Which would you rather have? Digg, Netscape, Del.icio.us, TechMeme or Google?

Allen Stern - January 8th, 2007

Ok, so as I do all of my minute-by-minute traffic analysis to the sites I run (like a freak!), I started to wonder what ya'all think the best traffic provider of the sources I listed in the title is? Here are the contenders and my brief thoughts on each (because I would much rather get other opinions than just mine!).

So if you could only pick one for a specific article you write, which would it be? A Digg or Netscape lead story, a home page link on Del.icio.us, a featured listing on TechMeme or a 1st place in Google for the keyword of your article?

Digg

I think overall Digg provides the largest number of visitors of the sites listed but many times the visitor comes and leaves quickly. You will get a boost and maybe 10-15% might pick up your feed but that number drops quickly over the next few days to end up at a net gain of 2-5%.

Netscape

Netscape has not really worked well for me. I think it is geared more towards sports and politics but I have not heard one report that a site has received major traffic from being listedn on the Netscape home page.

Del.icio.us

I think this is my favorite. So far we have hit the Del.icio.us home page twice and both times I saw great traffic but continued repeat traffic. And more importantly, many of these people now have a bookmark back to CN, something that Digg'rs don't have by default.

TechMeme

I really enjoy reading TechMeme and while it has not sent large numbers of traffic to CN, what it has done is get some of the biggest players to start to look at the site. So it could be a case of quality over quantity.

Google

Naturally a 1st in Google on a popular term is excellent. Drives great traffic.

Summary

So now you might be thinking which one would I pick if I could only pick one. And the truth is all are great sources of traffic and quality link building, but if I could only pick one… it would be Del.icio.us.

 

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6 COMMENTS
  1. shaxs says:

    I think I would go with Google, especially if I could keep the keyword up for a long time. It seems most of the older places are one hit wonders.

  2. centernetworks says:

    Yea Shaxs – like Milli Vanilli right? :) I think Digg/Netscape are one hit, then TechMeme and Del.icio.us are next and then of course like you say Google.

  3. kdonovan11 says:

    As I don’t blog on Web 2.0 issues (I write on digital copyright) I don’t have the same sources as you. What has, however, worked for me, is links from individuals.

    Of the services you mentioned, Digg has given me some boosts of traffic, but nothing long lasting.

    Nice post. It will be interesting to see others.

  4. RBA says:

    Of course 1st place in Google. All others would vanish within hours and your “hour of fame” would be a thing of the past.

  5. centernetworks says:

    good point RBA!

  6. shaxs says:

    I meant other, not older

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