would have stopped a long time ago. Thanks for the thumbs up!
I obviously love to get them but I don’t hinge my site on them. I would still find the time to write with or without an audience. I go out of my way to spread the love through likes and comments on other sites, so maybe I am looking for some karma?
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