Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Why Using Networked Blogs isn't Helpful for Building an Online Platform

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Lately I've seen a resurgence of an old Facebook app, Networked blogs. Truthfully, I didn't think anyone still used this. But it's come up, so I thought it would be a good idea to share what is involved with this app.


This is an app you sign up for on Facebook. Over time a new post is published, Networked Blogs picks it up, publishes it to Facebook and also to Twitter. 

On the surface it looks like a great idea.


BUT, as most things that look too good to be true, it's not a good idea. Here's why:

1. As I've said before, interaction, shares and click throughs are much lower when it's a computer generated post. This is due to the fact that we, as a social media audience, are much more savvy and just don't bother when the post is generated from a computer.

2. Since Facebook has instigated the Edgerank Algorithm (which decides what posts show up on your newsfeed) they are penalizing updates shared through an app - including their own Networked Blogs app!!!! Anything shared by an app ranks as less important and garners less organic shares from FB.

3. Networked blogs doesn't lead to click throughs to your blog site because it's mirrored (hosted) on the Facebook App. It looks like your blog, but the URL is different. All those people who think they're visiting your blog, really aren't. And your numbers on your blog site will reflect that. You are essentially building FB's platform, not yours.

4. Facebook has mentioned (in the past year) that they are getting ready to discontinue Networked Blogs. This isn't reflected on the Networked blogs site, but if you do a quick search of Networked blogs on Google, you'll notice there's very little new that's been written about this app since 2011. There's a reason for that—it's outdated and just not a good idea.

For those who'd like outside verification (and I applaud you for digging deeper) here are a couple of blog posts, completely unrelated to me, that give you other bloggers opinions of the Networked Blogs App. I had to dig to find recent posts because really no one is talking about this app.


http://joinchado.empowernetwork.com/blog/networkedblogs-eyes-on-content 

Now I'd like to know what your experience has been with this app? Also if you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comments section below.

Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

TWEETABLES
Using Networked Blogs may be hurting your online platform - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Why Using Networked Blogs isn't Helpful for Building an Online Platform - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

18 comments:

  1. Back when I was new at blogging, I signed up for Network Blogs. (I honestly think it was an ego thing for me as a new blogger to see how many followers I had.) I don't think it generated any activity back in those days. When I changed blogs/websites, I never linked up again and I'm glad I didn't.

    Thanks for all the great information you provide here, Edie!

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    1. Joan, I started out signed up for it two. But I'm like you, I never saw any good, except a drop in page views. Thanks & Blessings, E

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  2. I'll be honest, I never tried it. Good to read your thoughts and Joan's comments. Thanks again.

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    1. I still see the widget occasionally on the sidebar of blogs, but you won't find it on hardly any of the sites that are industry standard (actually I don't know of any that use it, but I would imagine it's lurking around on one or two...maybe) Thanks for dropping by, Blessings, E

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  3. I signed up for it early on, but felt it was complicated. I also never networked with anybody through it nor received any blog traffic. Tried and true exercises of commenting on blogs and interacting with people through social media are the best ways to extend your network.

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    1. MIndy, you are spot on! thanks so much for sharing your insight and wisdom! Blessings, E

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  4. I don't let Networked Blogs auto-post my blog posts. I do use it for the Blog tab I can create on my professional FB pages. That creates a lists of the blog posts and people can click to read on my blogs.

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    1. Karen, as long as you don't let Networked Blogs auto-post, you should be fine. Thanks for reminding me about the interaction you can get on your FB Page! Blessings, E

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  5. I never tried it, but I saw it on other peoples' blogs. Thanks for helping me to better understand this app and the effect it has on our own blogs, Edie. I appreciate your research and wisdom!

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    1. Jeanne, Glad I can help! Thanks for stopping by, Blessings, E

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  6. Worth sharing. Thanks for the informative post.

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  7. I signed up for it way back when I first started my blog. I've wondered lately if it's the best thing to do. Thanks to this information, I will probably disconnect and start posting myself - I get to tweak the post and make it more personal that way anyway. Thanks Edie!

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    1. Help! I signed up so long ago I'm not sure how to disconnect my blog from Networked Blogs. Any tips?

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    2. Julia, Go to this link: https://www.facebook.com/games/blognetworks/?fbs=-1

      And click on REMOVE

      Thanks for asking. I should have included this in the post! Blessings, E

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    3. Thanks Edie, done! Now I'm off to share my post on FB directly and happy to have more control over what appears there. Thanks again for the tip!

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