Jan
10th

The Long Tail of Commenting: Never Blog Alone

StatisticsPart of the success of my blog has been reaching out to others. On a daily basis, I read other blogs and websites and comment when I think I can add some voice to the conversation. I don’t do it thinking that it’s going to help my blog; rather, I do it to correct information I think is wrong, encourage folks who I think are doing a great job, and add supporting material to arguments that others make.

I’ve spoken about the dramatic growth I’ve had with my blog, but tonight I did some analysis… how much has my commenting and inclusion in other conversations resulted in my blog being visited? How many visits have I attained through networking like this?

26.13% of visits to my site are through connections I’ve made through other sites! In addition, the number of page views of those visits is 1.86 pages versus 1.61 page views of those that find my site through search and other means. Wow! I hate to throw out the term flippantly, but this is the “Long Tail” of commenting, isn’t it?

In other words, the work I am doing to network and connect with other bloggers has resulted in growing my blog’s impact by over 25%. So, content is key… but it’s not everything!

Just so that you trust me on this… here’s a list of the sites that have lent traffic to me that I’ve connected with. I did limit the list to sites that have sent me more than 1 hit… otherwise, this would take a day to load.

To those blogs out there that I’ve connected with… Thanks!

lifehacker.com 645
codex.wordpress.org 223
mapki.com 214
patcoyle.net 168
sethgodin.typepad.com 165
marcandangel.com 162
mattcutts.com 152
wordpress.org 142
pearsonified.com 133
marketingpilgrim.com 116
tubetorial.com 112
havelaptopwilltravel.com 107
nektros.com 106
mybloglog.com 83
typepad.com 81
surveygizmo.com 79
gapingvoid.com 74
problogger.net 71
talkback.zdnet.com 70
serialdeviant.org 70
drumminguy.com 69
johnchow.com 66
okdork.com 63
dilbertblog.typepad.com 61
redcouch.typepad.com 59
scobleizer.wordpress.com 56
blog.guykawasaki.com 54
chipsquips.com 53
2sentencesorless.com 49
blog.wired.com 48
freakonomics.com 47
copyblogger.com 45
henrywarren.com 43
salesforcecollective.wordpress.com 43
crimsonpandemic.com 43
littmagi.com 34
google-code-updates.blogspot.com 29
crazybobca.proboards101.com 29
podtech.net 27
betanews.com 27
seomoz.org 26
stickpageportal.com 26
intuitive.com 25
wolf-howl.com 25
pronetadvertising.com 23
nongeeksight.blogspot.com 23
featureplan.com 23
arthurlifeintheshadows.blogspot.com 22
ajaydsouza.com 22
imusblog.com 21
tompeters.com 21
markjaquith.wordpress.com 21
keyword-typo-generator.com 20
adeolonoh.com 20
start.com 19
blackinbusiness.org 19
my3.statcounter.com 19
modifoo.com 19
tailrank.com 19
ruthholladay.com 18
blaugh.com 17
answers.com 17
groups.google.com 17
longtail.com 16
wordpress-it.it 16
dogpile.com 16
converstations.com 15
techzonline.net 15
rdcsoft.com 15
alkadwivedi.net 15
brandoncwood.com 15
blogexplosion.com 15
scobleizer.com 14
37signals.com 14
9rules.com 14
moblogsmoproblems.blogspot.com 13
poweredbywp.com 13
bbs.psucfa.org 13
customersrock.wordpress.com 12
linkedin.com 12
tradermike.net 12
p2p.wrox.com 11
runtex.com 11
lgbusinesssolutions.typepad.com 11
swik.net 11
blogger.com 11
readwriteweb.com 10
successful-blog.com 10
squidoo.com 10
netvibes.com 10
jasonhaley.com 9
blogmaverick.com 9
seroundtable.com 9
indianapolisblogs.blogspot.com 8
wluca.facebook.com 8
blogdigger.com 8
ifacethoughts.net 8
reader.livedoor.com 7
ebizq.net 7
blogmarks.net 7
dagondesign.com 7
roughtype.com 7
blog.dreamhost.com 7
lorelle.wordpress.com 7
servantofchaos.typepad.com 7
execubooksblog.com 7
ajaxian.com 6
etre.com 6
blogs.msdn.com 6
msco.com 6
alistapart.com 6
andyzhang.com 6
seobook.com 6
registereverywhere.com 6
wordpress.summaestudio.org 6
netmonkey.net 6
successcreeations.com 5
ravennagirl.stumbleupon.com 5
pa-2.blogspot.com 5
bgcf.net 5
simon.incutio.com 5
techmeme.com 5
bloggingexpertise.com 5
geekwhat.com 5
1pixelout.net 5
esta2.com 5
schwaze.com 5
robnebiker.typepad.com 5
forums.korerekon.com 5
alltheweb 4
scottandamanda.us 4
blogs.telegraph.co.uk 4
answers.yahoo.com 4
search.blogger.com 4
cutline.tubetorial.com 4
thecodecave.com 4
danzarrella.com 4
thecotas.blogspot.com 4
web2.reddit.com 4
twitter.com 4
maryamie.spaces.live.com 4
w3tableless.com 4
christinekane.com 4
topblogs.blogadvance.com 4
corpblawg.ynada.com 4
thewritewords.me.uk 4
fruityoaty.com 4
2006.wordcamp.org 3
sevencityforums.com 3
zhuaxia.com 3
blog.roam4free.ie 3
pixelita.com 3
attackr.com 3
howardlindzon.com 3
live.com 3
hanselman.com 3
roudybob.net 3
nextup.wordpress.com 3
blog.jalenack.com 3
viaspire.blogs.com 3
seoegghead.com 3
blog.rightbrainnetworks.com 3
flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com 3
dramaqueenmother.blogspot.com 3
indylinks.com 3
buzzoodle.blogspot.com 3
marketing.fm 3
zimbio.com 3
kdjani.spaces.live.com 3
w-a-s-a-b-i.com 2
blog.andyzhang.com 2
thefutureoftheweb.com 2
squible.com 2
debeastman.blogspot.com 2
blogs.icerocket.com 2
billionswithzeroknowledge.com 2
thoughtsphilosophies.com 2
matureasskickers.net 2
dvorak.org 2
telltenfriends.com 2
search.netzero.net 2
blueyonder.co.uk 2
answers.yahoo.com 2
devans-cosmos.blogspot.com 2
deannahoak.com 2
anotherblogger.com 2
mpdailyfix.com 2
radar.oreilly.com 2
techcrunch.com 2
buzz.originalsignal.com 2
ukgser.com 2
successfromthenest.com 2
blog.dogster.com 2
3point7designs.com 2
expectnothing.com 2
miss604.com 2
as.starware.com 2
engtech.wordpress.com 2
copywritingmaven.com 2
performancing.com 2
craphammer.ca 2
beingpeterkim.typepad.com 2
brandsizzle.com 2
skatepastorchris.blogspot.com 2
sellingbooks.com 2
matt.wordpress.com 2
hgttb.blogspot.com 2
blog.olonoh.com 2
ashleyandali.blogspot.com 2
successbeginstoday.org 2
hyku.com 1
ethernaldark.net 1
humanized.com 1
petezahutt.newsvine.com 1
emomsathome.com 1
wowbb.com 1
bloombergmarketing.blogs.com 1
indyundercover.blogspot.com 1
bloggingpoet.squarespace.com 1

Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a TimeI’m reading Never Eat Alone right now. Perhaps there’s room in this book for a chapter called Never Blog Alone!

Thanks to all of you that have helped drive traffic to my site!

Disclaimer: I spent a couple hours tonight reviewing a list of about 1,000 referrals. You may find a link or two in this list that don’t belong there; however, I’d estimate the margin of error less than 1%.

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37 Comments »

Comment by no imageBuzzoodle Ron (SezWho)
2007-01-10 23:48:25

It is great when someone is open with stats like this. It provides a good benchmark and can lead someone to a new strategy.

I also really liked the book, Never Eat Alone.

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Comment by no imageseanrox (SezWho)
2007-01-11 02:49:03

I’m happy to see my site in the #12 position :) and sometime soon maybe I’ll actually make it into your top 10… w00t!

The longer you’re connected with someone’s site, the more traffic you’ll receive I’m sure.

I assume that’s the reason lifehacker sends you so much traffic because of how long you’ve been on the site.

I was surprised to see blaugh.com sending you traffic. How did that work? I know you send them traffic because of the comic on your site but it coming to you is interesting. Did they do a comic based on you? If you… link please as I want to see :)
Keep up the great work. I see good things for you in 2007.

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Comment by no imageLiz (SezWho)
2007-01-11 04:42:23

Honoured to be there.

–Liz, http://www.Answers.com

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Comment by no imageAbhijit Nadgouda (SezWho)
2007-01-11 08:18:34

Never blog alone - well said Doug! Participating in dialogs is the best way of getting noticed and read.
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Comment by no imageDouglas Karr (SezWho)
2007-01-11 08:43:16

Re: Lifehacker: This site is a favorite of mine. I find myself commenting on their site quite a bit. I love the mix of articles there. If you’ve not been, the site is not about ‘hacking’, it’s simply about cool ideas for making life easier.

Re: Blaugh: I actually assisted those guys a little bit with some feedback on their site as well as sent them some code for modifying their theme. I don’t believe they utilized the code… they did say if I made them happy that there would be a cartoon forthcoming. I didn’t do it for the cartoon, though! I also provided a post on my site on how to add bLaugh after the first post on the home page that they enjoyed.

I’m sure Have Laptop Will Travel will be improving my stats this year, now that you’re famous!

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Comment by no imageC. B. Whittemore (SezWho)
2007-01-11 08:55:58

Doug, what a fascinating way to look at traffic and connecting. You’ve given me a new way to look at the community of blogging, and the Z-list! Thanks.
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Comment by no imageTony D. Clark (SezWho)
2007-01-11 08:56:46

Thanks Doug - Do I get some kind of kick-back for those 2 hits I sent? :)
You’re right about connections. I get a good amount of traffic from the articles I write for lifehack, and from commenting.
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Comment by no imageLiz Strauss (SezWho)
2007-01-11 09:37:34

What a great post, Doug, for the values you outline here — not just for the wonderful list. I only recently discovered your blog, but I’m so enjoying it every time I visit. Thank you for the love, but even moreso. Thank you for the continuous great content!
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Comment by no imageChris Kieff (SezWho)
2007-01-11 10:13:00

Doug,

Thanks for including Unconventional Thinking in your thoughts and the list. Also thanks for visiting and commenting about Mark’s article in Forbes.com. We’re sure your book will be a great success.

I’ve been leaving this quote all over the place; but she said it far better than I ever could:
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of dedicated people to change the world. Indeed, it’s all that ever have.”
by Margaret Mead

Best of Luck,
Chris

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2007-01-11 10:14:11

[...] Douglas A Karr provides two great examples of how to build traffic to your blog. [...]
 
Comment by no imageAndy Beal (SezWho)
2007-01-11 10:14:30

Great post Doug, I’ve used it as an example over at Marketing Pilgrim. Glad we could send some traffic and thanks for reading!
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Comment by no imageBecky Carroll (SezWho)
2007-01-11 11:51:37

Doug,

Glad to see that CustomersRock! is sending links your way, as you have been sending folks to me as well.
Through the Z-list, I have entered a whole new community of like-minded people, and it has been great to
learn from them, including you! I will do some of my own referral analysis (easier, as my blog is
relatively new) and do some reporting soon. Thanks for the idea.

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Comment by no imageHeather D (SezWho)
2007-01-11 12:57:38

Hi Doug — I have been a part of the Web experience since 1996 and what is amazing to me, ten years later, I finally feel truly connected to the whole. Thanks to blogs and commenting, we are able to extend out the conversation far beyond our market niche, our local/regional business and professional network and any other traditional social network we had before. What’s equally profound to me is how the Web feels so much more tied-in now — there is a great connection almost at every corner.

With the beauty of RSS feeds, we can keep up with what everyone’s discussing today — what’s on the minds of our extended network now and helps us keep engaged.

Commenting has truly made us feel connected and allowed us to participate in the larger conversation.

The long tail of commenting is a beautiful way of identifying what’s going on here. There’s the freedom to engage as often as you like whenever you can or want to. Blogging allows the conversation to continue, evolve and for us, it often spurs new ideas for blog posts.

Great post and we value the “connection” we’ve made with you!
Keep up the great work!

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Comment by no imageMartin Weiss (SezWho)
2007-01-11 14:58:11

Hey, I made the top 50% :)
Seriously though, Doug, thanks for all you insight, and willigness to share and help - both in blogsphere and e-mailsphere.
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Comment by no imageengtech (SezWho)
2007-01-11 22:34:56

Cool stats, what is the time period? (hits since the blog started?)
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Comment by no imageJosh Colter (SezWho)
2007-01-11 22:46:06

Doug,

Thanks for the heads up about correct spelling. Erin from marketing also brought it to my attention today. It’s safe to assume that I have learned the error of my ways.

Do you have a “forward to a friend” option on your blog? I want a friend to read your latest post.

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Comment by no imageRoberta Rosenberg (SezWho)
2007-01-12 00:02:18

Terrific post and glad to do my small part!
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Comment by no imagekelvin newman (SezWho)
2007-01-12 05:51:00

Came through from Marketing Pilgrim, its really interesting to see how a few comments here and there can really add up to some discernable traffic. I must try and comment on posts more often!
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Comment by no imageJavier (SezWho)
2007-01-12 10:06:18

A million of thanks for link!
:)
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Comment by no imageChris Moore (SezWho)
2007-01-12 10:18:36

You know, as often as I give people this very same advice, I never seem to follow it myself.

It’s just so easy to get caught up in actually posting and trying to sift through your feeds and make sense of all the info out there, that it’s so easy to forget the whole point of what blogs are about: discussion.

Thanks for the reminder, Doug!!!

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Comment by no imageGuy Pelletier (SezWho)
2007-01-12 12:03:26

Blogging as a communication requires a two way conversation. The comments are key to that principle. When you start to comment on other blogs, people are going to validate your comments by what you say in your own yard.

Good post.

Guy

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Comment by no imageCarolyn Manning (SezWho)
2007-01-12 15:06:05

Well, Doug, it looks like I’m in some good company but I’d better get on the ball if I want to raise your ratings a little more :)
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Comment by no imageMartin Weiss (SezWho)
2007-01-12 15:06:59

Just saw that my companie`s website-in-progress (littmagi.com) is represented with 34 links. And that site isn`t even launched. And no single comment.
Weird… The mystics of the internet ;)
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Comment by no imageDouglas Karr (SezWho)
2007-01-12 15:21:35

Martin,

It appears that your site and littmagi.com are served from the same server. I’m not sure how the analytics package captures the source… perhaps a reverse IP of some sort. It is interesting!

Doug

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Comment by no imageSterling Camden (SezWho)
2007-01-12 20:31:53

You’re welcome, Doug — and thanks for all the clicks you’ve sent my way!
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Comment by no imageEric (SezWho)
2007-01-13 01:07:34

hey - always great content. Thanks for posting this and keeping up the good writing. I think having an open forum and open comments always leads to better conversation and feedback.
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Comment by no imageRick Cockrum (SezWho)
2007-01-14 10:32:24

Hi Doug!

This is the first time I’ve seen a quantitative measurement of the number of referrals you can get from commenting on other blogs. The numbers are amazing.

Your reasons for commenting are even more important, though:

I don’t do it thinking that it’s going to help my blog; rather, I do it to correct information I think is wrong, encourage folks who I think are doing a great job, and add supporting material to arguments that others make.

Participating in a conversation because you have something to add rather than because of what you’ll get out of it is what makes blogging fun and worthwhile.

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2007-01-16 21:37:08

[...] Doug Karr puts the “network” in, um, “networking”. Thanks, Doug! [...]
 
2007-01-18 11:41:28

[...] Also, quite a few comments talk about the value of participating in comments after posts.  As I already said, sometimes I find the most valuable information in these comments, and I add something worthwhile whenever I can.  But even if you only thank the author, if you leave your web site address you just created a link back to your site.  This alone helps search engine rankings, but if you have an insightful comment with valuable information, users are likely to follow that link back to your site.  Actually, in one of the comments I found a link to this blog posts about never blogging alone - or the ‘long tail’ of comments.  This guy went through his logs and found that 26% of his blog traffic was directly from posting comments on other sites. [...]
 
Comment by no imageJohn T. Pratt (SezWho)
2007-01-18 11:43:25

This was a great post, the stats are really telling. Your participation in other blogs has really paid off, not only in traffic - but it looks like also in your reputation (and PR). I will definitely be coming back to read your regular posts.

I linked to you in my article about blog optimization tips at search optimization school.

Keep up the good work!

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2007-01-22 15:43:18

Building Blog Traffic By Commenting | Marketing Pilgrim…

The Marketing Pilgrim blog had a brief post with good insight into the value of the conversation in which you take part as a blogger. The post is called Building Blog Traffic By Commenting. Douglas A Karr provides two great…

 
2007-01-29 16:14:44

e-Marketing Tips & Web 2.0…

It seems that Web 2.0 really set the trend for 2006. Web 2.0 is all about the user’s experience….

 
Comment by no imageTechZ (SezWho)
2007-02-02 09:20:59

Thanks for the link back Doug, 15 hits from me, not bad, but could be better ;)
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Comment by no imageDouglas Karr (SezWho)
2007-02-02 11:06:28

Every bit counts! Thank-you!!!
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Comment by no imageCogmios (SezWho)
2007-05-23 16:08:34

I wanted to try out your Technorati WordPress Plugin since it seems a very cool gadget for my blog. However it gives me the error ”
Fatal error: Cannot instantiate non-existent class: simplexmlelement in /home/.jericho/edelwater/cogmios.nl/wp-content/plugins/technorati-rank/technorati-rank.php on line 94″

Are there any pre-reqs before installing it? (yes I did input the technorati key).

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