DAU (daily active user) today vs 3-4 years ago

[J]

A little late to the party, but this is data I have. Traffic has decreased, both in terms of sessions (active users) and new users/visitors. These graphs go back to today's date in 2016.

Active Sessions:


New Visitors:

[J]

It's hard to come to a site when you know you have to login, before you can even view the site.

-John

This is a large part of it, and it also does kill the SEO since the bots can't crawl it. Maybe something we can discuss, it was that way at one point. I can't remember why we changed it.

[Great-Kazoo]

This is a large part of it, and it also does kill the SEO since the bots can't crawl it. Maybe something we can discuss, it was that way at one point. I can't remember why we changed it.

Probably due to all the spammers & anti-gunners ability to see what's happening. As well as try tracking down forum members, as anti-gunners are known to do.

[arbol]

This is pretty far fetched, but an idea.

Say if someone is browsing without logging in, we have really strict Personally Identifiable Information (PII) controls.

The browsers see randomly generated screen names.

Other AI, protects against other displays of PII.

Just an idea.

-John

[00tec]

I believe it got the doors locked after one of the shooting events. We had like 13 members online, with almost a thousand guests.

[Erni]

I believe it got the doors locked after one of the shooting events. We had like 13 members online, with almost a thousand guests.

Right. Wasn?t that the same time we had some disrespectful new member going off on people for their views?

Wonder if too many people are too lazy to log in. In which case do we want them here?

[FoxtArt]

Search engines are the lifeblood. But IT resources are also a precious commodity right now. Every IT person is usually in an environment understaffed and overworked. Many things could be done to make something new, but many things also need to be done in 50x other places, and the time investments are no small ask.

The #1 decrease is simply from going to login only. Searches drive 90% of new internet traffic anywhere. But, there are also ramifications of opening it back up.

[kidicarus13]

Yesterday I spoke with someone we all know who asked not to be named. He asked how the site was going and I expressed my concern over the lower activity, especially within the firearms discussions.

I'll be honest, I'm at a loss on how to improve the site or even bring it back to what it was a few years ago. Maybe it's just the times we're in and interest in this type of site just isn't what it used to be; I dunno.

We have no shortage on spammers coming to the site, but for every 30 new legit accounts we get maybe one of those members will actively participate. Along the way we continue to see many of our long-time active members just casually walk away.

I used to come onto the site every day and look forward to all of the fascinating conversations about general stuff as well as firearms-specific stuff from all of our members. Now I come to the site hoping that one conversation will be exciting and interesting, perhaps even informative.

What are we missing? What have we lost along the way that used to bring folks here to join in on the conversations or start their own topics? I'm truly interested in hearing everyone's thoughts on this subject.

Does not seem like site traffic has increased as of late.

[hurley842002]

I stop by to see what's new just about every day, old habits die hard I guess, but since moving to AZ I just don't have a vested interest in CO issues, and to be honest it can be disheartening to see the stuff happening to my home state. Add to that, going through a divorce within the last couple years, I've just not had the time to interact on the internet much. Now recently engaged, I'm finally happy with my partner, and no longer need to bury my face in my smart phone 24/7. I will say this, compared to the local AZ forums, this one is still better, and even with the decrease in activity, it still seems to be busier than the ones here, not sure why AZ isn't real active online considering the strong 2a mindset here.

[izzy]

People saying things that I do not want to be associated with
People trying to flip their stuff for profit
Reddit is better

My top 3