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My No Stats Checking Experiment 

May 27, 2015 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC52 Comments

Lately, I’d been feeling like I was very beholden to my blog stats. I would check them multiple times a day for no real reason. I decided to take a week long break from checking my stats and see if I could learn to be a little less dependent on the constant checking of blog stats. Here’s what I learned:

My no stats checking experiment

  • Stats don’t matter all that much. I found that after I hid my blog stats from my dashboard in WordPress, I didn’t really think about my stats at all. It was a great reminder to not forget the reason I blog – and that reason has NOTHING to do with stats. The experiment was a good reminder of this. 
  • My stats generally stay pretty consistent. When I finally went back and looked at my stats, I didn’t notice a TON of deviation from day to day. Of course there are some ebbs and flows (Friday Five days get a lot of traffic for example), but generally my pageviews are pretty consistent. 
  • Not checking my stats everyday freed up time to actually write and edit and generally just improve my blog. Not that checking stats takes a ton of time, but I used to find that I wasn’t just checking the stats, I was analyzing them and figuring out why traffic rose or dropped and that would just dovetail and before I knew it, I’d have spent half an hour just staring at my screen and analyzing stats. I think my time is better spent leaving that analysis to when I’m crafting my monthly blog stats and income report than diving deep on a daily basis. 

I actually decided to keep my stats hidden on my main dashboard even after I ended my no stats checking experiment. I like the idea of not really focusing on my stats except for a dedicated time period. 

Tell me: how often do you check your stats? 


Comments

  1. Hollie says

    May 27, 2015 at 6:31 am

    When I first started blogging I checked my stats much more. Honestly I don’t check them that much anymore because I know stats and page views aren’t really painting a true picture of everything happening. They are useful tools but they aren’t defining my blog.
    Hollie recently posted…Historic Fairview 5k (19:47) My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 8:34 am

      Exactly! They don’t define my blogging either 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    May 27, 2015 at 6:38 am

    My Jet pack stats are on my dashboard so if I scroll I see them when I log in but I typically don’t pay attention. Google analytics has much more accuracy and detail and I probably look at that once a month.
    Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…DC Fitness: Zengo CycleMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 8:35 am

      I actually have my jetpack stats hidden on my dashboard now. I don’t miss seeing the stats daily 🙂

      Reply
      • Mar @ Mar on the Run says

        May 27, 2015 at 6:39 pm

        i guess it doesn’t bother me or I haven’t really paid much attention. 🙂

        Reply
        • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

          May 28, 2015 at 8:52 am

          That’s a good thing!

          Reply
  3. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    May 27, 2015 at 6:41 am

    I check maybe once a day on the days I post. I just like to see what kind of page views it has, but I don’t dig any deeper than that.

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 8:35 am

      I used to check multiple times a day. No good!

      Reply
  4. Michelle says

    May 27, 2015 at 7:42 am

    Great idea to just hide them…like I said yesterday, I check way too often. I think it’s because I’m kind of just starting out, so I like to see what’s working on a daily basis as opposed to monthly. Lately though, as I’ve gained momentum, I’ve noticed I’ve naturally been checking less and working more–which is great and how it should be. I am making a conscious effort to not check as much though!
    Michelle recently posted…The ‘It Only Gets Easier’ Track WorkoutMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 8:37 am

      That’s the right balance for sure!

      Reply
  5. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    May 27, 2015 at 8:52 am

    I like to see where my hits are coming from, so I do check stat counter once in a while. But other than that, I don’t pay much attention anymore, since I”m not getting any campaigns anyways! LOL….

    It’s freeing just to write, isn’t it?
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Race Day AnticipationMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Tara @ Running 'N' Reading says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:08 am

    Courtney, mine are waaaaay down at the bottom of my dashboard; I’m usually too busy trying to figure out which draft I’ve saved or what book I’m supposed to post next that I don’t pay much attention. I’ll look to see if anything looks “off,” maybe once a week. I’m glad you’re cutting yourself some slack, chica!!
    Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Burrito BowlsMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:09 am

    I agree that stats don’t drive the blog but it is sad to say that it is what most opportunities are based off of. I don’t know enough about it to really dive in and analyze the data, but I know just enough of what I need to to be able to apply for some opportunities. Does that make sense?

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 10:04 am

      makes total sense! i like that with tapinfluence and fitfluential you don’t have to worry about that once you’ve entered everything in!

      Reply
  8. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:16 am

    I don’t pay much attention to mine at all. I maybe check them every few weeks.
    Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Transition Tips for Beginner TriathletesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 10:04 am

      that’s the way to go!

      Reply
  9. Amanda says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:28 am

    I check mine maybe every few weeks…? Honestly I don’t even know because I really don’t check them very often at all. I don’t want that to be the focus, and it can kind of be a bummer to see that people are bouncing off your blog so fast (which I know is a product of me not having page breaks in my posts). I’m glad your experiment was good for you! Stats aren’t everything, and they really aren’t even anything. I think people check them way too often.
    Amanda recently posted…We Painted and StuffMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 10:05 am

      yes, i was definitely checking way too often and i didn’t like that feeling. it’s really freeing to now have a dedicated time to really analyze them – and just not worry the rest of the time!

      Reply
  10. Larisa (0to26point2) says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:48 am

    I used to be a stats and numbers fanatic, then I decided to take a break also. Now I just write and hope people like it. Its a lot better this way.

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 10:06 am

      100% agreed! SO much nicer this way.

      Reply
  11. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:48 am

    I focus more on the posts/type of posts that get the most hits so that I know what my readers are interested in.
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Sweat Pink Athleta Yoga RecapMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 10:06 am

      i look at all of that but i don’t need to look at it on a daily basis. once or twice a month is enough for me!

      Reply
  12. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says

    May 27, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I check my stats more than I know I should. That’s a good point, that I could be using that time to write content, edit photos, or improve the little things on my blog.
    Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…Using a Blogging Editorial CalendarMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Ange @ Cowgirl Runs says

    May 27, 2015 at 11:32 am

    My stats are way at the bottom of my dashboard so I have to scroll WAY down to see them. I might look once daily, but unless a post goes viral, they’re pretty consistent and I’m happy with that.
    Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…40 YearsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 27, 2015 at 11:48 am

      consistency is in general a very good thing!

      Reply
  14. Christy says

    May 27, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    I don’t really check my stats that often since I haven’t monetized my blog yet. I have blogged for fun (for like YEARS) and more recently toyed with the idea to expand. But it seems like a lot of dedication!
    Christy recently posted…The Great Wall Marathon & Half – #runlikehalesMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Lindsay T. says

    May 27, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    I get too obsessed with stats on everything! Blog, instagram, Facebook, all of it. I finally just quit logging in so often to all social media!
    Lindsay T. recently posted…That time I ate salad every day for 2 weeks + slacker paleo meal planMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Coach Henness says

    May 27, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Ah yes, one more social media number for people to obsess over. I check stats on my sponsored posts a lot but not so much my other stats.
    Coach Henness recently posted…The One Where Everyone Got LostMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Kate @KateMovingForward says

    May 27, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    I check mine about once a day at the end of the day, but I generally don’t dive deeper than a glance. I find it interesting that some days I DON’T post I get more traffic than days that I do, just depending on how my other posts are circulating on social media.
    Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…A Day in the Life and Meijer Gift Card GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Christine C says

    May 27, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I’m really not sure why I check them to be honest. I started my blog to keep friends up to date on what I was doing preparing for my first Sprint. Then it sort of took a life of it’s own. That being said, I’ve got less than 100 followers, my page views aren’t that high, and I’m not in this for the money.

    I think that maybe you just reminded me of why I’m keeping a blog and maybe it’s time to stop worrying about Stats all together. At least for me:)

    Those that want to read it will read it weather I check my stats or not:)

    Reply
  19. AJ @ NutriFitMama says

    May 27, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    I check them every couple weeks now. I used to check ALL the time when I first started blogging. That was so not productive for me at all 🙂
    AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday | A Day Of Food InspirationMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 8:53 am

      Agreed! It’s not good to be so focused on them!

      Reply
  20. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    May 27, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    Honestly, unless it’s for a sponsored post, I really don’t check that often – probably monthly.
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…MRI updateMy Profile

    Reply
  21. Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner says

    May 27, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    I’ve done that in the past, gotten a little too attached to seeing the stats.
    First I went to checking them once a week, and now even if I don’t check them for a couple of weeks it’s okay.
    If I am doing something like a giveaway or a day where I am working on building my blog I will check them more frequently to make sure what I am doing is working. Sometimes its nice to see reward on things your working on.
    I do like to remember I blog first and foremost for fun and meeting others, and that stats and income are just bonus:)
    Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…No More ExcusesMy Profile

    Reply
  22. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    May 27, 2015 at 8:05 pm

    It wasn’t so much an experiment but a while back I decided I was checking stats too much and decided to cut it back to once a day. I was doing the same thing you mentioned where I ended up investing way too much time on it. Kind of like mindlessly checking social media. I think it’s important to check them, but in a productive way.
    Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…WIAW #30: Squash MadnessMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 8:53 am

      Exactly! Now when I check, I’ll really be checking with a purpose!

      Reply
  23. Cecilia @ MommiesRun says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    I check them more than I should I think. Honestly, my blog has had a nice bit of growth lately and so it’s nice to see the numbers, but I would love to see more interaction. To me, the numbers don’t show the whole story. I’d love to see more interacting than 10,000 page views, because I’ve developed some great friendships through blogging!
    Cecilia @ MommiesRun recently posted…Oiselle Wednesday: Lori ShortsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 8:52 am

      I really think that building a community is way more important than the stats 🙂

      Reply
  24. Bri says

    May 27, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    Interesting! I check my stats multiple times a day, mainly to see if there are spikes and where it might be coming from. I’ve only just started to grow my readership so it’s still super exciting for me, haha!
    Bri recently posted…Calorie counting: Is it really necessary for weight loss?My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 8:51 am

      Nothing wrong with that!

      Reply
  25. GiGi Eats says

    May 28, 2015 at 12:36 am

    I give ZERO Fs about blog stats! I BLOG because I LOVEEEEE meeting new people and hopefully making them smile and laugh! I also love eating – and my blog inspires me to make NEW THINGS! 🙂
    GiGi Eats recently posted…Whoopee! It’s an “Oreo”!My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 8:51 am

      You def make me laugh, lady!!

      Reply
  26. Pam and Christine says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:32 am

    I hardly ever look at stats, but our blog is not one that derived any income (by choice). It is probably far more important for bloggers who are trying to generate revenue to know their stats.
    Pam and Christine recently posted…It’s Race Day!My Profile

    Reply
  27. Elena says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:08 am

    Honestly, I have been checking my Google Analytics a lot lately…and I know I need to stop. Not that I am changing what I am doing because of the numbers, but it has become a habit that isn’t productive.
    Elena recently posted…12 Not To Miss Experiences in MarrakechMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 10:17 am

      Yes, that’s exactly how I felt!

      Reply
  28. Toni says

    May 28, 2015 at 8:52 am

    great post! I really don’t check my blog stats regularly. The only time I look them up is when I am applying for a campaign. I would become too obsessed if I did it regularly.
    Toni recently posted…Weekly Workout Wrap-Up, K-Fit 6 Challenge Week 1My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Yes, exactly!

      Reply
  29. Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee says

    May 28, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Unfortunately I’m obsessed with checking my stats on WordPress. Especially after I post new content. Which I seriously need to do. Maybe my honeymoon with blogging has ended. I love doing it, but I have a hard time coming up with new content. Ok, I kinda went off on another subject! Sorry!
    Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee recently posted…2015 Marion Arts Festival Half Marathon RecapMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      May 28, 2015 at 9:37 am

      I find that the more I write, the more ideas I come up with. I’d suggest doing a brainstorming session! 🙂

      Reply
  30. rachel says

    May 28, 2015 at 10:55 am

    I see my stats whenever I log into my dashboard… but only view my GA stats whenever a brand requests it. 🙂
    rachel recently posted…Finding a Running Route Near YouMy Profile

    Reply
  31. Jennifer says

    May 28, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    I’ve been laying off the stats lately too (one point I was checking everyday, even 2x lol). I am curious with my posting in the evening experience, so far engagement is much the same.
    Jennifer recently posted…2015 PRR Mother’s Day 4 Miler Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply
  32. Patty @ Reach Your Peak says

    May 29, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    I used to be obsessed with checking my stats like multiple times a day haha. Now I check in like once or twice a week and I’ll be like omg I only posted twice I bet my stats are so low! but they are basically consistent like you said haha
    Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…5 Things You Can Do To Be A Better Runner Right NowMy Profile

    Reply

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