It’s been said that 1 is the loneliest number, but I disagree. Yesterday I woke up to my FeedBurner count reading 0 and that is by far the loneliest number.
I know I’m not alone, as many were voicing their loneliness at being faced with the possibility of ZERO subscribers.
The internet has been buzzing with rumors that FeedBurner is going bye-bye because its API is being shut down October 2012. These rumors have in turn been dismissed by others that explain that shutting down the API is not the same as shutting down the service.
I favor the argument that shutting down the API does not mean that FeedBurner is being shut down. I haven’t seen it announced anywhere nor have I heard it from the horse’s spider’s mouth. And Google (they own FeedBurner)? Well, Google behaves the way that Google always seems to behave…it is all-knowing, distant, and quiet.
If you ask Google a direct question, was that question heard if you never get a response?
Now back to the 0 in the FeedBurner subscriber counts of folks like me. I discovered my count was at zero yesterday (9/21/12) when someone else brought up that their count was at zero and suggested that you back up your FeedBurner subscriber info (not a bad idea no matter what happens). But, even with my count at zero, I published a post, it showed up in my reader, and later it was emailed to me. Yes, I subscribe to my feed in multiple ways, don’t you? This and the fact that the FeedBurner Status Blog posted that it was aware of this issue makes me feel that this is all just a poorly-timed temporary glitch.
Hopefully, I’m right: my FeedBurner subscriber count will go back to where it was and FeedBurner is not on its way out. Still, there is a large part of me that wishes I would have just kept my native feeds and never started using FeedBurner because it is obviously a one-sided relationship that I have no control over.
Google, listen to your users and respond every once in awhile. I know you’re big, but come on!
I am lost when it comes to all of this. I hope everything stays the same.
I hate change!
Having the same issue.
Everyone I come across seems to be having the same issue. I’m wishing for the best and hoping it normalizes.
I don’t know where to find my feedburner count.
Then don’t worry about it.
That would freak me out and yes, I am a loyal subscriber to my blog. Of course. 🙂
Is Google just getting to big for its britches? Geez. Hope the kink works out. 🙂
I just checked my feedburner stats – and see a series of “0”s. And no, I was dumb enough not to back up my (meager) subscriber list. Did you back up yours? Gosh, I think we should look at alternatives already. Apparently Google just abandoned feedburner.jp (gasp!), closed its Feedburner Twitter account and blog. I wonder when they plan to tell us? Google may be big – but that’s no excuse for getting bloggers panicked. Big guys should help little guys, no? They do know how to scr*w our happiness.
No I did not back up my subscriber info, if you go to the hyperlink on my post about backing up your info it will take you to a post that shows you how to go back a few days in FeedBurner to be able to back up the info.
Google seems to have issues communicating. I still don’t think that they are closing down FeedBurner, but of course I don’t feel at all comfortable anymore.
Thanks so much for this!
I am so glad to read this!!! Mine has been at Zero all week and has never gone back. I’ve been thinking of switching to Aweber. This will make me do it. Do you know if I will ever see my subscriber list again? I’m pretty up to date in saving it but not totally. Bummer!!!!!!!
Check out the link on my post about how to back up your info and it will show you how to go back to the last day that your list was there so you can back up the most recent one.
I believe that the subscriber count and info will return simply because I and others are still receiving my posts via email and reader. I believe that it is just a glitch in the count and I have seen this happen before. I also believe I’m staying positive so as not to freak out about something I can’t control. I will check out Aweber, but I think that if and when I leave FeedBurner I will keep my native feed and just try to find something for an email subscription. This situation with google and the past disappearance of GFC really leave me not wanting to build on someone else’s metaphorical land.
Just googled the feedburner issue here: http://feedburnerstatus.blogspot.com/2012/09/known-issue-subscriber-counts-and-stats.html and here: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/blogger/vhs0Lr0Yh5M
It states that it’s a known issue that will be fixed! We’ll see!! That was several days ago.
Yeah, that’s the same status update I saw. I have also noticed that Feedburner seems to take the weekends off.
Hi, I work at FeedBlitz and here’s what we know
1) Feeds are still currently being served by Feedburner – it’s just the counter that’s broken
2) We don’t know whether this is temporary or not
3) The awareness API is being shut down Oct 20th.
4) If accurate stats are important to you, switch to another service like FeedBlitz:
a. Why: http://www.feedblitz.com/feedburner-shut-down-the-facts-and-tales-from-the-front-line/
b. How: http://www.feedblitz.com/the-feedburner-migration-guide/
c. Results: http://www.feedblitz.com/feedburner-feedblitz-case-studies/
I work for FeedBlitz and we’d be happy to assist you with any support you need to migrate your feed and your email subscribers.
Rebecca
I’m all good. Sooo weird… but thanks for the headsup! xoxo
I’m all good. Sooo weird…but thanks for the headsup! xoxo
Oh I am right in the same boat with you (except I wasn’t smart enough to subscribe to my own feedburner) Zero is a very sad sad number.
It is, but you are still coming up in my reader if that makes you feel any better.
I’m so confused but I hope you find your subscribers.