130 responses to “When Bloggers Vanish: Online Friendships, Goodbyes and Silence”

1. 

   Pat

   Jun 10, 2026

   Thank you, Hugh, for writing this and it gives me a different perspective from a follower’s point of view. I’ve been on and off with my site for seems like a number of years now. Some of the reasons I’ve almost pulled the plug have been not much traffic or interest that justifies paying monthly fees along with what to write.

   For some reason, I’ve hung onto it after all these years though I’ve not been very active. And, when I do post something, I’m grateful for the followers that are still there and happy to see they’ve stuck with me, but I do think that if I did call it quits, I would publish a farewell post.

   Reply
   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 11, 2026

      It’s good that blogging and writing keep pulling you back, Pat. Write and publish new posts when you have something to share. Never force yourself to write and publish. I see many bloggers do that (mainly those who publish every day), and you can see the drop in the quality of their content. That’s why they lose followers, and many eventually stop blogging because of burnout.

      All blogs lose followers, which is part of the blogging process. The important followers are those who remain after you’ve taken a break from blogging and who continue to engage with you. Never be too concerned about those who unfollow.

      Reply
      1. 

         Pat

         Jun 13, 2026

         Thank you, Hugh. Your comments are encouraging. I try to do that and only write when I have something to share trusting it will reach someone who may need to hear what I wrote. Can’t force it.

         Some of my followers have been with me from the beginning – almost 20 years – and I’ve made friendships with them. It’s special and think that’s one of the things that keeps me holding onto it for now and hope I’ll know when that time comes to let it go.

         Reply
         1. 

            Hugh W. Roberts

            Jun 13, 2026

            That’s lovely to hear about the friendships you have built up over those 20 years of blogging. Pat. I don’t think I have that many followers left from the early years of my blogging journey, but I’ve made some great connections over those years and had the honour of meeting some of those bloggers.

            Reply
            1. 

               Pat

               Jun 15, 2026

               Thank you, Hugh, and glad to hear you’ve done the same, built up friendships.

               Haven’t met any of them but imagine it sure would be special to do so, like you. First years of blogging were with blogspot and then WordPress for 14 years.

               Don’t know where the time has gone. Thank you for your responses. Appreciate it.

               Reply
2. 

   V.M.Sang

   Jun 9, 2026

   If I’m going go be away from my blog, I usually say. And if I’m away unexpectedly, I will apologise on return.

   I’ve made a few good friends online. We’ll probably never meet in real life, but that doesn’t make the relationship any less real

   Reply
   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 10, 2026

      I agree. Online friendships are very real. For some, they are life-savers (especially during the lockdowns).

      Reply
3. 

   Tails Around the Ranch

   Jun 9, 2026

   I’ve been blogging since 2014 and to my utter surprise, have a nice following with so many lovely people. Sadly over the years, too many have stopped blogging and their absence left a sad mark on my heart. My blog is in the pet community and we tend to become attached to the upright as well as the 4 legged. When I first started blogging, I sold pet treats and accessories and worked hard to develop engaged relationships with my customers/readers who I viewed as friends. When a pet passed, I understood it when they stopped blogging. It allowed me to develop relationships with all the regular commenters.

   I’ve always tried to inform my readers when I’m going to be away and when I lost my first pet, several reached out to check on my absence for which I was grateful and several sent memorial gifts. They helped me deal with the loss of a beloved pet and after a short break, I resumed blogging. In an age where people live behind their screens and post mean/cruel comments, it’s refreshing when others show they care. The pet community seems particularly close knit though I know there is always the one off that either didn’t like me, my style of writing or just aren’t interested for whatever reason but they seem few and far between. Some of those who left blogging are on Facebook or Instagram and I try keep in touch through those platforms. I always mourn the loss of those who leave without advanced word. When you connect with folks, it can be crushing when they suddenly drop off which leads to be mention that planning for the inevitable departure should be determined in advance. I hope my estate executor will notify folks once I’ve departed this world. It makes you realize you may need a plan to take care of your online presence once you’re gone.

   Reply
   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 9, 2026

      The blogging community has not only supported me but also helped me continue blogging. There are many wonderful bloggers out there. We will always encounter those who disagree with what we say, but provided they do so in a friendly and professional manner, I see it as part of the blogging experience. However, nobody should tolerate rudeness. I always mark such comments as spam.

      Informing our followers that we will be away also helps prevent unnecessary worry. But your last point is very important, as we should have a plan to inform our followers if, for whatever reason, we are no longer able to blog. It sounds as if you have something in place for that, which is great to hear.

      How long have you been blogging for?

      Reply
      1. 

         Hugh W. Roberts

         Jun 9, 2026

         Ignore my last question, as I noticed you told me the answer at the beginning of your comment. You started the same year as I did.

         Reply
4. 

   Debbie D.

   Jun 9, 2026

   I think that blogger who asked “Did you miss me?” after a week away was being facetious. That’s a short absence, and unless they usually post daily, most people likely wouldn’t realize they were gone. Many bloggers I know have disappeared over the years, some without explanation. One never knows what is going on in the lives of others, but it’s human nature to fear the worst, so a farewell post would certainly be helpful. As you said, though, that may not always be possible. Blogger burnout is something I experience periodically, and always let people know when I’m taking a break. The last one was earlier this year for about six weeks.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 9, 2026

      From the rest of her post, I think you are right, Debbie. I don’t know how often she posted, but it seemed to me that she expected her followers to be waiting for every post she published as soon as she hit the ‘publish’ button. However, I think it’s largely a matter of knowing a blogger’s posting schedule before anyone becomes concerned about a sudden disappearance.

      I’ve also taken several blogging breaks over the years I’ve been blogging. I always let my audience know I’m going to be away and for how long. If anything changes, I’d let them know. I think it’s only polite to inform our readers and prevent unnecessary worry.

      It’s good to hear that you take a break when you experience blogging burnout. I’ve seen many bloggers refuse to take one, then crash and never come back.

      Reply
      1. 

         Debbie D.

         Jun 9, 2026

         Yes, for me, regular breaks are necessary, to regenerate the muse. :) Some bloggers seem to think if they stop, however briefly, they will lose followers. From my experience, that’s not the case, and one shouldn’t become a slave to blogging. It’s supposed to be enjoyable!

         Reply
         1. 

            Hugh W. Roberts

            Jun 10, 2026

            I agree that taking a blogging break won’t cost you followers, Debbie. In hindsight, the majority of blogs lose followers every week while active. But it’s all part of the blogging experience and shouldn’t be a concern unless a large number of followers leave.

            Reply
5. 

   Eugi

   Jun 9, 2026

   It’s worrisome when bloggers all of sudden vanish. I have found later on that some passed away. And others make an announcement they’re throwing in the towel. I followed a blogger for several years, and was one of his guest writers. His blog dwelled on blog tips, computer assistance, and a variety of interesting subjects. He was a very meticulous and proficient writer, and not in favor of AI. Toward the end, we (his followers including me) noticed a change in his writing and images, which appeared to be AI. Then, all of sudden his blog was gone, and deleted, plus there was no trace of him on other platforms. I often wonder what really happened to him.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 9, 2026

      I think I know the blogger you are referring to, Eugi. I had many a discussion with him here on WordPress and also via email. Then he was suddenly gone. But I did see a difference in his posts towards the end. They were not as personal as the earlier posts he wrote and came across as written by something else rather than a person. I also saw a decline in his discussions with other bloggers. Whereas he used to get into conversations, he went on to immediately close down any discussion by simply thanking people for leaving a comment.

      Reply
      1. 

         Eugi

         Jun 9, 2026

         Yes, we’re talking about the same person, Hugh. It seems odd he would give up on his blog that he was so proud of. I guess we’ll never know.

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         1. 

            Hugh W. Roberts

            Jun 10, 2026

            I think the problem was that he ran out of ideas for posts, and instead of reducing his posting schedule, he sadly experienced blogging burnout. Well, that’s what I think happened, but you are right in that we will never know.

            Reply
6. 

   Eileen

   Jun 9, 2026

   I’m still here! Certainly with the pandemic of 2020 and the aftermath, there was always that concern that we would never hear from some people again, and never know why. In the normal world, if someone I follow has gone quiet for more than a year, I will unfollow them. Perhaps they have moved on, had to have a new computer and couldn’t be bothered, or there was long term illness in the family. But there was always that hope that I’d spot their blog name in comments on another site, and I could follow them again. I don’t always use this blog as I have another concerned with gardening, which I keep up on a regular basis. On this one, I was always joining in writing challenges etc, but as these tailed off, so did my interest. Of your own blog, Hugh, I do read back posts when I have some time to spare as you are always informative about the failures and foibles of WP.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 9, 2026

      Good to hear, Eileen, although I do see your posts pop up from time to time.

      Likewise, I unfollow blogs that haven’t posted in over a year, although I still follow a few where I’ve been in contact with the host and know why they have not posted (usually due to ill health or personal matters).

      Thank you for continuing to support my blog. Hearing from anyone once in a while is much better than getting short, non-engaging comments on all my posts from them, although I seem to have managed to stop readers from leaving those types of comments now.

      Reply
7. 

   Hazel

   Jun 9, 2026

   I think a week of absence from a very supportive and regular commenter on my blogs leaves me thinking if she/he is okay. It’s okay if someone leaves with no bad feelings of you, but if there is, it’s so different and something sorrowful. Thanks for your encouragement and beautiful thoughts, Hugh!

   Reply
   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 9, 2026

      You are welcome, Hazel.

      I guess that, like life in the outside world, bad feelings between bloggers can exist. I know of one blogger who made it quite clear that she did not particularly like me. I didn’t find out why because I thought it was her problem rather than mine. Thankfully, I no longer hear from her even though she still blogs.

      Reply
      1. 

         Hazel

         Jun 9, 2026

         I have a similar situation, but this is life, as I always said.

         Reply
8. 

   Linda Schaub

   Jun 9, 2026

   This is an insightful post Hugh and I know what you mean about bloggers who just disappear and it isn’t because WordPress suddenly unsubscribed you from their posts – that does happen occasionally, but thankfully, for me, those bloggers always post on the same day once a week, so I could track them down.

   Two bloggers I followed have passed away and two bloggers left the same week recently, one frustrated by an increased cost for her blog subscription fee and the other was disappointed at what she perceived as less followers than she believed she had. Both suggested their followers go to Facebook for more posts. I didn’t mention to them that Facebook at some time may have issues about posts/pictures and whether you might glean money from those posts/photos. I followed a nature photographer on Facebook (he was not a blogger) who was told to take down his site – he was not selling his photos, but he did take a lot of photos. He was angry, thus took down his Facebook site, started a new site, then posted less photos.

   I have a blogger I follow and I don’t know how I even learned of this blog, but it’s called “Dear Cameron” and it’s written by a man who has battled cancer for many years, well over a decade. His blog is directed to his grandson. But he only posts about once a year when he’s feeling good. One time, having not heard from him in a long time, I looked him up and left a comment and asked if he was okay. His last post was a decision to forego chemo for brain cancer and travel a little first. I do hope if he doesn’t survive that someone lets readers (very few of us) know.

   Reply
   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 9, 2026

      I think we get to know the posting schedules for many of the blogs we follow, Linda. If someone who publishes every day suddenly stopped without warning, I would be concerned after about a week. But sadly, that concern would take much longer for those who publish monthly or less frequently. I would hope they’d notify me somehow, especially if there is a strong connection.

      I think it’s all well and good to tell followers to follow you somewhere else now, but we’d all no doubt lose followers when moving to another platform. Unfortunately, WordPress, like all social media platforms, is full of what I call ‘Ghost Followers’. These are people who sign up for your blog but never return. It’s usually done in the hope that we will follow back, but that doesn’t (and shouldn’t) always happen.

      The last paragraph of your comments makes it clear that it’s important to share our login details with at least one other person, so they can provide closure if needed. However, I am aware that some bloggers do not want family or friends to know they blog. I think it’s kind to provide closure for those who care, but there will always be cases where that’s not possible. I fear this may be the case for the blogger you mentioned. I hope not, but it does seem likely.

      Reply
      1. 

         Linda Schaub

         Jun 10, 2026

         I have many Ghost Followers through the years too Hugh, following for the same reason as you stated, but I think a lot of people who have free blogs, may be trying out blogging initially and decide not to make a permanent commitment. I know we both have invested a lot of time on our respective labors of love, so we would think twice about just leaving it.

         I have no family at all and I only have a few friends who read my blog so I’m not sure I’d entrust them with my logon info and to post information about my passing. Two years ago I saw an attorney to have him prepare a Trust document – he will take care of everything when I am no longer here and at that time I didn’t think about whether to keep my blog up after I am gone or to have him contact WordPress to advise my followers about my demise (if it is sudden). Yvette Prior, a fellow blogger, and I discussed this at length a few months ago after a friend/blogger Trent died suddenly. I am 70 years old now, many of my followers are around my age or older.

         Reply
         1. 

            Hugh W. Roberts

            Jun 10, 2026

            There is another comment here from a blogger who alerted me that WordPress will not take any action unless whoever is contacting them has the blogger’s login and password details, Linda. However, laws vary from country to country, so they may differ where you live. I’m sure your attorney will know the answers.

            Reply
            1. 

               Linda Schaub

               Jun 11, 2026

               That is good to know Hugh and it makes sense. I wish I had thought to inquire into this before I did all my Trust paperwork, as I assume that would not factor into the Trust document unless I desired to keep the blog active and he would be paying a fee to sustain it.

               Reply
               1. 

                  Hugh W. Roberts

                  Jun 11, 2026

                  I believe WordPress would eventually downgrade a blog to its free plan if payment were not received. So it would still be there. However, as someone pointed out to me, do think about those who would be upset to see a blog after its host’s departure. Plenty to think about, but do whatever feels right for you.

               2. 

                  Linda Schaub

                  Jun 11, 2026

                  I wish I had taken it into consideration when I did the Trust … I have to ask the attorney if he would have any interest in keeping my blog active and paying out of a Trust fund after the initial estate is settled. That would be nice if WordPress agreed to do that.

9. 

   petespringer

   Jun 9, 2026

   Whenever I decide to leave (no plans to do so now), I will write a farewell post. Closure is important to everyone. I was a career educator, and sometimes families moved in the middle of the year without saying goodbye. No one can fault anyone for leaving, but it would have been nice for the student, his classmates, and me to say our farewells.

   Reply
   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jun 9, 2026

      I think it is a human instinct to want closure on just about everything, Pete. However, I realise that for some it can also be difficult to say ‘Goodbye.’

      I’ll certainly write a farewell post if I decide to stop blogging, but I’m not sure I’d want to leave the comments section open. However, I’d ensure that those I have a connection with are informed before I publish the post.

      Reply
10. 

    Dan Antion

    Jun 8, 2026

    I look back at some of my early posts and see the people who liked them and left comments but are no longer around. It makes me a little sad. Their support was so helpful. Some I barely knew, some became friends. I check to see if they’re still around. Some are gone. Some left their blog as it was. Every now and then, one pops back into my email. That’s always a good day.

    Reply
    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Jun 9, 2026

       So many faces exist of bloggers long gone in our comments section, Dan. I update posts regularly (more so since WordPress started their ‘throwback’ notifications), and I often wonder what happened to some of those bloggers and how they managed to disappear without me realising.

       I always think it’s sad when I see an abandoned blog without any explanation for why it’s been left like that, especially when the last post has lots of unanswered comments expressing concern for the host. I can’t help but fear the worst has happened.

       Reply
       1. 

          Dan Antion

          Jun 9, 2026

          I abandoned two technical blogs before I retired, but I left an explanation on one of them. The other one I took down, but it wasn’t very popular with readers but attracted a lot of spam.

          Reply
          1. 

             Hugh W. Roberts

             Jun 9, 2026

             I’m glad those days of spam are well and truly behind us now, Dan. I hardly see any anymore on my blog since WordPress updated Akismet.

             Reply

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