Open door on long empty asphalt road, highway towards sun. Hope, success, new way concepts etc.
As most of you know, I’ve had several problems with WordPress.com over the last few days, and last night, I got an email from the kings of WordPress. From what I gathered from the techy word salad in their email, Auttomatic, the supposed parent company of WordPress has flagged my site because of a new algorithm that placed a cap on the posts I can like and the blogs I can follow and this site will be flagged “indefinitely.” This is a shame because I’m afraid that, with this new algorithm, they will drive away millions of bloggers.
In the last few days, I have gained several new blog followers and I’m unable to follow their blogs or like their posts because the Kings of WordPress have disabled my ability to do so. And it pains me that my hands have proverbially been tied and, as much as I want to, I can’t reciprocate their gestures of kindness.
So, if you’re one of those new followers, know that I see you and I’m reading your posts.
The good thing is that this has forced me to make a decision I’ve been putting off because of the fear of the unknown- going self-hosted.
Yesterday, I said that I would keep this site up until March 7, 2023, my next renewal date. And that was my original intention. Due to last night’s email, however, I’ve decided to go ahead and just migrate everything over to the new site and redirect you all there.
I sat up late, watching YouTube tutorials on how to do it properly and I’ve gained some good insights, so this is the route I’m going. Last night’s email really lit a fire under me and I’m anxious to get out from under Auttomatic. Going self-hosted will allow me to do that and give me the freedom I need to engage with my fellow bloggers and readers and that’s only a few of the many doors that will open.
Surprisingly, I’m not that upset about this. I believe this is God’s way of telling me that Auttomatic and WordPress.com are no longer the right fit for this blog. Therefore, He’s using this to nudge me where I need to go. Tomorrow is the day I start this transition and am very excited about this endeavor!
Thank you all so much for your kindness, encouragement, and support! I’ll see you over there!
Keep me posted how things go as I definitely want to keep following you on the new site.
I sure will, Michael. If I do it this way, you should be redirected to the new site.
Good luck and keep me posted on how to follow your blog once you set up your new site!!
Thank you so much, Valerie. I sure will, sweetie. 💖🌹🌺According to the YouTube tutorial I watched last night, there’s a redirect feature that allows you to redirect your followers and readers over to your new site.
It is definitely a sign to move over. Honestly, most free sites have limitations. They either can’t handle the bandwidth or they are constantly playing with the Algorithms. Even the Big Tech companies like Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter started playing with Algorithms. Facebook is still my favorite and still good but it was better years ago when you could see everyone’s posts.
The best advice I can give though is slow down. It is cool you stayed up late but take your time. Blogs are like everything else, moderation. Work on it a few hours a day but make time for family, friends, hobbies, exercise, other Social Media if you use it etc. In other words don’t lose your life in the process. Build it slow and the readers will come.
Thank you so much, sweetie! I appreciate you so much. I have the business plan so it’s definitely not free. It was just easier to install when I set up the blog. I was a beginner then and I didn’t know the first thing about blogging. LOL Yep, I was a blog dummy! And I was blogging by the seat of my pants for the first four years, basically.😂🤣😂😂But I’ve learned so much since then. Again, thank you so much! And I’ll definitely take my time and take it easy!
Hey, reach out to Herb Thiel at Haps with Herb. He may be able to assist as well! Also, dont forget to promote your new blog at Brothers Campfire!
I sure will, Ben! Thank you so much for everything! 🤗🤗🤗
So how do we find it? Do we follow your self hosted blog the same way?
According to the YouTube tutorial I watched last night, you will be redirected to the new site. Redirect allows your followers to find you.
What a shame they cannot let you be free- I guess that makes thrm the bullies to some degree- but I am glad you will still be posting. I have grown immensely under your tutilage. Please keep going and ao glad you aren’t letting anyone silence you on this important topic. God bless you, my friend.😃❤️
Thank you so much, Tonya! This means a lot! Sadly, yes, most Tech Companies are bullies in that they like to censor people they don’t agree with. I will definitely redirect you to the new site!
How big are these caps? Like, for example, what is the maximum number of followers one can have?
They won’t say, Greg. That’s another reason I’m going self-hosted. There’s no transparency…at all!
I will follow you anywhere Cherie! I am sorry you are experiencing issues with them once again and I am glad you won’t give up. Reach out for help if you need it, we are here for you too!
All the best with the transition!
You don’t know how much this means, Stella! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! 💖💖💖And I’ll definitely reach out if I need too, you betcha I will! 😊😊😊
I was having problems with the “Like” button over the weekend, especially when using the email notifications. I try to just use the Reader now. I haven’t received any messages from them, however. Social media companies don’t like it when people get too influential – at least, the people they fear or don’t like. I’m sorry that WordPress is going the way of Twitter. And I’m sorry this is happening to you, Cherie.
Thank you so much, Dawn! I’m just so glad I have a way out. My voice definitely intimidates a lot of people and I had no idea WordPress.com would fall the way Facebook and Twitter have. I actually had high hopes for them.
Just the same, I’m sorry you’re having trouble too, sweetie! When the new site is up and running, I’ll definitely use the Redirect feature and redirect you to it. Sending you lots of love and hugs! 💖🤗💖🤗💖🤗
It pains me to hear that even WP has such guidelines that “bullies” writers in conformity. As you said, things happen for a reason so now is your time to shine and fly to new beginnings. I’ll be with you in spirit and following. Sending peace and light to your heart 💕🕊💕
Thank you so much, Linda! I’m so overwhelmed with all the support I’ve gotten these past few days and I couldn’t be more grateful! You and all my blogger friends and readers have been so understanding and kind and I’m over the moon with love and thanks! 😍🥰😍🥰
Cherie, this seems to be a time of change – Purrseidon is planning on pulling back on her blogs for the summer and my own posts seem to be veering toward herbal remedies, which is where I was a decade ago. Life is strange – interesting, but strange.
You have a good point there, Jeanne! This is definitely a time of change! And yes, life is very strange indeed! Thank you so much for your input here, sweetie! It’s so appreciated! I wish you lots of success in your blogging! I love reading your posts! I’m just so sorry my likes won’t go through when I hit the like button! God bless you! I’ll redirect everyone to the new blog once it’s up and running!
Times are changing, the economy is bad, and let’s face it everything is a business. I don’t blame you self-hosting because then you will be able to control it better and you don’t have to watch the content as much and can control the trolls better too. All of these free blog sites always have issues and limitations. To put it another way, it’s free so they aren’t going to give you much! And if you follow too many blogs or get too many followers to your own blog, the computer systems these sites use get “suspicious” thinking a lot of them are trolls (though that is often not true). I think your regular readers are going to follow right over to the self hosted one and actually people may see you as an even more serious advocate by using a self-hosted site. Perception is everything and when they realize you are investing your own money then that is a big deal. As others have said, take it easy though. There is plenty of great material to read on this blog already, so don’t do too much and think you have to have it done in just a few days. Your true fans are going to be here for you.
Thank you so much, sweetie! 💖🌹🌺You don’t know how much this means! This blog wasn’t free as I have the business plan. But the self-hosted site will be cheaper and I’ll have a lot more freedom! I had been planning to go self-hosted for a while but was a little apprehensive because I knew little about it. Now that I’ve watched the YouTube tutorials, I feel so much better about my decision. I will definitely take everyone’s advice and take it easy. It may be a few days before I get the new site fully operational, but I’ll take it slow. Again, thank you so, so much! I’ll truly grateful for all the love and support I’ve gotten! My heart is so full of gratitude for you all! 💖💖💖💖😊🤗
That is so weird on WP’s part. Looking forward to following you at your new site!
Thank you so much, Balladeer! 🤗
I believe this is the right path you are going towards. As the blog keeps growing up, after a period the existing plans and the restrictions which come with it are no longer sustainable. Thus it’s a viable option which you have chosen. Keep me posted about it as I want to continue reading your blog. Best wishes. 😊
Thank you so much, Sanjeet! When the site is up, I’ll fix it to where you’re automatically redirected to the new site. I watched a YouTube tutorial on how to do it.
That’s an awesome move, so happy to hear that! Please do keep me posted so that I can check out your new site 😊
I sure will, Simone! I watched a YouTube video on how to migrate everything from the old site to the new site and how to redirect followers to the new site. So I’ll just redirect you! 💖💖💖
That’s awesome! Can’t wait
Me neither! 😊😊😊
I’m with you Cherie, take it as a sign and do what you need to do. Can’t wait to see you at your new spot. Follower for LIFE girlfriend!
Awww! Thank you, Bella! You are one of those special bloggers who always keep people uplifted! You, Kym, Simone, Herb, Ben, Ellie, and so many others are godsends! 😍🥰🌹🌺 I watched a tutorial on how to redirect followers from the old to the new site, so I feel more confident in being about to do it! See you there! 💖💖💖💖
Please make sure I know the new address. I want to keep up with your posts.
I most definitely will, Keith. I’m going to redirect all followers and readers over to the new site and migrate all my posts, comments, and replies there as well. Thank you so much! 💖 I so appreciate you!
I sure will! 😊
I’ll follow you anywhere Cherie! You’re an amazing writer and an inspiration for so many people as we struggle through this life. It’s definitely a sign, good things are happening for you, and this is going to help you reach an even larger audience! Hugs, C
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I’m so grateful for your kindness and support! 💖💐🌹🦋
So glad this is working out well for you. It sounds like the timing is right. I wish you all the luck in the world with settling into your new site (not that I’m going anywhere). I’ll be right along there following you and looking forward to hearing about your new adventure (and more brilliant information about bullying). Please, let me know how to switch over to your new site once it’s up and running. Love and luck coming your way from me. Xx 💙💗💛💜💗💚❤
You don’t know how much this means, Ellie! Thank you so much! 😍🥰😍🥰
You’re braver than I am! I hope the transition goes smoothly!
Thank you so much, Shannon! I’m ready to take the plunge! 😊😊😊
You go on ahead and we’ll follow. If there’s some hiccups along the way, we’ll bear them.
Thank you so much, Herb! I definitely will! 😊🤗
I for sure wish to keep following this site so I’m keeping an eye out for updates. I do hope your self hosted site will still be able to be read in my WP reader, as I use it a whole lot. It supports dark theme, something that makes it easier for me to follow and read.
Wishing you much luck 🍀 with the transition and I hope all goes well.
Onwards and upwards 💪🏼
Thank you so much, I’ll begin the transfer this afternoon when I get home from the doctor.
I had planned to post Part 1 of my updates this week. Since you’re migrating sooner than you said, I won’t be posting this site to my links. I’ll just introduce and put the new up once you’re ready with it 🙂 WordPress on my end is fine and I hope it stays that way – I can’t afford to go self-hosted nor do I know how. Let me know when you’re ready Cherie so I’ll know when to add your site 🙂
I sure will. I’ll definitely start transferring this afternoon when I get home from the city.
I can’t see any logic in that WordPress cap: you’d think they’d want to encourage more reading and sharing of blogs, not shut it down! Good luck with the move: I hope it goes well and I’ll still be here 😊
You’d certainly think that, wouldn’t you, Clive? But, as with any tech company, it’s not about readership or even money. It’s about power- raw power. Thank you so much! This means a lot! 😊
…a new algorithm that placed a cap on the posts I can like and the blogs I can follow and this site will be flagged “indefinitely.”
Wow!
What a Nightmare!
I may follow your lead on this one Cherie.
I’ve just about had it with WordPress too!
I’m so sorry you’re having this problem. Lance! It’s aggravating I know.
oh what a pain. so sorry. You should talk to Pooja about this as she had the same problem but figured it all out. Good luck!! 💖💖💖
Thank you so much, Cindy. It’s a royal pain but I’m not giving up. 😊
How odd… best to move on then, I agree!
Thank you so much, Liz! 💖