Why is the "followers to following" ratio so low for most people?
What happened to common internet courtesy?
Hi Phtech,
For myself, it is not a matter of courtesy it is a matter of interest. I am interested in the hubs that people that I follow post. That is not to infer that those who I do not choose to follow are in any way uninteresting or poor hubs in any way, shape or form, just that they are not of interest to me personally. I will always look at the hubs of those that choose to follow me and if they write about things that interest me then I will follow them. I believe that HubPages frowns upon following for the sake of following so I prefer it to be more organic.
It has nothing to do with courtesy. On HubPages, followers are NOT friends.
Followers used to be called fans, and that's a much better name for them. You follow someone because you admire their writing, or you're interested in the subject they write about. That doesn't mean they're going to like your writing style, or the subjects you write about, so why should they follow you back?
I always follow those who follow me out of courtesy. Unless it is someone who has only been on a few days and is following 300 people. That seems to be a red flag to me. But, otherwise if I am followed I return the favor.
For me - I have no control over who follows me but I am grateful when I go gain followers. I only follow a few myself because I feel a responsibility to read and comment on the work of the people I follow. If I follow 500 people, no way can I do that. So I keep my following down to those I really can follow and read their hubs and comment.
This is a great point. It's pointless to follow people if you're not going to read and comment on their Hubs, because idle followers don't provide any benefit at all.
I agree with you. As much as I appreciate people who follow me, and may even like them personally, I think it is hypocritical to say I will follow other writers and then not read their work regularly.
Thanks for the answers. I think I like the fact that it is not like twitter where you follow everything. I may have to remove a few people that I'm following now.
That means there are great leaders available here! They tread their own paths and there are so many people following them! Aha!
What do you mean by common internet courtesy? I take it to mean "you scratch my back and shall scratch your back in return!" Ah! What great a courtesy!
by Ben G 14 years ago
In my years on this site I have seen so many people randomly follow me in hopes that I follow them back. And then as soon as I do, if the topics they write on interest me, they delete me from the hubbers they're following?Do you guys really think this makes people want to read and comment on...
by Andrew Smith 10 years ago
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by Lippylisious 14 years ago
I've got 7 followers, i feel like billy no mates. If anyone wants to befriend a hubpage loner just click on my hub and follow. Honestly i'm a good friend i'll befriend you back. (:
by Annie 12 years ago
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by Audrey Hunt 11 years ago
I presently follow 1,975 hub members. My followers are 1,436. I remember hearing something about it being best to unfollow those that are not active on your hubs or that hold no further interest for you.So, I've been doing this. My question is: Have I been mislead or am I...
by Alexander Silvius 13 years ago
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