Algorithms? Here? Why do I care?

A numbers game

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

Have you played the numbers game?

Do likes and subscriber drops affect you here or on other social media platforms?

I’ve noticed my views drop considerably from over 12K to a little over 7k in a month.

Why Substack?

Why are my subscribers dropping every day as well?

What is wrong with me? I ask.

Oh, Substack, you almost got me again.

Why do I care?

Because I do.

I still like this platform, most days.

I’ve written almost every day in the past year and a half. My writing is far from perfect, but I continue to write and post anyway. It’s what I do.

I still can’t figure out why similar posts are favored, and some are unseen.

I show up

You know what? I show up. I write. It gets me sometimes when my posts don’t do well and numbers drop, but I’m on to my next project or two by then. That’s what a writer does.

I appreciate you all that have commented on my posts. That’s what it’s all about.

I’m here to write, read, connect and support artists and creators.

Substack, I’m not here to scroll. Yet I do. I guess you won - temporarily.

I’m here to read and write and yet you got me again with numbers and likes.

Scrolling battle

I fight daily not to let this become another mindless scrolling platform for myself. It has though for many, and I will continue to read as many posts as possible - instead of scrolling. I’m trying.

Smaller Substack’s. You are some of the best here some by far. Please know that! I can’t figure out the algorithm either.

I’m not sure why I care. Is it part of this my fear of invisibility as I age? Maybe it’s old wounds of feeling unseen?

I’m in a doubt spiral now. I will surface. I’ve been writing my whole life, and I will continue to write on and offline.

Questions: Do you get caught up in the numbers game?

Are you here to read or scroll notes? Both?

Do algorithms favor you here or not? Why?