June 25, 2013
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Proof That Top Blog Censorship Exists
Have you ever wondered why some blogs make it to “Top Blogs” while others don’t?
The “story” is a computer algorithm determines tops blogs by popularity- I’m guessing by number of recommendations, views, and comments.
That may be true in general cases, However, I can now present you with definite proof certain blogs can be targeted to not appear on Top Blogs no matter how highly rated they are.
Case 1: Blog on “Open Letter to Xanga team” : http://soullfire.xanga.com/773925467/open-letter-to-the-xanga-team/
Posted that originally on a Sunday June 17th….made it to Top Blogs and Most Rec’d by Sunday Evening. By Monday morning before 6am PST it had mysteriously vanished. I was told that blogs only stay on Top Blogs for 24 hours max, but that blog disappeared well before the 24 hours were up.
Suspicious, but let’s give the “algorithm” the benefit of the doubt and say it just randomly knocked it off early.
Case 2 is a different story.
Case 2: Blog on “How to Keep Xanga Free” : http://soullfire.xanga.com/774061732/a-plan-to-keep-xanga-free/
This was posted today at 8:45am PST and started getting recs and comments shortly thereafter. Yet, despite the increasing number of Recs and comments, it never appeared on the Top Blogs List.
At the 11 hour mark,
The post has risen to the top of most Rec’d list, but hasn’t appeared at all on the Top Blogs list. At the time the post had 194 views and 28 comments.
The following blogs stayed on Top Blogs for hours, dominating that space over my blog. Pay attention to the number of views, comments and age of the blog:
Seems “strange” for the “algorithm” to keep those posts in place so long ahead of high rated ones, doesn’t it?
After 12 hours, my post count was 219 views, 33 comments, and 37 recs
Then I noticed the “Top Blogs” list had some updates! But my post still wasn’t there. These are among the new “Top Blogs” that made the list:
Whoa, look at “all” those views and comments. It’s clear the “algorithm” is doing it’s job accurately.
It’s been over 13 hours now and my blog is still nowhere to be seen on Top Blogs.
It should be quite clear that there is obviously something more going on than just an “algorithm” selecting Top Blogs. It sure seems that if you post a blog that the “Higher Ups” at Xanga may not agree with, you can get censored off the Top Blogs list in favor of those posting half naked “selfies” and other blogs of far less activity.
So much for fostering community expression…
Comments (18)
I never worried about Top Blogs because I would never make it there but I also never understood how some of these Top Blogs got there.
Couple problems here.
First, this is “proof” of nothing as you your elf say “I’m guessing by number of recommendations, views, and comments. “
So you don’t know that the algorithm actually is that which you’re using to reach your absolute conclusion. It’s akin to saying “I’m guessing that the man was shot, so therefore I have proof that he wasn’t stabbed!”
Secondly, you’re doing selective cropping on your screen captures. I noticed the longevity of the posts, like you asked. I noticed the comment counts, like you asked. I also paid attention to the number of views, like you asked.
But I also noticed, though you didn’t bother to mention it, that you’d edited the screen caps to show specific blogs.
16, 17, 20, 24, 25. Where are 18, 19, 21, 22, and 23?
14, 19, 24. Where are 15,16,17,20,21,22, and 23?
Granted, as long as you’re showing you’re not on there, you might have some small point, but the fact that you’re bothering to edit to show only the blogs you think are less worthy of T.B. status than your own (not even mentioning for the moment that you haven’t shown ANY of the top ten blogs) casts suspicions on what it is you’re really complaining about here.
So your “proof” is unreliable. All that has been actually proven is that there are blogs on Top Blogs that you feel shouldn’t be there, and that yours (which you feel should be, based on your “guess” of what the deciding factors is) isn’t. You haven’t proven censorship in any way, shape or form. At least not according to actual rules of evidence.
(and as for the claim of censorship, it just doesn’t hold water anyway. If Xanga is wanting to save itself (as evidenced by the fact that they’ve bothered to setup a fundraising effort to begin with instead of just walking away) it makes no sense for them to blatantly censor a post that seeks to provide a new way to do that. Additionally, there have been posts that absolutely trash Xanga, the Xanga Team, and all things blogging that have made it to, and remained on, the top blog list. If ever censorship was their goal, I promise you they’d have had much better chances to reveal that to us than your blog about raising money.
Lastly, had their desire truly been to censor, you’d not have made it on most rec’ed either. It makes no sense that they’d “let” you on the very top of that list, but actively keep you off others.
I wonder what happens if, in your “guess” of what the algorithm is, you add in things like how long the blog account has existed, how fresh the written post is (since they’re not guaranteed to stay on for 24 hours) and how much activity it’s received (as a ratio) in it’s first hour of life… maybe, in that instance, the algorithm worked exactly how it was supposed to.
(you do have a valid complaint that it should be on there, on purely a rec count and topic standard, but it annoys me to no end when people claim “proof” of something where there is none, mostly because their feelings got hurt and they think that how they feel about something is tantamount to how something should be.)
(and by the way, I see you have sign-in lock off now. Has it been off the entire time you’ve had the post up? What about footprints lock, is that on or off?)
@Ghillies_guide - I don’t know the “exact” mechanism by which the weighting is determined, but it’s not a stretch by any means to make the assumption that it’s based on views, recs, age of the post, and comments. What else could is possibly be based on? It has to be quantifiable data since a computer is measuring it.
“But I also noticed, though you didn’t bother to mention it, that you’d edited the screen caps to show specific blogs.
16, 17, 20, 24, 25. Where are 18, 19, 21, 22, and 23?
14, 19, 24. Where are 15,16,17,20,21,22, and 23?”
I edited out the blogs with higher view/comment counts and focused on the ones with less. What would be gained by showing the chosen blogs with the highest counts? My point is to show the lowest counts compared to mine as a comparison to see how the algorithm could determine that they ranked higher than mine.
Mind you, I’m making no judgement on the quality of anyone’s blog I’ve listed, just the amount of views and comments. For the same or similar amount of hours, it clearly makes ZERO sense that blogs with only 21 to 50 views and 3 -6 comments and no recs should be ranked higher than a blog with 194 views and 28 comments during the same period. It doesn’t mater whether it’s my post or someone else with the same stats. The stats for the blogs I listed have significantly fewer counts and yet remain in Top Blogs over one with much higher stats. If the algorithm is indeed selecting “Top Blogs”, then that’s a red flag something isn’t right.
“(and as for the claim of censorship, it just
doesn’t hold water anyway. If Xanga is wanting to save itself (as
evidenced by the fact that they’ve bothered to setup a fundraising
effort to begin with instead of just walking away) it makes no sense for
them to blatantly censor a post that seeks to provide a new way to do
that.”
What’s your viewpoint on the way they’ve handled things so far? They set up a fundraising effort and then immediately went AWOL for two weeks. They “neglected” to give us any heads up months ago or seek our input for solutions. Instead they introduced their own solution that was highly unpopular with the majority of folks. It could be they are not open to any other “proposed” solutions other than what they planned in the first place.They certainly haven’t shown much in the way of active reach out to the community.
“Additionally, there have been posts that
absolutely trash Xanga, the Xanga Team, and all things blogging that
have made it to, and remained on, the top blog list.”
I’m not claiming that it’s done all the time, but it seems very odd that a highly rec’d/commented post proposing a popular alternative solution doesn’t make the front page while posts with much lower counts are. It could be they aren’t keen of having too many get behind a plan as that would pressure them to address it. Preventing it from appearing on the front page is one way to do that.
“Lastly, had their desire truly been to
censor, you’d not have made it on most rec’ed either. It makes no sense
that they’d “let” you on the very top of that list, but actively keep
you off others.”
That would be crystal clear censorship. If a post with a ton of recs doesn’t make it to “Top Rec’d”, they have no reasonable excuse. That’s a straight count. The Top Blog however uses the so called algorithm so there’s room to bend things….to a point.
The bottom line is if the “algorithm” intends on listing the top blogs, it isn’t basing them on content unless Xanga has invested in a $$$$ AI system. It’s measuring the blogs numbers and the only numbers available to measure are views, comments, recs, and age of the blog. That said, if a blog that has 20 views and 3 comments manages to stay ahead of a blog with over 190 views and 28 comments that’s “younger” for the duration, then either the algorithm is “burping” badly, or someone had a hand in it.
Xanga has to have a method of targeting blogs for removal to deal with XXX or other non appropriate material making it to the top page.
The fact is Top Blogs is so weak these days that just getting a few comments get’s you listed, I know since my blogs have hit it as well with low counts. So a blog with high counts that happens to challenge the current plan of pay-only blogs that doesn’t even crack top blogs with such low count blogs listed, but makes top rec is just plain fishy.
(Also no sign in or footprints lock engaged – if they were, it wouldn’t make any of the Top lists).
I don’t have time to reply point by point right now, but I don’t need to. Because…
” What else could is possibly be based on? It has to be quantifiable data since a computer is measuring it.”
Instead of asking that as a challenge, how about actually thinking about it. What else COULD?
One little extra factor to the algorithm.
Randomized final results.
Algorithm grabs, say, the top fifty posts. From those, the program is programmed to randomly select twenty for front page display.
1) it explains why one post with ten views and two comments is up, but the other thousand with same stats isn’t
2) it’s plausible, given that there have been posts by ppl whose post is their very first post ever.
3) further credible in that there have been times posts have stayed far past twenty four hours.
4) yet further credible in that theo posts, which historically have dominated ratio counts have been found as low as #15+
But you go ahead and keep believing that xanga has some personal grudge, has the time or desire to even monitor current posts, or is just dead set against allowing any efforts for people to give them more money.
Seems legit.
@Ghillies_guide - For someone who makes a claim that their interested in non hostile open discussion, one would think they’d refrain from snarky responses such as “But you go ahead and keep believing that
xanga has some personal grudge, has the time or desire to even monitor
current posts, or is just dead set against allowing any efforts for
people to give them more money.
Seems legit.”
You forget several little facts in your “analysis”
If you’re going to include a top rated blog based on measurements and randomly sort it with a low rated blog, then that really nullifies the idea of Top Blogs, now doesn’t it? You may as well name it “Random Blog”.
Next, your statement that posts remain on Top Blogs past 24 hours is wrong. According to Theo, Joel, and Xanga, top blogs max stay is 24 hours. Next Theo posts have to start somewhere before rising to the top. His posts rise as they collect more comments and views.
Speaking of Theo, can you name a time he submitted a post which never made the Top Blogs list? I didn’t think so.
Since you seem intent on thinking they “can’t” or “won’t” possibly block targeted top blogs – that’s your choice, but if you can’t handle having a difference of opinion without the need to attempt to be condescending, the why engage in discussion in the first place? I can now understand why I see you having flame wars with so many other folks.
Tell ya what though.
Give me one CREDIBLE motive for xanga trying to stop you from helping them get more money (and thereby saving their jobs!) And I’ll…
I’ll….
Meh, I’ll still think this is just you whining, I’ll still be annoyed with people’s inability to comprehend “proof” (which was really my only interest in commenting to begin with) and I’ll still think you’re wrong… but at least you’ll take a small step closer to credibility instead of whiny-itis
The “condescension” was light hearted, but clearly you get butt hurt pretty easily…
I’m not wrong, I’ve personally had blogs last entire weekends. Many others, including those you mention, have as well. But I’m also noticing that your sources aren’t actual xanga employees who know, just other bloggers, and their best guesses.
As for the validity of naming it top blogs, that was never the question and simply isn’t relevant to the discussion at hand, as it neither supports your claim nor detracts from my rebuttal.
At the end of the day, you didn’t make it and you’re whining because you didn’t get enough of the spotlight. There’s a meme for that..
@Ghillies_guide - I see, so when I leave a crisp remark for you, you pull the “I’m trying to have a open conversation but you’re rude response shows you can’t take it.” Then when I call you out for the behavior you whined about you say it’s in jest and I’m too sensitive. make up your mind guy – you seem a bit confused which side you want to take.
There are Just “other bloggers”, Joel works directly with Xanga members and Theo has met and has close ties to them as well. So if they say how something works based on what Xanga employees told them, I’m inclined to believe it to be from a good source.
So as those two would say to you-
“Just keep believing that you had a Top Blog post that lasted past 24 hours and all weekend when the algorithm is specifically programmed to kick blogs out after 24 hours. Sounds Legit…”
Lol, you’re pretty good at this characterizing things however you want.
Sigh.
Trunthepaige
Amateurprose
Boulderchristina
Theo
Promisesunshine
Mzsilver
Secretbeerreporter
Erika_Steele
Mtngirlsouth
Tag them. Ask them. I’ve seen each one of these with posts Lasting longer than twenty four hours.
News flash: Even if it was just a glitch, it’s happened numerous times.
What? A glitch?! No way! Xanga programming has never screwed up, ever!
I wonder if.. nah, couldn’t be possible that a glitch occurred with your vaunted post either
It’s inconceivable!
I’m done.
P.S. you’re a moron. But it’s okay. Just means you’ve got room for improvement.
@Ghillies_guide - Your first sentence this morning:
“I don’t have time to reply point by point right now, but I don’t need to. Because…”
And yet, you “magically” found the time to respond again and again, and even finish with a meticulous post of the folks who can supposedly verify your claims.
If I’m a moron, you’re an even bigger one for taking so much of your precious time to attempt to make your case to me, genius. =) That, and a liar…apparently not as “busy” as claimed.
Reduced to that as your best reply, are you?
Not surprising. Being presented with logic and fact often quiets the more inferior of my opponents.
P.S. edit that comment to read “I don’t have time (at the moment) to reply to each point” and even that weak argument of yours falls apart.. since it was posted three and a half hours before you “called me out on it” and things can change in three hours, Suzy.
You bore me now.
Farewell. :*
@Ghillies_guide - Thanks for coming back to prove conclusively that you are a liar.
Apparently “I’m done” means something different in your language.
Oh yeah, that’s right, you also struggle with not having the last word. That must be hell on your fragile ego.
Heh.
How old are you? Just curious.
I wonder, does it embarrass you even a little that you’ve completely abandoned any last vestige of defending your destroyed argument to resort to that…that…
I don’t even know what to call that, other than elementary playground desperation. (Hence my inquiry about your age)
You sure showed me!
Lmfao
@Ghillies_guide - I guess as a favor, I should go over the art of debate so you don’t continue to make yourself look worse and worse. Sad Really.
When you say you are “Done”, you give your final statement and leave. Get it? That’s how it works for those who know what they are doing.
It means you let the other person have the last word and let it lie whether you like it or not. When you feel compelled to come back to add your additional “2 cents” it just makes you look all the more immature and unable to accept someone else having the last say.
My words are obviously assaulting your ego otherwise you wouldn’t keep returning trying to best me.
To sum up- when you say things like “You are done” and “Farewell”, be mature enough to stand by your words and resist the temptation to chime in again.
All it does is reveal further weakness on your part, and you’ve already displayed enough of that as it is. Any insult you throw at me is just multiplied on you because I’ve already gotten you to break your word of “farewell” twice. Learn to walk away clean.
There, I’ve done my good deed for the day.
Oh, okay. Thanks for clarif…
SHOOT! I wasn’t supposed to comment again, was I?!
Or…wait… I had to comment so you knew I’d received your instructions, right?
Aww crabapples. I don’t know what to do. I just won’t comment, and play it safe.
SHOOT! I forgot to hit delete, hit submit instead.
OH NOES!
My brother told me i was on top blogs once. I didn’t know. As far as the count, or whether or not it should’ve made top blogs… You Tube “adjusts” their counts alot, so why not Xanga, as you seem to have shown? Seems fishy, considering the topic though.
@saturnnights - Yeah, it gets fishier when you compare views/recs/age o blog with the very weak ones that made the list. At least I got my message out- now I’d like to hear a response from Xanga.