An Apology to My Readers | Essay

I need to apologize to you all. My last two articles, Joe Rogan Wim Hof and Wim Hof Hangovers weren’t written for you. They were written for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. Google told me via a service they have called “Google Search Console” that people were finding this site because they searched for these and similar terms.

I think the articles are good reads, however, I let an algorithm dictate my content – which just feels wrong. It’s tough though, as a (currently) fledgling writer and blogger, Google “organic” traffic is my top source of web traffic. So I feel like to keep my web traffic growing I have to do what Google wants. (Google will always tell you to put your users first, but at the end of the day it feels like many things need to be done to please Google.

I didn’t create this blog for Google.

I didn’t create this blog for Google. I created it to share my understanding of how to be well, random life hacks, and as a platform to publish poems. The same Google tool also tells me that my top-performing articles (minus poetry), have always been essays that came from the heart and personal experience – How I cured my eczema, A tale of two yolks, and How to get started with Wim Hof Breathing are my top articles from Google organic traffic. Once disappointing, however, is the majority of content that comes from the heart almost no one sees. The Promise of Self Driving Cars, Wimahl, etc. – and no one sees it because:
– social media doesn’t like sharing articles. Articles are an opportunity for users to leave their casino algorithm-driven talons. How many times have you clicked a ‘link in bio’? Seriously, let me know.

Nextdoor has worked from some articles, especially when I’m writing about my neighborhood, but as of late, it seems their algorithm pushes articles down in the rankings.

This blog means so much to me. It’s a creative outlet. A place for me to hone some of my fundamental marketing skills around analytics, CMS expertise, writing, etc. More importantly – it’s a platform of record for my unsolicited advice to the world and my poetry.

A self-hosted blog means I’m not dependent on social media

Unlike posting to social media including Medium – I’m not dependent on their platforms for success. I’m not giving them ownership of my content, content that will disappear into the void. With Google and proper SEO, my content actually performs better the longer it’s been published not vice versa.

I removed all social media from my phone. Here’s what happened.

Last thing before I wrap this up. I removed all social media from my phone on Christmas Eve, 2020. I was with my family, but I wasn’t really there. I was sitting in a chair with my head down switching between, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, Nextdoor, and Facebook. No talking to my loved ones, essentially ignoring my almost-two-year-old daughter while I scrolled, swiped, liked, and scanned. Alcoholics call it a “moment of clarity.” At that moment I deleted it all. Even Nextdoor. I kept Imgur as a guilty pleasure to swipe through in the 20-30 minutes before I fall asleep.

Social media changed how and why I took photos; yuck!

The craziest thing I realized after removing social media from my phone (aside from how much time and attention it was taking in my life) is that it literally was dictating photography. Rather than thinking about taking great photos – and paying attention to my surroundings, I was thinking constantly about how will people react to my Instagram story or if I share this on Facebook.

I was also very stressed out about work. The holidays are a busy time for our little tech startup — the thing is though, with social media off my phone, much of my work stress evaporated. I was on my phone incessantly on social media, in turn, when a work email or chat came through I was already on my phone, and felt like I had to respond instantly.

Without social media – for the first time in years I literally misplaced my phone. I’d leave it home when going for walks. I’d set it down and walk away when playing with my daughter. This separation from my phone, and in turn work, has reduced a great deal of needless stress.

The reason I’m telling you all of this is that I’m sorry. I’m sorry I let an algorithm dictate the content of this blog, undermining its authenticity. If you’re one of my loved ones (this blog’s top audience, thank you very much), I’m deeply sorry if I’ve been physically present with you, but not actually there – eyes glazed overlooking into a blue screen, barely responding.

The algorithms can be helpful and I will consider them, especially things like best practices for user experience (UX), and technical structure so this site and its articles look okay on Google and else online, but no more will I write bullshit articles just for SEO. I’m also not giving up social completely, but please pray for me and yourself that you don’t let algorithms undermine your essence of being, your authenticity, and allow them to separate you from the things that matter most.

Much love,

Nate

Nate’s favorite articles:

The promise of self-driving cars
How to get started with Wim Hof breathing
Wimhal (Poem)
Johns Hopkins Glacier (Poem)
Five paradigm shifting diet and health articles
My meat conundrum