March 18, 2004

Instalanche - Nyet

Many comrades recently writing about sudden spikes in blog traffic, Dean Esmay, Bill Hobbs, Tao of Dowingba, and Michael Williams. Many considerations. Read whole things, da?

One more problem. Instalanche (or in Commissar's case) Wonk-alanche, Allah-lanche, Misha-lanche, and Merde-lanche) distorts SiteMeter, with one long spike of 4,000 hits, while rest of month runs at several hundred daily. Comrades wait all month for SiteMeter to get back to "relevant range." Who can read graph distorted by one tall spike?

Commissar calls following Site Meter graph "Just My Luck."

May be time for some general blogging comments.

Traffic vs. Readership

many comrades focus on "traffic," as measured by Site Meter. Is bolshoi error, not Party Line. Traffic comes and goes. Maybe spike, maybe not. While measurable, through URL hits, 'traffic' is not correct Revolutionary goal.

Goal is 'readership.' If readers are other bloggers who send you even more readers, is good. If your readers are bolshoi bloggers who send lots and lots of readers, even better. But real issue is 'readers,' not 'traffic.'

Women in Blogging

Read Bull's post.


Posted by Commissar at March 18, 2004 11:06 PM
Confessions

I am too iggorant to separate traffic from readers. As one not fortunate enough to have all the commissar's caviar, I'll take my Wonkalanche happily. Who cares what 'normal' traffic is? Just gimme mooooore.

Extracted from: gary at March 18, 2004 11:24 PM

Dirty secret Comrade: I have no readers. I merely hit "refresh" button many times per day, instead of sleeping.

Also force wife to pretend to be people like "IB Bill" and "Dowingba" and "Mark Noonan" and "Ara Rubyan" to keep comments rolling so much.

All part of complicated plot to finally achieve worldide revolution. Plan looks like this:

1) Fake having regular readership
2)
3) World socialism achieved

Still working out details on part 2, but have gone far on step 1!

Extracted from: Dean Esmay at March 18, 2004 11:33 PM

Dirty commies! Capitalists know it's all about traffic... only reds worry about their pathetic "readers".

Thanks for the link :)

Extracted from: Michael Williams at March 18, 2004 11:51 PM

I don't get this site- I never have. What are you trying to accomplish here?

Extracted from: Jordan at March 18, 2004 11:52 PM

I was linked twice by Instapundit in the last two weeks, generatin...500 extra hits. Wonkette, two links gave 900 hits... Kaus gave 300 hits from one link... Instalance is just a minTruth mystery!

Extracted from: boifromtroy at March 19, 2004 12:20 AM

"I don't get this site- I never have. What are you trying to accomplish here?" - Jordan

No one's quite sure, but we're thoroughly enjoying watching him do it. Whatever it is. ;)

Has something to do with sheep, maybe? (00)

Extracted from: Ironbear at March 19, 2004 01:23 AM

Commerade Dean has given me much insight into how to boost readership. Faking the comments in support of my propaganda will lead to people thinking my ideas are popular. Popularity which would in time enslave the world todo my bidding and join the Party. I must get my wife Anya help with COMINTERN planing.

Spasiba dlya ochen khorosho idea.

Extracted from: Rick at March 19, 2004 01:32 AM

"I don't get this site- I never have. What are you trying to accomplish here?"

You don't "get" it because you don't understand Russian, and we do.

Extracted from: Kate at March 19, 2004 01:37 AM

"I don't get this site- I never have. What are you trying to accomplish here?"

Comerade Jordan,

Obviously world domination would be the fundamental goal of the Party Propaganda Machine

Extracted from: Dr Molotov at March 19, 2004 01:37 AM

I'm worried because I do get this site.

Extracted from: Simon at March 19, 2004 03:02 AM

Bah, it's the hitcount that matters. Who needs readers when you can write a 'bot to do pageloads all day and drive your hitcount up? For extra credit add a module that occasionally posts inane comments and it's just like having real readers... Only without the pesky need to write something coherent.

I call mine 'Instalanche', it's a definite timesaver. Every 'blogger should have one.

Myria

Extracted from: Myria at March 19, 2004 07:45 AM

I am not module! I am voman!

Even if did not pass test at Olympics to compete on vomen's team...

Extracted from: Natasha Fatale at March 19, 2004 10:35 AM

My fellow Llama Butcher Steve points out that, under this system, those of us who DON'T ever get such spikes must be the lumpen-blogitariat!

Da Svedanya!

Extracted from: Robert the Llama Butcher at March 19, 2004 04:19 PM

I haven't had an "Instalanche" in awhile, but my readership has in a slow but steady way increased. My daily average is about 90 hits. I think I had circa 50 visitors a year ago. I have about 30 individuals who subscribe to email updates (powered by Bloglet).

Maybe my latest post, HAMAS WEBSITE HOSTED IN SWEDEN, will generate a spike... ;)

All the Best,
Martin Lindeskog - American in Spirit.
Gothenburg, Sweden (a.k.a. the socialist "paradise").

Extracted from: Martin Lindeskog at March 19, 2004 10:02 PM