.png)
Should You Display Your FeedBurner Reader Count?
September 7, 2008
Interesting question isn’t it?
Deciding is even more interesting.
The majority of blogs I see almost all display their FeedBurner reader count. No matter how much or how little the amount is, it seems the majority of the blogosphere displays their FeedBurner reader count.
So that brings up the ultimate question:
Should you?
Maybe you are already, but do you think your subscription numbers would be different if you never displayed your reader count to begin with? I’d like to find that out.
See, legend has it, that the more readers you have displayed on your FeedBurner chicklet, the more likely it is for someone to subscribe to your blog. The larger number of subscriptions is taken as a sign of “proof” and “validity” of the content on the given blog.
e.g., “Dude! Whoa, 45,438 readers! Bro, they must be doing something right! I’m going to subscribe!”
Basically, you will get a lot more subscriptions because people will see a lot of other people subscribed already — but not all of us are the same.
Now, if you have a small amount of subscribers displayed on yours, say less than 200, then it is likely less people will subscribe to your blog.
Also, this may come off as a sign of “unworthiness”, and may give a person the feeling that not too many people subscribed, because the content wasn’t up to par.
So, if someone sees you have a small amount of subscribers they may be less likely to subscribe, because they don’t think it’s worth the 2 minutes it will take them to do so — or something like that.
A big reader count is almost like a green light, badge of authenticity, guarantee on quality if you will. So, people actually go and subscribe because of this.
You’re basically stuck
Not enough readers; people will overlook subscribing to your blog.
A lot of readers; and people are eager to subscribe.
If someone sees a huge reader count, they are less likely to browse the blog and search for content that tells them, “Hey, I want to subscribe to this blog!” first. It is most likely however, that the subscription occurs first and the content later holds up to its expectations — in most cases anyways.
Instead of content being the biggest influence in subscriptions it seems the FeedBurner reader count chicklet is really all people are focusing on. But, let’s not be selfish and only be concerned with our reader count, let’s be worried about the content as well.
I know I’ve been tempted to subscribe to someone’s blog just because of five digits in their reader count, ignoring the content all together — but then I snap out of it and take a look around.
Ultimately, the best way is just to not display a reader count whatsoever — or so I’m pondering.
This way if they do subscribe, it’s because of something they read on the blog, and not because they were influenced by huge subscriber numbers. And you will know this because there aren‘t any huge subscribers numbers to be influenced by on your blog when you remove your FeedBurner chicklet.
What do you think? Do you do this on your blog?
I’m not displaying my reader count again till 2 to 3 months from now.
What I’m hoping for is, you guessed it, more subscriptions!
I’ve heard plenty other people say it’s better that way, and you actually gain more subscribers than if you displayed it — I hope they’re right.
Please, let us know what you think! Do you or do you not display your reader count on your blog? If your reader count is low, do you think removing it would increase the number of subscriptions?
I think you’ve summarised the prevailing wisdom. Don’t know if it’s true or not, but it makes sense, and I don’t display my subscriber count. But I guess I would if I had thousands…
But for me, content is far more important than numbers - if it’s good and relevent to my interests, I’l consider subscribing. Yours looks good Luis, so guess what…?
You’ve subscribed? How wonderful!
I don’t know if it’s true or not either, but it seems to be the case. Hopefully, time will tell. I subscribe depending on the same variables you do as well — relevance and quality of content.
But, still, some people are easily impressed —
Thanks for reading!
I don’t really think “subscribe first - read later” is bad thing. It’s one more chance to convert person into faithful reader… Chance that might be gone otherwise.
I am beginner so I am not showing any stats so far. And when I do I am not going to use chicklet, just some text somewhere in the corner.
Rarsts last blog post..ClearType, install4j and case of Java bug
I’m interested to see how high my subscriber count can go without a chicklet. I think I’m going to forgo displaying numbers for the first year.
Writer Dads last blog post..Poop. Put it in the Potty
Yep.. totally agree with that..
I don’t have a lot of subscribers (yet) so I’m not displaying my feed count. If I manage to get more subscribers, I’ll probably put a counter on my weblog.
Arjens last blog post..Learn how to use Photoshop with tutorials
I don’t display mine, simply because its still sorta low. I’d imagine once you’ve got the feedburner count up, you could use it for promotional purposes.
SEO Tipss last blog post..Do you still submit to directories for SEO purposes?
@Rarst - Interesting way to look at it. I guess like everything else in life, there are always exceptions. I always wanted to do that too, you know, use text in a corner instead of a chicklet — I have to modify my theme! Thanks for sharing with us!
@Writer Dad - Nice Writer Dad! I didn’t think about going for such a long period of time without a reader count, but if it means more subscribers overall, then hey, why not?
@Arjen - Yeah, likewise my friend. Thanks for reading!
@SEO Tips - Most definitely! Once that thing is in the thousands, show that bad boy! If you got it, flaunt it sir.
Everyone is faced with this decision at the beginning, but I think if you’re blog is unique, people are going to subscribe eventually, regardless of what the count is.
Although I understand the mentality, I stuck it up there when it was at 11, but it jumped to a whopping 19 right away. lol. I like to joke about low stats in posts as well.
Also, I’m that much more excited about every single reader that decides to subcribe knowing that - 1. they see my blog is fairly new, and - 2. they see there’s less than 50 subscribers.
I don’t want to hide it. The number motivates me every time it moves up one digit.
Myself as a subscriber, I don’t *think* I’ve subscribed because of the count before without reading anything first.
Great post!
Cheers!
Jay
My blog is pretty new, and this is one thing I definitely haven’t done yet. Where did you come up with the number 200? I’m thinking it may take me forever to get there.
Ecommerce Blogs last blog post..Quick Tip: Easy Domain Switching for Miva Merchant Stores
It’s human nature to want to associate with stuff that is “popular.” Displaying a low Feedburner count probably won’t help, and might hurt.
Peace,
Xiaohua