Are Blog Comments Truly Reflective of Reader Engagement? by Peculiar Medinus
Publishing a new blog post can be an
exciting moment. I craft my words with care, hit ‘publish’, and naturally hope
for engagement from readers. Yet, it’s not uncommon for a freshly published
blog post to be met with silence. The absence of prompt feedback can be
discouraging at first. After all, engaging directly with readers is one of the
most rewarding aspects of blogging, and comments serve as a clear sign that the
writing has resonated.
...it’s not uncommon for a freshly published blog post to be met with silence.However, my perspective has changed over time. The value of blogging extends well beyond the presence or absence of comments. My real motivation is to inform, inspire, and, hopefully, make a positive impact on whoever stumbles upon my words, even when interactions are quiet or delayed. Each post offers an opportunity to share insights, offer support, or challenge conventional thinking, regardless of how much immediate feedback I receive.
That said, I truly appreciate every single comment. They offer encouragement, fresh perspectives, and a tangible reminder that people are connecting with my work. Critically, these interactions help me understand what topics resonate with my audience and inform what I should explore further in future posts.
Each post offers an opportunity to share insights, offer support, or challenge conventional thinking...
Ultimately, while comments are wonderful
and motivating, they aren’t the only measure of a blog post’s worth. If my
writing prompts reflection, expands someone’s knowledge, or provides a moment
of inspiration, even without visible engagement, I consider that a meaningful
achievement. The impact of a blog can often be invisible, but no less
significant. What do you think?
Yes. Not leaving a comment does not mean the blog post does not make a positive impact. Beautiful. Keep it coming.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks! Your kind words are greatly appreciated, and they motivate me to continue delivering valuable content. Please stay tuned for more updates and insights!
DeleteGood morning, this is an excellent post. As a fellow MTW contributor, I appreciate the comments, and I expect we all do. After you hit 'publish', the only direct feedback you have is via the comments. It's interesting to see how the choice of topic or style of communication has resonated with readers and whether they engaged with it. That said, I read every MTW contribution and appreciate all of them, but I don't always make a comment, so I know the reach and impact go beyond the visible response. In my slot earlier this month, I mentioned it was my thirty-fourth contribution, and it was the first time I received no comments at all - the only one was from a bot advertising unwanted services! I agree with your conclusions 100% - the value of blogging extends well beyond the comments, but they encourage the writer to keep going.
ReplyDeleteDavid, thank you for sharing such thoughtful insights. Receiving only a bot comment on your thirty-fourth contribution might feel discouraging. But I'm glad it resonates that the impact of blogging often extends far beyond direct responses.
DeleteYour recent blog post was excellent! I read it while on the road, but my mobile connectivity wasn’t the best, preventing me from leaving a comment at the time.
Thank you again for your contributions and engagement.
Yes, I once had someone comment telling me they'd been reading my blogs for two years and saying how much they had impacted them. It was the first time they'd ever commented so until then I had no idea. Comments are always encouraging, but I think we just have to publish our words in faith and trust that God will use them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lesley. Your comment resonates deeply. We often don't realise the extent of the impact our words can have until someone takes the time to share their experience. It’s a true reminder to keep writing and trust that our work will reach and inspire those who need it most, even when we don’t see the immediate results.
DeleteGreat post Peculiar, I too appreciate comments but have to remind myself to concentrate on posting what I've written and trusting the outcome to God when comments are few. I often wish there was an indication of how many had read the post, as commenting is quite a big step further than reading.
ReplyDeleteMeryl, as a writer you can see number of views, but I don’t know whether it includes one person opening the piece several times & it doesn’t tell us whether someone read all the way through.
DeleteThank you, Meryl. It’s the substance and reach of the message that matter most.
DeleteI also understand the desire for metrics like readership numbers, as they can provide valuable insight without relying solely on comments. Nevertheless, as you wisely pointed out, trusting the outcome and staying committed to delivering meaningful content is what truly counts.
Thank you Jane, I hadn't realised that - still have a lot to learn about blogging. Just checked back on my last post and found where to look. Very helpful.
DeleteThat's a noble attitude, Peculiar. You're right, but it is nice to see feedback...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Vince. I don't agree less, and I appreciate your thoughtful feedback.
DeleteHi Peculiar, I often read a blog post - not just here - and then don’t comment for any number of reasons. You are right - you don’t know what impact you’re having, even if your readership is silent.
ReplyDeleteThat's correct, Jane. It’s true that many readers engage with content silently. While feedback is always appreciated, it’s encouraging to remember the unseen influence writing can generate.
DeleteExactly right! Before plunging into MTW blogging, I joined a poetry blog where contributing a poem is only made possible after you have commented on 3 other poems. There is a downside to that rule in that forcing a response runs the risk of reducing the quality - or honesty - of the response. But the discipline has rubbed off on me, and I do usually comment on two or three fellow MTW posts, as I always appreciate receiving comments.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steven. I really like your perspective on the value of structured engagement. Truth. Forcing comments might sometimes affect their quality. Your consistent comment on fellow MTW posts undoubtedly contributes to a more interactive and supportive community.
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