Flagging Up New Blogs

[thescarletclothespimper]

Hi mumsnet, I was wondering if you might consider changing the A-Z system for searching for new blogs? Just a suggestion but would it not be useful to be able to search for new blogs under specific catagory headers such as cookery,fashion,advice ect. You could also consider rotating each of the catagory listings on a daily basis to make it even fairer and list randomly rather the alphabetically. Thanks

[thescarletclothespimper]

I love the idea of blogs being included in up to 3 catagories and A-Z, bottom line, everybody likes a choice when searching for blogs, I have been blogging for just over 2 years and have noticed the more options I offer for readers to connect with my blog, the more they connect!
Thanks for listening, looking forward to the changes x

[ElinorMumsnetBloggers]

@MmeLindor

Interesting idea, but I am another one who just won't fit in a single category.

The Keyword only searches the short description under you name, so if you want to be searchable then ask MNHQ to change the bio.

I searched for expat but didn't find my blog because I don't have the word "expat" in my bio

Hi all

Thanks for all the ideas here. A couple of thoughts on our search options:

The reason we've written fairly literal descriptions of your blogs in the alphabetical index is to make you more searchable.

We also want to offer several different ways for people to search for your blogs. We didn't launch with categories because we didn't want to narrow the scope. Blogging's all about diversity, after all. But we've started to see some definite themes in the blogs and are exploring the idea of placing blogs in a few different categories, so people can find you more easily. I think this would be a useful way for you to get more readers, without pigeon-holing you (a blog could appear in up to three different categories, for example). But we'll be following this thread to get your feedback.

[FlamingoBingo]

That's interesting, MmeLindor! Bugger, I just asked them to change it!

[Pandaboy10]

I blog about being a Full time Dad. I wonder if this would have it's own catergory? Think I would prefer it under parenting or perhaps even lifestyle? possibilites are indeed endless. Perhaps blogs could be listed in more than one category as required!?!!

[MmeLindor.]

Interesting idea, but I am another one who just won't fit in a single category.

The Keyword only searches the short description under you name, so if you want to be searchable then ask MNHQ to change the bio.

I searched for expat but didn't find my blog because I don't have the word "expat" in my bio

[thescarletclothespimper]

Hi Farside I think that's a really great idea and a good compromise, why not add two ways of searching!Often bloggers who write on a range of topics call themselves lifestyle bloggers. Does anyone know if posts uploaded before 9am are not posted on the newly posted slot? I posted my blog post before 9am today and could not see it, when scrolling back.Thanks :)

[TheFarSide]

It doesn't have to be either/or - we could have both A-Z and topics, as on the main Mumsnet website.

I'm unemployed and would like to search for blogs on the subject of finding work. I did try the search, and "unemployment" didn't find my blog. I probably need to insert some keywords somewhere.

[Tee2072]

But I don't want to be categorized at all. I really don't see the need.

[TheFarSide]

You could go in more than one category Tee2072.

I didn't know there was a keyword search though, so I'll give it a go.

[Tee2072]

But you can do a keyword search on the Bloggers Page that searches for blogs that might interest you.

Someone found my blog that way the other day, although I am drawing a complete blank as to what they searched for!

And, along with MMeG and Petite, it would be impossible to categorize my blog.

[TheFarSide]

Even if there were only broad categories eg family life, food, crafts, miscellaneous, I think it would be better than an A-Z.

When searching for blogs to read, I'd prefer to narrow down the choice by excluding subjects I know I'm not really interested in.

[MmeGuillotine]

Moi aussi, Petite. :)

I'm far from being a new blog but if I was then I think it'd be hard to put me into a category and I know that I'm far from being alone. I tell myself that this is why I never get nominated for awards... ;)

[PetiteRaleuse]

A lot of blogs don't fit into any one category though.

Mine's a mish mash of everything. And who'd search a category called mish mash

[TheFarSide]

That's a good idea, especially as mine begins with "U"

unemployed.posterous.com