Removing analytics from my blog
I’ve had some lightweight analytics installed on my blog for the past few months. Not because I’m interested in optimising or growing (this is a hobby, not a business), but just because it kinda makes me feel good to know that people are reading my posts.
But a recent feature update from my blogging platform Pika made me think twice about whether I should have analytics on here.
The new feature was email newsletters, and they have implemented the admin UI for this in a very interesting way.
By default, they hide your subscribers list, and the UI makes you confirm whether or not you want to see it. This is because "we want you to write for yourself first!”
This is one of many ways in which the folks who make Pika really understand their target audience. We’re hobbyist bloggers, not professional publishers. I like having a blog because I enjoy writing, and I want to escape the incentive structures behind social media platforms. I should actively avoid knowing how many people are reading my posts!
So analytics is gone. I have no idea if you’re reading this (unless you email me).
This blog is for me.