I have no idea what it would even show me. I know some people say they've seen people find their blog by Googling something totally irrelevant and a little bizarre. Sometimes even creepy. Strangely this might be the best reason for me to click on the tab - that's fun information. Other people talk about traffic to their blog and throw around numbers about visitors and page views and other scary items. I don't know if the numbers could tell me anything - is there a baseline comparison I should know about?
Sadly, I just don't care.
Why? Probably because in my day job (teaching), I'm constantly collecting and analyzing data. I'm looking for connections and trying to find teaching methods that will help the kids learn better. I collect, mark, collate, analyze & interpret, and plan accordingly. Then do it all over again. For every subject I teach.
I blog for fun - stat checking sounds a little too much like work. I think.
Do you check stats? Should I check stats? If so, what in the world should I be looking for???
121 comments:
I have a stat counter, but I rarely think to look at it. I check the one on my website more often than my blog.
Diane - I don't have a website, but I've just never bothered to learn what to look for. Maybe one of these days! :)
I have StatCounter as well but I only check it sporadically. It's not that big of a deal for me.
One thing is cool is to see the popular or most visited posts on your blog.
Some of the search terms people use to find your blog can be entertaining too. A funny search term I saw once was "How to Deal with Crazy Writers" LOL.
Karen - It's not a big deal for me either - obviously. :)
I didn't know it would show you most popular posts - although I guess comments would tell you the same thing.
I do think I have to check out the search terms though - I love that one!!! :)
I don't "do" anything to check stats but when I began blogging I signed up for a stats counter and it sends me an email once a week which tells me how many people visit each day. I glance at that email, see the results and move on with my day.
Terra - I guess that way you could compare week to week. Although I never blog the same amount of times per week, and I don't have a regular schedule, so I don't know if that would tell me much either! :)
Thanks for the tip :)
I have a stat counter, but I only check it once in a blue moon. My most popular post is one I wrote about Space Mountain- weird.
I have a stat counter, too, but don't really use it. It's not about collecting followers with this blog, it's the talking about writing and life and books with others who are interested in the same thing. *shrugs* I guess it's more important to keep up with that if you're trying to build a platform (like for non-fiction) or running a book review blog.
Mary
Stephanie - that is weird! I would have thought maybe one of the ones on the unrest in Egypt for your more recent ones! I'll have to check & see what mine is ... one of these days! :)
Mary - excatly!!! I blog for fun - and to make connections with other writers who 'get it'! I've learned so much from blogs - just not from the numbers :)
Oh dear. *hides face behind arm*. I love looking at my blog stats. At the risk of sounding sad, I find it fascinating the way the graph shoots up when I've published a new blog post. I'm continually perplexed by the apparent fascination by some people for one or two posts from over a year ago. And it doesn't make blogging feel like work. For me it just adds to the fun.
Rosalind - there's nothing sad about it! I've just never bothered! I'll have to check it out to see if I can find the fun! :)
I've tried to keep track of stats several different ways and check my website ranking - none of them seem to match! So, I don't know what to follow...
Alex - It's been a while, but when I looked at Stat Counter I wasn't quite sure what I should be comparing to. And I didn't know there was such a thing as website ranking! Sounds scary... :)
I've not bothered with stats for my blog! I guess it's cos I'm rubbish at being analytical and anything that involves numbers, graphs, funny squiggly lines and pie charts just throws me off my equilibrium! LOL!! That and I'm lazy!
So YAY for teachers!!!! Take care
x
Old Kitty - you crack me up!!! I kind of like graphs and charts, but I think I'm on a bit of overload from work at the moment! :)
You're most definitely not lazy ... Charlie now? Maybe! :)
Wow, Jemi, good for you! I know so many writers obsessed (possibly me at one point!) with their stats-especially if they are waiting to hear back from editors and/or agents. It's fun to see how everyone finds you. Recently, someone got a tattoo of a rat from Omar Rayyan's illustrations of Nightshade City, which I posted about on my blog. I can't tell you how many people find my blog googling "Rat Tattoo"! Too funny! ;)
xoxo -- Hilary
I check my stats once in a while but not on a regular basis. I get tired of the numbers thing too.
Hilary - that is hilarious! I'm definitely going to have to check out how people find me! :)
How cool is it that one of 'your' rats is now a tattoo!!!
Susan - I think I'd enjoy it (I do like numbers!) more if teaching wasn't such a numbers game like it is right now! :)
Hello Jemi,
Aha, yes stats. Now then, I've just added to your stats that you might not check, but it will indicate that I live in England, 61 miles away from myself :-)
Of course, the blogger 'dashboard' now has a stat section. The most hits I have received by far are on a posting I did about 'horse manure'. Maybe that says something about my writing.
So yes I check my stats. What you might want to look for is the key words that brought someone to your fabulous site.
Take care eh,
Gary.
Gary - horse manure??? Really??? That's hysterical! I love these connections - I'm really going to have to look that up. I hate to think what kinds of things people have looked up ... and found me :)
Yes, seriously! :-) My second biggest inquiry relates back to a posting I did about a nursery rhyme about 'Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross'. I get a lot of folks 'googling' 'cock' and 'horse' and ummm.....they visit that posting for like zero seconds! :-) Hmmmmm.....
Gary - so funny! I'm more than a little afraid to check what they're searching now!
And I'm NOT going to follow your lead into the nursery rhyme world - at least not with that rhyme! :)
I will sometimes look at the stats tab on blogger. Apparently the most popular post I've written is Who Says 12 Year Old Boys Don't like kissing, it was about a comment a twelve year old boy said to me about why it took Percy Jackson so long to kiss the girl.
I don't have one but will certainly look the up.
Most interesting.
Yvonne.
Anita - sounds like a good post! I've had a few kids comment the same thing to me! :)
Yvonne - it is interesting! I usually like facts and stats and comparing - but I haven't done it with the blog. So many others have, I think it's time I got into it! :)
I had stat counter for awhile, the free one that just counted views on the blog. Then when Blogger added the stat feature, I removed the stat counter and use Blogger's which is much nicer and right there on the blog.
Hi Jemi -
I have Sitemeter, which tells me how many people come to my blog each day, where they come from, and how they found me.
I get a report every week in my email, but other than that I don't check it often.
Susan :)
I like looking at stats every once and a while, but I don't know what to do with the information. ? I did notice that when I did one post about my cake story I had a hit from Hobokon New Jersey home of "The Cake Boss" I was all like I wonder Buddy was reading my blog...
Karen - so they do the same thing? These are things I probably should know! :) I'm going to try to carve out a little time to check things out. One day...
Susan - I think from the email report, the numbers would make sense after a bit. I do like seeing patterns and making connections! Maybe I'll check that one out :)
Sharon - now THAT's a cool piece of information. Maybe I'll have to do a cake post to attract Buddy too! :) I'd like to see him do a steampunk cake!
I think that's my problem with looking at the stats too - what do I do with the information???
I could care less but my husband has a website and he finds the stats the most interesting part, go figure. I have a feedjit widget as I like to see where my commenters are coming from.
I think blogger was trying to keep up with all the cool people-trackers available.
Denise<3
I have a status counter too and can't remember the last time I check it. LOL
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Denise - I think a lot of people are like your hubby! I do like numbers and patterns, so I'll probably get hooked once I look.
That sounds like a fun widget to have - I'll look into it :)
Mason - it's funny, isn't it! I was so excited to add it at the time, but I very quickly fell out of the habit of checking it :)
Jemi, I'm living the data driven educator's life as well. Looking at graphs and numbers makes me cross-eyed.
Shelley
Shelley - isn't it nuts? There's so much data sometimes I feel like I'm drowning! So the last thing I want is more! :)
I check mine about once per month. I like to see which posts are the most popular so I can see what folks like best.
Kari - that's a good idea. I've never actually thought of doing that - but it sounds like I should be! :)
Really, the only stats I see on a regular basis are how many views I get per day as the day goes on. That's helpful to know what kinds of posts readers are the most interested in. But I don't do anything beyond that.
I do sometimes, but only really to just see what's up and down. I don't use it for anything ;o) True, if I did it all day I wouldn't want to when I'm not at work either!!
I check it to see which posts are most popular so I can make them all like that, or try anyway ;o) Give the people what they want, ya know? It's fun to see ;o)
Hi Jemi .. have no idea re a stat counter .. I guess I should have some idea .. but for the moment I blog for fun and to learn so many lessons .. another here ..
Thanks - love the stories .. horse manure etc .. and cheers and enjoy Spring and looking at Stats! Hilary
I used to check stats, using Stat Counter. I use Google Analytics now (also free), but all I usually check are my visits. I have a lot of lurkers, so I'm interested in seeing just a ballpark figure of who came by. No time to do more!
Laura - I just judge that by the comments, but yyou're right the page hits could help too :)
Erica - I should have a look and see which posts are big - I know at the time by the # of comments, but I forget! :)
Hilary - thanks! I blog for fun too - but I always feel like I should be doing more. Just my personality, I think - trying to do as much as I can! :)
Elizabeth - now that IS interesting. I'm assuming Google Analytics is different from the blogger stats, I'll check that out one day. It is a time issue with me too - I need more of it! :)
I check mine for two reasons. Firstly, I find it interesting to see what's popular--I provide a lot of writing tips, and it steers me towards areas my followers are interested in.
Secondly, people find me through some hilarious searches, and I love checking them out. In the last two days:
"Aren't villains so much more interesting"
"What does muahaha mean".
I occasionally look at my stats, but only if someone else blogs about looking at theirs. Then I wonder what mine are looking like. Guess I'll be checking out my stats later today.
: )
I do, but I'm not really smart with it. I can tell how many pageviews I've had (and that's what I like most), but beyond that it's not too clear.
I think you've got the idea, though. Blogging for fun is one of the best motivators! If you're enjoying yourself, then it doesn't matter if others do... but it's likely they will!
I don't have one. Though, I'm a little creeped out that someone with a brand new blank blog, following nobody else, began following me a week or so ago. Maybe I should get a stat thing and see if I can figure out who it could be...
I've never checked them either. Like you, it's just a ho-hum thing to me. :-)
I used to check a lot more than I do now. Weeks go by before I have a look!
I used to look at the Google stats everyday and they were kind of interesting. Now I rarely look at them since I never really made much sense out of how they could help me--I'm sure they can and I would like to know, but I don't take the time to research that topic.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Amie - those are great searches! I'm definitely going to have to check this out :)
You've got some good reasons here - definitely swinging towards looking at stats!
Susanne - that's so funny! That's exactly what prompted me to think about all this too! :) I'll probably join you - but it won't be until this weekend!
Janna - thanks! :)
I think I'll probably check it out just to see what's what, but it probably won't be on a regular basis :)
Tara - that's a good idea. I've gotten some weird Anonymous stuff posted on old blog posts lately too. I've just deleted it all, but I wonder if it's the same person.
Karen - I think it might drive me crazy if I look at it often too - but I'm getting tempted to at least have a peek! :)
Shannon - yay! Another one for the non-checking group :)
Talli - so it doesn't sound like I'm missing much! But it does sound like it's worth having a look now and again :)
Lee - that's me too. I don't really know what I'm looking for so I'm pretty sure I won't find anything helpful - interesting though so I'll probably check it out :)
Janet - I don't know why Blogger won't let you comment either - I copied it in here. A few people have had troubles recently!
"So I don't know why my computer won't let me comment on your blog, but I do read it. And I was laughing about your attitudes about Stats. I don't blame you. If you don't care, I wouldn't waste the time looking. I admit thought, I look all too often. I'm always curious to see if anyone is actually reading what I write. And then I wonder how they found my blog . . . and then I wonder what posts are more interesting
for my readers than others . . . it's all about curiousity. I don't
actually DO anything with the stats. :)
(me again) - I didn't even know until very recently that it could tell you how people find a blog - that sounds like fun information :)
I'm embarrassed to say I do. I want to see if one type of post got more traffic than another, or where the clicks came from (Twitter for example) that sort of thing. But finding those weird searches really is my favorite part.:D The important thing is the personal connection my blog gives me with others though.
Lisa - why would you be embarrassed? I think it's the smart thing to do - I just don't have a clue!!!
You can tell if the person visited from Twitter? Maybe I should tweet about my posts... I really have so much to learn!! :)
You have a fabulous connection with your readers Lisa - you're SO friendly and sweet and fun!
I did at first when I started querying to see if any New York hits were showing up. Lately I've completely forgotten about it. Now for me it's about the conversation more than the number. And that's a good thing, yes? :o) <3
Leigh - now that's a really smart idea!! I would never have thought of that :)
And you're so right - it's all about the people & the conversation - and I love it :)
I sogned up for Statcounter too. Haven't checked them in over a month. Stats a re kinda sorta important but I don't put too much stock in them. I do the best I can by visiting other blogs and by writing half way decent blogs (I think). That's all I can do.
i signed up for statcounter too and check it once in a blue moon--used to be a bigger deal for me when started blogging.
thanks for stopping by our blog :)
-michelle
Stephen - and you do it well! I do like numbers and graphs & analysis - but I think I'm just on overload right now! :) Maybe one day...
I think you're approaching blogging very well!
Michelle - you're welcome - it's a great place! :)
It sounds like a few people checked it more often when they started blogging - seems like a trend! :)
hi jemi! for me i went one time to look when someone told me about it. my most big hits was on my post go fly a kite. ha ha. i didnt ever look cause it doesnt matter so much and mostly i just like blogging for fun and not for that stat stuff.
...hugs from lenny
Lenny - I blog for fun too! But I think it might be fun to find out how people find my blog - sounds like there's some pretty crazy searches at times! :)
Jen - exactly - I don't imagine I'd ever start worrying about the numbers, but I mihgt like to check out what they say at least! :)
Welcome! :)
ah, I'm one of those bloggers who check their stats on a daily basis because I use the results to see what my readers like or not, what kind of stories bring me the most visitors, what attracts the most attention and similar. It is the most valuable piece of information if you have a PR approach to your blog and your own image as I do.
Those stats things have helped me reach almost 400,000 visitors so far and readers in 199 countries around the world.
Dez - that totally makes sense - especially if you're blogging daily. I blog when the mood strikes :)
Wow! Those are impressive numbers! I probably should put more effort into it, but for me, it really is about fun and connecting with other writers - the numbers aren't that big a deal I guess.
I do check stats, but only occasionally and it's usually only out of curiosity.
Lynda - that's exactly what will drag me there - curiousity - I'm never able to resist it... :)
I checked it a lot when I first got my Stat Counter, but I never look anymore, even when they send me a weekly email. At first it was fun to see how the page hits counter changed and (hopefully) grew from week to week.
Susan - that seems to be a pretty common pattern! :) My Stat Counter doesn't send me an email - must have missed that part... not a big surprise!
Nope, I never check my stats. I know I can somewhere. Interestingly, I teach dentists to check their stats for referrals from social media advertising, but don't do it myself. Maybe because I'm not making money (at least not yet) from blogging! Like you, it's for fun and connection with others.
Lynn - sounds pretty much like my attitude :)
Exactly - when you do it for part of the job - it's not so much fun anymore. Good point about the money part too! :)
Hi, Jemi! *waving* I used to OBSESS over them, but then they became my master and I, it's slave. I stopped altogether. I only go there once in a while to see who is presently on my blog: that part is fun to see. :)
♥.•*¨ Elizabeth ¨*•.♥
Elizabeth - I've heard of a few people saying that checking their stats was absorbing a lot of their time. Maybe that's why I've avoided them :)
I didn't even know it could tell you that information - I'm definitely going to check this out!
When I first got my website, I checked the stats all the time. Now I only do about once a month, partly to see if the general traffic levels are at least staying constant.
Back when I had 30 visitors a day, it was easy and fun to see where everyone was from and I enjoyed it. Now that I get over 1000 visitors a day, the stats actually tell me less.
Although it does crack me up that I'm still getting a ton of hits for my article on "dutch toe lickers" LOL
Sorry I'm late again.
I had a stat counter because someone told me I should (way back when). had no clue what I was looking at . It seemed like just another thing to obsess about so I ditched it.
I didn't start checking my 'stats' for over a year after signing up also. Not until I was sure I had 2 'stalkers' did I start checking. When I did I discovered I had '3'.. but one is cute and kind of shy, so I for give him. lol The other 2 are woman who I don't want to be friends with because well, they're not nice people. Anyway, now that I check my stats.. I'm kind of addicted to doing so. I may take them off just for that reason. Although it is interesting to see what 'search words' get my new and complete strangers to my blog and see 'if' they stay on for a minute or more. Also interesting to see which post are read the 'most'. That stat surprises me every month because it's never the 'post' I think is so great. lol Oh well!! :-) ~ Coreen xoxo
India - that's hilarious - dutch toe lickers - kinda tempted to search that now...
You're right that the small information gets kind of lost in the shuffle when you have so many visitors. I would assume 1000 is HUGE by the way!
Mary - that sounds like me - I really don't know what I'm looking for, but I think I'm going to peek and see what I find anyway :)
Coreen - I do worry about becoming addicted to the information - I tend to do things like that :)
That's a lot of fun stuff to learn - I'm definitely going to have a peek ... one day :)
And stalkers??? Now I'm scared!
I'm with you. I just don't think about stats. I know it's important to some touring authors. They want to know they're not wasting their time stopping by your blog. But unless someone asks for stats, I don't check them.
Helen - I hope no one asks - I'm not sure I know how to find!! :) Although I'm pretty sure it's not that hard to find!
I LOVE checking stat counter. I can tell what days I have the biggest hits and where people are from and those ridiculous search terms really do crack me up! I know all this data is supposed to be used to help me hone my content so I'm attracting more users and whatnot, but I only check em for fun.
I just don't have time to follow the stats. It's hard enough to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, the blogging, etc. I have fun with all this social networking, but following the stats isn't quite as entertaining. And, like you, I'm not sure what these numbers are supposed to mean or what I'm supposed to think about them. Yet part of me wonders if a should follow them. *sighs*
I also have a stat counter, but just for fun. I'm horrible at math and analysis and things of the number-persuasion :) I think it's cool to see where my readers are coming from. I've seen visitors from Dubai, Ireland, Japan, the Phillipines... it's just cool!
I do check stats, although I'm not obsessed about it anymore.
It's interesting to learn where people who visit your blog are from, which are the most popular posts and how's your blog going in terms of visits now and then.
You can learn a lot about your readers with the stats. It's hard not to get obsessed though!
nope, don't care for stats, mostly, and care even less for so-called 'awards'... all they are is popularity contests, saying nothing about a body of work....
Vicki - to me - that's probably the best way to do it! It sounds like there's lots of fun to have :)
Cynthia - let's not! I agree - I'm always so busy, it's impossible to consider adding anything else! And I haven't even joined Facebook!
Julie - that does souind like fun! I know which countries some of my bloggy friends come from, but not all of them. Sounds like a good thing to check!
Mari - I'll have to watch that! I don't have any time to get obsessed about anything! :) Does sound like there's some fun information though!
Laughing Wolf - true! The stats would probably be just for fun for me. The awards are fun too - just a note someone is thinking about you :)
As a fellow overloaded teacher, the stats checking sounds like one thing too many on the daily agenda. Yikes. That pile of papers to be graded is probably screaming louder than Stat Counter. What grade do you teach? I teach either 5th or 6th depending on the year.
Leslie - Exactly! You know what I'm talking about!
Kindred spirit here! This year I'm teaching a split 5/6 - great kids & lots of fun - just a LOT of data!! :)
I've looked at them on the odd occasion, but mostly to see what hiliarious searches pull up my blog. :D
Stina - I've really got to check out these searches! Sounds like it might be fun :)
This is funny...I've only checked the stats on the Blogger page a couple of times, and it showed that I received traffic from weird adult dating sites. WHAT? I have no idea how that whole thing works, so I don't bother with it anymore. I blog for fun, I chat with all you amazing writers for fun. No stats needed for that :D
Julie - really??? That is so weird!
I do the same - it's not about numbers for me - just connections and enjoyment! But I think I will check out those search items :)
Agreed! Worrying about your traffic and search phrases will make you crazy rather than keeping it fun. For me, using stat counter was a sure fire way to suck the enjoyment out of blogging. Glad you feel the same!
I use Google Analytics. I check it briefly. It's interesting to see what browsers people use, where my visitors are, and how they found my website.
Jackee - somehow I'm not surprised we have the same view of it :)
I think I'll check it out this weekend - just to see if I have crazy search terms though :)
Medeia - Everyone has a different reason for checking - and it seems like most people find it interesting. I'm going to have a peek this weekend :)
Hi, Jemi! Just stopped by again to let you know you won a book on my blog. Congrats! Hugs!
I check my stats every 6 mos or so, mostly because I think I should or something. And I'm a numbers person! I'm just not there to maximize my hits - maybe I should be, but if I'm going to stay in the game, it has to be something I love to do. And trying to reach some number goal isn't it.
It's all about the writing and friends for me.
Jackee - woohoo! Thanks so much - you're such a sweetie - I'll pop right on over! :)
Susan - exactly! I think for so many people, blogging is about the connections and the friendships and the numbers can be a fun added bonus for some - but not for others! :)
When I first signed up for stat counter I was obsessive about checking my numbers. Now I have it set to send me a Monday e-mailed report. The only time I go in now is to check the map to see if I'm reaching any new parts of the world. That's kinda fun.
Pat - I didn't realize Stat Counter would do that - but I don't think I'll bother. Since I looked at them for this post, I haven't felt the need to look again! :) I do like the map toy though - it's fun to find my Jemi searchers all over the world (too bad most of them aren't looking for me! :))
Post a Comment