Story time on front page

This does not involve me directly on this occasion, although both scenarios have applied to me.

There seems to often be huge discrepancies in the length of time a story remains on the front page.

As I type this the 'oldest' story on the front page was published 2 hours ago but sometimes a story can still be on the front page after 27 hours or maybe more.

This is an observation rather than question, I have had stories sitting there for upwards of 24 hours but have also had them disappear in less than 3.

Presumably it depends on how many stories are being submitted and how many reviewers are available but sometimes the front page gets flooded with new stories (as now) meaning that a story can disappear rapidly.

I know that followers get notifications of a new story, and I have a lot of followers, but this huge differential in potential time on the front page does not seem very fair.

Anyway, just thought that I would mention it- probably it has been mentioned before, I have not checked, sorry.

Mine usually average around 6 to 8 hours on a good day, but have had one drop off in less than 40 minutes. There is definitely an ebb and flow with modding, as should be expected since they are volunteering their time. The day of the week seems a factor as well, along with a comp just beginning or nearing its end. I don't see how it could be more equalized given all the variables, short of holding back postings, which would cause a riot. I'm sure

Personally, I don't use the front page, since I have no interest in 95% of the categories. I go directly to the ones I do enjoy, where there is usually a much longer hang time for new stories.

Quote by kistinspencil

Mine usually average around 6 to 8 hours on a good day, but have had one drop off in less than 40 minutes. There is definitely an ebb and flow with modding, as should be expected since they are volunteering their time. The day of the week seems a factor as well, along with a comp just beginning or nearing its end. I don't see how it could be more equalized given all the variables, short of holding back postings, which would cause a riot. I'm sure

Personally, I don't use the front page, since I have no interest in 95% of the categories. I go directly to the ones I do enjoy, where there is usually a much longer hang time for new stories.

Thank you for this.

As I said, it is an observation rather than a complaint but I decided to put it in print because sometimes the time variations are so huge. I do understand that there are no doubt reasons, but it just seems a bit unfair regarding an author getting full exposure for a new story.

Yes it very much depends on the queue size and moderator workload around their real life commitments.

As far as frontpage exposure goes, don't worry about it. In terms of readership and engagement it makes very (very) little difference. Hardly anybody besides bots camp on the front page. Their job is to index content and see how busy the site is so they can come back more regularly. They also index the category pages, which have far more stories on them - with more relevance to the category itself - and spend longer on page 1 of the respective results.

My competition piece has been on the front page for over a month and has gained about a hundred views and 1 like/comment in that time. Same for all the comp pieces, this time and last time.

Cultivate your readers. Engage with them. Read and comment on other works. Drum up interest in the forums and your profile wall, and encourage followers to check their reading queue regularly.

When we get a more focused page for all our friends and followers, that will help even more. But until then, focus your efforts in places other than the front page, as those will reap greater dividends.

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

Yes it very much depends on the queue size and moderator workload around their real life commitments.

As far as frontpage exposure goes, don't worry about it. In terms of readership and engagement it makes very (very) little difference. Hardly anybody besides bots camp on the front page. Their job is to index content and see how busy the site is so they can come back more regularly. They also index the category pages, which have far more stories on them - with more relevance to the category itself - and spend longer on page 1 of the respective results.

My competition piece has been on the front page for over a month and has gained about a hundred views and 1 like/comment in that time. Same for all the comp pieces, this time and last time.

Cultivate your readers. Engage with them. Read and comment on other works. Drum up interest in the forums and your profile wall, and encourage followers to check their reading queue regularly.

When we get a more focused page for all our friends and followers, that will help even more. But until then, focus your efforts in places other than the front page, as those will reap greater dividends.

Thank you very much for all this.

I was not specifically thinking of myself, I am very happy with the number of followers that I have and I get quite a lot of likes and comments, often from regular readers of my stories.

I do sometimes message new arrivals on Lush inviting them to read and enjoy my stories.

As I said, it is not specifically about me, it was just a general observation.

On this topic I used to try to post a status update when I'd get a new story published, and there was a place to click "status" to make one. I can't find that now, so how do I do that?

(Edited) I see a "post and pin" instruction for wall posts - is that it now?

Quote by Wet_n_willing

On this topic I used to try to post a status update when I'd get a new story published, and there was a place to click "status" to make one. I can't find that now, so how do I do that?

(Edited) I see a "post and pin" instruction for wall posts - is that it now?

Hiya, you can post a status by clicking on the activity tab on the homepage. Status updates are at the top.

Quote by Jen

Hiya, you can post a status by clicking on the activity tab on the homepage. Status updates are at the top.

Thanks!

Yep. You can also post them on your own Wall on your profile page.

Not sure if they're cross-posted to the Activity page or not but I believe followers (and maybe friends?) get a notification. Handy if the original story published notification didn't make it to everyone or you want to bolster you story's reach to those who haven't checked their reading queue.

The down side of the Activity page is that you can't see your own Status post, so you will have to hunt for it (if you get a lot of wall contributions) on your Profile.

Quote by kistinspencil
you will have to hunt for it... on your Profile.

Or click the middle filter button (your username) above your profile wall, which then only shows your own posts 😃