You’d think people would take a hint…
When I started writing this blog, I never imagined that I would have any followers. It was just a private journal that I had started. But slowly, it started to grow! I had about 1500 followers a few years ago. And I LOVED it! I was obsessed with my stats the first few years, but then I started to realize that the number of followers didn’t really mean all that much when only a handful were engaging in the posts that I was writing.
If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember that a few years ago, I spent the days between Christmas and New Years deleteing all the people in my followers who I didn’t engage with or who didn’t engage in my blog in a meaningful way.
That simple act of like 6 hours spread over a few days of deleting my 1500 down to 60-something was eye opening. It really changed how I viewed my blog and the people who are reading it.
Before, I’d never even consider the idea that I would personally remove someone from my followers. Yet now its actually common practice. I value the people who engage in my blog and love those interactions.
Except when you get a follower who you delete and they just keep coming back. I think its a serious downfall of the WordPress platform. Because I have been dealing with this blogger for MONTHS.
And it’s not that this person has done anything horrible, I just don’t enjoy interacting with them. I don’t follow their blog, I don’t enjoy replying to their comments, their comments rarely ever fit the actual point of my posts.
So about 6 months ago a few of you gave me some suggestions. I had already stopped interacting with the comments left by the blogger a few months earlier. Then I was taught how to block the comments from this blogger, which I did. So comments go to spam. And then I removed the follower from my list of people who follow this blog.
Now you’d think that would be enough! But let me tell you it hasn’t been. I had a nice month or so of nothing from this blogger. Then they followed again. So I removed again. And so the cycle has continued every few weeks since August. They refollow, I take them off. Over and over. Liking posts whenever they discover that they have missed a few because I have taken them off the list. Now they don’t re-follow, they just like the posts.
So here is my request: stop it. There has been ZERO interaction with you since the spring, I have removed you no less than 10 times, yet you keep coming back. Its enough already. Just stop.
I wish there was a block button on WordPress because this is exhausting.
I hear you. I’ve made it loud and clear to a couple of people that their comments will not be accepted unless they follow my rules, but that doesn’t stop them from leaving comments anyway. You’re right – WordPress could use a block button!
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I understand that my blog is public and that means that anyone can read/comment if they so choose, but after a while of constantly being removed you’d think that the person would take the hint and just stop? lol Again, not like she is doing anything mean or inappropriate, it’s just my blog and I don’t really vibe with her or enjoy seeing her engaging with my blog. If someone in real life gave me the same vibe, I just wouldn’t interact with them as well lol
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It certainly makes me wonder if they understand boundaries. What are they like in real life in similar circumstances?! Can you imagine?!
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My thoughts exactly, Ben!
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Some people need to be told straight up. While that might be rude, I would go to their blog and leave a comment asking them nicely not to Follow anymore.
The only other option is going Private which is a pain in the butt.
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Yeah I don’t want to to private just for this one annoying person. I know a few people who have gone private but its because they sometimes have a dangerous or aggressive person they are trying to rid themselves of.
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I had that issue with that creeper who was visiting my blog all of the time and then started stalking me on other blogs. I hated it. He was the person who showed up at a party he wasn’t invited to. Going private stopped it and I was able to retain my sanity. As far as followers who don’t comment? They’e hollow follows. A lot of them just hope that you reciprocate and give them a follow. I’ve seen bloggers with hundredds of “likes” on their posts with little if no comments. No thanks!
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Rob that sounds so dangerous! I’m glad you’re safe from this crazy stalker. Xoxo
And I really dislike the hollow follows!! They will like a post 17.3 seconds after it goes up so I know they haven’t read it because I write a LOT. I took a bunch of them off my blog when I cleaned out the list a few years ago.
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Okay I get the hint — LOL.
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😅😅😅 oh darling its clearly not you 😘
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Hahahaha!
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I recall the Great Cull… glad I made it 😉
That blogger sounds SO annoying, what the hell?! Thank goodness I’ve not had that to deal with… yet…
I love how you are in control of your blog world T xx
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Of course you made it!! Xoxo
And yyyyessss so annoying! I hope you never have to deal with it!
Thanks so much! 😘
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Since the Pandemic began and work became so intense, I have been so rubbish at engaging with other bloggers and commenting. I try to read as much as I can before I fall asleep.
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Awww well I always see your likes here and comments! I’m trying to be better at engaging in the blogs I follow. Sometimes I want to follow more but I just don’t have the time or energy to do it properly so I haven’t expanded on my circle in AGES
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Believe me as having been there that it’s simply a matter of someone knowing they are getting under your skin and having nothing else to do in their lives.
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😒😒
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I have a Twitter follower who does the same thing but I don’t kick them, they just unfollow for a few months before they follow again. It’s very annoying but I just ignore it. If they are so desperate to keep following and unfollowing, that’s their problem.
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Oh man that is annoying! Wait, they choose to unfollow you and then follow you again? Lol thats so weird! Its like “hey look at me!!!” Wwwooooooowwwww haha
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As I am running late with my comments I’m hoping that the person you were talking about has finally disappeared?
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She has.
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