Do you remember how you felt when somebody first pressed the ‘like’ button on one of your early blog posts?
Does the ‘like’ button lose its appeal the longer you blog?
Do you notice who has clicked the ‘like’ button on any posts?
Is the ‘like’ button overrated?
When I first started blogging, the ‘like’ button on blogs was something I thought was one of the best ideas about blogging.
Getting a ‘like’ on one of my posts gave me the best feeling. I thought anybody clicking the ‘like’ button had read my post.
For me, a ‘like’ indicated that somebody had taken the time to read what I had written. Yes, somebody in the big wide world had taken a few minutes to read and like something I had written.
It also motivated me to write more blog posts in the hope that they would attract even more ‘likes.’ Of course, if somebody also left a comment, that was a bonus!
The Like button doesn’t have any disadvantages, does it?
It was not long before I discovered that the ‘like’ button has disadvantages.
Some bloggers said that seeing too many ‘likes’ on a blog post makes them feel demoralised.
In turn, some users go on to delete or abandon their blog or develop ‘blogging envy’ at seeing how well other users are doing compared to themselves.
I know of one user who admitted that, for them, ‘the number of ‘likes’ was more important than the content’; in other words, they saw blogging as more of a popularity contest.
I have never envied seeing bloggers get hundreds of likes, but I understand why some bloggers may envy it.
As I grew the list of the blogs I followed, it wasn’t long before I realised that there was not enough time in my day to read, like, and comment on all the blogs I followed.
Given that some of the bloggers I followed were publishing new blog posts more than once a day I was soon overwhelmed and drowned in a sea of voices, all wanting my attention.
Doing the following is not a solution.
Rather than unfollow any blogs, I began to ‘like’ posts without reading them. I thought that doing this would indicate to the blogger (who had written the post) that I had read their post, and they, in turn, would continue to read and ‘like’ my posts. I was fooling both them and myself.
I soon discovered that other bloggers and readers were playing the same game because they were all in the same boat as me. Some users (including me) were misusing the’ like’ button.
A dilemma. What would you have done?
When I read a blog post about the death of somebodies wife, I asked myself what I should do. Should I click ‘like’ or just leave a thoughtful comment? After all, many readers had already clicked the ‘like’ button on the post. Did those who clicked it not read the post? How could they have pressed the ‘like’ button on a post about somebodies death?
That was the day I left my first comment without clicking the ‘like’ button. Now I’m doing it much more often. Do you leave comments without clicking the ‘like’ button?
Would you press the like button on a post that contained bad news or news of death?
What shocked me the most about the ‘like’ button.
What shocked me the most was why some bloggers and readers click ‘like’ even if they have not read the post. The most surprising reason why bloggers do it was that it ‘shows support’ for the blogger who had written the post, even if they didn’t have time to read it.
Really? Liking a post without reading it is a way to support other bloggers? Are there no better ways to support bloggers? Of course, there are.
Should you remove the ‘Like’ button from your blog?
I did it about four years ago and was inundated with messages from readers who said that they missed seeing the ‘like’ button. When I asked why they missed it, only a few responded, most saying that it was a way to say they’d visited even if they didn’t read the post or leave a comment saying so.
When I enquired what kind of comment they’d leave if they’d not read the post, most said a comment that confirmed they’d visited.
How would you feel if a reader told you they’d clicked ‘like’ on one of your posts, but they’d not read it?
Of course, there’s also the other side of the coin. Just because somebody hasn’t clicked the ‘like’ button does not mean they have not read the post.
Do you notice the gravatar icons next to the ‘like’ button?
These days, I take little if any notice of them. I’d go as far as to say that the ‘like’ button found at the end of blog posts should probably disappear for good.
Not everyone misuses the ‘like’ button. And remember, there are many other ways to support a blogger than clicking ‘like.’
For example, occasionally, leaving a blogger a valuable comment that adds value to their post. Or ask questions about their post’s content to show you’re interested in what they’ve written.
Don’t become a ‘comment spammer‘ by leaving empty comments hoping you’ll get comments back on your posts.
Of course, if you’re happy with the comments section on your blog containing boring comments that serve no purpose other than saying that those who left them visited your blog, click away.
Why do some bloggers press the ‘like’ button on their blog posts?
That’s a question I’d love to know the answer to. Can you help? Does it benefit the post or their blog or make it look odd?
Don’t have time to leave thoughtful comments?
Rather than spend small amounts of time leaving pointless comments on many posts, use the time you save not leaving them by leaving the occasional comment that adds value to the post. Most bloggers will value you more for leaving a thoughtful comment occasionally than leaving many comments that add no value.
One thoughtful comment that adds value to a post is worth hundreds of comments that add no value.
When and for what reasons do you use the ‘like’ button on WordPress? Have you ever misused it, and would you miss it if WordPress removed it from all blogs?
Before you answer my questions or leave a comment, this is what WordPress says about the ‘like’ button.
Let’s say you’ve found a particularly awesome post on WordPress.com. You’d like to tip your hat to the author and give him or her credit. At the bottom of the post, you see the Like button. Press it, and the author will know that you have acknowledged an exceptional, phenomenal blog post.
WordPress.com
Please feel free to answer any of the questions I have asked throughout this post by leaving me a comment. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
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Time, Hugh you’ve hit the nail on the head. Even with the few handfuls of blogs I actively follow, I don’t have time to read each one. Some people post every day!
When I press the like button, I’ve read your post. When I feel I have something to contribute to the conversation, I comment.
If I’m reading a post and not connecting with it, I start skimming and move on. (no like button)
You know what I do like? A blogger that posts once a week. A few publish on a specific day, and even down to the hour.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kevin.
Time can often be a blogger’s worse enemy. That’s why I like the saying, ‘Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint.’ I witness many bloggers rushing around trying to read and leave comments on too many blog posts in the time they have, usually because they feel obliged to do so. Many end up with blogging burnout.
I never feel bad for not reading all the posts of the blogs I follow. I read what I can and will comment if I have something of value to add. That way, I’m keeping the enjoyment and fun of blogging.
I’m with you on the once a week schedule, Kevin. But I’ve finally learned to read just once a week regardless of the blogger’s posting schedule. Then I have a choice of which post to read. :D
Michelle, it’s all good fun until it starts feeling like a job.
Exactly!
Hugh, Firstly a great post and topic for discussion.
I do use the like button from time to time, BUT only once I read the full post.
As I am self-hosted, I do not have a like button on my blog, and not sure if it is available. I am not sure if I should look into this or not and if I should add it if I can do so on my blog.
I must admit, that I value a good thoughtful comment as that indicates to me that the commenter did read and not merely hit the like button.
Yes, a thoughtful comment is worth hundreds of ‘likes’, Esme. It’s a shame that some bloggers see blogging as more of a popularity contest rather than concentrating on the content they write and publish.
To be honest, I think you’re better off without a ‘like’ button on self-hosted sites. Too many people misuse the ‘like’ button. Some see it as more of a free marketing tool without any of the work.
Thanks for your valuable input as always. Come to think of it, now that I try to think back, I may have investigated this previously, but I think its best I listen to you and just let it be. Thanks Hugh
I rarely “like” without commenting, Hugh, but I don’t mind seeing the likes pile up on my posts. I know my posts get likes from the reader and people dont always comment. I feel if someone took the time to read from an email notification, they will likely press like, and comment. But you never know and I am fine with that. Do you think lack of likes will affect blog views in the stats, I wonder?
I belong to a social media group called Next Door. Not sure who has it but it’s like button has several choices of like, love, wow, anger, etc, much like Facebook. Perhaps WordPress could go that route? At least it’s feedback.
Great thoughts, Hugh, and you manage to keep us bloggers on our toes 😁
One of the other problems with the ‘like’ button is that people can still like your posts on the WordPress Reader even if you have no like button on your posts, Terri. So, I don’t think blog views would be affected. It’s a little like bloggers being able to reblog a post from the WordPress Reader, even if (like me) the reblog button has been disabled.
I’m not a fan of those emotion-like buttons. I think they’re great on social media platforms like Facebook, etc., but I wouldn’t like to see them here on WordPress. There is an option to give a star rating for blog posts, but those wanting it to have to switch it on. However, like the ‘like’ button, it can be open to misuse and misleading. A perfectly good post may get many 1-stars, thus putting off readers. It’s a little like checking the star-rating system of books.
It’s a shame that the ‘like’ button is widely misused. I’d be more up for not being able to press the ‘like’ button until you’ve spent at least a few minutes on a page. That way, readers may also leave more thoughtful comments while they wait for the like button to become active.
Great point about the emoticon buttons! And that’s just mean if someone abused it.
People have actually told me they like posts without reading them, Terri. Given I used to do it, I believe them.
HA! I just said that too!
Get out of my head Hugh!
I deleted my “like” button for one day, Hugh. I think it was after you deleted yours. But I got the same reaction. A lot of visitors like the “like.” I realize that a lot of them are “hollow” likes, but it doesn’t really bother me. I’ve learned to put my time and energy into visiting bloggers who’ve left comments. Those are the blogging relationships I enjoy, and it doesn’t take long for those bloggers to become friends.
I returned the ‘like’ button because the ‘reblog’ button also disappeared when the ‘like’ button was disabled, Diana. At the time, I did not want the reblog button to disappear, but now I have removed the reblog button and kept the ‘like’ button (because of copyright issues).
I love comments which open up a discussion, so they mean much more to me than clicking the ‘like’ button. However, when I started blogging, the ‘like, button was more important to me than comments. It’s funny how things turn around as we make our blogging journies.
Thanks for joining the discussion.
Oh yeah. I remember that problem with the reblog button. So complicated. I’m glad you’ve settled on a combination that works well for you even if it’s not perfect.
I don’t know why the reblog and like buttons were connected, but even if a blogger disables them, other bloggers can still reblog or like your posts on the WordPress Reader. It’s one of the WordPress mysteries.
Of which there are many. :-D
Sorry to hijack your comment Diane but Hugh what do you mean by your reference to copyright?
And btw I agree with you Diane. I took off the like button but some people wanted it back. Hey ho fine. I’m not about to judge and if they are happy reading-liking, not-reading-liking or liking-as-a-of-support then I’m happy to let them have that tool. It may make them feel more comfortable to use that if they can’t come up with a meaningful comment. And yes I imagine everyone, me included has liked without reading. Probably for any number of the reasons you articulate, Hugh. I suppose I see it as being a tool for the benefit of the recipient of the post rather than for me and for them to use it as they will. The idea that there’s a ‘misuse’ issue, Hugh is a trifle didactic. Let them have their likes. What harm does it do? And by not having a like option, do you think it increases comments, let alone meaningful comments?
I’ll keep the like. When I go to notifications I’ll sometimes notice the likes and most often these days not. But I really don’t care why someone hits the button. As I learnt when I removed it, there are followers who missed it. It’s there for them, not me.
And as usual Hugh, great post to get us all thinking. Different strokes for different folks!! You deserve to be the first recipient of Blogging Philosopher of the Year!!
Geoff, first of all, WordPress marked your comment as spam, and it went straight to my spam folder. Not sure why, but it’s a good job. I check that folder daily, as I don’t get email notifications of comments marked as spam.
Regarding copyright, it’s to do with reblogging posts that contain copyrighted images or photos. I know of a few bloggers who have been fined for reblogging posts that contained copyrighted images. I had a guest post last year from another blogger (Deborah Jay) who went through the experience. Here’s a link to her post.
https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2022/01/31/why-i-was-threatened-with-legal-action-after-reblogging-on-wordpress-a-true-story-and-guest-post-by-deborah-jay-deborahjay2/
I think one meaningful comment every so often is better than somebody clicking the ‘like’ button on all my posts, Geoff. Some bloggers will click the ‘like’ button on lots of my posts (and comments) within seconds of each other (one of the reasons why I switched off email notifications of likes). As somebody who also misused the ‘like’ button, I know it is not only me who misuses it. When you look at why WordPress said there is a ‘like’ button, it’s clear that some bloggers are misusing it.
Unfortunately, clicking the ‘like’ button on posts without reading posts in the hope that the blogger thought I’d read their post only made matters worse for me. It was not long before I realised that feeling obliged to read somebodies blog because they read mine was not the right thing to do. Making that decision made a big difference for me.
But thank you for your thoughts and for joining the discussion. It’s the reason why I like writing and publishing these kinds of posts because there are so many different perspectives. It’s good to read them all.
HUGH!! This read is a universal gift to me! TY! I’m so new that I might have done something like this but posted it on my page!
You’re welcome. Are you referring to the information about copyright in the comment I left for Geoff?
Yes sir I am!
I’m glad it helped.
I knew there was something re copyright but thank you for reminding me.
And I guess I think misuse is a strong term for what appears to me to be a fairly harmless behaviour (you may disagree). I agree about a thoughtful comment is better than the other options but equally I feel a like, if that’s what the reader/recipient prefers is fine by me. Everyone to their own
As for why I went to spam, maybe its WPs way of agreeing with you! I’m not sure if that happens often.
Yes, we’ll have to disagree on this one, Geoff. But it’s good to get all the different perspectives. It’s one of the reasons why I write and publish posts like this one. I crave discussions rather than those dead-end comments that can only be answered with a ‘thank you.’
And that’s an eerie thought – WordPress siding with certain bloggers. It would make a good story.
Yes. I wonder what punishment the sinister happiness engineers would inflict on miscreants who abuse the like button?
🤔 To be most honest, I always preferred comments over likes.
I used to blog on Blogger ages ago; Blogger does not have a “Like” button. Therefore, it was quite normal for me to not have a “Like” button.
Today, I am on WordPress and it has a “Like” button.
Personally, I think that the “Like” button is ideal for those who do not want to comment.
The downside of the “Like” button is that it is abused regularly on WordPress.
Picture this:
My blog posts are beefy; which means that it would take a while for a person to read them. Yet, some people press the “Like” button a few seconds after they are published (Which is a strong indicator of people pressing the “Like” button without ever reading them).
I am surprised to learn that seeing likes on someone else’s blog makes some people feel demoralized (First of all, they should not be comparing their blogs to the blogs of others).
Now, what if were the same for comments?
That would be ridiculous. It would be like someone visiting your blog and noticing that you get a lot of comments when they do not.
Would that mean that WordPress should remove the comments feature from all blogs?
Of course not!
Anyone who has an issue with the “Like” button should disable it.
Regarding comments, what I have noticed is that there is a large percentage of bloggers who do not how to leave thoughtful comments or are way too lazy to leave thoughtful comments.
Thanks for adding your thoughts, Renard.
I don’t think WordPress will ever get rid of the ‘like’ button, but I’m glad there is a setting for users to disable it (just as there is to disable comments).
Likewise, my long posts get likes (usually from the same people) seconds after publication. It’s like they are lurking in the background, waiting to pounce on them.
Some bloggers tell me they don’t have time to leave thoughtful comments. And given that I see them leaving one-worded or pointless comments on many blogs, tells me that they are one of those bloggers who think blogging is a race rather than an enjoyable, relaxing experience.
I think you hit the nail on the head, Hugh. I’ve wondered myself about the like button. But of course, Word Press does count those, I believe. I get notices of many blog posts each day – I always read those from bloggers I have gotten to know while others get my attention from time to time.
I switched off the notifications of who had pressed the ‘like’ button on any of my posts, Noelle. I used to get them via email, and they clogged up my email box. Another blogger questioned why I was getting email notifications of who had clicked the ‘like’ button. She was right.
Good solution!
Interesting blogpost. I seldom occupy myself worrying about what other people do and why, particularly when it comes to my blog. It’s not a good use of my time. I know that many people who like my blog posts do not read them. Some people who comment also don’t read the posts they comment on. People who praise my posts sometimes haven’t read it at all. Theses days, unless you have something that adds a lot of value to someone else’s life, it’s hard to have them really stop to read it. ChatGPT might kill the little audience left for instructive blog posts as well. What can we do? We can continue writing blog posts as we please, we can disable our own like button if we don’t like it that people use it, we can also find a niche that people are interested in to have a few more people reading our blogs…. I choose to leave the like in my blog, and I don’t pay attention to who hits it, and why.
You are wise not to concern yourself, especially given that you know that many people click the ‘like’ button on your posts without reading them. I can’t help but wonder why people do it, though. Unless it’s like the ‘liking’ game, I mentioned in my post.
When you say that some people comment on your posts without reading them, what kind of comments are they leaving?
I think most bloggers like joining discussions, but there is a group that says they don’t have time for discussion, so they only leave a comment that adds no value or confirms they read the post. Some leave these types of comments out of guilt.
ChatGPT is an interesting subject and one I have written about. The post got a lot of discussions too.
One example I recall vividly. When I made a post about my husband having died, someone commented “Awesome photo!” Sometimes someone will ask a question which answer is in the text I published. Obviously they did not read the text. I think these days time is the most valuable commodity we have. I don’t have time because we constantly waste it on our phones, social media, testing ChatGPT. So when someone gives me a “like” without having looked at the blog post, I cannot help but feel flattered. Someone wasted their precious time on me.
Thanks for answering my questions, Alessandra, and for being honest about your feelings about the ‘like’ button. It’s always good to hear these different perspectives.
I so agree, Hugh. There are those bloggers, who leave their stereotype comments that fit everything like “I love it”, “wonderful”, “Have a nice day”,… You know they did not even take a look at your content. So, I rather have no comment than an obviously thoughtless one. However, sometimes I don’t know what to comment on a post and so at least, I leave a like (in case I did like it in general).
Thanks, Erika.
I don’t think we ever need to feel guilty for not leaving a comment, though. I only leave comments where I know I’m making a contribution that will add value to the post and for those who read my comment.
I’ve moved away from reading blogs where the comments section contains nothing but those stereotypical comments.
Since I am not so focused on comments but more on the content of the post, I don’t care much about stereotype comments on other blogger’s posts. It is not the blogger’s fault. I simply don’t think it doesn’t show much appreciation and those commentators should be honest and only leave a like or leave it at all. However, maybe some of those who act like this read your post and change their attitude.
You say it very well, Erika. Anybody who leaves those comments is not showing appreciation for the blogger or the contents of their posts where they leave those types of comments.
Teeheehee..1. I’m guilty! I liked one of my own posts! What?? I am proud of it! 🤣 2. I’m one of the ones that is compelled to read the post if I am going to hit the like button. That’s my conscience and my own personal crap though. 3rd.. I thrive on the comments.. being a new blogger, I use the feedback to improve my content. I also wish more people would comments on my pages because I love to interact with like-minded individuals. Constructive criticism is designed to make people better. I want to be better. I’m still trying to figure out how to build my website! It’s a nightmare and hard to Navigate. I’ll eventually get through it but for now, wade myself through best I can..
Do you press the ‘like’; button on all your posts? And is that the only reason you do it – because you’re proud of what you have published? Thanks for being honest about it.
Good to hear that you are still working on making your site user-friendly. I know of some bloggers who have not changed their websites since I started blogging 9 years ago. They begin to look stale and dull when they don’t change and keep up with the changes.
I only did on one of my pieces, but I do have one other one that I hadn’t clicked like on yet. Yes, it is the only reason I click like, they’re pieces that I feel are extraordinary compared to the others. It’s definitely a self feather stroking behavior. 🤣 It is something that I practice in my life overall, it’s a practice of self-love that I have struggled with having over the course of my 1/2 century of life. It is a psychological thing that reinforces my belief in myself. It lends to healthy self reflection and development.
I love your explanation. Thank you for sharing it with us. I’m delighted it helps you.
Yeah, I talk just as much as I write!! 🤭 Somehow, people listen. I suppose it’s because I know a little about a lot. I love to read!
I use the like button for posts I like and since I follow quite a few bloggers who publish regularly, my like means to me I read this post so I know next time I visit their blog where I left off or what I hadn’t read. I don’t always leave a like though.
I definitely don’t leave a like without reading. That seems nonsensical. What if they wrote something I don’t agree with?
When people leave me likes on my blog I hope it means they read it, but I know that isn’t always the case. I don’t concern myself with likes.
Exactly. What if you click ‘like’ on a post that you have not read and it’s about something you don’t agree with. That’s something serial likers don’t think about or care about. They rather continue shouting ‘look at me’ by clicking as many ‘like’ buttons as possible, including the ‘like’ button on comments.
I’m pleased to hear you don’t concern yourself with who has and who hasn’t clicked the like’ button.
Thank you for joining the discussion.
I prefer to write a comment, if the post warrants one. The “Like” button reminds me of Facebook, and social addiction. The like button should go away.
Yes, one of the social media platforms started the debate about the ‘like’ button and whether it should be displayed. Unfortunately, the addiction to clicking ‘like’ has spilt over into the blogging world. Some bloggers seem guilty if they don’t press it on every post they read or click on.
But I agree that leaving engaging comments is far better.
Thank you. Let us hope more folks do that.
Personally I feel ‘like’ button is misleading in majority of cases.
It is dopamine kick to energise blogger without much benefits.
Nothing like ‘leaving an appropriate comment’.
I fully agree with you regarding pressing the button, when the post is about some sad news.
Even in photography related blogs, readers can leave meaningful comments as to why they like the photo.
I suspect the like’ button only makes readers curious about the person who pressed it.
Thank you Hugh for this thought provoking article.
Thank you for being on the same page as me about the ‘like’ button. At first, I thought the ‘like’ button could make a lot of difference, but as we grow our blogs, it becomes less important when getting engegaing comments takes over.
Thank you for joining the discussion.
Rightly said Hugh.
As we grow our blogs and become more mature, we realise that this ‘like’ button is meaningless.
I’d also say I tend to distinguish who’s leaving the likes and if I see serial likes in rapid-fire succession … sometimes you know they’re not serious.
I’d actually also say, having learned from you about directing readers to my site .. improbably more focused on views than likes as I know some people will send me personal comments rather than liking or leaving something in the comments section
Serial likers are a strange bunch, Brenda. All they do is try to get your attention, whereas if they left a genuine comment that proved they read the post, they’d have a much better chance of getting my attention.
I’ve never gotten many personal comments, but I know bloggers who say they get lots because some readers do not want to write their comments in the comments section.
And I meant to congratulate you on the great discussions going on in your recent post about libraries. It was brilliant seeing that most of the comments on that post were proper discussions, not comments that just said they visited.
Thank you Hugh. It’s funny, but sometimes it’s the posts I feel least confident about that get the best engagement. I agree, the libraries post is really engaging people. As you said, the engagement with comments is really motivating
Hi Hugh. The quote from WP, to me, is quite alarming. Yes, like if it’s good, if I enjoyed it. But if its exceptional, yes I would still like it, but if its really that good that it stands out, surely I’d want to leave a comment too.
I won’t like something just to say I read it or to acknowledge the post. I’ve read some and not liked – sometimes it’s poor quality, but other times I disagree, so wouldn’t like, but will still leave comments.
With regard to your opening questions, I do value likes but recognise their disadvantages and agree, you can’t compare to other bloggers – there are so many variables between bloggers which would make drawing comparisons ineffective. At the beginning I think we’re just so happy to see activity but as you and your blog develop, you realise its a complex mix and comments are more important,having the opportunity to engage with others. But primarily, we need to remember why we started blogging … to be able to write or to get attention
Yes, I’m with you, Brenda. If I read an exceptional post, I’d always want to leave a comment.
Some years ago, many bloggers would publish their top 10 posts based on the number ‘of likes’ they’d received. Of course, there was no way of knowing if everyone who clicked ‘like’ on those posts read them, so posts with 100 likes and one comment were ranked higher than posts with 10 likes and 10 comments. So engagement was seen as less of a success. Strangely, I don’t see so many of those end-of-year posts anymore, so maybe many of those who published them put two and two together.
I agree that ‘likes’ are important to boost morale at the beginning of our blogging journies, but they become much less important as engaging comments take over.
A complex one, that, Hugh. Whenever I visit a site I like that doesn’t have a ‘like’ button, I feel that it’s being a bit ‘stand-offish’. It’s not rational, and probably not true. But the emotion is still there…
That’s an interesting reason, Stephen. Why do you feel like that when seeing a blog with no ‘like’ button? Ruth mentioned in her comment that the lack of a ‘like’ button is like forcing her to leave a comment. Do you see that way too?
Thanks, Hugh. I think we all ‘like to like’. It’s a warm human response in a cold world. In a community like WordPress, where people help and share – like you do – it seems a natural gesture to ‘Like’; for whatever reason. WordPress isn’t clinical, it’s friendly…
I like to like a post when I’ve read it and found it interesting or when it’s motivated me to add a valuable comment, Stephen; the problem seems to be that some people misuse it rather than use it for the reasons why WordPress placed it on their site. I used to press ‘like’ on posts I’d not read for all the wrong reasons, making me feel guilty.
Thanks so much for responding to my question. This has been a great discussion to start and ask the blogging world.
I don’t tend to ‘like’ posts I haven’t actually read, so in that sense I suppose I don’t misuse the ‘like’ button. But removing the ‘like’ button on a blog doesn’t actually encourage me to leave a comment if I wouldn’t have commented otherwise – and personally I don’t appreciate feeling ‘forced’ to comment by its absence. Instead I’ll simply read the post as usual then click off the page without leaving any acknowledgement at all… So I’m really happy there’s a ‘like’ button on WordPress, and I’m happy to continue to use it! :-)
I’m interested in why you feel the lack of a ‘like’ button is a sign that you believe you are being forced to leave a comment. I only comment when I have something of value to add. I used to remember feeling guilty if I didn’t press ‘like’ or leave any kind of comment, but that road was slippery and led to blogging burnout and feelings of stress and guilt.
However, if having a ‘like’ button makes you feel good, then that’s an excellent reason for there being one.
Thanks for joining the discussion. Ruth.
It just seems impolite to me not to acknowledge visiting someone’s blog when the platform gives you that option, so I suppose that’s why I feel I like to ‘like’ a post (if I do like it, of course)… Having comments only feels a bit of an all-or-nothing approach to acknowledgement for the reader, that’s all I meant… :-)
Thanks for answering my question, Ruth. It’s interesting hearing how people feel about these subjects.
I pressed the Like button because I liked this post. That’s what I usually do. I have mixed feelings, but I general, I like the like ;-)
I do sometimes leave a comment without pressing the Like button. Sometimes I say something like “I couldn’t bring myself to press the Like button” at the of my comment. I don’t know why I feel the need to supply an explanation.
One good thing about the Likes on my posts is that it helps me to find people. Sometimes, I go back to old post, check the likes to see who’s no longer around and see it they’ve started blogging again. I also check that before repostiing a blog, so I don’t repost something most current followers have already read.
I’ve often said in the comments section of posts that contain bad news that I could not bring myself to click the ‘like’ button, Dan. However, I will go on to leave a thoughtful comment. I don’t understand how somebody would click ‘like’ on a post containing bad news and not leave any kind of thoughtful comment.
I don’t mind updating and republishing older blog posts. I find that some readers who may have read the post before often thank me for the reminders within the post.
I no longer check who clicked the ‘like’ button on my posts. For me, it’s more about the thoughtful comments that were/are left.
You make some very good points about those buttons. I’ve often wondered why WordPress doesn’t add the love-sad-angry options, but maybe they don’t want to be like Facebook,
Yes, you’re right, Dan. I see too many blogs with the same feel as a Facebook page. I’m not a fan of those blogs, but I know some bloggers are.
Personally, I click the Like button when I’ve read a post. The only time I click it without “reading” is when it’s a photography blog and I see the photo. If I like the photo, I click Like!
Yes, posts containing photos (and no text) can be treated differently regarding the ‘like’ button. However, I cringe when people leave comments like ‘great photo’.
Another interesting post! I’m a Jetpack-enabled WP org user, but I don’t include Like button on my website. The reason is that the design isn’t very nice 😅, plus the font cannot easily be changed due to the way it’s coded (WP is using CSS inside iframe). To me, how my website looks is more important than the number of Likes. 😅
That’s an excellent point, Joey. I’m with you. The look of a blog and website is far more important than having a ‘like’ button that makes the site look poor quality.
Well, Hugh, I really hesitated before hitting the “Like” button on this post. Personally, I never “Like” anything unless I’ve actually read it and sincerely enjoyed it or learned something from it. I will often “Like” a post I enjoyed if I don’t have time to leave a thoughtful comment.
To answer the question in your subject line, I’m not sure I’d remove the Like button, but sometimes I wish there were other options, similar to how reactions on other platforms work.
Have a great week, Hugh!
I have seen star ratings on some blogs where readers can rate the post from 1-star to 5-star. It’s a little like the system to rate books, but not many bloggers seem to use it. It can also be misused and make a perfectly good post look dreadful. So, people may avoid reading a post with a poor rating.
From what you have said, you are using the ‘like’ button as I do, Michelle. Although I have left thoughtful comments on posts where I have not clicked ‘like’. I don’t click the ‘like’ button on everything I read.
Thank you for being the first to the discussion.