So you’ve liked both my author page and the book’s facebook page; you might expect to stay informed of my events and home-based adventures. Well Facebook launched their newest feature in May, promoted posts, which allows page holders with more than 400 likes to promote posts to reach more of their fan base (and prospective fans). This feature utilizes an algorithm that filters (read: blocks) page followers from page owners. Supposedly it categorizes feed content and assigns it to people’s interests and Facebook activities, and many page owners have noticed a drastic decrease in reach starting in September, when the whole shebang hit U.S. users accounts.

What this means for you and me, only a small percentage of people who want to see my page’s content (and clicked ‘Like’ in order to do so) will actually see my posts in their feed. There seems to be a bit of controversy and grey area on how the new algorithm actually works, but George Takei fires away at the new set up here in the WSJ. The feed options can go back to previously normal if I pay about $50/per post I make, which just isn’t realistic for me or any developing brands.

My weekly brag session posts are a good indicator to me that something is up for the Hip Girls Home community. These Sunday brags (“What have you done in or around the house over the week/weekend that makes you feel proud?”) have always been a popular draw, and consistently reach at least 2-4K followers (of my 8+K readership), my last two posts have garnered a reach of only 1K views, and a morning brunch table spread (which normally finds its way to more eyes) only garnered 600 views, crazy! I haven’t changed my tactics in the least, yet my reach has decreased drastically. (It’s also quite interesting that posts from even a month back no longer include reach information.)

What’s crazy, I now see every one of Martha Stewart’s posts, which I don’t even recall signing up for. I suppose it shouldn’t be such a shock seeing as her enterprise can dish out money to reach followers current and prospective.

This article sums it up with “While some users are excited about the opportunity to guarantee that they will be able to reach more people, others expressed skepticism that Facebook is forcing them to pay for what used to be free — the ability to share with friends — and that this will change the dynamic of the site.”

I don’t think this platform works for our scene any longer, so I’m going to shift away from my former ways of interacting there. I’ll still post photos and new blog posts and such, but it’s no fun to feel like I’m talking to myself (unless I dish out cash). My more personal interactions, things I find ironic, touching, cute pet pics, etc. will move to Twitter and Instagram. The blog will also shift to be more of a home for smaller posts that share and welcome you all into my fold (rather than leaving it up to Mark Zuckerberg’s stockholders’ playland.) I hope to see you all there.

Thanks for being a part of the vibrant movement that has built Facebook up and made us all closer and more connected, and thanks to those of you who come with me as we take back our ‘feeds’.