Ben Tremblay

Technology, business and change

New Google Reader feature

I just hit the “feed details” link on my Google Reader to find out about a nice little feature Google just added. It’s no big deal and won’t change your life (well maybe, so continue reading!), but it’s fairly interesting and I simply want to let you know about it.

Poster habits Vs Reader habits

When you press the “feed details” link, you now get a nice little chart like this one:

As you see, the blue line is actually what the blogger posted and the red line represents the moment you read the blog. This is really nice as you can see the posting habits of some bloggers and at what time they usually post their articles. It breaks down everything for you by time of day, day of week and months! What more could you ask for?

What if I really don’t give a damn?

What a useless feature! hum…Unless you have a look at some of the biggest bloggers’ posting habits! I hear all the time “is it worth posting on weekends?”, “What’s the best time to publish?”, etc. It’s all there folks! Google is doing the dirty work for you, all you have to do is analyse the charts.

Share your findings!

If you guys notice a trend, feel free to share that with the community!

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28 Réponses pour “New Google Reader feature”

  1. Freddie says:

    Good stuff. I haven’t seen this feature yet, so it is going to good getting into it.

    I have many of those same questions, should I post on the weekends. Naw, you need some downtime to get your thoughts together and get away for a minute. That is just my opinion.

    Let me check out this feature and Google reader and see what it is all about.

    Freddies last blog post..Using the SWOT Analysis for Bloggers

  2. Rituraj says:

    Good R&D. I would certainly utilise this feature and analyse it. Thanks for sharing this information.

    Riturajs last blog post..Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 GT video

  3. Dan says:

    Sounds like a pretty cool way to find out how and when the big blogs post! Especially the time part – there are a large number of blogs that don’t have a ‘time posted’ stamp.

    Thinking about it more, you could also discover which blogs are using the wordpress ‘time-posting’ system using this. If they are posting at the same time every day, or always at exactly 15 past the hour, you’d be able to tell that the site was possibly running off pre-generated posts which have been set to release at certain times…don’t know what use it may have off the top of my head, but maybe something :)

    Dans last blog post..Contest Time

  4. Ben Tremblay says:

    @Freddie: I usually don’t post on weekends also, but it’s not a question of traffic. I agree with you that you need some downtime and for me not posting on weekends is more about the fact that I have other things to do that keep me busy and it’s family/friends time. I might post a little something once in a while, but overall I don’t post. Anyway, have fun with this small feature! ;)

    @Rituraj: No problems at all, enjoy!

    @Dan: That’s true, I didn’t think of pointing the finger at “automated” blogs. Don’t know what use I would make of that either, but you knwo… hehe ;)

  5. Hmm.. I don’t really have a need for that feature but it still helps nonetheless.

  6. Dennis Edell says:

    All I have to do is analyze my comments ;)

    I never use readers anyway, can’t stand ‘em as I never remember to check…it’s all email for me. :)

    Dennis Edells last blog post..How, What, When, or Why Do You Recommend A Product or Service?

  7. Ben Tremblay says:

    @Roger Hamilton: Probably won’t use it either…but you know…it’s there ;)

    @Dennis: Man, I can’t stand emails! I have enough emails coming in, at least in a reader I have some sort of control over the flow of information! But I guess we each have our way ;)

  8. Adam says:

    Great post. This will be incredibly useful for my new case study. Thanks

    Adam

    Adams last blog post..No Results For Publishing Time Case

  9. Ben Tremblay says:

    No worries mate, glad it can help you!

  10. Thats cool , I ve not seen this stuff ..I subscribe to most blogs via email :) I think I ll need to spend sometime learning about RSS feed

    ZKs last blog post..Ultimate Blogging Theme – Download Now

  11. Ben Tremblay says:

    Man, I think I underestimated email subscriptions…! I never really bothered as I thought everyone was using a reader…but no! hehe thanks for opening my eyes :)

  12. Salwa says:

    Very cool. I have never seen this before. Thanks for this great post.

    Salwas last blog post..Easy Steps To Get Your Article Rejected

  13. MLRebecca says:

    You’re absolutely right! This is an awesome feature. Just like you, I’ve read so many blog posts where bloggers pondered whether or not it was better to post at the same time every day. Google’s done it again! I definitely have to check this out! Thanks for sharing!

  14. Ben Tremblay says:

    @Salwa: No problems, I’m glad you like :)

    @MLRebecca: Glad to have you here once again…You’ll force me to put back some Market Leverage banners over here if I don’t want to look too bad…hehe ;) Thanks for dropping a line and glad you like the feature!

  15. Judit says:

    Well, i guess someone will find this feature useful, but i really can’t. They are maybe exaggerating, but maybe their programmers don’t have many open projects, so they are doing whatever fall on their mind :)

    Judits last blog post..Creating an Aromatherapy Retail Store Online

  16. Ben Tremblay says:

    @Judit: Google engineers have WAY too much spare time! hehe ;) I can understand why you don’t find that feature useful…

  17. bbrian017 says:

    Hey what is this Google reader about I never used this service… Does it help build blog awareness and can it be used as a tool for branding or marketing our blogs?

    bbrian017s last blog post..Top 7 Pointless Facts That Are Nice To Know

  18. Ben Tremblay says:

    @brian: Google Reader is actually an RSS feed reader. So no, it won’t help you promote your blog much but it’ll help you get all your RSS feeds organized which is very neaté

  19. Ms Sparky says:

    I will have to check it out…maybe!! LOL

    Thanks

    Ms Sparkys last blog post..Does KBR Make Money Off Dead Soldiers?

  20. Sheryl Loch says:

    Ben,
    I am at Google Reader all the time and guess I just run in, read, and did not even pay attention. I have often wondered if there is an optimal time to post. Not that I would ever remember to post at that time anyhow, but it could be worth a try.
    I do use Google Reader and have tried to get all mail subscriptions turned off. The reader is just much easier for me.
    Thanks for pointing out this bit of info. it might have some magic in it.

    Sheryl Lochs last blog post..HTML Picture Linking Code

  21. [...] Ben ‘the frog’ – New Google Reader Feature [...]

  22. Didn’t ever mention that link. Thanks, Ben! Will subscribe to this blog.

    Handbags totess last blog post..Laptop Backpack Leather

  23. Thanks Ben – great tip.

    I will pass this info along.

    Cheers,
    Dean.

  24. [...] the first blog that I subscribed to was Ben Tremblay’s Frogstr, after reading the post New Google Feature Reader. I had been on a social networking site and someone had recommended it as an interesting article [...]

  25. jack parler says:

    It’s been quite sometime since I last visited this blog. Look like you have another great post entry again. lol. When are you going to stop posting good stuffs? :D

  26. Roxanne says:

    Thanks Ben. Great tips. A great help for newbies, added wisdom for me.

  27. Great stuff.. Must say.. How could Google always finds something new in its overall inventions.. its always pretty strange to know daily new updations in algorithm with new features..!!

  28. Google is brilliant one who can achieve success by daily improving its skills thoroughly..

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