And hopefully you have the answers! Come inside to help me analytically!
Heh heh! I said, "ANAL!"
Well, I have a few questions for people out there on the interwebz that come visit my blog, whether ritually, occasionally, or for the first time. It's mostly due with how you consume this site. I don't want to set up one of those web surveys and give out information, etc .. so I'm hoping people will comment down below. You can do it anonymously .. I certainly don't mind. Answer all or some, either way it'll give me a good idea how and why you keep coming back.
The questions are as follows:
Are you visiting the blog through your cell phone, tablet, or computer?
If Cell Phone or Tablet:
- If you use a phone or tablet, do you have any trouble reading the caption?
- Does the blog look and function properly for you, and is it easy to access what you want/need?
Do you have me bookmarked, or do you search out the site on a search engine?
Or do you go to another TG site and click on my link there? If so, which site?
How did you find out about this blog? Search Engine, Rachel's Haven, another TG blog or site?
How often do you visit this site? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Do you just look at the most recent post or go back a week, or however long since the last visit?
If there is one thing you could change about this blog, or something you'd like to see more of, feel free to leave that information in the comments too!
So the question you might have for me is, "Why are you asking?" Well, Google for some reason sent me analytics for like the first time in quite a while, and I was curious as to some of the data.
Well, I found out that 2.5 times more people view my site on a mobile device than a desk/laptop! I would never have thought this as cellphones and such tend to be less secure, and have a much smaller screen to view both what I've wrote AND the captions themselves. I've recently thought about making the captions more like 1500 pixels wide instead of the standard 1200 pixels. I would think that this would make it even harder to get the whole gestalt of the caption itself if people are zooming in and scrolling to see the text. Then again, this is Google's Analytics which deals more with the search engine side of things. Still though, it's a pretty big swing from just a few years ago.
It also might explain why people don't comment as much. Perhaps they don't want to type or speak out loud what they want to say. A blog like this one really does thrive when I'm getting feedback.
The other thing that stood out is that around 10 percent of the searches for this blog were considered first time impressions. So either you heard about me and wanted to find the site, or perhaps looked for a TG caption image and came across mine. If this is true, I would certainly like to up my SEO game a bit if I can.
Many of the other questions are self-explanatory. If many of the people are coming from another site, then I definitely want to reach out to them and thank them for the links, and maybe we can work together on something that fans of both places might like. The amount of time in between visits is also interesting to me as I'm never sure if ONE post every day or two is better for people than say posting 5 captions once a week, and how many posts should be listed on the front page.
THERE YOU HAVE IT! Not exactly a fact-filled or fun-filled posting, but it would be very helpful if I got many replies back from you the readers. This is all so I can figure out ways to make this blog and even better experience for you to come visit and take your mind off of reality and read interesting TG captions with like minded people.
Are you visiting the blog through your cell phone, tablet, or computer?
ReplyDeleteDesktop Computer. Occasionally on my iPad.
If Cell Phone or Tablet:
If you use a phone or tablet, do you have any trouble reading the caption?
When I use the iPad I’m generally focused on the post and will look at the cap itself later on the desktop.
Does the blog look and function properly for you, and is it easy to access what you want/need?
Yeah. But then again, I’m using a desktop browser on the iPad, so it’s the same thing as on the desktop!
Do you have me bookmarked, or do you search out the site on a search engine?
Or do you go to another TG site and click on my link there? If so, which site?
I use the links on my own site. When I see you pop up to the top, I head on over and peek… maybe post.
How did you find out about this blog? Search Engine, Rachel's Haven, another TG blog or site?
Rachel’s Haven (we’ve heard that story before… I’m the puppy dog that followed you to the Haven then over here to the big scary blogging web!)
How often do you visit this site? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Most often a few times a week, but my time online is erratic so my viewing time is erratic.
Do you just look at the most recent post or go back a week, or however long since the last visit?
Consume. Everything.
If there is one thing you could change about this blog, or something you'd like to see more of, feel free to leave that information in the comments too!
To be honest, I liked it when it had a darker theme. Nothing ‘wrong’ with the white and purple, but I try my best to dark mode everything, and then I get to the gothy fun sometimes dark Dee’s Deelusions Of Grandure and it’s a bit of a shock to be all bright and stuff. Other than that… nope. Don’t change a thing!
I'll comment later with my own thoughts on the mobile/desktop information and how I'm processing it.
If I can find a darker theme that has the features that this one does, I'll probably change to it at some point. The old one had just grown .. old.
DeleteThanks for your response. I look forward to your thoughts on mobile V desktop.
And right now, I'm encouraged by what I'm reading in the comments!
access: Desktop
ReplyDeleteI bounce thru a handful of blogger sites. I don't know which one was first.... I probably found you in one of the side links with a thumbnail.
I come whenever I see a new one... and read anything new.
So glad to hear from you again. I know you've been commenting here and there for a number of years now!
DeleteI am heartened by those who say they do check out older captions if they haven't visited in a week or two. I was/am afraid that once a post leaves the front page, it for all intents and purposes, vanishes from site and sight.
When I'm home I use my old desktop....when I'm away I use my Ipad....Rarely but sometimes my phone...
ReplyDeleteOn the PC and Ipad I've never noticed any real difference....however the phone screen is really too small to appreciate the caps....
I have your blog bookmarked only on the PC...
I always can tell when you put up a new post when you pop to the top as Caitlyn says...so I most often hit your blog from one of mine....
I first found your blog through Leeanne....and I miss her very much!!!
I stop by pretty frequently....I leave comments on lots of your posts and I love to come back and read your replies!!!
I frequently time travel on your blog....if there's nothing new I like to poke around in the older posts!!!
And I honestly wouldn't change a thing....I love it just as it is!!!
Hope this helps
Kisses
Kaaren
Most of the comments are reaffirming my opinion that people on desktops and such are more likely to comment, though there is one below that begs to differ!
DeleteI miss Leeanne too. Maybe she'll pop on here again someday soon. I am not sure what I would say to her, other than "Welcome back!"
Thanks for the response! It's been helpful and all these answers will hopefully point me towards where I want to go with the blog; what to keep doing and what might be in for a change.
Yes, Mistress Dee. I hope my homework is to your satisfaction. I tried so hard not to be tardy. :)
ReplyDelete>Are you visiting the blog through your cell phone, tablet, or computer?
I generally stop by on my laptop
> Do you have me bookmarked, or do you search out the site on a search engine?
Bookmarked and followed in my Blogger Reading List
> How did you find out about this blog? Search Engine, Rachel's Haven, another TG blog or site?
Oh, godddess, I have no idea. I tend to find most of the blogs I follow through comments on other blogs (I look to see if interesting commentors have their own blogs) or through the list of blogs followed by that blog
> How often do you visit this site? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Daily (more or less). I tend to be a bit lazy on the weekends.
> Do you just look at the most recent post or go back a week, or however long since the last visit?
I always start at the most recent post then go back and check any I might have missed
> If there is one thing you could change about this blog, or something you'd like to see more of, feel free to leave that information in the comments too!
Just a thought, but it's been 6 months since Ariel retired her Starz Caption Contests. I know you probably have enough going on with the Haven, but maybe the occasional contest on a theme or different takes on an image? Other than that, don't change a thing - loving you any more could be dangerous. :)
You get an A+ Sally, but only as long as you polish my apple!
DeleteI think you've been around long enough to know I did the DIY Challenge awhile back. I stopped it because I felt it was being the posts were being ignored, when people put a good amount of effort into crafting something. It was a shame, but any DIY post would get about half as many views as a normal post, and they often took twice as much effort as I was making captions for those who just posted the story too. I might try one out again soon, maybe for Valentine's Day or something like that, to see if it would draw more people in both creating and viewing said captions after they were posted.
Hi Dee,
ReplyDeleteI read your blog allot but I guess still a newbie. I comment rarely but here goes because In recent years I’ve come to appreciate the value of surveys both as the recipient and participant.
If Cell Phone or Tablet:
iPhone X add the blog works perfectly. Picture dimensions render nice and clear and there’s always the ability to clicks on them zoom and rotate but I rarely need to do that.
Do you have me bookmarked, or do you search out the site on a search engine?
Bookmarked in my blogger profile.
Or do you go to another TG site and click on my link there? If so, which site?
No.
How did you find out about this blog? Search Engine, Rachel's Haven, another TG blog or site?
Google searched but can’t remember the exact words I entered over a year ago.
How often do you visit this site? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Daily.
Do you just look at the most recent post or go back a week, or however long since the last visit?
Recent and occasion go back to the previous few because the comments you get are great to read also.
If there is one thing you could change about this blog, or something you'd like to see more of, feel free to leave that information in the comments too!
I cannot think of anything to change but do keep making them and what’s also great is the explanation you give and the videos.
The switch to apps on phones or tablets is reflected in tech sales these days too. Folk just ain’t buying new laptops in the same numbers as before then there the phablet phenomenon so tablet sales are in question. Of course desktop/personal computer market crashed years ago.
Don’t worry about the numbers of pixels in your captions the recent or modern cell phone screen tech in can handle it no problem.
I agree Feedback is important. It’s strange people don’t comment as much on your blog, but there are some I follow and the comments are even less so don’t worry about it but these days and generally folk comment allot on other platforms: insta, twtr or whatever is flavor of the time - you get the idea - and I’m not saying you need to move to those either.
It’s great your getting 10% of searches as first timers. A high result in my opinion. I don’t know how much about SEO sorry.
Hopefully my answers are helpful
Reading your TG captions blog (and comments) is a great escape from reality with like minded people.
Thanks / Aidan.
I am so glad that you come back to look at the comments. That is something that I was worried about. I try to reply back to anything someone will leave in this section that is anything more than "good caption!" And the comments and other's replies are often the best thing about the post!
DeleteAnd thank you for your thorough response, especially since you are a mobile user. I would never think to view my blog on a cell phone or tablet as I don't nearly have it locked down as well as I do my desktop.
And also thank you for enjoying the write-ups and the videos. I pride myself on creating captions I think are different from most others, and want to show others the thought process as I'm creating each one, and why I made certain choices. Building a community is something I'm keen on as well, and I effort to get people involved and engaged. The caption, the write-up and the video all put forth a coherent and interesting (hopefully!) thing that makes people come back and want to read more, or make their own captions or write their own fiction.
Once again, thank you so much for your helpful response!
Mobile v Desktop
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure what exactly to believe as I got an email from Google saying the same thing about my blog in December…. That I got 1.5x the traffic from mobile and tablets vs desktops. By clicks. But when I look at the Blogger dashboard and specifically the Audience stats for the past month, I get pageviews with just slightly more desktop operating systems as opposed to mobile.
Obviously clicks and pageviews are two different things, but they should follow each other and not go from equal to a 1.5x difference. Regardless of which way it is, it’s a LOT more mobile than I would have expected. I guess we’re showing our age (“GET OFF OUR LAWNS!”).
The commenting makes perfect sense to me. Mobile viewing, to me, says that they are far more likely to be in a place not private enough to take the time to type out a comment. I bed it would be similar if you could separate true desktops and laptops. Laptops would be less likely to post comments as while they’re not as mobile as a phone or tablet, they do have a good chance to be used in a less than private venue. My desktop though? It’s parked in a private area and besides being interrupted, I’m free to view and type as much as I want.
As to changing what we make when it comes to a more mobile audience, that’s harder to say. When I view caps on my phone (rare… but I’ve done it), I find most times it’s just as satisfying as on the desktop. I can look at the whole thing and take in the design, then through a finger pinch, zoom in and read the text. I think if you go higher resolution it would just enhance the mobile experience as it won’t get smaller when viewed full screen, it will just be higher resolution and allow for more zooming in.
I do wonder sometimes if blogger just isn’t a good method to catching those who are more likely to be on mobile. I’d think that audience is far younger and more likely to be consuming this type of media in something like twitter. A lot of the tg artists I follow are on twiter. I don’t personally like that method as it’s my art in twitter’s framework instead of me choosing how my art is presented… but if I want the audience, it’s something to consider.
I definitely agree that blogger isn't great for catching mobile people. I stay away from twitter as much as possible. I only have a twitter account so that I could stop anyone from trying to pretend to be me in real life .. twitter squatters so to speak!
DeleteOn mobile, I always wonder if people will get the full gestalt of the caption on a 6 inch screen, even when reverse pinching the screen and scrolling to read the text. Apparently it does work for many people though!
Are you visiting the blog through your cell phone, tablet, or computer?
ReplyDeleteComputer.
Do you have me bookmarked, or do you search out the site on a search engine?
You are bookmarked.
How did you find out about this blog? Search Engine, Rachel's Haven, another TG blog or site?
Oh, goodness. I have no idea. I've been mostly lurking for probably close to a decade. If I had to guess, I'd say either the Haven, Google or a link on someone else's blog..
How often do you visit this site? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
It varies, but currently it's close to daily. An average over the years would probably be once every couple of weeks.
Do you just look at the most recent post or go back a week, or however long since the last visit?
I go back to the last post I remember and then move forward from there.
I honestly can't think of anything that I would recommend you change. I mean, not every caption you post is my thing, but it's safe to say that they're all *somebody's* thing. That's part of the fun of the community - seeing all of the different ways that people think, even when they don't specifically agree with you. (I will admit that the fact that forced feminization is so popular in the TG world is a source of frustration for me. One of the things I like best about your blog is that you have quite a bit of voluntary stuff going on, too. I love your comments, too. I hope you continue to enjoy posting your thoughts - so many in this community have vanished over the years.
Thank you so much for the reply and WELCOME to the blog if I haven't said so previously!
DeleteI can agree with you that many of my TG captioning peers have vanished throughout my tenure on the interwebz, and it's enough to give me abandonment issues. Hell, Calvin/Caitlyn has went poof a few times, but luckily keeps coming back! I like to think that by now I'm representing the almost OG captioners, but occasionally bring new school flavor! HA!
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I do cater to some of the hardcore visitors, but I also have ADD or ADHD (never diagnosed when younger) so I can be all over the place with what I write. Like New England weather (over 70 yesterday!) if you don't like something, wait a few days and hopefully I'll have something more up your alley, especially since most of my captions are trades on the Haven .. they can be all over the place!
Are you visiting the blog through your cell phone, tablet, or computer?
DeleteDesktop
Do you have me bookmarked, or do you search out the site on a search engine?
Bookmarked
Or do you go to another TG site and click on my link there? If so, which site?
Usually I start at your blog.
How did you find out about this blog? Search Engine, Rachel's Haven, another TG blog or site?
Probably another TG blog. Not sure which one, but I like to think it was Steffimariechen's, as that was also the site where our friendship started. Would love to hear from her again.
How often do you visit this site? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
Between daily and every other day.
Do you just look at the most recent post or go back a week, or however long since the last visit?
I start at the most recent, then go to the captions I haven't read yet andI also visit older caps, sometimes because you pont them out, somtimes because they simply pop up in my head, and I want to reread them.
If there is one thing you could change about this blog, or something you'd like to see more of?
You know I liked doing the the DIY's :) but all in all I am content with howe you run your blog.
I mentioned it up above, but I will try to do some sort of contest soon. Not sure if it will be a Valentine's Day one like I mentioned, as I will probably be away a few times over the next couple weekends, but I will see what I can do!
Delete