dying forum - my theory

Question

First of all, it's not for a lack of caring and effort from the volunteer CLs and all the other (mostly) ladies that post regularly. You all helped me tremendously way back when, and I've always held the folks in this forum in high regard. And no, it's not because of the new format, which is poorly thought-out, but that's another story. And while members have left in a huff several times over the years, that's not it either. It's frankly not anything that's happening after people get here: The reason this forum is dying is because far fewer new members are finding it. And the reason for that appears to be an issue between MedHelp and Google.

This theory is easily testable. Just google search "quitting oxy" and see where the first MH post is in the results. Way, way down the list! I bet 90% of the people on here found this site, myself included, because we googled some similar phrase and the first or second hit was a post here.

What's the issue? I think it has something to do with how old posts are archived and indexed. My guess is something changed. But I would need better metrics to be sure, which I don't have of course.

jifmoc · Answer

Ben- I would tell the MH support people (the ones who run this) exactly what you wrote!!

jugglin · Answer

Ben - I think you hit the nail on the head.  The new format may drive away long-time members, but there seems to be a lack of activity from new folks seeking support.  I agree, if MH doesn't come up towards the top when searching those key phrases for abuse, addiction, withdrawals, then the site won't be found.  Glad you posted this and glad to see you contacted the support link...hopefully somebody will recognize the high importance of this issue. You rock!

VICourageous · Answer

I too do not want any of you to leave. NO GO!!!
Msd call me when you can!

I still can log out and in a few times and get the old one. However, it will not be forever. They say they are still working and listening to everything we say. All of it goes to the MH engineer team & MH . I know I have to give them time to roll the whole thing out. They promise we will be happy with the new one in the long run..Right now we all just should Stick together on this. WE need each other right now..I will stay if ALL OF YOU will..Hugs!
Bless U All
Vickie

Ben727 · Answer

Hi Cheryl, I just submitted this post in the link you suggested. Hopefully someone at MH is looking at Google Analytics and has a handle on why your ranked so much lower than it used to be in search returns. Although it may be the the couple sites that keep coming up 1 and 2 in every relevant search I run are basically buying premium hits.

dominosarah · Answer

I am so glad you are feeling better. This just about gave me a heart attack as this was my worst fear.  The broom is fired up now so any amount of snow cant hold me down!!  I dont know how much we got but it is alot!

Now i am going to shower!

msdelight · Answer

Im okay Sarah, no worries. I occasionally feel like giving up, but fortunately I have absolutely no way to get any, legal or not. This is my saving grace. I will pass, has already. Took a nice warm shower. Are you ok out there or do have to visit on the snowcat? Stay warm

dominosarah · Answer

I am here so you are not alone.  This is not worth using over.  Talk to me

msdelight · Answer

In the summer of 2013 I was strung out and decided to check the internet to see if I could get some pills. I simply Googled "percocet" on my phone and what came up #2 was Med Help. Intrigued by the warm friendly feel of the site, I read some of people's stories (quite easily, not a tech person) and started reading daily.  This led to me quitting pills and today I have almost 800 days . I was appalled that the same search recently were all expensive rehabs and such. 
I use the phone exclusively. Its a droid. The new format force me to use the mobile site which is lifeless and pictureless, same as it was on the old format.  Lol. If I go to the full site the forum is stretched out and distorted and entirely un useable. My home page is normal on full site, but lifeless and pictureless on the mobile site. I have to switch back and forth!  Then log in and out when it spontaneously reverts to new. It is all quite stressful. Just writing this is giving me a headache and making me want to use. I feel isolated.

dominosarah · Answer

Thank you for your kind words~

Congrats on your clean time!!

Danny111 · Answer

and because of the people like you on here I'd hate to see this place waste away.

Danny111 · Answer

I pop in here every so often and every time I see that you're still here and still helping people.  You're a wonderful person.

Danny111 · Answer

Thanks for bringing this up Ben.  and thank you Dominosarah.

dominosarah · Answer

This has been brought up but we havent heard anymore on it.  MH was listed all over google when i went looking back in 2008.  I am going to bring this up again.  I am trying as hard as i can Ben.  I dont want to lose any of you~

Ben727 · Answer

I'm sure they know already. Anyone running a website has to be deeply familiar with their site's interaction with Google through a variety of metrics. I say Google because Google has a monopoly. Keep in mind that ad revenue keeps the lights on. They would absolutely know about trends of incoming users and the ad revenue their page-views generate.

meegWpaw · Answer

yes Ben, I am willing to jump on the theory you posit, bc i know you are erudite.  let's get it fixed!  this is deplorable, the state of mh lately.

Meegy