My blog following (a.k.a. “total subscribers” list) has looked like the January-to-January chart above since this site began ten years ago–for which I am extremely grateful!
But suddenly, On July 14th — even though dozens of new subscribers have continued to sign on — the total subscribers suddenly stopped growing. In fact, according to WordPress, for the first time in ten years it’s actually dropping, and now looks like this:
Only two explanations seem likely:
- Mass numbers of people suddenly realized they hate this blog site and began un-subscribing at a rate faster than new subscribers. There’s no way to verify this since WordPress doesn’t list un-subscribers, only new subscribers and total subscribers. Or…
- There’s a glitch in the WordPress system (there was one day recently when 200 people apparently un-subscribed and then re-subscribed the next morning). And/or I’m unwittingly breaking some kind of rule–even though I’m not doing anything different. Notice the mountains and valleys pattern on this Days chart for August; every time the total subscribers number goes up it seems to hit an invisible ceiling and drop.
The WP Happiness Engineer happily looked into this and told me there’s nothing wrong and everything’s fine. How nice. Sort of like your airline pilot assuring you that “the engine is supposed to be on fire.”
Help! I’m stuck. Any idea what’s going on, or what I can do about it?
With big bytes of love,
Mitch
Mitch, WordPress is an adventure and is much like their graphic chart for your subscribers. Don’t take the ups and downs seriously because there are glitches in their system. Enjoy blogging and your correspondence with your readers, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Many years ago, in college, a required book was How To Lie With Statistics. This has stuck with me and I take the statistics with a grain of salt.
WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS GRAPH? I’M NOT SURE I HAVE IT? MAYBE YOU ARE ON A HIGHER LEVEL PLAN THAN ME.
In your pull-down Home menu (upper left corner), click on Stats, and then click on Subscribers in the upper left corner of the Stats page.
Found it .. still going up .. though I have a heck of a lot less subscribers than you. Just topped the 100 mark the other day LOL!
Hmm, I’ve never checked on it, but I have noticed the WordPress seems to have a tummy ache, or something, this week. . . .
Unfortunately, this tummy ache has resulted in the elimination of hundreds of new subscribers.
That’s concerning. I’m too new to WordPress to be of any help, but I hope it gets figured out soon!
My own Days and Weeks plots look reasonable, but the numbers at the top of the page flatly contradict the plots. If U see such a contradiction on the top of your Subscribers page, maybe pointing it out to WP will shake their complacency.
What’s wrong at the top of my Subscribers page is the claim that the current # of subscribers (456) is exactly the same as it was 30, 60, and 90 days ago, despite plots showing growth and plateauing (and one temporary dip by 1). According to the Days plot, 456 did not appear until 08-27.
It sounds like you’re experiencing a version of what I am, MC!
WordPress can be very glitchy. I have nowhere near as many subscribers as you do, but I have also noticed a pronounced decrease in the rate of growth, as well as frequent (small) decreases in the total number of subscribers. Because WP sometimes randomly unsubscribes me from sites I follow, I have to assume it does the same to other people, probably including some of my subscribers.
I know what you mean, BoB. I’ve had brief periods like that before too, and have always simply put up with them. But this issue is ongoing and has resulted in hundreds of dropped subscribers.
Ditto
Same here ~ WP randomly unsubscribes me from sites I follow.
I hate it when that happens!
Hmm, I had a Happiness Engineer help me two days ago when I first wrote my post ( the one I just published today). I had been working on it in drafts and my page wouldn’t load. It acted off when I’d go to Reader. I’ll check all my stats. We all know that no one, in his or her right mind, would unsubscribe to you! Jeepers! 😂🤗 ps~ I received a quick survey and email from WP following up with my situation. I did appreciate that! WP is a sticky wicket at times!
So glad you got the help you needed, Karla!
Thank you, Mitch! I hope your situation works out! Doggone it!
Thanks, Karla!
You’re welcome, dear friend!
This is just another of a whole series of problems with WordPress. There is no help available either. I would suggest waiting 24 to 48 hours and see if things go back to normal. I have routinely lost a ton of views and no explanation fits. I think we all have experience with long time followers unable to leave a comment without logging in. (There is no requirement on my part for a log in) I have even had followers leave a comment and then on their reply to my comment come in under the dreaded anonymous. Happiness engineers say not the fault of WP. It is the follower’s problem which we all know is malarky. Good luck.
Thanks for your simpatico reply, John! Normally, I wait and see too. But this issue actually began months ago and then went into overdrive in July, and it just doesn’t seem to be going away.
I would also suggest putting you r graphs on the yearly setting for a comforting wash out of the data.
Looks like a glitch, Mitch…
Something has gone bonkers in an algorithm, or maybe even the WordPress computer hardware systems somewhere. Wish I could offer some advice or hints or something; unfortunately I can only offer my sympathy. Prayer, too.
Computers are great when they work right, I’ve always told people. My business services company was one of the first to use computers in our area of South Carolina, back in 1984. There was definitely a big learning curve. I’ve also been a blogger since way back then, too, with occasional glitches with blog posts too.
Glitches can drive YOU bonkers, if you let them. When it’s glitches with your customers’ work, they can be a much bigger headache. That’s when computer experts on speed-dial definitely come in handy.
Patience and persistence, Mitch.
Love,
Bette Cox, Florence, SC
http://www.bettecox.com/
https://estherspetition.wordpress.com/
Thanks and blessings, Bette.
Welcome to the club, Mitch. I have had the same theme for years. When they gained new owners and started adding new themes that were costly I discovered I could no longer make any changes to my theme. Was told it was old, outdated and should be replaced with a new one. None matched what I had and, even though it was under my name and hosted by them. They would not do anything. So from past experience in I. T. I knew how to get into the written code, found where it could be changed, just two links that need deleted, and I contacted tech support again. They said do not touch any of the code or change it n anyway. I would have to upgrade instead or stay with my blog as it is. Well, it is still in use and did not go in and do it myself, under the possibility I might lose my blog altogether. So I am putting up with the little problems that I could fix but they cannot or will not. Oh, well.
Glenn
Sigh, I feel ya, brother.
I’ve had the subscriber numbers for the past change drastically. The numbers of subscribers I had on August 25 shouldn’t change now, but it happens all the time. We aren’t time travelers. I suggest taking the numbers with a grain of salt and not worry. As we say in the Sweden, there is no cow on the ice. Nothing bad is happening. It is just that the numbers can’t be trusted. The Happiness Engineers are probably busy with higher priorities, which is why “there is no problem”.
😹😾🤗
Hi, Mitch. You are too funny. However, many of us are in the same boat based on your comments. I am seriously considering looking at the analytics once a week. WordPress has baffled me since I started.
The Happiness Engineers never know what’s going on. Lol! OR they do and they just don’t want to tell us.
There are always some type of glitches taking place on this platform. They’re constantly tinkering with the dashboard and editing area of the site. It’s bananas.
I wouldn’t read too much into it. It’s just WordPress being WordPress.
I have no idea. But if you find out, please let us all know!
Will do, Carol!
“The engine’s SUPPOSED to be on fire.” 😂🤣 Mitch, that cracked me up. Ahh, and the beloved Happiness Engineer… strange, I’m an engineer… I had friends in civil, electrical, mechanical… never had one in Happyness 😎
;>)
* Happiness
Hey, just read your post and wanted to say you’re not alone in experiencing this glitch. I have been too and have actually had the same issue before. Like yourself, I was told by the HE’s that everything is fine and it’s normal to lose followers. I hate the gaslighting so I didn’t talk to them about it again. In my experience, your number count will go back to normal eventually. Mine generally goes back to normal after a couple of weeks when I see a sudden, random increase.
Sorry to hear you’re going through this too, Pooja. What’s alarmed me is that this time is it has continued for months, and is getting worse.
That’s awful. It sucks that we can’t even trust the stats on WordPress anymore.
It does indeed, Pooja.
Only about 2%of some 5,000 subscribers from 2011 are active now. I attributes this to alien abductions.
;>) Putting my tinfoil hat on now!
WP gremlins busy at work. They never sleep. Stats are very inaccurate. Followers get unfollowed from your blog without their knowledge. WP acknowledged this is happening. WP always “errs” in the direction of reducing numbers and traffic.
See it would seem, Cindy.
Hmmm…my vote would be glitch.
Mitch,
To be honest any outlet from believers have been picked on and censored. Hope that isn’t the case that someone is messing with data to discourage you.
Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
I am sorry. I don’t know much about the topic (it just occurred to me to look at my blog’s stats) but I have read other bloggers complain about the same issue too.
Mine is doing the same thing…my graph has gone up and down lately…in the past 5 days I went down 3 subscribers. I wonder if they are clearing people who haven’t logged on in a long time? That is the only thing I can think of….or a glitch.
Thanks for the feedback, Max.
mine has been glitchy in a number of ways off and on
Same here.
Mine has shown some unusual analytics recently too. 🤔
I’ve had similar issues to you Mitch. I feel like the 3 to 6 months have been especially glitchy. Hope it’s just a phase.
Yes, this seemed to started earlier in the year, and then went into overdrive in July. Thanks, Brian.
Mitch, on a much smaller scale, I too cannot understand the way the data graphics on WordPress work. I tried to understand the fluctuations following various posts. But at times it does not make sense. So I decided to concentrate on enjoying publishing my posts and interacting with my followers.
This is a glitch in the system. It has happened to me before.
Mitch, have you looked into recent changes in WordPress policies or any new plugins that might be affecting your subscriber count? Sometimes, updates or new features can inadvertently impact your stats. Also, consider asking your subscribers for feedback to understand if there’s something they’d like to see more of on your blog.
Sounds a bit like a glitch to me. I’ve experience similar things over the years. It usually happens when WP updates or changes things around a bit. There seem to have been a lot of changes recently in quick succession to WP, especially the reader and way analytics are gathered and presented.
No idea and tbh I take no notice whatsoever of the number of subscribers
I hope this gets sorted out for you soon. 🌻
Thanks, Kymber.
Not sure if this is what’s happening to your subscribers, but recently I have found that a few blogs that I was following, I was suddenly not following. I didn’t realize until I saw their comment on my, or others, posts, and then had to re-follow. I didn’t purposely unsubscribe to any of them. But for you, it would be a lot of people doing this. Maggie
Yes, I’m hearing this from others too, Maggie.
My last post didn’t show on read pane nor under any tags for nearly one week. And I post at best once a week.
They have sorted it now, but looks at old stuff ?
Perhaps WP is using the same analysts as the US Labor Department — the ones who just reduced the jobs report for the last year by 818k? Math is hard.
;>)
Lately I have been saying that WP is a roller coaster ride and this proves it. Now if you could just find the one responsible for running the ride and get them to stop it at the very top. LOL
;>)
Do you include Social Media followers in you subscriber count? If you’re using the Jetpack and have publize on, that will add counts from those platforms too your subscriber count. This number can be problematic as it’s not under the control of WP. I find that I don’t really look at subscriber count anymore and focus on numbers of likes and comments per post to judge engagement with my blog. I suspect that 90% of the email addresses that get my blog post email, never actually open the email or just have it sent to their spam folders.
Hi Andrew. No, I’m referring to WordPress followers only. My real concern is that WordPress seems to be cancelling subscribers. I frequently hear from longtime subscribers that they stopped receiving notices about my posts. This started earlier this year, but went into overdrive in July.
I agree with others who have said–there is a glitch in the matrix. 🙂 I’ve been having a lot of issues with wordpress lately as well—sites not loading, or loading really slowly—I’ve tried talking to WP, and my internet connection. My son is in IT, and he worked on the problem for awhile. It seemed to get better, but it’s still not great. Not sure what is going on with your problem–or mine. 🙂
Same experience here. I no longer track my numbers. All I can do is share my thoughts in the hope someone is actually listening.
Ummm..!!! Seems a glitch really…Also, last month – Google did an seo core update…so don’t know if that also counts for WP in any way.
Weird. I haven’t had that glitch, but I have noticed a couple of times WordPress moving stats (like views) from one month to another.
Skynet practicing its takeover of the world. ;>)
😂
A WordPress glitch?! That’s unpossible! 😱
;>)
I just subscribed. Hopefully that reversed the trend! 😀
Thanks, Joseph!
WordPress has changed, and not for the better. My stats are lower, which I partially understand because I don’t post as often, but I also know that the “like” button is no longer available to many of my readers (who knows why.) My husband is technically a subscriber, but no longer gets my posts. If I try to sign him up, I get a “already subscribed” notice.
As for subscribers, my problem is the opposite: I am getting all sorts of new subscribers, none of whom are actually opening my posts. 95% of them don’t have blogs of their own, and 75% are from countries where the citizens don’t speak English. The happiness engineer finally told me that Word Press recommends my blog, via “algorithms” in the reader, to people who they believe would be interested in it. Yeah, right.
Honestly, I’m probably going to stop blogging in December, when I hit my ten-year anniversary. It’s just too much trouble to keep up with all the changes and glitches!
Sorry to hear it’s such a hassle, Ann!
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My subscribers were up and also the number of likes kept escalating. Then WordPress made us transfer to Jetpack and my likes dropped like a rock into a pond. Has recovered only slightly despite increasing the number of posts. For some time the blogs I usually read seemed to disappear and not come up on my feed.
An all-too familiar report, my friend.
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I understand that WordPress is eliminating spambot accounts, hence the ups and downs in subscriber numbers. I used to have quite a few following my blog, including puppy farm accounts and used to unsubscribe them only for them to refollow me. Now they’re gone for good.
Interesting bit of info, Hugh. I’ve had a huge number of spams in recent months, but I don’t recall ever seeing any of them listed as Subscribers.
They’re very good at looking like genuine subscribers, Mitch. They even have an image in their gravatar, which is unusual for spammers, but they are getting clever. Some of them will leave you a lovely comment saying how much they love your blog, but they never mention anything about the subject of the post they’ve left the comment on.
Many will click the ‘like’ button in the hope that other visitors will click on their gravatar profile which will take them to a site often selling stuff that nobody wants or where they can gather more information about you. I’m certainly pleased that WordPress is tackling the problem, especially as I know of some bloggers who have been scammed.
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I don’t have an answer for WP, but it’s similar to what happened with my Pinterest account. I had nearly 197K + monthly views and suddenly my numbers plummeted to 80K monthly but gained many new followers. Google revealed that others are experiencing the same fluctuations for no apparent reason. Maybe this is the same issue with WP?
Not sure, but something’s definitely going on.
Word Press is not letting me post new things unless I pay now. As an 87 year old widow I just spent a lot of money going to France with four of my grown children and their partners, so not spending right now. Besides I have more followers on face book than Word Press.
?! So sorry to hear that, Eileen! Are you saying they no longer offer a no-charge option? Or have they established a limit on how many subscribers you can have at the no-charge level?
They simply changed the way I get there. But after wading through a lot of additional offers I don’t want, I think I’ve found a way to post. Going to try it.
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