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- Asep Haryono | When Blogging Feels One-Sided: My Thoughts on Comments, Connections, and Being Ignored - Powered by Blogger
As someone who loves blogging and making connections with people from all over the world, it really hurts when I put in the effort to engage with other bloggers especially from the US, Australia, and Europe and get little to no response in return.
I’ve visited many blogs, left thoughtful comments, followed their content, and even added them to my blog list. But unfortunately, many of them never return the favor. Not even a single follow back or a quick “thank you” comment.
It makes me wonder: why?
At times, I can’t help but feel invisible or even worse, like I don’t belong. And yes, there’s a part of me that wonders if it's related to where I’m from or how I write. Is it racism? Or is there more to it?
After thinking long and hard about this, here are a few possible reasons why some foreign bloggers don’t return visits or interact with blogs like mine:
1. Cultural and Language Differences
Let’s face it not everyone feels comfortable interacting with people from different cultures or writing styles. Even if you’re writing in English, sometimes cultural nuances, phrasing, or even blog layout can feel “unfamiliar” to readers from Western countries. So instead of reaching out, they might just stay silent. It doesn’t necessarily mean they dislike you maybe they just don’t know how to engage properly.
2. Busy Lives and Different Priorities A lot of bloggers in the West treat blogging more as a side hobby than a community. Many have full-time jobs, families, or packed schedules. That means they might not read or reply to comments regularly, or even check who follows them. It’s not personal they might just be juggling too much at once.
3. Different Blogging Cultures
In my part of the world, it’s common to return comments, follow back, and build friendships through blogging. But in many Western blogging circles, the focus is often on SEO, monetization, or niche-specific growth. Some bloggers simply don’t pay attention to interaction especially from outside their target audience.
4. You Might Be Getting Overlooked, Not Rejected
Let’s not forget: algorithms and platforms don’t always make things easy. Some bloggers use automated tools, and your comment might just be sitting in a spam folder or overlooked in a flood of other notifications. It doesn’t mean you were intentionally ignored.
5. Yes, Bias Can Be Real
Still, we have to be honest bias and racism do exist. Some people may not take bloggers from developing countries seriously. They may assume we have nothing valuable to offer, or they might just prefer to stay in their comfort zone. And yes, that hurts.
6. But Don’t Give Upc
Even when it feels like no one’s listening, I remind myself: I blog because I love it. I write to express myself, to connect, and to leave something meaningful behind. Not every blogger will respond, but that doesn’t mean your voice isn’t important. Keep writing. Keep showing up. The right audience will find you.
If you’ve felt this way too ignored, left out, or disappointed just know you're not alone. Let’s continue supporting each other and building real connections that go beyond borders and backgrounds.
Let’s keep blogging with heart.
I’ve visited many blogs, left thoughtful comments, followed their content, and even added them to my blog list. But unfortunately, many of them never return the favor. Not even a single follow back or a quick “thank you” comment.
It makes me wonder: why?
At times, I can’t help but feel invisible or even worse, like I don’t belong. And yes, there’s a part of me that wonders if it's related to where I’m from or how I write. Is it racism? Or is there more to it?
After thinking long and hard about this, here are a few possible reasons why some foreign bloggers don’t return visits or interact with blogs like mine:
 |
| A young man with medium brown skin sits at a desk looking disappointed while using a laptop. A large speech bubble above him says "NO COMMENTS" surrounded by smaller empty speech bubbles and icons for LinkedIn and Twitter, symbolizing a lack of interaction on his blog |
1. Cultural and Language Differences
Let’s face it not everyone feels comfortable interacting with people from different cultures or writing styles. Even if you’re writing in English, sometimes cultural nuances, phrasing, or even blog layout can feel “unfamiliar” to readers from Western countries. So instead of reaching out, they might just stay silent. It doesn’t necessarily mean they dislike you maybe they just don’t know how to engage properly.
2. Busy Lives and Different Priorities A lot of bloggers in the West treat blogging more as a side hobby than a community. Many have full-time jobs, families, or packed schedules. That means they might not read or reply to comments regularly, or even check who follows them. It’s not personal they might just be juggling too much at once.
3. Different Blogging Cultures
In my part of the world, it’s common to return comments, follow back, and build friendships through blogging. But in many Western blogging circles, the focus is often on SEO, monetization, or niche-specific growth. Some bloggers simply don’t pay attention to interaction especially from outside their target audience.
4. You Might Be Getting Overlooked, Not Rejected
Let’s not forget: algorithms and platforms don’t always make things easy. Some bloggers use automated tools, and your comment might just be sitting in a spam folder or overlooked in a flood of other notifications. It doesn’t mean you were intentionally ignored.
5. Yes, Bias Can Be Real
Still, we have to be honest bias and racism do exist. Some people may not take bloggers from developing countries seriously. They may assume we have nothing valuable to offer, or they might just prefer to stay in their comfort zone. And yes, that hurts.
6. But Don’t Give Upc
Even when it feels like no one’s listening, I remind myself: I blog because I love it. I write to express myself, to connect, and to leave something meaningful behind. Not every blogger will respond, but that doesn’t mean your voice isn’t important. Keep writing. Keep showing up. The right audience will find you.
If you’ve felt this way too ignored, left out, or disappointed just know you're not alone. Let’s continue supporting each other and building real connections that go beyond borders and backgrounds.
Let’s keep blogging with heart.
If I might venture a suggestion -- you would probably get more comments if you replied to the comments you do get. People who leave comments like to feel that the blogger is engaging with them, too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I am just busy for the last three days. Thanks one more time for your ideas and suggestions. It always be appreciated in everyway
DeleteI'm here! Thanks for your kind and considered comments. It's obvious that you read the blogs that you comment upon and that you're genuine person and not a bot! I have tried to visit you and reply before but I'm confused by all the blogs that come up when I click on your link. I expect other bloggers may have the same problem xxx
ReplyDeletePS I visited Indonesia in 1999 - I visited Bali and Lombok, beautiful places and kind andfriendly people!
Today is Monday. The day which has been considered as "suck" day to begin a week, however, we always being supported to move forward, and let all bad lucks behind us,
DeleteI have never been in Lombok, but I have a good friend there in the heart of Lombok. Your comments here gave me an idea and inspiration to write a new article regarding the highlight you mentioned before
I have been in Bali for 10the period of around 2002 to 2006, and you gave me an idea to write this theme also. I owed you a lot my friend. As far as I am concerned, I have visited Bali for 10 times, and I miss Bali so much obviously