Just like a killer headline, there are other influences that contribute to the likelihood of whether or not your post will get read. Today, I am going to talk a little about the more tag in WordPress.
I have actually decided to split this into a two part series. In this post, I will talk about using the more tag to cut down a post, and in the next post I will talk about writing without the more tag. I will go over the advantages and disadvantages of using the more tag in this post now.
But what does this “more” tag do?
To those of you who don’t know what the more tag does, basically all it is is a function you can use to trim down a post and display only an excerpt of it, then have a link automatically inserted to continue off to read the whole article.
Chances are, if you are reading this article then you have interacted with the more tag before, as it is used on Blogussion to display posts. It’s a very convenient way to display a post, and is very widely used throughout the blogosphere.
Using the more tag is very simple. In Wordpress, there is a button on your toolbar right in the post screen. It is labeled “more” and all it takes is a click to use. It will automatically insert this line where your cursor is, and it signifies where your post will cut off: <!-- more -->
Advantages of the More Tag
These are the reasons below why I use the more tag on my blogs, all come with an explanation as to why I think that reason is best for my blog. If you use the more tag and you can think of an advantage I missed, let me know in the comments section. I would be glad to add on to this list!
- Allows you to fit more posts on a page
- Increase pageviews
- Increases visibility of your most important paragraph
- Slightly increases chance of being shared
A very obvious statement, but a great advantage nonetheless. If you can fit more post excerpts on a single page, your content will be even more visible to your readers, which will benefit you in many different ways. Plus, if you decide to combine the more tag and the Thesis theme with teasers enabled, even more posts will be viewable to your readers at a single time!
This is a very exciting benefit to the more tag. Say for instance someone found your blog through Google and was sitting on your homepage reading the excerpt to your latest post. That’s one view. They are interested, and they visit the next page to read the full post. There’s one more. So by using the more tag, you will likely get two pageviews per person when they visit your blog and get interested. Add that up over time when more people do it, and you can get thousands of hits with less people.
When you use the more tag, you sever the first paragraph from the rest of the post. That will obviously make your first paragraph, your most important paragraph stand out. Since your first paragraph is (hopefully) the part of your posts where a readers interest is peaked, they will be more inclined to visit the full article and read on.
If you use the more tag after, say your first paragraph, then not much space will have been used up. Since the more tag is designed to save space, why not fill up some extra space by throwing in some share icons, or advertising? The reader may not be so inclined to share a post on Twitter without reading it first, but just by having that option there always increases the chance of them doing it from your homepage.
Disadvantages of the More Tag
The reasons below are ways using the more tag does not help you, and may not be best for your blog. Surprisingly enough, the more tag may not be best for your blog as the disadvantages equal out to the advantages in some cases. If you think I missed something, feel free to add it below in the comments.
- Requires an extra click
- May break focus and concentration
- Hides the most interesting stuff
Attention spans are shorter these days are getting shorter, and doing extra work is out of the question. The “read more” link just makes getting to information a hassle, and as ridiculous as it sounds – may make people not want to read your post.
As I said, attention spans are getting shorter. If someone does read your opening text and then decides to read the full post, they will have to wait. During that time, they can lose complete focus of what they just read and may not feel like reading anymore. I know, it’s sad, but there are people who can’t remember things and have short term memory loss like that (probably due to excessive internet usage!)
Maybe your opening text is weak, and unpersuasive. The first few paragraphs are always the hardest to write as a certain level of persuasion is necessary to write effective openers. Usually as I go on to writing my posts, I get less tensed and just let the words fall right out of me and onto the screen, which in some cases makes my writing more appealing than it is when I am thinking too hard. So by using the more tag, you may be shunning out the more important stuff that goes unseen.
Convincing enough, or is more necessary?
Oh, how I love puns. So that just about sums up my opinion on using the more tag. In the next part of this mini series, I am going to go into the advantages of disadvantages of excluding the more tag from your posts. It should be a pretty good post as I get my feet wet a little and talk about SEO! Stay tuned.
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Great post Alex! I agree, this is a great way to increase your page views on articles.
But I also think if you have a catchy article, and headline. They won’t stop reading because of a short attention span. If they really want to benefit from the information.
Bilal´s last blog ..Interview with Jean, founder of Wprecipes.com
You’re right Bilal, but every little advantage you can have, I say get it!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Yeah, I also think that if you’re writing good headlines and content then they’ll continue reading whether or not you have a the More Tag. It also helps cut down on the bounce rate.
Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..Be A Lifestyle Design Super Freak: Part 4- Create Vision Boards.
Definitely Gordie, anything that helps prevent something bad on my blog, I think I’ll take it!
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Hey Alex! I definitely prefer to show excerpts of posts. Another advantage is that your sidebar is seen more because the content area isn’t as long.
But I have a question for you: Why do you choose to use the more tag over the excerpt function in Thesis (I’m not sure if other themes have that)? I think there are advantages to each. Might make for another interesting post…
Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Don’t Buy a Book Without Finding Where It’s Cheapest
You can control where the more tag is placed. You can’t control how long the excerpts are can you?
Adam Baird´s last blog ..The Twitter Success Formula
The reason why the more tag is used is because the excerpts function is also being used on the homepage. Take a look at the homepage, there are 2 featured posts (with the more tag) and then the rest of the homepage consists of the excerpt posts. It is a great way to both briefly feature your recent posts and make everything available.
Seth´s last blog ..Double Your Pageviews – Pros & Cons of Displaying Partial Posts
It always depends on what kind of blog you use it, what is right for one might be wrong for another. For example if you have a niche blog about, lets say, hamster toys, that you monetize with Adsense then having / using the more tag is a big no-no, you want to have one post / per page in this case and noting else, SY
Blogging´s last blog ..WBSD and 100th post
That’s an interesting point you bring up, and I think it is pretty cool that something like the more tag can have an impact depending on your niche.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Nicely written. I use excerpts to highlight the opening paragraph and also to increase pageview!! Yes true that there are some drawbacks.
Good post.
Ashwin / Thoughts Unlimited´s last blog ..How to get your (first) Guest Post published?
Thanks Ashwin, I’m glad you could relate to this article.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Another benefit of having partial posts on homepage is that it can reduce page size significantly.
Most bloggers use images in their posts these days and having lot of these on homepage will increase loading times, especially on slow connections!
A good alternative to using partial posts on homepage is using excerpts. This will help you control the first (and most important) paragraph on homepage.
Mr. I´s last blog ..Chitika + AdSense Placement Contest: Win A Playstation 3 and $400!
You’re right Mr I., scrollbars that are too shin really make the page look bad, and usually when there is a large scrollbar – there is tons to load.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
I really don’t find the drawbacks of having tag is that bad at all, compared to the benefits you could get from it.
I mean, extra click?! If we’re to follow the principles of good site usability design, isn’t the best maximum clicks is like 3 clicks away or something? So one click shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Break focus or concentration?! Usually we cut our posts right after the 1st or 2nd paragraphs. Both are introduction paragraphs. So, this shouldn’t be that big of a deal as well. As long as they know what the article is about, should be fine.
I guess I’m just a bit bias toward using tag. But you have definitely write a very balanced post of the pros and cons of using tag. Good job, Alex.
Andi | Web Marketer Depot´s last blog ..The Secret of the Most Popular Blog Posts
You do have some very valid arguments Andi! I just think that there are people who really are as lazy and unfocused as that out there, so I figured that bringing those points up would help some of us face some realizations about a portion of our blog readers.
Thanks for commenting, you always bring up great discussion.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Yes this method boost the number of page views and also a possibility increase in number of comments because readers that before were used to reading posts on the homepage will now need to visit single post pages and they will see the comments on every post.
But the great disadvantage is having to click in order to read an article which i might not really like at the end of it all.
Thanks for your comment! It seems over views are alike.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
I think the more tag helps get more targeted visitor. You are right saying it’s an extra click but if the users doesn’t make that click then it’s probably someone you don’t really want on your blog. The more tags should really be used to tease the reader in.
While it can include some keywords etc the main goal should be to grab the reader and have them click to find out more without thinking.
Just my thoughts.
David´s last blog ..Get a FREE ‘Follow Me on Twitter’ button
Thanks for dropping by David, your thoughts are right on the spot in my opinion.
It’s kind of like a paradox – you have blog readers on your blog, but they’re not the dedicated readers who really use your blog to its fullest.
About the feed, I have always wondered about displaying partial feeds, but I know that there are many people who would just rather read from a feed reader or something. It may lose me some views, but in this case I’d rather have a full feed just to make a potentially large percentage of readers happy.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Just thought I need to share this:
It is scientifically proven that expandable posts (with the >>more tag) increases site readability and enhances the overall look of the blog. According to a study, this certain feature best enables readers to easily digest information and proceed to the one that best attracts them (therefore making all your posts easily spotted and increases reader clicks and interaction).
For the cons you have mentioned, you are right Alex, but at the end of the day, I believe that the pros still outweigh the cons (and by a huge margin).
Liane YoungBlogger´s last blog ..The Two Worst Blogging Styles in Writing That You Should Really Stay Away From
That must have been quite an experiment they ran there. Thanks for sharing it.
The pros definitely do outweigh the cons I’d say, and that’s why I use the more tag on all of my posts on all of my blogs.
Alex´s last blog ..Young Blogger Interviews #2: Liane from Better Blogging for Bloggers
Good post. I think for Magazine type of blogs, partial posts is almost a must. But for the rest I think it must not really be used. As what Matt Mullenweg said, lesser clicking to get to the main point is always better. Not only it increases user’s experience but it also helps build more credibility, imho..
Melvin´s last blog ..Affiliate Marketing in Blogs
You’re dead on Melvin, and I agree with his quote too. It only takes a few seconds to impress someone, so why not cut down on the clicks?
Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life
Surely page views is pretty meaningless? I’m only interested in unique visitors. Sure I want them to view more content but I’d rather the engagement was higher then just clicking through to the 2nd half of a story.
BLOGERCISE´s last blog ..How Much Money Do I Really Make Online?
I think unique visits is most important. The only place pageviews really matters are in 2 different ways to evaluate your blog:
1. How long your visitors are staying on your blog (reading more than one article, clicking on the sidebar, internal links, etc.)
2. Advertisers care about pageviews in most cases. As bloggers, we care usually what advertisers think… for many bloggers it is their bread and butter.
Seth´s last blog ..Learning Social Media Marketing from… Chick-fil-a?
I like to use the “read more” style of article. It is like a description of the article, helping the visitor scan the home page easily and read what interests him. Also the home page looks more organized and shorter, easier to scan for the desired information
raphael´s last blog ..The Hypnosis Protocol and Its 4 Stages
It looks very clean, and makes the page so organized! I just adore how it makes this blog look, don’t knwo what I would do without it.
Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life
I am still using the more-tag. I have figured out that if i do not use it the monetization is decreasing. So result: More Pageviews more Money.
Best regards,
Volksphone!
Volksphone´s last blog ..Usability-Schnelltest für die eigene Firmenwebsite
So you tie the more tag into monetization? Very cool, and I think I see what you are saying. You are basically saying that since you use teasers, more people visit your blog and you can get more money from it right?
Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life
I’ve been blogging for a while and I found out that the more tag works fine for me.
It allows me to squeeze more posts into the home page which is very good for increasing CTR. When I used to have the full post displayed on the home page, I didn’t have as many clicks and page views as I do now. It also influences the Bounce Rate in a positive way, so I say: MORE TAG RULES
Igor
Igor Kheifets-IgorHelpsYouSucceed´s last blog ..Free Internet Marketing Sales Training… No Catch?!
The more tag comes with so many little benefits, but the benefits that come with it make such a big impact. And I agree 100%, the more tag rules!
Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life
Personally I think the Pros for posting the partial post far outweigh the cons.
Till then,
Jean
Thanks for sharing your opinion Jean!
Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life
What about using the excerpt feature instead of the more tag? If you look at my blog, you’ll see 5 post excerpts per page an none of them use the more tag.
What do you all think of just using the excerpt feature and including a photo. I use Thesis, so I’m guessing there’s a better way to do this?
I want to do things right (and efficiently).
Pete | The Tango Notebook´s last blog ..How Dancing Tango in Philadelphia Made Me Shrink
Really, they don’t look much different from each other I think and really have the same effect. But I could be wrong about excerpts, I will definitely have to try it out and figure it out for myself.
Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life
I think more is necessary if you are to add alot of posts on one page. If you plan to keep only 3 or so posts on the homepage then more might not be needed. It is usually up to the Niche and blogger.
Free Phone Calls´s last blog ..Top 10 VOIP Phone Call Providers
You’re right, if you display full posts and write long articles, it’s probably best to put less on to avoid that long scroll bar. But, if you use the more tag then you can stick a lot more posts on with a smaller scroll bar.
Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life
I love to use the more tag…..it free’s up more space on my blog homepage…..and lessens duplicate content (although Im not worried about that with wordpress) Bummer is I cannot find something similar for this on the Blogger Platform?
OH… you can stumble Tweet your articles also…It will increase your pageviews…Include this point also