The Evil Empire with plans to take over the world aka Google (OK a little exaggerated)have done it again with plans to make everybody in the world get a GoogleID. The new Blogger commenting form makes it difficult to comment and link your comment to you or your blog without it. Mean Google. Bad Google.
Unless you use blogspot Blogger, your blog url is not linked to. This is in addition to the fact that blogspot default linking is set to nofollow; which means that links were not counted for pagerank purposes anyway. Google is penalizing bloggers once again, after so recently downgrading pagerank for those using paid for links. I am really peeved that my freedom in using the internet is being eroded once again and do not like to be controlled in this way.
This move goes against the basic nature of blogging, that of bloggers linking to each other in the spirit of give and take and community building. How can you build up a relationship with another blogger if you do not know where to find them. This move is bound to reduce the amount of commenting on Blogger blogs. Therefore ALL bloggers are being disadvantaged - both blogspot and non blogspot users.
Sue has some suggestions including politely corresponding with Google, although judging from the reactions on blogs, Wordpress may be a major beneficiary.
Me, I will be here for a while.
Thanks Sue
What is it with these guys. Is commenting and communicating not what blogging is about?
7 Valuable Utterances:
Colin, I agree it sucks. There is a workaround which I've posted about at blogpond.com.au.
Thanks Meg
I wonder if these guys consider the impact of these kinds of changes. So many things that are changed on Blogger are trumpeted on the blog. This was quietly sneaked in. I noticed that Sue's post is ranked 5 in the category blogger commenting. Thanks for your work around. Since I have a Blogger blog, it is not so important. I just don't get the mindset unless it is a plan to turn Blogger into a more closed environment. I would reject that as short sighted and negative.
Yay Colin! Not another Wordpress-users-are-just-whingers post!
I have found my favourite blogs from clicking on a comment that I found funny or interesting.
Kelley
http://magnetoboldtoo.wordpress.com
I have been reading comments from a fair few Blogger users saying the number of comments they have been getting has been much lower. Have you noticed a difference Colin?
Blogging Sueblimely
It has been very noticeable. The number of readers has not changed much, but the number of comments has dropped over 50 percent.
I noticed the change recently too. Perhaps it is time for the serious Blogger users to find a new host..
50% that is a huge amount. I find even using OpenID a nuisance as each time I leave a comment I am diverted to my OpenID account, where I have to log in and approve access for the blog on which I am leaving the comment.
If you want any help moving to Wordpress, Colin, give me a yell. Snoskred is selling some really cheap hosting and has offered help in setting up too.
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