Google I just don't think you are holding up your end of our blogging relationship. I mean your templates aren't exactly knockouts, but yet I found one that looks pretty good (IOW, nothing like a Blogger template).But I'm sick of your jealousy. First you don't allow trackbacks, and now you are making it more difficult/impossible for my readers to link to their blog in their comments!
Google, what are you thinking?!?
I mean when you already offer a product that doesn't have as many valuable features as your competitors, the LAST thing you do is start REMOVING the few valuable features you do offer! And the lifeblood of a blog is its community, so why make it more difficult for that community to contribute?!?
So Google I am officially playing the field. I'm going to see if there isn't some sort of work-around for this stupidity. If I can't find one, I'm leaving you. Which means I will probably lose a ton of my links and maybe my Pagerank, and I'll probably have to start over with another template after finally finding one that I really love.
But the alternative is that I keep pissing off my very loyal readers that don't understand why they can't be rewarded for leaving a great comment by adding a link back to their blog. Hell I don't understand it either.
And I know there are Google employees reading this blog, so can any of you please tell me what in the hell you guys are thinking?
But make it quick, cause Wordpress is suddenly starting to look very attractive.
Pic via Flickr user Spojeni
UPDATE: Connie adds this in the comments: "So what usually happens these days is that when I read a blog I'd like to comment on and then I discover it's Blogger ... well, I just leave without saying anything. So much for conversation, Google. :("
Oh, Jordan, CK, Tim, Chris and Lisa left comments too. You wouldn't let them link to their blogs in the comments, so I'm doing it here. Jackasses.
Tags:The Viral Garden, Marketing
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17 comments:
Yeah, I just turned on this "typekey deal" and that's not working either (just tried it twice). Paul said it worked on his side when he just left you a comment.
I just don't understand how Google could say it "wasn't intentional" and didn't let any of its blogger users know it was going to do this.
this is CK but I guess I comment as anon from now on ;-).
PS: the parrot graphic is cute.
CK I just checked the comment that Paul left, and when you click on his name, now it sends you to his TypeKey profile page. But all it has is his pic. I assume he could add a link to Hee Haw?
They saw they don't want to link back because they don't want to 'reward' spammers. But I think its mainly about they don't want anyone to leave a Blogger blog, given that they have never let Blogger bloggers add trackbacks.
I agree- WordPress is looking better all the time and I am beginning to think that is the route I will end up going eventually as well.
Yes. Wordpress. Just do it.
P.s. Jordan here, and I rather dislike the new comment UI.
Just do it - It really bugs me that I have to log into my Google account to just leave a comment. Wordpress for me any day.
Do it. Do it. Do it.
Another "me too" ... from Connie Reece. I seldom comment on a Blogger post any more because there are too many hoops to jump through. Part of it is the difficulty of identifying myself when I don't have accounts for any of the menu options. Also, the captchas are far more difficult to read than Typepad, for example, and it often takes more than one try -- and sometimes wipes out your comment and you have to retype and resubmit. (I've learned to copy before hitting Publish in case something goes wrong.)
So what usually happens these days is that when I read a blog I'd like to comment on and then I discover it's Blogger ... well, I just leave without saying anything. So much for conversation, Google. :(
I agree with Connie's comment. Now I only comment half as much as I used to...where is the backlash and the petition against google for doing this without even letting users know?
(and how can you trust them in future decisions regarding your blog?)
WPress seems the route or a service like Typepad which isn't more than $10 monthly.
break the heart-do it come to the wordpress side.
Now Lisa I noticed for your comment, it now DOES have a link back to your Wordpress blog. Hmmmmm....but why doesn't it do that for Typepad users?
Jordan again: It looks like she used an Open ID login.
I guess what they're trying to do is allow people with various accounts to "log in" to leave a comment, but what they forget is this simple fact: No one wants to have to log in to leave a comment.
Mack, seriously, the switch to Worpress is just a great idea all around. And at just $10/yr to map a domain name, you can't beat the price.
I love WordPress - maybe it's because I infatuate easily for an underdog, but when that underdog is making a killer product and is clearly tuned into their community, well for me it becomes something like love.
Oh, and here's a link to my WordPress blog, since I can't track back here...
three cheers for Wordpress! and my sister will do it for you. www.solutionsbyheidi.com
(People ask me, but she's the techno girl in our family).
Great post Mack.
Connie Bensen if this gets posted as anon
I still use Blogger... but I date Word Press behind Blogger's back... and I love it.
Much like that ex who goes passive/aggressive, ricocheting from arrogance to self-loathing, Blogger's habit of going from normal to microscopic text size once you hit 'publish' -- for no apparent reason -- is one of many, many reasons not to like it.
I didn't notice that, just thought it was a problem with my Google account... but now that you mention it, you are right!
Wordpress rocks, is easy to use, and all the cool bloggers are there! ;-)
Becky
Ditto the pro-Wordpress sentiments.
And to add to what Connie started... I not only leave without adding comments to 99% of Blogger blogs, but as a blog writer myself, I usually won't link to a blogspot blog, either.
If I'm researching a topic to write about, I'll look for non-Blogger blogs to reference, because they're guaranteed "no-follow".
Add to all of this the "I don't like to have to log in to leave a comment" thing, and three strikes, you're out, Blogger.
"And to add to what Connie started... I not only leave without adding comments to 99% of Blogger blogs, but as a blog writer myself, I usually won't link to a blogspot blog, either."
So why punish bloggers because Google sucks? Most bloggers that are running Blogspot blogs likely have no idea this is even happening. I didn't, but when some of my regular readers let me know about it, I added a workaround that lets you add your blog's URL if you sign in with a nickname.
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