What is a ‘like’?
You can press me if you ‘like’ – but I go nowhere
I’ve noticed recently that I can’t ‘like’ a lot of the blogs I visit. When I push the ‘like’ button it just takes me to the top of the page. I’ve also noticed that some other people have commented on other blogs that they can’t ‘like’ either.
This may be a WP thing; it may just be that I’m using old versions of IE and/or Firefox; it may be because there is only a certain amount of ‘likes’ to go around and I’m running out of my share (I could be a ‘like’ hog).
Sometimes I read posts that are so good I really wish WP would add another button.
Then there are times where this button would really come in handy.
Anyway – enough of the silliness…
At first it really annoyed me that the ‘like’ button would only work on some posts, but now I’m getting used to it.
In fact, it got me thinking – if I leave a comment, do I really need to push the ‘like’ button as well?
Sometimes I get ‘likes’ from the same people over and over again and I wonder if they’ve read my blog or are ‘liking’ for the sake of ‘liking’ (and I really don’t understand the point of this).
Maybe I could have a button for those people I could push in reply.
I ‘like’ that you ‘like’ me, but I’m not sure ‘why’ – you obviously think I’m a genius and by ‘liking’ you have just donated your entire life savings to the Paris Hilton Second-Hand Shoe Society
Are you still able to ‘like’? Do you get ‘likes’ and wonder who these people are who always ‘like’ but don’t comment? Do you ‘like’ and comment, or just comment without ‘liking’? Or am I just being really confusing now?
I’ll totally understand if you don’t ‘like’.
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While I’m here, I’d ‘like’ to thank all those who downloaded my latest story. Thank you!
Yes, I can still Like your blog. You’re right, it’s such a catch-all, Facebooky thing that sometimes it’s pointless. As to Liking and not commenting, some blogs are just so good that you’d run out of things to say if you felt obliged to comment every time. There’s one photography blog – http://ooggetuige.wordpress.com/ – that’s so consistently brilliant, all I can do is Like.
I do read every blog post I Like and/or comment on, but I can only do this by strictly limiting the number of blogs I visit. I get daily email digests for these, but it’s impossible to read all the other blog followers – there just isn’t time.
I switched to Chrome this morning and now I can ‘like’ all I like! Woo hoo!!!
It also picks up typos in my comments which I absolutely love!
I’ll have to check out that photography blog
Thanks so much for coming by 
The only time I have left a ‘like’ was when no way to comment was possible. I don’t Facebook, so that manner of showing appreciation is not in my realm. Like you, other options would be lovely, as ‘like’ is very limited. And as I almost never use that feature, I don’t know if it’s working or not.
That’s really interesting, Anna. I think you’re the only one who has said you don’t use the ‘like’ button. It must be a hangover from Facebook because a lot of people are used to ‘liking’ through that medium. Last night I went onto FB and ‘liked’ a whole lot of my friends updates, but didn’t leave any comments. They are mainly ‘one-liners’ so a ‘like’ is all that’s required. I guess, had I never used FB, I probably wouldn’t be so attached to the ‘like’ button either
Dianne — I could “LIKE” your blog. Perhaps it is the browser; of course, I always “like” what you have to say.
Thank you, Barbara – I always like it when you like me
hahah – I think many people are shy about commenting, if they don’t have anything good to add but enjoyed your post, they like. Also, it is a way to leave a calling card “hey, I stopped by!” and it is a “come visit me back” request too. I like the “weird” button idea
I like the ‘weird’ button, too, Elisa! That would go really well for you if you reviewed a weird book! I agree that people are shy and sometimes they may feel as if everything has been said and they just want to agree with a ‘like’. I used to, but can’t now – hopefully that’ll be fixed today
Hi Dianne. Since I’m an aspiring writer, any Likes or comments mean a lot to me. I try to leave a comment as well. I like your ideas, the Weird and Why? buttons, though. Thank you for interesting post!
Hi Miwako! Yes all likes and comments are very welcome – I’m just not able to ‘like’ at the moment so I’m leaving comments all over the place
Funny. And, yes, I also wonder about the serial “likers”.
Me too, Loretta! Thanks for dropping by to say hello
Oh, the serial likers!! (Perhaps there may be serial followers as well…
that is when the ‘weird’ button is needed.) I have felt at times that there may be a script or something that automatically ‘like’s posts without the person reading them.
Also, sometimes I’ve also enjoyed a post so much that I want to add more than just a ‘like’ but don’t know what to say as a comment. Also unfortunately a ‘love’ button could be used in a ‘weird’ way. :&
Enjoyed your post, Dianne! Thank you
Thanks, Tarina! I’m all fixed now and can ‘like’ again – look out world
Yay!!
*LOVE
Hahaha – And *love* to you too
Wonderful!
I sometimes have trouble clicking the Like button. The solution is to try clicking it again. Usually it works by the third time. =] There are some people who I do wonder about. I see them “liking” every other post on WordPress without commenting even once. Something smells fishy, if you ask me.
It is a bit of a hassle continually trying to ‘like’ when it just won’t work. I’ve almost given up and just comment now – hopefully today I can get some time to work on my browsers (without throwing my lap top out the window).
Sometimes i just hit ‘like’, to acknowledge that i read the post – i comment only if i feel i have something to add… If not, and the post is cool – “LIKE” it is!
Hey, Lena! Great to see you
I try to just hit ‘like’, but it’s such a hassle when I can’t and the I have to be creative with the words and say “I like this post” without ‘liking’ – LOL 
Whenever the LIKE button doesn’t work, I let the blog author know. One person whom I notified today changed themes, and now the LIKE button works. I do think it has to do with themes and how the theme handles widgets, wadgets, gidgets, and gadgets. Not everyone understands all the coding required to get everything working together.
When it comes to hitting the LIKE button, I use it to let the person know that I read the blog post. Thus, I LIKE it because it gave me something to read. If I have something intelligent to say, I will also leave a comment. About 20% of the blog posts I visit get a comment. I don’t leave a comment just for the sake of leaving a comment, such as “Nice post.” I have too little time for such triviality; besides, isn’t that what the spammers do?
The problem I had was if I read a post, I’d have to comment because I couldn’t ‘like’ any of them (not just particular themes), so I got a bit sick of writing ‘nice post’
I don’t know of many spammers that comment (and if they do, they are whisked off by something magical called Akismet)
This morning I changed my browser to Chrome and now I can ‘like’ as much as I like!
Most, if not all, of the time, if you have to comment because there is no LIKE button, those are self-hosted blogs. I used to have a self-hosted blog but as soon as WordPress informed me that the only way to get a LIKE button was to have a WordPress.org blog, I switched.
I don’t know of any spammers that do not comment. They all do, and include various back links.
Askimet has two main algorithms, one that automatically deletes spam based on millions of other users having already deleted the spammer, and then spam that it is not sure about. The unsure spam goes to your spam folder. Look at them and you’ll see that they all are comments with various links associated with them.
I like to get likes; that little star makes me happy every time! I appreciate comments too but I don’t leave many (except here
).
Not sure I’d use a ‘weird’ button, but it would be pretty cool to have something to show sympathy or encouragement. ‘Like’ doesn’t really cover that!
I like the idea of a ‘hugs’ button! I would probably use that a lot
Today I can ‘like’ again because I updated my browser (woo hoo – look out world!)
Thank you for coming by and commenting, EJ
I usually “like” and sometimes I comment depending on the topic.
I have also found that sometimes my “likes” are not saved, so that when I go into the WP reader posts I am sure I have previously liked are not liked!
Also my likes are never saved from my tablet because according to WP I am using an outdated version of Safari…, so it can be something to do with your browser
I updated my browser this morning and … guess what? I CAN NOW LIKE!!! Woo hoo!!!
I haven’t tried the reader posts yet, but I’ve found that my ‘likes’ wouldn’t stick their either. I’ll try it out now
yay… will need to do that myself..
I’m never sure what to do about the like button either… Sometimes I’ll read a sad or horrible post and although it was interesting or well written, I don’t want anyone to think I like the horrible thing that happened to them…
and they’ll get 20 likes… whats up with that?
This happens a lot on Facebook – someone will post: Not feeling well today
Sometimes I ‘like’ posts just so people will know I read them, but I don’t always have the time to comment on every post I read…
Its a tricky button
There was an incident with a ‘like’ button not long ago where a blogger wrote a very sad blog and someone ‘liked’ it with no comment and the blogger went back to that person and asked ‘why did you ‘like’ the fact that my father died?’. Very sticky situation indeed…so you’re right about the trickiness of the button. If I find I read a sad post I’ll comment and refer to the fact that I haven’t ‘liked’ it because it’s sad.
But the good news is – I’ve got my mojo back and can now ‘like’ as much as I like after switching to Chrome
I don’t always comment, but had to during the time I couldn’t ‘like’ and that was taking up a lot of my time…
I’m always glad that I can ‘like’ your blog posts, and I do wish I could ‘love’ them too!
Thank you my darling!!!
“Likes” can be confusing. When I “like” a post, I usually comment as well, since I usually have more to say then just “Hey! I like this.” I think the good of “likes” is that they allow your friends and followers to see what you like. I think.
Well said, Jessica!
I was commenting a lot when I lost my ability to ‘like’, but now I’m back on track with the ability to ‘like’ again (I am a bit of a blabbermouth so I’ll probably continue to comment as well as ‘like’). 
You are definitely on to something! I especially liked your “Why?” button. In every instance I would much prefer a comment to the click of the “Like” button. Not that I don’t like the “Like” button, but would prefer a comment to go with or instead of…
Did that make sense??? ~Lynda
Hey, Linda – this makes perfect sense to me
I like the “Why?” button as well. Someone said we need a “Hugs” button and I think that’s a great idea!
There are some bloggers who don’t put a like button on their posts. The thinking is that it will encourage people to leave comments. But I don’t always have something to say or contribute. I want someone to know I was there, read what they wrote, and I liked it – but I can’t do that. It’s actually kind of frustrating. … I like your additional buttons.
Thanks, Maddie – I like the “Why?” button and we need a “Hugs” button
You’re like me in the fact that you like to leave a comment whenever you can and people really appreciate that (I know I do) because they know you’ve actually read an understood what they have said – and I guess that’s what the communication side of blogging is all about
I’ve wondered why sometimes I can like, sometimes I have to sign in to like, sometimes I’m not allowed to like, and one time I wasn’t allowed to follow. I want someone to know that I read their post without commenting if I have nothing to contribute.
Where’s that petition to WordPress for more buttons? I’m ready to sign.
Hahaha – this sums it all up beautifully, Ly! I feel exactly the same way
I am addicted to all aspects of blogging I love the instant friendships that occur when you comment and sometimes, instantaneously, get a reply and can enter into a short conversation. I love to see that people have dropped by and left a “like”. When I have time I will drop by to check out their blogs and this way I have found some great blogs to follow.
I do not press the follow button on very many blogs as it really clogs up the email in-box when their new posts keep pouring in, I prefer to RSS blogs I want to follow then I can read them on the “feed” as I have time.I sometimes wonder if an RSS click translates to a follow in blogging land?
When I open my email it is always the comments I scroll down to first, I love getting them.
This is a great post Lynn. Zen A did mention in your comments that some people do tend to whizz around putting “likes” on lots of posts with never a comment (I enjoy reading through comments on my favourite blogging peoples posts too) I also wonder if there is an ulterior motive….!!!!
I think the comments are sometimes as enjoyable as the post itself. I love reading them (and some of them can be very funny)! But the good news is that my ‘like’ button works now
Thanks so much for stopping by 
Sometimes I wonder if people “like” a blog without exactly “liking” the content because it allows them to network. If someone “likes” my blog, their face shows up on my blog as someone who reads it. Other bloggers who also read the blog see their face, and quite possibly click on their gravatar profile and check out their blog, assuming it might be similar to mine, as they have “liked” my blog. I would say that this is selfish behavior, and that is what I thought at first, but really, the social dynamic of the “like” whether intentional or subconscious, is simply a way for like-minded bloggers to connect with one another and network on the internet. For bloggers who publish or offer a service in particular, this online community is a serious form of getting the word out to potential readers, like advertising. In the end, if someone “likes” my blog, it makes me feel really great, even if they don’t leave a comment, they are acknowledging my blog, at the very least as a platform from which they would enjoy reaching out to a slice of the community.
I just went over to have a look at your blog to find you’re a very interesting ‘fela’ indeed! Love it! I also have a great interest in dreams and dream interpretations so I’m very keen to ‘follow’ you
I initially wrote this post because I couldn’t ‘like’ any posts for a while, but through the answers on here I figured that it was because I was using an old browser. That has now been fixed and I can ‘like’ all I like now
But many of the comments I’ve received refer to people ‘liking’ without reading. I think you’re the first to say that this is simply networking and you’re probably right. But the interesting thing is I’ve begun to notice my ‘likes’ more since writing this post and have found some people can ‘like’ 5 – 6 of my posts in under a minute. They can’t have read all of them in this time, so I’m thinking they might just be saying ‘here I am! come follow me’ – which is fair enough.
Thanks for coming by and I’m looking forward to following you…
I’m able to like! I just liked your post!
I agree, what annoys me with most everyday social networking sites, blogging sites etc., is that the choice of options are limited. On most, you can only “like” or “comment”. But what if you “loved” the post, or wanted to click another button that showed your feelings towards the post?
I agree, Liam – what about *hugs*
heh, nice one.
I actually agree with you on most of this.
No disrespect or issues with folks who hit the “like” button at my blog, but I suppose that with some folks you know they mean it but not with everyone. And unlike facebook, this is not looking at a picture so the chances are better that whoever clicked it, actually read the post because otherwise whats the point? he/she might as well save themselves a click and just close the tab/window or move on, right?
That said, while I appreciate people liking my post and even understand that one doesn’t always want to leave a comment for whatever reason (don’t really have one/in a rush/etc) and hitting the like button at least allows you to say that much – in the end I would love it infinitely more if people would take a few seconds just to leave it as a comment. Just type out “Nice” or “I like it” or some such. And you can do both, no reason why not but no definite reason to click it if you’ve left a comment.
But maybe that’s just me.
(and just for the spirit of it, I’m leaving the comment but not hitting the like button this time)
Cheers!
LOL! I love this! Thank you so much for commenting
I can now ‘like’ because I upgraded my browser, so I don’t have to leave a comment on every post I read anymore just to let the blogger know I like what they wrote
Happy to, I don’t always get time to read and comment and I’m not overly crazy about just hitting “like” all the time, but it does have its uses
Cheers.
That is perfect. I’ve never thought about it, but I’d LOVE all those different buttons. Maybe WP.COM is listening.
Oh – that would be good if they were
Haha Dianne! What a great post! I “love” it! It’s a fantastic concept, and I would very much like a list of options “Why” “Weird” “Hugs” would all be fantastic additions! Not to mention “huh”, “meh” and “whatever” ! Now I’m going to scroll up to the top of this post and download your new story! (I hope I can do that without getting scroller’s cramp from all the wonderful comments here! ) “Ha!” (Another much needed button too)
Hahahaha! I LOVE “huh”, “meh” and “whatever” – they sound like the boxes I should have on my blog
I really hope you like the story (secretly I’m sure you will!)
I’ve had the same problem, so it was a joy to come across this post – especially as it talks about a lot of things that I have been thinking about.
Thank you for coming by to say hello! I got rid of my problem of not being able to ‘like’ by upgrading my browser (who’d have thought it’d be that easy!)
You can’t like mine because i’m wp.org and it doesn’t work…I too would like different buttons…would be fun…no comment but press a button…
I really like commenting on your posts, Lisa – but the ‘like’ button is handy
nice suggestion for WP adding a few more buttons for ‘love’ ‘weird’ and ‘why’. i could think of a few more, like ‘really?’, ‘suure..’, ‘explicit’, and ‘Oh G-d, No’.
enjoy the day -mike
LOL! Thanks, Mike! I love those ideas
like is such a non-committal word, it’s the bare minimum of interestedness, yet not nearly strong enough to convey real ‘value’.
B: do you like me?
G: well, yeah. i guess, but then again i like orange sherbert too
(not exactly the ringing endorsement the young kipper was looking for)
-mike
cool. i may want to reblog this article tomorrow if that’s ok.
-mike
That’s fine by me, Mike
Wow that was a great piece of writing. Not that long ago I was think about the same thing. I noticed that there was, when I started this comment that there was only 72 likes and 187 comments. Maybe people will really talk to you by writing a comment. I love this. Thank You
Glad you liked it
I always read what I’m liking. I don’t always comment because I don’t always have the time – sometimes I just hop onto WP for 15 minutes to approve comments and check on some of the blogs that I frequent.
When I have more time, like the weekend, I’ll try to leave as many comments on the different blogs I frequent as I can. It boils down to a time issue for me, just not enough of it to comment on everything that I enjoy reading, so the “like” button becomes my friend.
I love this, Nicole. Very good reasons to ‘like’, indeed. My main problem was that I couldn’t ‘like’ anyone’s blog so I had to leave comments – but the good news is I can ‘like’ any blog I like now because it’s fixed! Woo hoo….
WP acts up every once in awhile. You weren’t the first blogger I’ve come across that had issues using the “like” button. Glad to hear it was fixed. I’m a little embarrassed- although I did read through your blog post, I think I didn’t quite get the point of it until now. It’s been a long week and it appears my reading comprehension skills are a bit off.
Lol! I think I may not have explained myself very well
So glad I’m not the only one having “like” issues.
Mine are fixed now. I changed browsers and am now using chrome. It’s working (so far)
Your LIKE problem might be a temporary glitch. Hope it gets resolved soon. I love the LIKE button for all the reasons shared here and then some.
It’s now fixed – woo hoo!!!
I consider myself sparing with the “likes” I leave, and only click that button if I sincerely do think the post has merit, or elements of merit. I much prefer to comment if I can get beyond the “Wow!” or “Great post” platitudes. Sometimes I leave comments or questions without liking something. Even with Facebook, I have always equated linking something with endorsing it somehow, whereas a comment allows you to voice your appreciation or impressions without actually endorsing something. As others have said, sometimes all I have time for is a “like”.
Great response, Allison. My problem was that I could no long ‘like’ anyone’s post so I had to leave a comment, but it’s all fixed now (thank goodness!)
Hi! I can like your blog. And I did like it, so I ‘liked’ it! I often run into the same problem. Where wordpress makes me log in to ‘like’, but even if I’m logged in, it doesn’t work. On some of these, I leave comments, on others, I just say the heck with it!
I only leave comments when I have something to say. To me a ‘like’ is a thumbs up, keep up the good work. If I don’t like the content I won’t ‘like’. I think it is possible to comment when you do not like, or ‘like’.
WP can be a bit sensitive like that. I went for a whole month without being able to ‘like’ anyone’s blog at all! To show them I was there I had to comment and sometimes I would write ‘like’ in the comments box (I’m sure some people thought I was crazy)
Thank you so much for coming by and ‘liking’ as well
LOL I wonder the same thing all the time – did that person even read my post?
But I like commenting on good posts.
I don’t “like” a post if I didn’t actually like it or agree with it. Sometimes I keep my comments to myself cuz they’d come out dorky.
I think that as well. But I’m the same as you, unless I like it I won’t ‘like’ it (if you get my drift)
Here are the order of my preferences: comment, like and visit (only). (I don’t really like the last one and think the first two should go together. Unless you absolutely hate the article or disagree vehemently with what it has to say, you should, as I’ve been known to say, ‘make your presence known. ‘
So true, Mary!
I “like” this post. “Why?” . . . let me count the ways.
First, I’ve had a problem with my “like” button too. So, based on your supposition, I switched to Firefox and was finally able to “Like” one of my favorite blogger’s posts. Yay!
Second, I added a widget to my sidebar for posts “Worth a Fly By.” Posts only get highlighted there if I am able to press the “Like” button on those blogs. Now, I can highlight my favorites again. Yay!
Third, because the “Like” button is often pressed as a lazy way to say “I was here now please come visit me even though I can’t be bothered to actually read your post or comment intelligently on it.”
Hi Nancy! Thanks for coming over to visit my blog
I’m so glad you’re able to ‘like’ now – it’s kind of annoying when you can’t.
I think your widget sounds pretty cool and I might look at getting myself one of those (now I can ‘like’ again)
You’re so right about the ‘like’ button being pressed lazily. I actually don’t have time to go visit blogs when people have just ‘liked’ mine – I always visit blogs of people who comment
I disabled the notification feature on the LIKE button. So I don’t get an e-mail everytime someone presses it.
Now I really don’t pay much attention to who presses it and who doesn’t. If people comment, I read and reply. They don’t get my attention if they just press LIKE.
Hi Dianne! Yes, I can “like” your posts! I had the trouble you mentioned a while back, but it seems to be resolved now.
I ‘like’ and comment sometimes, then other times I just “like”, still other times I only comment. Maybe I need the weird button!! ha ha
I think the weird button was the most popular of them all (I’m sure I need one of those)!
Huh?
I find the ‘like’ button useful – there are times when I would just be repeating what others have already said many times over.
I’m so glad my ‘like’ button works now because I found I had to comment all the time. You’re right – the ‘like’ button is very useful!
How about a ‘What the hell is the matter with you?’ button?
Sounds like my kinda button!
I don’t care much for Awards but I do LIKE the LIKES : )