1 of 2
Facebook Logo
2 of 2
Internet Searches
I've noticed a few friends have given up Facebook for Lent. Maybe they need to. I'm a bit tepid on that whole "giving up X for Lent" thing in the first place. But, who am I to oppose a spiritual discipline — if that's what it is.
But, it got me to thinking why I spend time with Facebook, and why it is still working for me.
As the Internet has changed over the years, I've tried to slowly change with it. I'm not an early adopter of new technologies. That's for people who can afford it. But, as certain things become popular, I try to go with it. The Internet is a changing and growing thing. And, I try to change and adapt to it.
The reason I remain active on Facebook is because so many people have figured out how to use it. It's a good way to find people you've lost track of, to keep in touch with friends who now live at a distance, and so forth. It's a craze — like email itself once was.
This year, about 41% of those who come to this site come here directly. And, I appreciate those who have bookmarked the site or put it in their RSS feed.
About 34% are referred from another site. Most of this referral traffic comes from Facebook — that's putting it mildly. I should say: the vast majority.
I do get some traffic from Twitter, and some people are referred to my blog from other blogs, notably: the Methoblog, Morgan Guyton, Derek Ouellette, John Meunier, Kevin Jackson, Allan R. Bevere, Brian MacArevey, Daniel McLain Hixon and Eugene @ Paradoxy.
The rest of the traffic here is from Internet searches, the overwhelming majority from Google. The number one article (by far) found here by Internet search is this one: A Prayer of Blessing.
I've started posting links on Google+ and LinkedIn but that seems to be a waste of time at this point. I am theoretically on those and also Pinterest & Goodreads, but I don't pay much attention to them.
I think there are some legitimate privacy concerns about Facebook which may influence its future usability. These don't currently affect me (or at least I think they don't) so it doesn't matter to me personally. But, if some other social network becomes more desirable and usable for people — I'll switch my attention over to that one. All I'm saying is that there is no evidence of that happening anytime soon.
I can't afford to give time to a social network that is not actually working for me. There are other things to do in life besides being on the Internet anyway.
I have absolutely no loyalty to Facebook. It's just working for me, that's all.
And, that’s why I won’t be giving up Facebook for Lent.
The Rev. Craig L. Adams of Grand Rapids, MI, is a retired United Methodist clergyman. He blogs at Commonplace Holiness.