Trending List: Microfiction?

Is this how it is supposed to work?
I have a story up. It is around 45 likes/300 reads, pretty much my usual. It showed up, on and off, in the Trending banner the first day. Then for an hour or so on the second. It's gone today.

I understand the big kids lately posted with a 1000+ reads already (really?) being top of the heap, but right now the last five offered are;

"Trick or Treat" from Comp October 2023
"Dirty Whore Who Just Wants More" from Comp October 2023
"You're Home Early" from September 2023
"On My Tongue" from February 2023
"Using the Husband" from January 2023

It seems you have some algorithm in place that promotes old stuff at the expense of new things that will rapidly slide away into oblivion despite the quality of writing offered. Not everything can be measured in metrics. Lush is suffering for it. Not all of us can be the Lush Prom Queens, but we should not be relegated to the bench as punishment. Please understand, I am not speaking for myself alone -- while I have an understandable interest here, I gave up this particular dance quite a while ago. I have only used my story as a ready example.

I have to add that I am in no way disparaging the works cited. They most certainly deserve the reads and praise they have received.
My question is do they really need further promotion now, at the expense of those trying to bring new work to the category?

Kirstin, you're right. 😊 I have believed for some time that the algorithms have been "wonky" for a while, not just the one you mentioned, but also the one that counts story views...

As you know, by chance, my Freedom microfiction story was published two stories before your Her Rite Of Passage story. It has now been up for 5 days and has 41 likes from 373 views. Not as good as your story, Kirsten, but with a better than 1 in 10 likes-to-views ratio, which, for me, is exceptional.

However, my story is not currently included on the trending banner either. 😳🙄

I also had it the other way. A story I wrote 9 months before (no link as it is I/F, and I know that you (among others) don't like that genre), but it is called "The Two M's". In the summer, I started to have lots of likes for it.

When I clicked on that genre, though it was 9 months old, it was trending on the banner. It only lasted one or two days. It is by far my most liked story; however, I have no idea why that suddenly happened.

It's my understanding that the stories showing up on the banner are those that have most recently received likes. The site isn't randomly generating older stories to feature as trending. If your story were to receive several likes today, then it would be back on the banner.

Foxy, I think that’s the way it works on SS, too. I noticed some older appeared on trending, but they had a new comment (prob like, too).

For me, the suggested 2 stories that appears at bottom of my new stories gets more attention than if I’m on trending, anyways. I only notice the first story listed on trending banner. Also, ordering my stories on my profile helped bring attention to the stories I would like more views on.

Quote by Obsolete_Fox

It's my understanding that the stories showing up on the banner are those that have most recently received likes. The site isn't randomly generating older stories to feature as trending. If your story were to receive several likes today, then it would be back on the banner.

You might be right, Fox. 😊 I honestly don't know.

Hopefully, Kirsten will get her answer... alternatively, anyone reading this could click the like on our stories, and we see if they magically appear on the trending banner. 🙄😜🤣

Quote by wxt55uk

You might be right, Fox. 😊 I honestly don't know.

Hopefully, Kirsten will get her answer... alternatively, anyone reading this could click the like on our stories, and we see if they magically appear on the trending banner. 🙄😜🤣

I got three likes and two comments yesterday, but no banner spot. A story from 2022 did get added. I've had old pieces get recent likes and comments, some with several, for whatever reason. None have ever been seen as "Trending."

And some seem to be glued in place. Verity_100's cute "Husband Asked For Role Play" from 2021 was recently on for more than a week. She hasn't written anything since that year and I don't think she's even been on site at all this year.

To test my theory (and because I very much enjoyed the story), I just liked and favorited Issabela's micro "Plans." It is now on the banner. So if your story didn't show up on the banner after a few likes, I can only assume that around the same time, the stories that did appear were receiving more likes.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Foxy, I think that’s the way it works on SS, too. I noticed some older appeared on trending, but they had a new comment (prob like, too).

For me, the suggested 2 stories that appears at bottom of my new stories gets more attention than if I’m on trending, anyways. I only notice the first story listed on trending banner. Also, ordering my stories on my profile helped bring attention to the stories I would like more views on.

This has been the case for me, too. On my profile, if I recommend a story of mine that I wrote over a year ago, and several readers like it, it will show up on the banner.

Quote by kistinspencil

I got three likes and two comments yesterday, but no banner spot. A story from 2022 did get added. I've had old pieces get recent likes and comments, some with several, for whatever reason. None have ever been seen as "Trending."

And some seem to be glued in place. Verity_100's cute "Husband Asked For Role Play" from 2021 was recently on for more than a week. She hasn't written anything since that year and I don't think she's even been on site at all this year.

That is interesting, Kistin. I haven't received any likes since Saturday, when I know I received quite a few, plus a few comments. No idea if I made the trending banner, though... I guess my story is maxed out, but I do hope it is explained, and you receive your answer. 😊

Also, keep in mind that micro is a busy category. If a story in a category such as Steampunk receives a like, I imagine it would stay on that banner for at least several days.

I guess the best I can do then is hope for a dull week.

I just checked my Steampunk story, The Open Purse, which was published on the 6th June, and I was surprised to see it was still trending. 😊

Note: I have not had a single like for it since June/July. I was even more surprised that it now had nearly 1,000 views. Last time I looked was some months ago; it was still in the 400s.

I have just received a like for my microstory titled "Freedom". Maybe it will pop onto the trending banner. 😜

Quote by wxt55uk

I just checked my Steampunk story published on the 6th June, and I was surprised to see it was still trending.

For context, there's only been one story published since then, so the category isn't awash with new content. Stands to reason, as Foxy says, you'd linger longer in the trending area if there's not much activity in the category, nor attention on older stories.

Note: I have not had a single like for it since June/July.

It's likely nobody else in that category has either. The trending list only changes when some activity happens that causes stories to alter rank. Popular categories will shift a lot.

Quote by kistinspencil

I guess the best I can do then is hope for a dull week.

Because votes = validation of the joy of writing?

And there I was thinking that my steampunk story was still trending because it was absolutely brilliant!!! 🙄🤣 He says modestly! 😎

Seriously, though, WW. Thank you for taking the time to answer, and just to clarify... Are you saying the stories which appear on trending banners are (as Fox and Kimmi have suggested), purely down to the number of likes they are currently receiving?

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

Because votes = validation of the joy of writing?

No, but being read does and if you skirt down the list in a blink, eyes don't see you. It's no matter. I've never been that popular anyway. The mix on the Trend thing just seemed odd with so many old pieces (six out of ten right now) reappearing and staying on so long, when there are newer stories that go poof quickly.

Quote by wxt55uk
Are you saying the stories which appear on trending banners are (as Fox and Kimmi have suggested), purely down to the number of likes they are currently receiving?

I have no idea how the algorithm works, but if I was calculating it, that's how I'd do it. Likes and reads and stuff = currently story du jour.

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

I have no idea how the algorithm works, but if I was calculating it, that's how I'd do it. Likes and reads and stuff = currently story du jour.

Thank you, WW, and I agree with you. 😊

However, I do suspect that is not exactly what is currently happening, and I guess it's not a priority. But next time you chat to the development team, ask them how the algorithm exactly counts trending stories or for that matter, views. I suspect that no one will be able to tell you! ... If they can, I owe you a 🍺 or 🍷.

Sometimes, older stories receive new attention when the author shares the link in their profile. I've actually had an old story of mine appear in the top 25 stories for a few days due to newly generated interest.

As far as trending? It has always appeared that it is constantly changing. I've had older stories trend for a bit when new readers are checking it out, and an hour or two later, it's gone.

My stories are not nearly as popular as many of the authors here if you go by the numbers. (The only reason I'm the top author of all time is that I have published over 500 stories on Lush). But I prefer to focus on the comments. What people say about my stories makes me feel like I've done what I've set out to do. When I want an older story to get seen by new readers/followers, I post the link in my profile with some cutesy message. It makes me feel good that a story I enjoyed writing is being seen by new eyes.

As for those who think being on the front page for an extended period of time helps promote views, you should know that this isn't the case in my experience; it's a crap shoot at best. My most recent story sat on the front page for the better part of 24 hours, and it's doing okay, but not gangbusters, which is okay. Ultimately, I write for the joy of writing and to, hopefully, entertain readers with my vivid imagination. Sure, it's fun when a story catches a lot of attention. Who doesn't like a pat on the back? But I can never really predict what will be a "hit" and what will "fizzle," and there's no rhyme or reason or algorithm that explains that.

FYI: Kirsten, when I logged on this morning, 9 am UK time, your 'Her Rights of Passage' microfiction story was number two on the trending banner... 😊

Quote by wxt55uk

FYI: Kirsten, when I logged on this morning, 9 am UK time, your 'Her Rights of Passage' microfiction story was number two on the trending banner... 😊

Yesterday it got 4 reads, a like, and a favorite. It popped up on the banner late afternoon California time. It's gone this morning. Who knows how or why, but a little is better than naught, I suppose.

It seems to be that it is the ones who put lots of effort into promoting their stories that get seen. Those little begging "Please Like and Favourite" messages at the end of the stories. And then they follow it up with a big picture plastered on your page saying Thank you for reading and advertising their story even more.

Perhaps there is some craving for external validation, maybe their mother didn't tell them they loved them enough but to me it seems rather over the top for an amateur website to be constantly pushing your sordid little fantasies in this way.

I do like Kat's method of posting old stories. I have read quite a number that way and it is a lot less in your face or needy than polluting peoples profile pages or asking for a like, favourite or coins at the end of your stories.

Anyway, rant over.

Just chiming in to say I'm another author watching my Microfiction stories do really well for the first day or two, then disappear from the trending list even though they are still getting 50 views per day but not many likes or comments. Active reader engagement matters (to the algorithm).

Quote by wxt55uk

FYI: Kirsten, when I logged on this morning, 9 am UK time, your 'Her Rights of Passage' microfiction story was number two on the trending banner... 😊

And there you are, leading the pack, with Pumpkin Sex Party from a comp a few years back. Lovely to get (ob)seen once more.

Quote by kistinspencil

And there you are, leading the pack, with Pumpkin Sex Party from a comp a few years back. Lovely to get (ob)seen once more.

Thank you for letting me know, Kisten. 😊 It has now disappeared from the trending headline (8:45 am UK time).

Yesterday morning, as per Kat's suggestion, I put a link to that story on my profile page. The story received 5 new likes and one new comment in 24 hrs. It seems that was enough to make it the number one trending micro story for a couple of hours, but not enough to keep it on the banner for 24 hours! 🙄 To me, that does not make sense, but hey-ho! 😀

...and in the meantime, my latest micro #4: Ride Me, Cowgirl got published yesterday and has jumped to #1, replacing pumpkin butt! 😅 We'll see how long this lasts; I'm not known for my stamina.

In case anyone is interested, the Trending banner for Microfiction now has a single recent story and nine that are more than two years old. Most have been on for more than a week and six of those have likes/comments far below new stories. Since the "read" is basically hidden, there is no telling if they are actually getting seen or if they are simply being favored as plump authors. My sorrow goes out to those who are trying against the game.

I looked at Kat’s profile and like she said above, she suggests older stories on her profile. One she mentioned has that trending older micro listed as one of the two suggested reads if you scroll to the bottom of that story, probably drawing attention to it again now. And Redheaded Witch is trending in Flash. It’s the other suggested read on her older poem listed on her profile post. Those suggested reads do draw attention back to older stories. The authors trending are prolific writers and have built great followings and probably get nice attention to the stories suggested on other stories… I wouldn’t doubt more attention than some current stories. I still bet Obsolete_Fox is right.

Quote by kistinspencil

In case anyone is interested, the Trending banner for Microfiction now has a single recent story and nine that are more than two years old. Most have been on for more than a week and six of those have likes/comments far below new stories. Since the "read" is basically hidden, there is no telling if they are actually getting seen or if they are simply being favored as plump authors. My sorrow goes out to those who are trying against the game.

I am interested, Kirstin, and I appreciate the update. 😊

Quote by KimmiBeGood

I looked at Kat’s profile and like she said above, she suggests older stories on her profile. One she mentioned has that trending older micro listed as one of the two suggested reads if you scroll to the bottom of that story, probably drawing attention to it again now.

Good morning Kimmi, I experimented with doing this earlier in the week with an old micro... It got 5 or 6 likes, 1 comment, hit number one on the trending banner for a few hours and then dropped completely off... 🙄

Maybe scrolling down the story makes a difference, but it is a micro, so not much scrolling to be done. As for views making a difference... I doubt that, as these stories are too old to get many views.