This year I did something I rarely do -- check to see what my most viewed posts of the year were. Several of my favorite bloggers have taken this look back and I enjoy it, because I sometimes find ones I've missed! I know those who have advertising on their blogs do this more often than I -- and it makes sense. During my years of working in marketing and promotion, I learned that if you want to attract the dollars you have to appeal to the public taste. More eyeballs, more revenue potential.
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| photo of mural taken several years ago at ArtPrize, Grand Rapids. Artist unknown |
I don't advertise on The Marmelade Gypsy. Blogging offers me an online journaling platform and the gift of making friendships from around the world. Since Blogger is a free platform, I don't need to worry about paying for it.
But it IS curious to know what people do like, what was the most interesting to them. So, here -- with links back in case you are new -- are those with the most views in 2023.
When Life Gives You Lemons
My friend Barb invited pal Kate and I out to learn how to make preserved lemons. It was a fabulous day, a great lunch and how-to was included.
It's Our Turn
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| Photo by Tamara Hicks Syron |
In February 2023, three Michigan State University students were killed and four injured in a shooting on the campus. It rocked the community and made the international news -- yet another shooting to add to the country's growing list.
November Life -- A Concert, Antique Finds and
Fun with Little Boys
In November, I found some beautiful Quimper pieces at an estate sale to add to my very small (but slowly growing!) collection. Rick and I also enjoyed Randy Rainbow in a live performance and had fun with our little kidlets!
And Now It's February
A look at some of the Valentine decor at home -- along with the snow and birds!
Time to Bring Out the Bunnies
I love bunnies -- indoors and out. And this post is a salute to Easter decor and cheerful rabbits!
Friends, Fun, Doctoring and Finally, Preserved Lemons!
This is one of those "real life" posts -- time with friends, a very useful pain chart and the first sampling of the preserved lemons made several weeks before.
Postcards from the Lake -- Entering the Autumn Zone
It seems like bloggers like looking at fall colors -- whether they are seeing them live or on someone's blog!
Off and On in My World
A last snow, the first crocus and painting butterflies. This is another "real life" post.
Postcards from the Lake: Getting a New Routine
When you move north for the summer, your daily routine changes. This Postcard from the Lake looks at some of the summer adjustments -- and fun -- that comes when you change your routine. It includes puzzles, art, farm markets and lake life scenes.
More From Cleveland -- Art, Food and Family
Lots of eye candy from the Cleveland Institute of Art, along with a visit to a wedding, some wonderful dining out in Little Italy and family time.
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So, what makes a post one that is more viewed than others? I guess you can look at your search optimization labels and evaluate topics. What are the demographics of your readers? What do they want to see? What makes them stand up and cheer, leave a comment, continue to follow you?
And then ask yourself, does getting hits on your site matter in the long run? If you advertise, then it probably does. But if you are like me, you just hope people will find what you put up worth their time to visit, maybe (hopefully!) comment. We all know from our own reading that not every post hits every reader, that sometimes as readers we run out of time because our own lives are a little crazy. (It seems like stats are always down as we get closer to the holidays!).
I just know that I am grateful to each and every Marmelade Gypsy, and I thank you for your visits and following on my life journey. I know I love learning more about you!
Keep writing!
Sharing with: Love Your Creativity
I looked at my top posts recently too and am thinking of doing a post about my top 5 of 2023 and of all time. It is pretty interesting to look at!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I don't advertise on my blog. It's purely a hobby and a place to go to connect with others, like you! We've known each other for such a long time now!!!
I don't really worry about how many readers I get. I do try to entertain, amuse, inform, etc, and people are generous. I like your blogging and the careful way you respond to comments. In fact I've discontinued reading some blogs because the writer never responded to my comments, nor visited mine. Either would be nice, both would be wonderful! To me it's a slow motion dialogue, so I appreciate the two way movement.
ReplyDeleteKeep on this year! We need your content.
Nice looking back - I haven't had time to do that yet! I always enjoy your posts whether it is about. a long-legged bird or squirmy little boys. God bless!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good year. Here's to the next one! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDelete...I was in the nursery business for 50 years and I quickly learned that color sells! People love birds, butterflies, flowers, cows, horses and just about anythings that is colorful!
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy visiting you! It is interesting to see what grabs the Google bots!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the ads. This is a free platform, and I loathe the clutter of the ads.
Personally, if someone doesn't visit me or comment, I just don't go back. Sometimes people ghost you (not you, I mean me), and I often wonder why. Sometimes I ask. A blogger who likes purple has told me we aren't a good fit' because I said that I thought she shouldn't be putting kids' photos on without parental permission. Like, whatever!
Thanks for being a fun blogger. I do enjoy you, your posts, and your comments!
This was the first year I looked at my stats, too. I don't know why some posts are more popular than others and I've given up trying to figure it out, but it's a fun exercise! Here's to a great new year of blogging!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is both entertaining and informative. The photographs and the words often take me to places that I would not have thought of before.
ReplyDeleteJeanie ~
ReplyDeleteI don't always comment, but I ALWAYS read your posts! Keep up the good work ~ your blog is a delight!!
Hugs ~
bobbie
I'm a new reader, so I need to get busy and go back to click-click-click and catch up on some of these. they look wonderful, so I'm not surprised they were the "tops."
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteI find your posts interesting, colorful, and relaxing. I especially like your book reviews, and art.
Wishing you a great blogging year in 2024!
Hi Jeanie, you have such a wonderful variety of posts (and life experience) that makes it fun to see what you're up to next. I don't have a lot of knowledge, but so much of the time the title of the blog post makes a huge difference in the traffic from search engines. No wonder your posts on lemons gets so much attention. Familiar phrases and popular topics get that attention too, like the Cleveland Institute of Art. I'm always happy to see a post from you because it's always interesting and informative and totally full of your wonderful personality and outlook on life. I saw a few posts I need to catch up on. Happy January, we appreciate you!!
ReplyDeleteThat was fun to see your most popular posts. I love that lemons. My gosh, the picture too. I just wanna eat 'em.
ReplyDeleteI had not looked at my stats yet, but after reading this I might like to see just what others truly liked reading on here. I am doing some advertising this year and I hope that it helps to bring some income into the farm as my husband and I both have struggled a bit this year with health.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy my visits to your blog and look forward to continuing to do so in 2024.
ReplyDeleteMy good wishes.
All the best Jan
Count me as one who is not in favour of advertising on blogs, especially since our blogs are free and we don’t need to raise revenue to pay for them. Some bloggers carry so much advertising (success by their standard, I suppose) that it really becomes intrusive and spoils the experience of the visit. There are a couple of bloggers I no longer follow since I got so tired of being bombarded by ads, sometimes even popping up while I was writing my comment. We all have a perspective on life to offer and it’s fun (and often educational too) to see what other people are up to. I appreciate everyone who visits my blog and especially those who take the time to comment. I intend to keep on blogging and look forward to following you in 2024, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to revisit some favorite posts. You're such an interesting person that your blog just naturally connects with people with a large range of interests. I used to be obsessed with checking my stats but this year I've slacked off from looking.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I’ve known you forever Jeanie! I was drawn to your blog first with Gypsy then enjoyed getting to know Lou. I always enjoy your lake life and of course hearing all about your and Rick’s travels. I have been away from the blog a lot these past couple of years because of our move so I’m looking forward to catching up in this new year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
The French Hutch
I don't think I have ever looked at stats on my blog-interesting way to share a recap of the year too. when I first started blogging I always had a visitor counter on my page-I have not done that in awhile.
ReplyDeleteHappy friday and weekend
Thank you for the good summary of your great posts. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI am almost an anonymous poster, but sometimes people find me, and we visit back and forth.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting idea. I've seen some people also do end of the year posts like this. It's interesting, and of course it's always curious to see what people find interesting. Sometimes you think you write a great post and it gets passed by and sometimes you write what you don't think much of and it gets a lot of hits. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy my visit. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteFun to see:) As for me..no desire lol to see what was top..I think having been a realtor 30 yrs where competition is so prevalent.I just don't care lo.
ReplyDeleteSigned..Weird..am I :)
When I began blogging, I looked at my stats for a while, but stopped relatively quickly. What I do remember is the day, about three years in, when I reached ten comments on a post. Now, I just don't care. I write about what interests me, and if someone else wants to come along for the ride, that's just great.
ReplyDeleteEven though WordPress has a free option, it now comes with ads that they insert, so I pay for the privilege of keeping the ads off my site. The good news is that that same payment gives me a good bit more storage for images; I've only used about a third of what's available on Lagniappe, so I'm good for a while!
I rarely check out my stats, I would never have advertisements on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy visiting you blog, the subjects you write about are some of the things I enjoy too. I love your autumn colors image and the pretty sunset at the lake. Your Lizzie is a cutie. Looking forward to your blog posts in 2024.
Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.
Now I am curious to check my own stats. I haven't check in a very long time.
ReplyDeleteI actually love that you did and shared with us. It was a lovely way to review. I do remember many of those posts.
It's funny, but when I started my blog I did it for me as a way to focus on the positives of life and loved that some people have enjoyed coming along with me. Thanks for being one of those that has come along. I love the people I have met through blogging.
It's incredible that you get so many comments. You must be doing something right. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI don't monetize my blog either but I do like to look back each year and see what was popular and then try to guess why... it doesn't really change what I share or how I write though since I primarily blog to have a record of our family life and trips but I still enjoy it. I enjoy reading others round-ups too. Those preserved lemons look delicious and I am a sucker for any post with beautiful fall foliage or sunset photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to look back and see what everyone enjoyed. I love seeing the lake in summer and your book reviews but of course you always decorate beautifully too. I love your blog! Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting what draws Dear Readers in or what initiates response and interactions. I Purge my Posts regularly and ideally like to keep them down to only a dozen since I Journal daily for me, and it would back up if I didn't delete regularly what I doubt anyone is wading into the Archives to Read, I know I never go back to review any of them. As I'm Purging I do notice the number of visits and comments, it can be surprising how many folks do take time to visit and I appreciate them all. I'm sure I break all the Rules of Good Writing... but, it's not monetized, so, like you said, if you're not making Money off it, then it doesn't really matter and is a Fun Hobby or Happy Place. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I never check views. Seeing yours was interesting :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun to look back to see which posts has the most views. It's gives us a chance to re-discover those posts again. Happy New Year Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteI almost never check my stats, but I do have a few posts that seem to reliably attract eyeballs. Funny that preserved lemons are such a hot topic in Webland!
ReplyDeleteIt must be all about the search words. You reminded me that I need to sugar my Meyer lemons and put them in the jar for tea later. Happy New Year, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteNo wonder the lemons were #1, it was a great, yummy post!!
ReplyDeleteThe shootings... make in not only nation-wide, we see that on TV, too. So sad.
And Lizzie and your lake... and your art of course. And your encouragement when I lost my job.
Who knows what´d happened without the blogger-world..
I haven't looked at my stats, so I tried. I think I get lost easily when I go places like that online. I did find out there are many more lurkers than commenters, though, so that was nice. I never could find where to locate the most watched blog posts--lol!
ReplyDeleteOh well, I only blog for the few who read it and because I like to and have met such nice people. I can't respond individually via email like I used to...and then discovered that some of the bloggers I had been having conversations with via email had no way for me to follow them using the Blogger Reader list when I could no longer follow via email. I can't figure out the other ways to follow blogs. It can be difficult for the non-tech-savvy folk to keep in touch. Blogger makes it harder and harder.
I love reading yours! Thanks for reading mine, Jeanie! I am so glad we have connected. :)
All wonderful posts, Jeanie. I always take blog breaks around holidays as I get very busy as I am the one who hosts our holiday gatherings and dinners. It gets a bit harder as I get older but I love doing it.
ReplyDeleteSometimes Blogger tells me when I have a popular post-- it us usually a recipe-- but I don't write for popularity. Blogging is more a journal for me and a way to learn more about where I've been or done.. I've loved meeting so many people around the world through my blog! I feel like I have friends everywhere!
Hi, Jeanie. I don't post with enough consistency anymore to look at details, or do advertising. I've never had a lot of followers though, even when I was spending more time with it, so stats wouldn't show much on my page. For a while now, I've had some trouble uploading photos, leaving comments, etc. and have read others also have issues. I've been trying to leave a comment on one blog on and off for about an hour now. And in the last couple days I've gotten many other 'failed to publish, try again later' pop ups when I click to publish a comment. Frustrating.
ReplyDeleteYou have some really wonderful posts linked here! Very nice photos, too!
I've never made preserved lemons, but have bought them. Every now and then I do like that flavor.
Fall colors... love!!
~Mary
I know it was a labor of love making all those jars of lemons so I'm glad that they turned out to be your top post. I'm looking forward to what this year brings.
ReplyDeleteYour blog, is a great blog, with nice articles, and a great work. And you knows that to create a blog have his work, with hours and hours of dedication. Is really admirable. Have a great starting in this New Year !!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your blog, it's full of fun, this and thats, and a whole bunch more. :) Looking forward to the return to the lake. Have a great weekend, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteHi Happy New year
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun blog
I haven't looked at my most popular ones Jeanie, but am going to take a look after visiting here. What a lovely list of posts. I'm going to come back and read every one of them. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I remember every one of these posts. You lead an interesting life and enjoy many varying things. I had forgotten the score on the Quimper at an estate sale! The change of location from home to the cottage provides so many wonderful opportunities for nature, sunsets, and friendships! I enjoy blogs without ads, but understand those that do have them. Looking forward to your posts in 2024!
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to visiting your blog, Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to know what 2024 has in store.
Hugs and blessings
It is fun to look back! I am often quite surprised! Several times I have learned that a recipe I almost didn't post because it was so simple, was very popular! Blogging has been a wonderful way to make new friends, to learn and share experiences and just connect with people! When you write from your heart, your readers will always enjoy it. I hope you have a wonderful 2024 with lots of love and adventures!
ReplyDeleteJenna
It's fun to look back at posts and see which ones were more popular. I have to admit I feel somewhat of a buzz when posts get more comments than others. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I can't wait to read more of your posts this year :)
I'm glad you posted this. I am going to preserve lemons and now I have a way to do it. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI've been away and not looked at blogs for about 3 weeks, so enjoyed a review of your most popular posts Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteYou always something something interesting to show us.
Happy New Year!
Great statistics. Just shows that you have such a variety of themes in your posts. It is amazing, fascinating and always great to read.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for 2024 blogging.
As I read through this post, I remembered all of these posts of yours, especially the lemon post. What a fun look back!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of advertising on blogs and I hope I will never be in the situation that I need it. Blogging for me is just enjoyment, so I don't really care about the stats. I'm happy and thankful about everyone who reads my words and those who take the time to leave a comment. I will definitely continue to read your blog in 2024, Jeanie. Hugs - Carola
ReplyDeleteSince I finally started up this blog again, and am enjoying revisiting posts and comments, I also looked through my stats, and categories, and find I was not good about noticing comments on my blog, finding a way to actually see who commented, as well! There are a number of features you draw my attention to, and I really appreciate your blog for this reason. AND, I love your writing and presentation!
ReplyDeleteThank you!