Do You Lurk?
I’m not much of a lurker – pretty much every blog I’ve ever visited I’ve commented on at some point. Even if it’s to say, “Hey, good point!”
However, there is this one particular blog that I’ve read occasionally for the last year and have still to contribute anything to the conversation. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because he has such a loyal following of massive amounts that I figure I would just get lost in the crowd. Maybe it’s because they all seem to know each other so well and I’d feel like the new kid in school not wanting to say anything to make me stand out. Maybe I feel that I don’t have anything intelligent to contribute. Maybe after all this time I feel a little silly coming out – so to speak.
In any case, that made me wonder if other bloggers felt the same way. My little blog is in no way on the same level as his but I feel like the people who visit on occasion have become really good friends with me and amongst each other. I hope that everyone who stops by feels free to say (or not say) whatever they want without fear of being judged. Comment or lurk – either way is fine. However, I hope eventually all lurkers will feel comfortable enough to say “Hi!”.
What about you? Do you lurk on other blogs? If so, why?
Spotlight Comment from Dee of Drama Mama:
I’ve never considered myself a lurker, it sounds so beneath me! hehehehehehe! I like to consider myself a window shopper….lol Okay I’ll cut the crap ….I LURK….
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Owner of An Island Life and Family Review Network. Wife, mother, and flight attendant . . . living a blessed life in Hawaii. |
I almost always comment, but frequently wonder about the people who lurk on my blog. do they not comment because they don’t agree? Too busy? Just not interesting in taking the time? I think your blog is very new visitor friendly!
angie’s last blog post..The thing about being a mommy………
I must admit, I’m a lurker. I do comment often, but I read so many blogs, I just don’t always have time to comment on every blog I’m reading. I guess I should start making time, huh?
Jennifer
Jennifer H.’s last blog post..Flu-palooza
I try to comment more now than when I first stated blogging. But there are some blogs that I love to read but have never commented on for various reasons. Google reader makes it much easier to lurk! I have to remember to click over and comment too.
I also wonder about people lurking on my blog. Why not comment?
Heather’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
I have to admit. I do my share of lurking, but I also comment. I guess I’m probaby half and half. I have a few blogs that I do a lot of commenting on and others that I comment on rarely or not at all. It just depends.
Kim’s last blog post..Works For Me Wednesday – Easy Chicken Recipe
I try to comment as much as I can… I used to be a lurker, but once I started commenting … well it’s been hard to shut me up! I love comments, so I try to reciprocate whenever possible.
I’m finding it a challenge to keep up with all the blogs that I normally used to, now that working again (including yours, I’m not here as much as I’d like). So it would be nice to be able to comment through Reader.
But yeah, like you, if someone already gets over 50 comments, you wonder whether the blogger will get through to them all, especially if I don’t have a whole heck of a lot to add to the conversation.
Karen MEG’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen
I almost didnt even post on this! I too feel if there are too many comments mine will get lost in the shuffle! Love your blog, lurk here every day! Ha ha!
Melissa’s last blog post..PoiWear Giveaway ! !
I lurk all the time because I do research online. A lot of the time I link back but sometimes it is just to gather information. Many times people can see that I have visited, though.
pickel’s last blog post..The Misunderstood Child
ok, i’m a lurker at times. and mostly for the reason you gave – feeling like an outsider or getting lost in a large crowd.
diana/sunshine’s last blog post..quirky quote
perhaps because of my “age”… I always feel odd when I don’t leave a “calling card”
But, I’m changing that and only commenting on posts when I don’t have to dig something out of a hat to say.
So, I guess I’m learning 2 lurk.
Well, I’m comment 60 on this one – that is a lot! – and often whatever I wanted to say has already been covered. Not just here, but on many sites.
Partly that’s because of the time differences across the world …
Most of the ones I read regularly I comment on when I feel the urge. There are one or two or maybe three that I read that I enjoy hearing what they have to say, but I don’t feel like I want to get in on the discussion. You blog has always felt “homey” since I started reading it!
Jen’s last blog post..Love my Bizzi2Go Planner?You can have one too!
At this point, I read so many that there is no way I could comment on them. I do try to comment as much as possible though. I notice that I don’t usually comment on the really big blogs.
Ginny’s last blog post..13 Things you should be doing for your health
Hi, my name is Wendy, and I’m a lurker.
There, I’ve admitted it. That’s half the battle, right?
I try to comment on most of the blogs I read, but a lot of times I don’t get a chance to think of anything worthwhile to say before my children start demanding my attention again, so I run out of time.
Wendy’s last blog post..Speaking Of Time…
I know just what you mean…I am typically not a lurker, but there are a couple of blogs on my list of favorites that I just don’t feel comfortable commenting on. For me, I think it’s a combination of what you suggested. Although, sometimes it has to do with the reception of my comments…if I don’t get a reply (something as simple as a “Thanks for stopping by”,) then I start to wonder if the blogger didn’t appreciate my comments, or worse, thinks I’m an idiot. In that case, I either flee the blog never to return again, or I do what everyone else does…I lurk.
By the way, you’re always great about receiving (and returning) comments…which is why I’m not a lurker on your Island!
Angela’s last blog post..Robinson Weekly Update
Hey girl!
I lurk sometimes, if I don’t have time to comment but still want to visit. Or I’ll lurk if I don’t have anything to add…
I don’t find myself being too bashful to comment on a “popular site”. If I have something to say…I’mma gonna say it.
tiggerprr’s last blog post..Oh yeah?.and?
I’ve lurked occasionally, usually on blogs that get so many comments I feel mine are useless. I like to comment on my favorites, especially those who don’t get many comments. Validation comes as much from comments as from the stat counter. Really.
Daisy’s last blog post..Fur Elise is not for amateurs
It’s not in my nature to lurk for long. I’m just too opinionated and too chatty. But I do lurk on a few blogs, not because I don’t have anything to say, because I do. I lurk because I don’t particularly LIKE anything the blogger has to say, but I read it for morbid curiosity. It’s like a trainwreck online, and for some reason I just like to read a couple of these blogs for pure entertainment. I couldn’t say a think that didn’t sound snarky, so I don’t comment. But it’s only a very few blogs.
margalit’s last blog post..Not only bad, I’m also a space cadet
I lurk sometimes, but it usually isn’t on purpose. I just read so many blogs that it would be impossible to comment on every one.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah’s last blog post..Another Reason Everybody Should Have Married Gabe
I lurk
two things affect me most
*if they comment on my blog
*if their comments are more than . . say . . 69
LOL
Really though, if there is more than 20 comments I’ll only comment if I have anything different, new or strongly felt. It’s not too often. Pretty sad when my whole feeling about some post can be summed up in “ditto”
Michelle in Mx’s last blog post..A bit over stated . . .