#help-with-blogging — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #help-with-blogging, aggregated by home.social.
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Stressed Or Feeling Guilty About Blogging? Please Read This Post. Let's Keep Blogging Fun https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/10/16/stressed-or-feeling-guilty-about-blogging-please-read-this-post-lets-keep-blogging-fun/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingStress, #BloggingTips, #HelpWithBlogging, #MentalHealth, #Stress
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Stressed Or Feeling Guilty About Blogging? Please Read This Post. Let's Keep Blogging Fun https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/10/16/stressed-or-feeling-guilty-about-blogging-please-read-this-post-lets-keep-blogging-fun/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingStress, #BloggingTips, #HelpWithBlogging, #MentalHealth, #Stress
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Stressed Or Feeling Guilty About Blogging? Please Read This Post. Let's Keep Blogging Fun https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/10/16/stressed-or-feeling-guilty-about-blogging-please-read-this-post-lets-keep-blogging-fun/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingStress, #BloggingTips, #HelpWithBlogging, #MentalHealth, #Stress
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WordPress Problems: Don't Panic! How To Solve Issues Quickly https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/08/12/wordpress-problems-dont-panic-how-to-solve-issues-quickly/ #BlogThemes, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp, #WordPressProblems, #WordPressSupport
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WordPress Problems: Don't Panic! How To Solve Issues Quickly https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/08/12/wordpress-problems-dont-panic-how-to-solve-issues-quickly/ #BlogThemes, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp, #WordPressProblems, #WordPressSupport
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Blogging Simplified: Adding Images From Your Phone To A WordPress Post https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/07/15/blogging-simplified-adding-images-from-your-phone-to-a-wordpress-post/ #AddingImages, #Blocks, #Blogging, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #Jetpack, #JetpackApp
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Blogging Simplified: Engagement. Am I Doing It Right? https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/06/17/blogging-simplified-engagement-am-i-doing-it-right/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #Comments, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #RespondingToComments, #Spam, #Spammers
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How To Make Categorising And Tagging Blog Posts Powerful https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/06/03/how-to-make-categorising-and-tagging-blog-posts-powerful/ #Blogging, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #Bloggingadvice, #Categories, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #Tags, #WordPress
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How To Make Categorising And Tagging Blog Posts Powerful https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/06/03/how-to-make-categorising-and-tagging-blog-posts-powerful/ #Blogging, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #Bloggingadvice, #Categories, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #Tags, #WordPress
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Do you like talking about blogging? I do, and I've lots to say about it. What about you?
#Blogging #WordPress #Bloggingtips #Blogginghelp #Helpwithblogging
http://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/05/07/blogging-simplified-its-easy-isnt-it-things-ive-learned/
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The Amazing New WordPress Comments Box: What It Does https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/03/11/the-amazing-new-wordpress-comments-box-what-it-does/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingTools, #Comments, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #RespondingToComments, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp
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The Amazing New WordPress Comments Box: What It Does https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/03/11/the-amazing-new-wordpress-comments-box-what-it-does/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingTools, #Comments, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #RespondingToComments, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp
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Have you noticed the new style comment box on WordPress?
In line with the Block editor, WordPress has rolled out a new cool comment box on most WordPress blogs. While I’m writing this post, I still see a few blogs with the old-style comments box, but I’m confident all WordPress blogs will soon display the block-style comment box.
The new style comments box appears on blog posts, but not when you add your comment via the comments box on the WordPress Reader.
This new comments box can do more than just leave commentsFor the purpose of this post, I’m using an iMac desktop computer.
Here is a breakdown of what users can do when leaving comments on blogs with the new block-style comment box.
What does it look like?
This is what the new style comment box looks like.
WordPress Block Style Comments BoxIt looks very simple, doesn’t it? And it is very easy to use. Your Gravatar image appears in the bottom left corner.
The comments box looks like this as soon you click in the box.
Click inside the box to start typing your comment.Notice the difference? A toolbar has opened along the top, and an ‘+‘ icon has appeared inside the comments box. Let’s examine what they do. I’ve numbered some icons in the following image.
Features of the toolbar- Block being used.
- Aline text
- Bold
- Italic
- Pingback link
1 – This is the type of block being used when commenting. It will always be the Paragraph block by default, but you can switch to the List or Quote block by clicking on it. If you change it to the List or Quote block, a new toolbar will appear.
2 – Use this icon to align text to the left, right or centre.
3 – Use this icon to make the text bold.
4 – Use this icon to make the text italic.
5 – Use this icon to create a pingback.
Most readers only use text when leaving comments and they will never feel the need to align it or make it bold. However, many bloggers want more.
You can now insert other blocks into the comments box by clicking the ‘+‘ icon. For example, you can now easily insert an image in your comment by clicking the ‘+‘ icon and choosing the Image block.
Copy and paste the URL address of the image you want to add.How cool is that? (not the photo of me, but the fact that I can add an image to the comments). This is especially good for participating in photography challenges without creating a blog post or when explaining something where including an image or screenshot helps.
I want to mention that you can create pingbacks in your comments. Pingbacks are powerful and can help boost visitors to your blog. We could already add pingbacks when using the Classic view on our blog’s dashboard but we can now finally do it using the Default view.
Create pingbacks in your comments.Are you unsure how to create a pingback? My post, The Power Of Pingbacks: How To Create One, provides full details.
Before submitting your comment, remember to click the small settings cog next to your Gravatar photo to open a new menu. Why?
Click the settings cog next to your Gravatar picture for a new menu.Not only will the menu that opens confirm if you are logged into WordPress, but you can also sign up to receive web and mobile notifications for posts on the blog you are leaving your comment on, get email notifications of new posts, and receive email notifications of any new comments left on the post (including a response to your comment from the blog host).
Press the ‘Comment‘ box to submit your comment.
Is this true?
I’ve heard that some bloggers are threatening to stop leaving comments or are thinking of leaving WordPress because of the introduction of the new block-style comment box.
Given that the bare minimum somebody has to do to leave a comment is to type their comment into the box, I find it hard to believe that people are threatening to stop leaving comments or leaving WordPress because of the introduction of this new comments box. If you are, please reconsider your decision.
The new block-style comments box is not hard to use; it’s just a little different!
Update
Users can now disable blocks in comments. Go to Settings – Discussions, and in the ‘Comments‘ section of the page, turn off ‘Enable blocks in comments.’ Remember to save the change.
WordPress’s new comments box style is a refreshing update that enhances the user experience. Its modern and intuitive design makes interacting with comments more enjoyable. If you have any questions about it, feel free to leave them in the comments section. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Layout, content, settings, and format might differ on self-hosted blogs.
Don’t miss out!
If you enjoyed this post and want more like it, click the ‘Subscribe’ button to stay up-to-date with my latest content.
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Copyright @ 2024 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/03/11/the-amazing-new-wordpress-comments-box-what-it-does/
#BloggingAdvice #BloggingHelp #BloggingTools #Comments #HelpWithBlogging #HowTo #RespondingToComments #WordPress #WordPressHelp
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The Power Of Pingbacks: How To Create One https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/02/19/the-power-of-pingbacks-how-to-create-one/ #BloggingTips, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #WordPress, #HowTo, #Pingbacks, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #BloggingQuestions, #Trackbacks
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The Power Of Pingbacks: How To Create One https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/02/19/the-power-of-pingbacks-how-to-create-one/ #BloggingTips, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #WordPress, #HowTo, #Pingbacks, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #BloggingQuestions, #Trackbacks
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I came across some comments recently where somebody asked how to create a pingback to the post they were leaving their comment on. The blog host didn’t know. It got me thinking that I should do an updated post on what pingbacks are and how to create them.
Pingbacks are a powerful blogging tool. Don’t miss out on not using them.What are pingbacks?
A pingback is a type of notification that allows you to inform another blogger that you have linked to a post or article on their blog or website. This notification is typically automated and serves as a way to establish connections between different blogs or websites. Sometimes, pingbacks are also referred to as trackbacks.
If the other blogger has a pingback-enabled website or blog, then they can see a notification that you have linked to their article. They can then choose to allow your link to appear in the comments section of their blog post.
This may drive traffic to your blog when readers click on the pingback notification link.
Pingbacks work well on blog challenge posts such as Thursday Doors or Sunday Stills (to name but a few).
Today, I’m going to show you how to create a pingback.
Let’s get started.
In the screenshots below, I’ve numbered key points and am creating a pingback to my recent blog post, ‘The Power of Feedback: A Writer’s Brief Journey Through Editing and Story Chat.‘
Keypoints on creating a pingback- Highlight the word or words you’ve picked.
- Click the pingback link that pops up in the toolbar.
- In the URL box, enter the URL address of the blog post you’re linking to, or if it’s one of your own posts, search for the post.
- Choose the post you’re linking to.
Finally, and most importantly, tick the box next to the ‘open in new tab‘ box.
Tick the ‘Open in new tab’ box.Ticking the ‘open in new tab’ option guarantees that when users click the pingback link, the linked post will open in a new tab or page. This feature effectively retains users on the current page, allowing them to easily return to your post to leave a comment or engage with the content.
Not selecting the “open in new tab” option could result in missed opportunities for comments and likes.
- Your pingback has been created and will be highlighted in the post.
Tip – You can also highlight the pingback by making the text bold. To do this, highlight the text and click ‘B‘ (bold button in the toolbar).
- Before publishing your post, preview it first and make sure the pingback works. Does it go to the right location? If not, delete the URL and insert the correct one.
- Once you are happy that your pingback is working, publish the post.
Pingbacks should be exclusively directed toward blog posts and websites relevant to the subject of the post you are sharing or where you have been specifically invited to link.
Never create a pingback to a post that has no connection with the subject of your post.
Should I ask first before creating a pingback to another blogger’s post?
It’s always nice to ask first, but you’re good to go if the blogger has enabled pingbacks. And if you know the blogger well, there is no need to ask. But it’s best to ask if it’s your first time linking to one of their posts.
However, there’s no guarantee that your pingback requests will get the thumbs up. I receive pingback approval requests every day, and I won’t approve any that seem spammy or are completely unrelated to the post they’re trying to link to.
Are there any advantages of having pingbacks on your blog posts?
Yes. Here are a few advantages.
- Creates traffic to your blog.
- SEO-friendly.
- Search engine optimizations (SEOs) such as Google and Bing rank blog posts that include pingbacks higher.
- Bloggers may link back to one of your blog posts.
- Great for promoting older blog posts you have published that some of your followers may not have read.
Caution—It is crucial to refrain from creating a pingback to a blog or website’s home page. This practice is discouraged because it fails to notify the blogger whose post you are referencing.
Do pingbacks attract spam?
Some experts recommend not allowing any pingbacks or trackbacks to a blog because they attract spam. However, by moderating all pingback notifications, you can prevent any spam pingbacks from appearing in the comments section of your blog posts.
Good news from WordPress about spam comments
After an update in 2023, the WordPress anti-spam software has dramatically strengthened its ability to intercept spam. Consequently, there has been a significant decrease in the volume of visible spam comments reaching blogs. Previously, hundreds of spam comments inundated my blog on a daily basis. However, following the update, I only encounter one or two weekly.
Where possible, try and include at least one pingback in every blog post you publish.
You can use a mixture of pingbacks to your posts and those of other bloggers.
Are there any problems with allowing pingbacks on your blog?
None that I am aware of.
An invitation to create a pingback
If you’ve never created a pingback before, try creating one for this post. I’ll be happy to let you know if it works and include it in the comments section.
If you encounter any problems creating a pingback, don’t hesitate to ask me for some help.
Summary: The Power of Pingbacks and How to Create Them
- This guide explains pingbacks, how to create them, and the best practices to follow.
- This guide covers everything from creating a pingback to the benefits, staying safe from spam comments, and recent anti-spam updates from WordPress.
- This post also encourages readers to use pingbacks and shares my positive experience. It’s helpful for new and experienced bloggers, giving them the knowledge and confidence to use pingbacks effectively.
- In the busy blogging world, pingbacks are important for connecting and getting more site visitors.
- Pingbacks, sometimes also known as trackbacks, are useful tools for bloggers that let other bloggers know when you link to their posts.
- It’s polite to ask first before creating a pingback to another blog unless you know the blogger well or have been invited to link to a post.
- Always tick the ‘open in a new tab’ box so that readers do not lose the page they are reading.
- Pingbacks do not attract spam.
- WordPress anti-spam software now eliminates the majority of visible spam, saving you time in checking for comments that may have been marked as spam by mistake.
Layout, content, settings, and format might differ on self-hosted blogs.
I actively utilise pingbacks as part of my content strategy. My experience with using them has been positive, as they help me foster connections with other blogs and websites and enhance engagement. If you have any questions about pingbacks, please leave them in the comments section below, and I’ll be happy to address them.
My thanks to Sylvain Richard for his recent blog post about pingbacks.
Don’t miss out!
If you enjoyed this post and want more like it, click the ‘Subscribe’ button to stay up-to-date with my latest content.
Follow Hugh on social media. Click the buttons below.
Copyright @ 2024 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/02/19/the-power-of-pingbacks-how-to-create-one/
#BloggingAdvice #BloggingHelp #BloggingQuestions #BloggingTips #BloggingTools #HelpWithBlogging #HowTo #Pingbacks #Trackbacks #WordPress
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Are You Getting 'Anonymous' Blog Comments? How To Stop Them. https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/01/29/are-you-getting-anonymous-blog-comments-how-to-stop-them/ #AnonymousComments, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #BloggingQuestions, #Commenting, #Comments, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #WordPressHelp
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Is Your Blog Safe? One Security Feature You Must Have https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/01/15/is-your-blog-safe-one-security-feature-you-must-have/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #WordPress, #HowTo, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #OnlineSecurity, #BloggingQuestions, #WordPressHelp, #TwoStepAuthentication <- Very good advice!
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Is Your Blog Safe? One Security Feature You Must Have https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/01/15/is-your-blog-safe-one-security-feature-you-must-have/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #WordPress, #HowTo, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #OnlineSecurity, #BloggingQuestions, #WordPressHelp, #TwoStepAuthentication <- Very good advice!
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Are you doing everything you can to protect your blog?
This is one security feature I recommend every blogger have. And it's easy to set up.
#WordPress #BloggingTips #Security #BloggingHelp #HowTo #HelpWithBlogging
http://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/01/15/is-your-blog-safe-one-security-feature-you-must-have/
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2024: Exciting And Positive Things Happening On Hugh's Views And News https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/01/04/2024-exciting-and-positive-things-happening-on-hughs-views-and-news/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTips, #CarrotRanch, #HelpWithBlogging, #HughsViews&News, #WordlessWednesday, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp, #WordPressSupport
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2024: Exciting And Positive Things Happening On Hugh's Views And News https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2024/01/04/2024-exciting-and-positive-things-happening-on-hughs-views-and-news/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTips, #CarrotRanch, #HelpWithBlogging, #HughsViews&News, #WordlessWednesday, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp, #WordPressSupport
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December Can Be Quiet In The Blogging World. 7 Essential, Easy Ways to Help Your Blog Through It https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/12/11/december-can-be-quiet-in-the-blogging-world-7-essential-easy-ways-to-help-your-blog-through-it/ #BlockEditor, #Blogging, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #December, #HelpWithBlogging, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress
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December Can Be Quiet In The Blogging World. 7 Essential, Easy Ways to Help Your Blog Through It https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/12/11/december-can-be-quiet-in-the-blogging-world-7-essential-easy-ways-to-help-your-blog-through-it/ #BlockEditor, #Blogging, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #December, #HelpWithBlogging, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress
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Performing theses 7 jobs on your blog now will bring you and your blog excellent results in the New Year.
Plus, are you planning to take a blogging break during December?#WordPress #Blogging #BloggingTips #blogginghelp #HelpWithBlogging #MondayBlogs
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Exploring Multiple Avenues: How to Contact WordPress for Support: 6 Best Ways https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/11/27/exploring-multiple-avenues-how-to-contact-wordpress-for-support-6-best-ways/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #BloggingQuestions, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp, #WordPressSupport <- Hugh, always helpful.
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Exploring Multiple Avenues: How to Contact WordPress for Support: 6 Best Ways https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/11/27/exploring-multiple-avenues-how-to-contact-wordpress-for-support-6-best-ways/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #BloggingQuestions, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp, #WordPressSupport <- Hugh, always helpful.
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What's your experience of dealing with WordPress?
Are you experiencing problems with WordPress? Have you reported the problems to them? If not, why not?
The 6 best ways to contact WordPress.
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What's your experience of dealing with WordPress?
Are you experiencing problems with WordPress? Have you reported the problems to them? If not, why not?
The 6 best ways to contact WordPress.
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Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice blogger, there might come a time when you need assistance or have questions about your WordPress site.
Have you ever had to contact WordPress? What’s your preferred method and experience of contacting them?
What’s your preferred method to contact WordPress?During the ten years I’ve been blogging, I’ve contacted WordPress many times for support with my blog. I’ve always received good support from them.
From reporting bugs to getting answers to my questions and getting deals on renewing my WordPress plan, they’ve always been helpful and friendly.
But does the level of support vary depending on which WordPress plan you have?
Fortunately, WordPress offers various channels for users to seek help and find solutions to their queries. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can contact WordPress for support.
WordPress Support Forums
The forums cover various topics, from general troubleshooting to specific plugins or theme-related queries.
This is my preferred way of contacting WordPress as their staff (Happiness Engineers) get involved in your query, as do other blogging community members.
Users worldwide share their knowledge and assist each other in the forums. You can post your questions, describe your issues, and receive helpful responses from experienced WordPress users, moderators, and WordPress staff.
I’ve helped bloggers out with their queries and questions on the forums.
Next time you have a question or a problem with your blog, give the Forums a go. I’ve had great success with them. And who knows? It may be me who responds to your question or query.
Click the following link to go to the WordPress.Com Forums.
Official WordPress How-To Documentation
Before reaching out for help, the official WordPress how-to documentation is worth checking out.
These comprehensive resources provide detailed information about WordPress features, settings, and troubleshooting tips.
Many common issues have step-by-step solutions outlined in these guides, making it an excellent self-help option.
Click the following link to go to the Official WordPress How-To Documents.
WordPress Support via Email
For more personalised assistance, you can contact WordPress support via email. The official WordPress support email address can only be accessed by completing a form – Contact Us.
When reaching out through email, be sure to provide detailed information about your issue, including the name of your blog, which WordPress plan you are on, which WordPress theme you use, which device you are using, and details of the device’s operating system.
The more details you provide, the easier it is for the support team to understand and address your problem.
Social Media Channels
WordPress is active on various social media platforms, including X and Facebook.
You can follow official WordPress accounts and use these platforms to ask questions or seek assistance. Community members and WordPress developers often actively monitor these channels and may respond to your queries.
I’ve spoken with WordPress staff on X and have found them professional, helpful and friendly. After talking to them on X, I even got a discount code for renewing my WordPress plan.
Live Chat Support
This can be a quick way to get real-time assistance.
If you’re lucky enough to have a WordPress plan that offers Live Chat, it’s an instant way of getting help from a staff member at WordPress, although I have found that Live Chat isn’t always available.
Although I’ve always had much success with Live Chat, it can sometimes be time-consuming.
As well as having details of your blogging problem or question, give details of which device and operating system you are using. Screenshots of errors or bugs are also helpful and help resolve issues quickly.
To find out if your WordPress plan has Live Chat, click the question mark icon in the top right of your screen and click the ‘Still need help‘ button, and you’ll see a list of options available to you.
Live chat is great for getting an instant response from WordPress.Users with a free or starter WordPress plan or those on a monthly subscription cannot access Live Chat.
Hire a WordPress Developer
Hiring a WordPress developer might be the best solution for complex issues or customisation requirements. However, this could be an expensive option.
If you do go down the route of this option, I’d recommend you ask around first to find out if anybody can recommend a computer savvy who knows their way around the WordPress platform. Asking the blogging community is always a good option.
If you want to hire a member of the WordPress staff to sort out problems with your blog, contact them via email at [email protected].
WordPress isn’t always at fault, but sometimes they are.
You only have to look at the WordPress Forums to see that some problems are caused by users rather than WordPress. They’re usually not following the correct procedures or do not understand how something works.
I recently saw a user blame WordPress because they could not add images to their posts. It turned out that they’d never reduced the size of the images they were downloading into their media library; hence, they’d run out of media space.
Some bloggers also give out incorrect information to other bloggers. I had to step in when one blogger said everyone had to be logged into WordPress to leave comments on any WordPress blog. That is not true, and I corrected them explaining that all bloggers can choose via their blog settings whether or not readers had to be logged into WordPress to be able to leave a comment.
So, WordPress are not always at fault.
Of course, the WordPress platform will have bugs like any online site and platform, but WordPress will only know about them if you report them. Don’t sit back and hope that somebody else will do the job.
Sometimes, problems can be related to just one blog.
I recently had a problem with my blog, which only seemed to be affecting me. I stopped getting email notifications of new comments being left on my blog posts.
From the moment I reported the problem, the WordPress staff I spoke with on the Forums were not only accommodating and kept me updated, but they finally got to the bottom of what was causing the problem and fixed it.
My blogging friend Colleen Chesebro also reported problems around some Full Site Editoring themes. WordPress has since withdrawn some of the themes without any notice to users. They’d launched these themes too soon without proper testing, so sometimes, WordPress can be at fault.
However, I hear that current changes to the FSE Themes make them easier to use and install. I think the very least WordPress could have done was give notice first to those using the FSE themes they were going to withdraw.
For now, I’m sticking with my Classic theme, which WordPress still supports (along with over 50 other Classic themes).
Finally, whenever contacting WordPress, please be friendly. Treat them how you expect them to treat you. Being angry, impatient or nasty does nobody any good.
Conclusion:
WordPress has built a robust and supportive community that caters to users of all skill levels. Whether you prefer community-driven forums, official documentation, or personalised support via email, various channels are available to help you navigate any WordPress-related challenges.
By exploring these options, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience as you build and manage your WordPress blog.
What’s your experience with reporting problems to WordPress? What methods do you use to report problems? Are you currently experiencing any issues with WordPress? If so, what are they and have you reported them to WordPress? Share your experiences in the comments section.
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Don’t miss out!
If you enjoyed this post and want more like it, click the ‘Subscribe’ button to stay up-to-date with my latest content.
Copyright @ 2024 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BloggingAdvice #BloggingHelp #BloggingProblems #BloggingQuestions #HelpWithBlogging #HowTo #QuestionsAboutBlogging #WordPress #WordPressHelp #WordPressSupport
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Were you experiencing this annoying problem when leaving comments on blog posts on WordPress?
A fix is in place. Read on for more details.
#WordPress #Blogging #BloggingTips #WordPressHelp #BlockEditor #HelpWithBlogging
http://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/11/16/why-im-delighted-wordpress-has-fixed-this-annoying-bug/
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Have You Discovered These Two New Excellent WordPress Features? And Where Have Reusable Blocks Gone? https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/11/06/have-you-discovered-these-two-new-excellent-wordpress-features-and-where-have-reusable-blocks-gone/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #Patterns, #ReusableBlocks, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp, #WordPressProblems
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Did you miss any of these blog posts?
This is your chance to catch up on blog posts published on Hugh's Views And News in October 2023.
#Blogging #BloggingTips #WordPress #WordPressHelp #HelpWithBlogging #Photography #Photos #FlashFiction #Fiction
http://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/10/31/did-you-miss-any-of-these-monthly-round-up-october-2023/
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Stressed Or Feeling Guilty About Blogging? Please Read This Post. Let's Keep Blogging Fun https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/10/16/stressed-or-feeling-guilty-about-blogging-please-read-this-post-lets-keep-blogging-fun/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingProblems, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingStress, #BloggingTips, #HelpWithBlogging, #MentalHealth, #Stress <- Every blogger should read this.
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Experiencing Problems With Leaving Comments On WordPress? This Is What I Found. Read This Post Now https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/10/10/experiencing-problems-with-leaving-comments-on-wordpress-this-is-what-i-found-read-this-post-now/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTips, #BloggingTools, #Comments, #HelpWithBlogging, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #RespondingToComments, #WordPress, #WordPressProblems
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What Do You Feel About Blog Commenting? This Is What Two Bloggers Think https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/10/05/what-do-you-feel-about-blog-commenting-this-is-what-two-bloggers-think/ #BlogPromotion, #Bloggers, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingCommunity, #BloggingHelp, #Blogs, #Commenting, #Comments, #HelpWithBlogging, #QuestionsAboutBlogging
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Did you miss any of these blog posts?
This is your chance to catch up on blog posts published on Hugh's Views And News in September 2023.
#Blogging #WordPress #BloggingTips #Photography #FlashFiction #HowTo #Helpwithblogging #Helpwithwordpress
http://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/09/30/did-you-miss-any-of-these-monthly-round-up-september-2023/
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How To Find Free Photos And Images On WordPress: Why You Should Use Them. https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/09/25/how-to-find-free-photos-and-images-on-wordpress-why-you-should-use-them/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #MediaLibrary, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp <- Very good advice
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How To Find Free Photos And Images On WordPress: Why You Should Use Them. https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/09/25/how-to-find-free-photos-and-images-on-wordpress-why-you-should-use-them/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #MediaLibrary, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp <- Very good advice
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How To Find Free Photos And Images On WordPress: Why You Should Use Them. https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/09/25/how-to-find-free-photos-and-images-on-wordpress-why-you-should-use-them/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #MediaLibrary, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp <- Very good advice
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Are you doing enough to protect your blog from online threats?
These four simple steps will help.
Is Your Blog Under Attack? Yes, It Is. 4 Easy Ways You Can Protect It
#WordPress #Blogging #Blogggingtips #Blogginghelp #trolls #Helpwithblogging
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Are you doing enough to protect your blog from online threats?
These four simple steps will help.
Is Your Blog Under Attack? Yes, It Is. 4 Easy Ways You Can Protect It
#WordPress #Blogging #Blogggingtips #Blogginghelp #trolls #Helpwithblogging
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What Kind Of Comments Are The Best To Leave On Blog Posts? https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/09/04/what-kind-of-comments-are-the-best-to-leave-on-blog-posts/ #Bloggers, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTips, #Blogs, #Comments, #Commeting, #Engaging, #HelpWithBlogging, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #RespondingToComments
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How friendly do you think your blog is?
Is Your Blog A Friendly Welcoming Place? This Is How Not To Run A Blog
#Blogging #Blogginghelp #Bloggingtips #Helpwithblogging #Bloggingquestions #blogs #Bloggingadvice
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How To Spot And Remove Spammers And Spambots From Your WordPress Blog https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/08/14/how-to-spot-and-remove-spammers-and-spambots-from-your-wordpress-blog/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #Spam, #Spammers, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp
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How To Spot And Remove Spammers And Spambots From Your WordPress Blog https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/08/14/how-to-spot-and-remove-spammers-and-spambots-from-your-wordpress-blog/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #Spam, #Spammers, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp
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How To Spot And Remove Spammers And Spambots From Your WordPress Blog https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/08/14/how-to-spot-and-remove-spammers-and-spambots-from-your-wordpress-blog/ #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingTools, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #Spam, #Spammers, #WordPress, #WordPressHelp
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9 Hidden Useful Tools You May Not Know About On The Posts Page Of A WordPress Blog https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2023/08/07/9-hidden-useful-tools-you-may-not-know-about-on-the-posts-page-of-a-wordpress-blog/ #Blogging, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #BloggingQuestions, #BloggingTools, #Comments, #HelpWithBlogging, #HowTo, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #WordPress
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Who do you blame when something goes wrong with your blog?
Most of us will probably blame WordPress, yet have you ever thought that the problem could be that the theme of your blog is to blame because you’ve never changed it and it’s been retired?
Is your blog’s theme causing the problems you’re experiencing with your blog?Many problems can arise on blogs when a theme has been retired.
How Do I Find Out If The Theme I’m Using Has Been Retired?
You’ll see the following image on the themes page of your blog.
Has your theme been retired?Go to your blog’s dashboard and click Appearance – Themes to determine if your chosen theme has been retired.
Can I Still Use My Retired Theme?
Yes, you can. WordPress won’t remove it from your site. However, when a theme is retired, it no longer appears in the list of themes available on WordPress.
Your retired theme may remain available for the lifetime of your site or blog, but it will no longer be fully supported by WordPress. It won’t receive any updates with new features; hence WordPress won’t guarantee it will always function correctly with their ever-evolving software. If anything goes wrong, it may not be possible to fix it.
You can still contact WordPress support so the Happiness Engineers can take a look, but support will be limited, and they’ll probably recommend switching to a newer theme. In addition, they won’t provide any CSS support for the retired theme.
Why Do Themes Get Retired?
Web technology updates make the visibility and functionality of some themes outdated.
Web design is an area that is continually evolving, thanks to trends, tastes, and new technologies. WordPress has to keep up to date with these changes and is at the forefront of wanting blogs to look fresh and modern.
Retired themes can make blogs look outdated, stale, and uninviting to visitors, especially if you’ve never changed your theme since starting to blog.
Themes may also be retired if their design has become old-fashioned or uses certain no longer supported features.
What Should I Do If The Theme I Am Using Is Retired?
You can continue to use it, but it may no longer be possible for WordPress to fix any issues you encounter.
Some of the issues I have found with blogs that are still using retired themes are –
- I can no longer leave comments.
- Pingback to the blog no longer work.
- Pingbacks from the blog no longer work.
- The gravatar image is no longer displayed.
- The ‘Notify me of new comments via email’ box is missing.
- Pressing the ‘like’ button no longer works.
- New blog posts do not appear on the WordPress Reader.
- Blog posts are no longer mobile or tablet-friendly.
- Comments do not display correctly.
- Images, photos and paragraphs do not display correctly.
- Sharing buttons no longer work correctly.
In all cases, when I’ve checked the blog’s theme when these problems have happened, it’s an old, retired theme.
Some bloggers find workarounds when problems occur, but all this does is put off the inevitable that one day they will have to change the theme.
My recommended advice is to consider switching to a new theme to ensure your blog has a modern look and feel to its design.
If you’re not bothered about parts of your blog being broken, you may wish to continue using it until you are forced to change the theme. However, that’s not something I recommend.
Not only can finding a new theme be fun, but it can also boost your blog’s ranking.
How Do I Find A New Theme?
On the dashboard of your blog, go to Appearance – Themes. You’ll see all the WordPress themes available. For free themes, click the ‘Free‘ button in the top-right of the page.
You can also use the search field on the themes page to find a replacement theme. Click on the filter options below the search bar or type directly into the search field to filter by specific features or subjects or by the number of columns the theme natively displays to select a new theme similar to your retired theme.
Block Themes Vs Classic Themes
Block (or Full-Site Editing) themes are the new boys on the block.
WordPress recommends switching to a Block theme, as these are the future and what will be supported in the long term.
I have heard of some bloggers encountering problems switching to Block themes. It’s a long learning curve to get used to them, but WordPress has plenty of advice and help for switching to one.
Some bloggers who have already made the switch have reported that not only do their blogs run faster after switching to a Block theme, but problems they were experiencing with their blogs also disappear.
I recommend watching WordPress tutorial videos and reading their guidance page before switching to a Block theme. For information, click the links below.
Video Tutorials: Customize your Site or Blog
Should you encounter problems switching to a Block theme, help is at hand.
- Contact the WordPress Happiness Engineers by clicking on the ‘question mark’ icon (next to the ‘bell’ notification icon) in the top right of your blog’s dashboard.
- Ask for help from your followers and other bloggers by writing and publishing a post or contacting a blogger directly.
Important Information: Do not activate a new theme unless you are absolulty sure you like the theme you have chosen, as it’s impossible to go back to a retired theme once you’ve activated a new theme.
Classic themes were created to work with the old Classic editor, but with the large drop in Classic editor users, WordPress has been retiring them, especially when they no longer work with new functionality software or when updates to the WordPress platform have been released.
Unlike Block themes, Classic themes are heavily loaded with CSS code, meaning many things can go wrong. Block themes are only lightly loaded with CSS code, so are less likely to break.
Currently, WordPress provides 54 Classic themes that are free to use and compatible with the Block editor.
To find current Classic themes, search for them by adding ‘Classic‘ to the search bar on the Themes page, and select ‘Classic Theme‘ from the dropdown menu that appears.
If the theme you’re currently using has been retired, I recommend you switch to one of the Classic themes if you do not want to switch to a Block theme. Doing this will fix some or all of the problems your blog may be experiencing.
If you still experience problems after switching to a current Classic (or Block) theme, report the problems to WordPress. How will WordPress know about a problem unless you report it? Don’t rely on other users reporting the problems you’re having with your blog.
Does WordPress have any plans for new Classic themes?
I asked WordPress the above question. Their response was –
‘No, and we doubt there will be as the industry shifts to the more modern and convenient Full Site Editing (Block) themes that remove most of the need to learn coding to create and customize your theme.’
Is WordPress retiring all Classic themes? If so, when?
Their response –
‘It’s likely, as the focus is shifted to the more modern approach. We do not have specific timelines for each theme or the ones available on our list at this moment.’
So I guess it’s a case of ‘watch this space.’
However, given that the Classic Editor plugin is still available, my guess is that WordPress will retain some of the Classic themes until they stop supporting the Classic Editor plugin. But the choice of Classic themes will become more and more limited as time passes.
I didn’t ask WordPress if there are any plans to stop supporting the Classic Editor plugin, although I have heard rumours that they plan to stop supporting it by the end of 2024.
Let’s wrap it up.
- Problems may affect your blog because your theme has been retired.
- WordPress may be able to fix some issues, but they will advise you to switch to a new theme if the theme you’re using is retired.
- You can continue to use a retired theme you’re using, but it may not work correctly.
- Once you activate a new theme, you won’t be able to go back to the retired theme you’ve been using.
- Upon publication of this post, WordPress offers Full Site Editing (Block) and Classic themes.
- All Classic themes are free to use.
- There are no plans to introduce new Classic themes.
- The number of available Classic themes will continue to diminish.
I’ve seen some bloggers say they will wait until they are forced to switch themes. Given that switching themes can be a complicated and time-consuming project, all that will do is make them panic when the time comes to switch. Don’t be one of them.
If the theme you’re using has been retired, switch now.
WordPress welcomes feedback on the new Block themes and encourages everyone to contact them with suggestions for improving them.
If you enjoyed this post and want more like it, enter your email address and click ‘Subscribe’ to stay up-to-date with my latest content.
To follow Hugh on social media, click the links below.
Layout, content, settings, and format might differ on self-hosted blogs.
Copyright @ 2024 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BloggingAdvice #BloggingHelp #HelpWithBlogging #HowTo #QuestionsAboutBlogging #Themes #WordPress #WordPressHelp #WordPressProblems #WordPressThemes
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Are you running out of media storage space on your blog?
These 5 methods help create more storage space so you can continue to upload images and photos to your blog.
#blogging #blogginghelp #WordPress #HelpWithBlogging #MediaLibrary #WordPresshelp
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Are you running out of media storage space on your blog?
These 5 methods help create more storage space so you can continue to upload images and photos to your blog.
#blogging #blogginghelp #WordPress #HelpWithBlogging #MediaLibrary #WordPresshelp
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Blog posts containing images and photos get up to 70% more traffic than posts without visuals. So why wouldn’t you use them in your posts?
Visual content is an essential component of any successful blog. Adding images, videos, and infographics to your blog posts can make your content more engaging and memorable.
Are you making any mistakes when adding images or photos to blog posts?If you plan to include images or photos in your blog posts, there are four essential things to remember. These steps will help ensure your content is engaging and visually appealing while avoiding copyright issues.
1. Use High-Quality Images And Photos.
Always use high-quality images that are relevant to your post. Blurry or low-resolution images can detract from your message and make your blog appear unprofessional.
Additionally, using images that are not directly related to your topic can confuse readers and reduce the effectiveness of your post.
2. Ensure Images And Photos Are Not Copyrighted
Ensure you have permission to use any images and photos you include in your posts. This means sourcing images from websites offering free, non-copyrighted images (such as Pixabay) or purchasing the rights to use images from a stock photo website.
Not all images are free to use. And some that are free may only be free for a limited time. Always check the small print.
Don’t think you’ll ever get fined for using copyrighted images or photos. There are copyright bots continually looking for copyrighted images that have been illegally used and downloaded all over the web.
I know of two bloggers who have been fined for using images/photos on their blog posts that were not free to use.
To avoid copyright issues, use your own images and photos and watermark them before adding them to your blog posts. I use a free app called Photobulk to do this. Seeing a watermark is a great deterrent in persuading some thieves not to copy and use them.
Of course, if you’re not concerned about your photos and images being used by anybody else, you don’t need to watermark them.
3. Ensure Images And Photos Are The Correct Sizes.
Optimize your images for web use by compressing them to reduce file size.
Large images can slow down your website’s loading speed, negatively impacting your blog’s search engine rankings and overall user experience.
If you have limited space in your media library, not reducing the size of your images and photos will soon take up all your media space. When that happens, you won’t be allowed to download additional images to your blog unless you free up space or move to a plan that gives you more storage space.
I recommend reducing image and photo sizes to 900 x 675 pixels.
There are several ways you can reduce the size of images and photos. You can reduce them using photo editing software or your device’s software.
The WordPress media library also has editing software, but please note that if you reduce the size of an image or photo using this tool, the original image is kept in your media library when you reduce the size of the image- thus, you won’t save any storage space.
The newly edited image with the reduced size is added as a new file in your media library. You can always revert back to the original image by clicking on the image in the media library, selecting Edit, and then choosing the “Restore Original” button. If you’ve inserted an edited image into other published posts, reverting an image may break this image on those posts.
I use an Apple iMac and can change the size of photos and images by clicking on Tools – Adjust Size on the menubar of my desktop computer. I do this before adding them to my WordPress media library.
On a Windows computer, you can use Microsoft Paint. Open your image with that program, then click on Resize. You can find this option on the middle-right side of the “Image” section at the top of the Paint window.
However, as I mentioned earlier, you can also reduce the size of images and photos on WordPress. But only do this if your WordPress plan has a large storage space allowance.
- To do this, ensure you view your media library in Classic view.
- Click the edit image button on the image you want to edit.
- Add the new dimensions in the Scale Image box and click the Scale button.
- Click the save or update button to save the changes.
Your photos and images will be reduced in size, but remember that a copy of the original is also kept, so you won’t save any storage space.
If posting to your site using the Jetpack App, the app can optimise images.
In the Jetpack app for iPhone, you can set the Max Image Upload Size so the original file is resized automatically when you upload it. This option can be found by going to My Site and clicking the profile icon in the top right, then choosing App Settings.
In the Jetpack app for Android, click on your profile icon in the top right corner and choose App Settings. There, enable Optimise Images to resize and compress images on upload.
4. Add information to your images and photos.
Don’t forget to include alt text and captions for your images.
Alt text is a description of the image that allows visually-impaired readers to understand what the image is conveying. At the same time, captions can add context and help readers engage with your content. This is especially important when participating in blog challenges such as Wordless Wednesday and Silent Sunday.
Always add information about your images and photos.Adding a description of the image or photo also helps with SEO searches.
- Click the save or update button to save all the changes.
Following these four essential steps, you can create visually stunning and engaging blog content with images that stand out.
Let’s wrap it up.
- Always use high-quality images and photos on your blog.
- Never use images and photos that are copyrighted. You may be fined for doing so.
- Use your own images and photos. That way, you won’t encounter any copyright issues.
- Reduce the size of images and photos before loading them to your blog.
- Alternatively, reduce the size of images and photos with WordPress’s tools in the media library, but only if you have a WordPress plan that offers a large amount of storage.
- Always add information about images and photos before adding them to blog posts, as this allows visually-impaired readers to understand what the image conveys.
- Adding a description of the image or photo also helps with SEO searches.
What do you use to resize images and photos for your blog posts? Do you always complete the details of images and photos in the Alt Text box? If you have any questions about adding images and photos to your blog, please leave them in the comments section.
To follow Hugh on social media, click the links below.
If you enjoyed this post and want more like it, click the ‘Subscribe’ button to stay up-to-date with my latest content.
Copyright @ 2023 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BloggingAdvice #BloggingHelp #BloggingQuestions #BloggingTools #HelpWithBlogging #Images #MediaLibrary #Photos #QuestionsAboutBlogging #WordPress
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Are you looking for more visitors to your blog?
One of the best ways to promote your blog for free is by sharing your blog posts on social media.
Social media has helped bring my blog thousands of visitors, with Twitter bringing the most.
Sharing Buttons: One Of The Most Powerful Tools Available To A Blogger.WordPress offers sharing buttons so visitors can share your posts on social media.
These buttons are the best-placed option to encourage visitors to share your content on social media.
Where can sharing buttons be found on WordPress?
It depends on the WordPress theme you use, but most show sharing buttons at the end of blog posts which are the best-placed place for them. I have these sharing buttons on all my blog posts and pages.
Sharing buttons are influential in bringing traffic to your blog.What sharing buttons are available on WordPress?
Press This Twitter Mastodon Facebook Pinterest Reddit LinkedIn Tumblr Skype Telegram WhatsApp Pocket Email PrintAll of the above. Some of them are already available on your blog posts when you create your WordPress blog.
How do I add more sharing buttons to my blog posts?
I’m using WordPress’s ‘default’ view in the images and instructions for this demonstration.
- Just under the sharing buttons, click on ‘Customize buttons.’ You can reach them via your blog’s dashboard if you cannot do this. Go to Tools – Marketing, and click on the Sharing buttons tab.
- Click on Edit Sharing Buttons.
- Click on any of the sharing buttons to add or remove them. Ghosted-out sharing buttons are inactive and not displayed on your blog.
- Click the Reorder button to move the sharing buttons to the order you want them to display on your blog and pages.
- Click the Save button at the bottom of the page to save any changes you have made.
- Click the Close button to close the Edit visible buttons window.
- The Edit More button allows you to place sharing buttons behind the More sharing button. I’ve put the Email and Print sharing buttons behind the More button.
- The Edit label text button lets users put their preferred text above the sharing buttons. Click on the button to open the text box. Mine reads, ‘ Please feel free to share this post.’
Button styles – why you should not use the icon-only option.
WordPress offers users several styles for sharing buttons.
I recommend you use an option that offers text. Readers who use speech software on their devices will then know which social media platform each button is for.
Reminder
Remember that visitors can still share your blog posts on any social media platform, even if you don’t have a specific sharing button for it on your blog. However, if you want to discourage readers from sharing your posts on social media, you can remove the sharing buttons from your blog.
Let’s wrap it up
- Sharing buttons are a powerful tool for sharing your posts for free and bringing traffic to your blog.
- Sharing buttons can be edited on your blog. Choose which ones you want to appear on your blog posts and pages.
- Ghosted-out sharing buttons mean that they are inactive on your blog.
- Make sure you choose a sharing button style that contains text, as this helps visitors who use speech software identify the sharing buttons on your blog.
- You can discourage visitors from sharing your posts by removing your blog’s sharing buttons. However, your posts can still be shared on social media.
If you have questions about sharing buttons or want to share which ones you have on your blog, please leave them in the comments section.
Layout, content, settings, and format might differ on self-hosted blogs.
If you enjoyed this post and want more like it, enter your email address and click ‘Subscribe’ to stay up-to-date with my latest content.
Copyright @ 2023 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.
#BloggingAdvice #BloggingHelp #BloggingQuestions #BloggingTools #HelpWithBlogging #QuestionsAboutBlogging #SharingButtons #SocialMedia #WordPress #WordPressHelp
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Is Blogging Causing You Stress Or Making You Feel Guilty? How To Fix It
#BloggingTips, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #HowTo, #HelpWithBlogging, #BloggingQuestions, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #MentalHealth, #BloggingStress #WordPress
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Is Blogging Causing You Stress Or Making You Feel Guilty? How To Fix It
#BloggingTips, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #HowTo, #HelpWithBlogging, #BloggingQuestions, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #MentalHealth, #BloggingStress #WordPress
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Is Blogging Causing You Stress Or Making You Feel Guilty? How To Fix It
#BloggingTips, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #HowTo, #HelpWithBlogging, #BloggingQuestions, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #MentalHealth, #BloggingStress #WordPress
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Is Blogging Causing You Stress Or Making You Feel Guilty? How To Fix It
#BloggingTips, #BloggingAdvice, #BloggingHelp, #HowTo, #HelpWithBlogging, #BloggingQuestions, #QuestionsAboutBlogging, #MentalHealth, #BloggingStress #WordPress
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WordPress recently announced that the auto-sharing of blog posts to Twitter ended on the 1st of May, 2023. You can read their announcement by clicking the following link – Why Twitter Auto-Sharing Is Coming to an End.
Don’t panic! There are still ways to auto-share your blog content on social media.Does This Mean That Twitter Is Dead?
No. Despite many users deleting their Twitter accounts when Elon Musk took over (and some continuing to do so), Twitter is very much alive.
Although I’ve lost over one-hundred followers on Twitter, I still see traffic to my blog coming from it. As you’ll see from the following image, Twitter outperforms any other social media platform in the number of shares my blog gets.
Social Media Shares for Hugh’s Views And News.Only the WordPress Reader and search engines outperform Twitter in the number of shares they bring to my blog. I am curious why so many people have shared my blog posts via Skype, though.
Has Twitter Become Worse Since Elon Musk Took It Over?
Many users feared that Twitter would become more hate-related. I’ve not seen any increase in hate-related content. That may be because I always avoid it. And like on other social media sites and WordPress, I block users who publish hate-related content or who leave nasty comments.
I’ve had a Twitter account since 2010. Four more years than my WordPress blog, and I’ve had more trolls visit my blog than have visited me on Twitter.
What’s The Best Way To Deal With Trolls Or Nasty Comments, Tweets or Blog Posts?
Never engage with them. Trolls move on when they don’t get any kind of reaction. Ignoring, blocking and marking their comments as spam is the best form of action.
If I don’t like something on television or the radio, I switch off or switch channels. Likewise, if I see anything I do not like on any social media platform, I move on. Any spam or hateful comments directed at me get reported, and I block the user.
While I have not liked all the changes that have occurred on Twitter, nothing has made me delete my account yet.
Am I Sad That WordPress Is Ending Auto-Share To Twitter?
You may be surprised by my answer, but no. While WordPress did its best to get a good deal for users, I’m glad it decided to walk away from negotiations. WordPress put its users first. Had it agreed to the inflated rates Twitter wanted, users would have been hit with price increases.
Will The Twitter Sharing Buttons On Blog Posts Still Work?
Yes. WordPress has confirmed that the Twitter sharing button will still work. No need to delete it. Users can still tweet your posts even if you do not have a Twitter account.
And although auto-sharing to Twitter is ending, you can still copy links to your blog posts and paste them into new tweets.
Is Auto-Sharing On WordPress Now Dead?
No. Users can still auto-share their posts to the following social media platforms.
- Tumblr
In their announcement, WordPress also mentioned that auto-sharing was coming to Instagram and Mastodon (due mid-June 2023). However, I have heard that only those with an Instagram business account will have the ability to auto-share their blog posts. That may not be true, but more information will follow.
On May 3rd, I published a Wordless Wednesday post and was surprised to find that auto-sharing to Twitter was still working.
On May 5th, I published my Flash Fiction Friday post, and auto-sharing to Twitter was still working. By the time this post goes live, it may have stopped working, but I mentioned it to WordPress, and they came back with this response.
Auto-share may still work, but who knows how long for?I guess it’s a little like WordPress themes that are no longer supported. They may become unreliable with no support, start to cause problems, and eventually stop working.
And a further update from WordPress on Twitter dated 9th May 2023.
As of 10th May 2023, auto-sharing to Twitter is still working.Update 18th May 2023 – Auto-sharing to Twitter from WordPress has now been switched off.
Does Social Media Bring Traffic To Blogs?
Yes, but you must give it lots of time to work properly. Spreading yourself too thinly on social media by having too many social media accounts does not work. When I cut the number of social media accounts I had to two, I saw my blog stats take off.
Is It Worth Joining Instagram And Mastodon Now That WordPress Are Introducing Auto-Sharing To Them?
Only if you can give them the time to make them work for you and your blog.
You must engage with other users to gain followers. When I started engaging with other bloggers on WordPress, my stats boomed. When I started engaging with other users on Twitter, my stats boomed.
Don’t expect things to take off if you’re not prepared to give your time engaging with other users.
My recommendation is to stick with two or three social media platforms. Stay with those that work best for you.
What Is Mastodon?
I heard about Mastodon last year but only decided to create an account when I heard that auto-sharing to Twitter was ending.
It’s early days for me, but it has the look and feel of Twitter. I’ve added a Mastodon button to my social media widget. It’s the second button on the following bar.
Clicking on it will take you to my Mastodon account. If you already have a Mastodon account, please consider following me, and I will follow you back.
If you want to join Mastodon, start here on the Mastodon startup page.
If you want information about Mastodon, I found this unofficial guide to Mastodon very helpful.
However, it may take time for Mastoden to take off, so be prepared to wait. New social media platforms are being launched all the time. Remember to stick to just a few. Don’t spread your time too thin.
I will give Mastodon time, but I will delete my account if it does not work for me.
So far, it’s looking good because I am engaging with other users and, in turn, they are engaging with me. Some have been very helpful, although I’ve failed to find many WordPress users. So, if you’ve a Mastodon account, please consider connecting with me.
Instagram was one of the social media accounts I deleted a few years ago. I’ve no plans to rejoin Instagram.
Not Sure What Auto-Sharing Is Or How To Set It Up On WordPress?
This document, Post Automatically to Social Media, gives full details.
Layout, content, settings, and format might differ on self-hosted blogs.
Have you already cut ties with Twitter? Do you have a Mastodon account? Do you have any questions about auto-sharing on WordPress? Leave them in the comments section.
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At last! WordPress has introduced an ‘empty spam‘ button to the Default view mode when viewing your blog’s dashboard. Clicking it means that you can empty your spam folder with one click.
Now you can delete spam with one click.Before now, users could only bulk delete spam when viewing their blog’s dashboard in Default view. This would only delete 20 spam comments simultaneously, which could be time-consuming when the spam folder had hundreds of comments.
Here’s where to find the new ‘Empty Spam’ button in Default view.
Now you can empty the spam folder with one click.Click it, and all the spam in your spam folder gets deleted.
How does this new ‘Empty Spam’ button save you time?
It eliminates the need to manually or bulk select and delete spam comments in your folder, saving you precious minutes, if not hours.
So, why not try it and see how much time and hassle it can save you? And remember to switch to the Default view for optimal results!
Now all we need when in ‘Default View’ is the ability to mark genuine comments as ‘Not Spam’ like you can in Classic view. I’ve already suggested this to WordPress.
Did you know you can view your blog’s dashboard in Classic or Default view? What’s the difference?
The Classic view is best used with the Classic editor, whereas the Default view is better used with themes that use the Block editor. However, users can switch between both (as I do), as some features are better viewed on one or the other.
The following screenshot shows where you can make the switch. Click the ‘View’ button to open the menu.
Click ‘View’ to make the switch.If you use the Block editor, I recommend you view your blog’s dashboard using Default view.
Overall, this nifty little button is a game-changer for WordPress users, particularly those using the Block editor and receiving high volumes of spam comments on their blogs.
If you are looking for more help on how to deal with spam on your blog, read my post ‘How To Deal With Spam Without Closing Comments.’
If you’ve any questions about the Classic/Default view or about the ‘Empty Spam’ button, leave them in the comments section.
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Why would any blogger want to unsubscribe somebody from following their blog?
After all, we all want more followers, don’t we? However, there are genuine reasons why you should unsubscribe some people from following your blog.
For example, there may be a blogger who is horrified that one of the managers from their office has subscribed. Or a family member has found your blog where you share intense feelings about family and friends.
Then there are the ungenuine followers who only follow your blog in the hope that you’ll visit their blog and buy products you don’t want or need. Are any of them following your blog?
Are there any people following your blog that you don’t want following you? Remove them now.Why do people follow blogs?
Isn’t it because they enjoy reading the content? Not necessarily, no.
When I began blogging, I asked why some people wanted to follow my blog. For example, why were a womenswear company and a blog that sold coach holidays following my blog?
At the time, I was not writing and publishing any blogging or social media tips, so I could not understand their interest in my content.
They never ‘liked’ or left comments on my blog posts, yet I was still conscious that they were lurking in the background as if waiting for the right moment to pounce on me.
Some of them may have been playing the ‘follow you, so you’ll follow me‘ game, but I soon realised they were interested in taking my or the money of my followers.
At the time, I was delighted with watching the number of followers increase, but there may be occasions when you want to unsubscribe somebody from following your blog.
Here’s how to do it on WordPress.
- Ensure you view your blog’s dashboard in the ‘Default‘ view.
- On your blog’s dashboard menu, click on ‘Users.’
On the Users page, click on Subscribers.
Click the Subscribers link.- You’ll now see a list of all the subscribers to your blog, with the ones who subscribe via email first.
- To remove someone from your subscribers’ list, click on the arrow next to their name.
On the next page, click on the Remove button.
Click the remove button to unsubscribe somebody from following your blog.- They will now be unsubscribed from following your blog or receiving email notifications of new posts.
There is nothing stopping people from still viewing your blog and trying to subscribe again, but you’ll get a notification if they subscribe again.
By unsubscribing them from your blog, they will get no notifications that you have published any new blog posts. Nor will they know that you have unsubscribed them from your blog.
Is there anything else to consider?
Yes. You may also like to remove the same people from your social media accounts.
This is especially important if newly published blog posts are instantly shared on your social media platforms.
Of course, suppose you have reasons for not wanting certain people to discover your blog or social media accounts. In that case, it’s probably better to use a pseudonym and not publish photos of yourself on your blog or social media accounts.
Because I publish many blogging and social media tips, I’m no longer concerned about who follows my blog. However, I will remove or block anyone who tries spamming the comments section on my posts with uninvited links or keeps trying to sell me something I don’t want or need.
Let’s wrap it up.
- There are genuine reasons why people want to unsubscribe somebody from following their blog.
- Follow the steps in this post to unsubscribe people from following your blog.
- Remember to do the same with your social media accounts.
- Just as when you unfollow a blog, people you unsubscribe do not get notified that you have unsubscribed them.
- Unsubscribing somebody does not mean they can no longer view your blog, but they will stop receiving notifications of any new blog posts you publish.
- Consider using a pseudonym on your blog and social media accounts if you don’t want anyone to know your real identity.
- Block users you do not want to receive any comments from.
What about you?
Are there any reasons you’d want to unsubscribe somebody from following your blog? Have you ever unsubscribed somebody from following your blog? What are the main reasons why you follow a blog?
Join the discussion by leaving a comment that I can respond to with more than just a ‘thank you.’
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This is an updated version of a post originally published in February 2020.
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