I love reading blogs! But over the last year, I've found myself becoming much more picky with the blogs I choose to subscribe to. I used to also be all about beautiful and impressive blog layouts, how-tos, and Pinterest worthy content, but those things don't matter so much to me anymore. I just don't have the time (or patience) to visit actual blogs anymore, so I read all posts through Feedly, which removes the need for a pretty layout. All that shines through at that point is good content.
But it's also important that the entire blog post shows up in my feed. I will just plain skip over posts or unsubscribe from a blog that only allows a 3 sentence snippet to show up in my feed in order to entice you to click over to their blog. And I totally understand why they do that (for the traffic and potential ad clicks) but it drives me crazy and it's the number 2 reason why I'll unsubscribe (boring content being number 1). The whole point of having a reader is to have all content in one place. I don't want to have to click out of my reader and have a new window open in order to read a post! I'm lazy that way!
And finally, quite simply my tastes have changed. These days, I enjoy more of a DIY/crafty type of blog where I can be inspired to make my own projects or decorate my house. And of course, there's the blogs of friend's I've made over the years that I read all the time. And I'll admit, that I've been a crappy commenter lately, but I am reading!
I am SO with you on the Feedly-viewing and hating partial feeds. There are a small handful of blogs (like, 5 or less) that I put up with the partial feeds and click-through, but that's it. The only other time I visit a blog is to comment -- like right now, haha. It's nice to see pretty layouts and such, but like you said - 90% of the time, I'm seeing the stripped down version in Feedly.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten a lot pickier about blogs too. I like genuine, real content over whitewashed photos and lots of magical unicorn affirmations.
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny you say this bc I use Bloglovin for my feed and most of the posts there I just click "Mark as Read" without even opening. Why am I following them again? I forget. I still like to actually visit blogs (like yours) but I totally get the practicality of having everything in one place. I guess it's hard for me to change old habits. :)
ReplyDeleteIf Feedly would allow to comment, it would be perfect. I read most blogs in Feedly, but then keep the ones "unread" that I want to comment on later (in the evening when I am at home).
ReplyDeleteP.S. I also still love to go and read actual blogs and I do appreciate a good design. (I wrote about this today on my blog :))
ReplyDeleteMy taste in blogs has changed quite a lot as well since I started. I used to be all about the DIY/craft, and lately I've been into just general lifestyle and geekery. And I'm much less shy about commenting (which took me ages to build up the courage to do!).
ReplyDeleteI've always been super picky about the kinds of blogs I'll follow with aesthetic being the number 1 reason I'll stop following someone. If it's not clean and easy, I don't want to look at it. Now I know with the baby coming that I'm still reading too many. It'll be hard to filter them down, but I know it'll happen.
ReplyDeletehaha damn! i was actually thinking about starting a new blog with unicorn affirmations and a few macaroon recipes thrown in every now and then. now i'm having second thoughts ;)
ReplyDeleteold habits are hard to change! i don't even use bloglovin anymore. last time i was there i had 3000 unread posts. *facepalm
ReplyDeleteoh, yes! i wish feedly would have a way to comment. that would be amazing and easy and i'd probably be so much more interactive with bloggers.
ReplyDelete