Here’s the post where I may make a few enemies, but I really wanted to talk about it. I followed a Twitter conversation from @abdpbtwho was talking about partial feeds. I wholeheartedly agreed with her. I HATE with a fiery passion partial feeds. A partial feed is where you put some of your post out there for the RSS readers to pick up, and then make everyone click over to read the rest of the post. As soon as a blog I follow starts doing this, I immediately unsubscribe. I have a LOT of blogs in my Google Reader. If I had to click on every single one, get the page to load, find where I left off and then continue the post, it’s not worth it for me. Big name bloggers do not partial feed, and neither should you.
One argument I’ve heard about not feeding your entire post is that “people steal my content”. Yes. I understand that it happens, how often does it happen? Have you tried to contact the people and tell them they are in violation of the law and to take your post down? How many readers did you LOSE because of the partial feed? Probably more than any harm that may have come from someone stealing the post. If they won’t take your post down attack them via twitter and through all of your loyal fans. Don’t alienate people who like you, because someone stole a post. If Best Buy only left out a keyboard instead of allowing you to try out the whole computer because they were nervous that someone would steal the computer they would probably lose sales. People don’t want to go out of their way. It’s just a fact.
Someone else told me once “oh it’s just one more click”. Well, that one more click on the 300 blogs in my reader multiplies into a lot of time. Time I’m not willing to spend to read YOUR blog. Lets face the facts though. Are you REALLY partially feeding to bring people to your site so YOU can earn more money from ad impressions? If that is the main reason for your partial feed, then that is really not fair to your readers. You are inconveniencing them so that you can make a buck? Own up, and be honest with yourself. Really ask yourself why you are doing partial feeds.
This also brings me to private blogs. I understand your need for privacy, and I totally respect that. Just know that I won’t be reading your blog anymore.
So, place an ad on your feed, give me affiliate links in the text of your post, write awesome content that draws me in to comment, and you’ll get the traffic, hits AND cash! Just don’t shut me out of the post with your partial feed.
</soapbox>
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase using the links.
Great post. As you know, I completely agree. Incidentally, after I ranted about this somebody pointed out a plugin for Google Reader that makes things much easier. I still hate partial feeds with a passion, but this at least allows you to stay within Google Reader and read partial feeds: http://abdpbt.com/tech/2010/05/26/how-to-beat-those-partial-feed-bastards-at-their-own-game/
I didn’t even know about it until the other day!
I so agree – I’ve got mine full blast. LOL But when a blog switches over to partial feed I usually unsubscribe.
On the other side of the coin, I copy off information for my best friend who has no internet connection at all at her home. I also get frustrated by feeds that are complicated to copy. I’m not trying to steal it – but sending a link to her is worthless.
I love the new Google Buzz for this. I just tag it to share and it shows up as a Buzz in my email which I then copy onto a key – rename to include the date, and she takes it home and enjoys reading it. To get pictures, I still have to click through. We love reading quite a few blogs from missionaries and homeschooling – and the pictures are fun.
Enjoying your point of view on technologies. THANKS!!!
.-= Rachel R.´s last blog ..My Mother’s Day Gift =-.
What about site traffic? I know that alot of blogs are supported by advertising that requires site traffic. What are alternative ways to get people to actually go to your site daily as opposed to just reading your posts in the reader?
I say that your traffic probably doesn’t change much with the partial feeds. I know many people who wouldn’t click over to read the rest of the post (myself included) even if the post was pretty good and I wanted to hear the rest. When I do run into a post that I really like, I’ll click over and comment. So my advice is to create quality content, and the money and traffic will come with time.
What great insight. Thanks for sharing. I had never considered why people would be opposed to partial feeds. So glad to have found your site. I will be following. Sorry, my rss feed is currently down. But thanks for following me.
Hi Sarah,
I’m not into blogging or a site to make $$$. It’s just a hobby that I enjoy. How do I know if I have a partial feed ??? ( I know, I am totally clueless ) and I also am not driven to blog by the amount of traffic I get…it is just fun to do !
.-= Nonna Beach´s last blog ..Target Deals =-.
Nonna – Mainly it’s a thing you have to do to your blog, so if you don’t know if you have one, then most likely youdon’t. 🙂
so grateful for nonna you asked my question for me! LOL
Thanks Sarah !
.-= Nonna Beach´s last blog ..$2.00 off Welch’s Grape Juice Coupon =-.
Glad I could help you too Mrs. R !!!
.-= Nonna Beach´s last blog ..Recall of Shrek Glasses at McDonalds =-.
Weird. Yours shows up as a partial feed in Google Reader. Is there a setting on my end to check?
I’d say that you may not be using the right feed address? Make sure you are feeding http://familytechzone.com/feed/ in your reader. I have my own feed in my Google reader and it shows the whole thing.
Bingo! I didn’t realize that could make a difference. I’ll be sure to look out for that issue in the future. Now I can enjoy your bloggie-goodness in full. Thanks!