The Impact of Reduced Tagging on Reader Engagement
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Chapter 1: Understanding Tagging Dynamics
In the realm of online writing, the concept of tagging can be likened to using goodwill as a currency; it's a resource that should be utilized judiciously. To preserve my goodwill, I intentionally decreased my tagging frequency. Since early May, I've gradually reduced the number of tags in my posts.
It all began with a single post that garnered attention.
Posts with significant news, particularly on platforms like Medium, tend to draw in readers. My journey with tagging commenced in February, and by March and April, I was employing it regularly. I distinctly remember that during December and January, receiving 1,000 claps felt almost effortless. However, in February, interest waned, and by early March, engagement took a hit post-purge. Readers and writers alike were hesitant to interact.
To gauge audience interest, I began tagging more frequently, hoping to identify which readers were genuinely interested in my content. Although I don't meticulously track each tag, every post serves as a record of engagement. I discovered that the topic's relevance and the readability of the content play crucial roles in attracting an audience. Many readers skimmed through without engaging deeply, as reflected in my statistics. Yet, those who remained were often my loyal audience.
A question posed by Alessio Michesi got me thinking about traffic generation. For a long time, I've been on a quest to attract more visitors swiftly. Tagging can be an effective strategy, yet it risks backfiring if your foundational audience isn't robust. This entire process is akin to a public performance; every action is visible to all.
To foster meaningful interactions, I attempted to rotate my tags and connect them to relevant topics. However, maintaining this approach proved challenging. Tracking who engaged and who did not indicated when adjustments were necessary.
Section 1.1: The Balance of Tagging
As my tagging practice evolved, I realized that the quantity of tags used wasn't as important as the core message of the post itself. When I selectively tagged around 10 to 20 individuals, my posts performed significantly better compared to tagging over 30 random users.
Truthfully, I anticipated a steep decline in engagement after scaling back on tagging. Surprisingly, it illuminated my true audience. Recently, I've noticed some writers tagging excessively—often targeting individuals who have never engaged with their work before.
Although I experienced a slight dip in views for posts without tags, the impact was minimal, with reads arriving later than usual. Just like any habit, reader engagement takes time to adjust. My last two posts, which I chose not to tag, were among the least successful I've had in quite a while. However, I recognize that the timing of those posts was atypical, likely affecting their performance.
Section 1.2: Timing and Algorithm Insights
In general, readers typically engage with a writer once or twice a day. Many tend to browse through their feeds, so when a previously successful post is gaining traction, newer posts may struggle to find the same audience. I believe the algorithm accounts for this behavior, which is why after reading a writer's work, their subsequent posts may not appear immediately in your feed.
Newly published content often receives an initial boost from Medium due to its freshness. However, if a more popular post is still drawing traffic, it can hinder the visibility of newer works. This shift in algorithmic behavior explains the stark contrast I witnessed in my earnings from November to now; from $3.15 to over $400.
The algorithm’s evolution is a key factor in this change.
Chapter 2: Insights from the Experience
The first video, "How to Stop People From Tagging Me on Facebook (Quick & Simple)," offers practical advice on managing tagging preferences on social media platforms.
The second video, "How to Stop People Tagging Me on Facebook!" provides further strategies for controlling tagging and maintaining your online presence.
Thanks for Reading
P.S.
I’m excited to share my contest, where you could win an extra $100 this summer!