NB: I don't follow or leave comments on blogs run by Google Plus, or DISQUS as I refuse to join something just to leave comments, and I won't allow them to follow new people, update my profile or post tweets 'on my behalf'. I won't comment on any blog that makes me sign in using another account.
Back in 2014, I was hosting this book blog in its early days. The idea was to use the blog to review and promote Indie authors as well as getting involved in book tours and putting book reviews up. A big part of that was discovering book groups where authors offered free copies of books to try and get reviews from interested readers, and I joined a pile of groups that connected authors and readers, as well as groups tailored to my own interests in horror and apocalypse. I enjoyed sharing thoughts with like-minded people, getting review copies, posting on the group what I was reading and doing...it was a lot of fun.
But then there came the down side. Every one of those groups would send out a ton of group emails that didn't interest me. For Book of the Month there were several reminders to go and nominate something, don't forget to nominate, have you nominated a book, the voting is open, don't forget to vote for BOTM, voting closes in a few days, voting closes tomorrow, more emails about the chosen book...and that was just for one topic each month. Add in invites to events, author Q&A, special promotions...it was all driving me mad. I was in about 12/14 groups so you can imagine the amount of emails and notifications that were coming in.
Now I have no interest in reading what the other members of the group have chosen. At that time I had a ton of review books to get through with deadlines attached, I'd joined Netgalley, I had piles of books I bought myself...I was interested in reading that and maintaining my blogging and promoting. I wasn't interested in a lot of these group activities. I liked to go to the group, browse the discussion boards and join in what interested me ie what are you reading, thoughts on books I'd read and films I'd watched, offering reading suggestions when asked...so I didn't want emails and notifications on all this other stuff. I contacted Goodreads whose helpful response was 'if you don't like it, leave the groups'. Why was it down to me to leave the groups? I liked the groups! I just didn't want mass emails from it and wanted a way to opt out. Goodreads wasn't interested so I did quit all the groups. But I missed them!
Five years on, I've wanted to join a few groups that matched my interests again. Checking out the email settings last week I saw the options for group email preferences included 'none' so that gave me hope that finally Goodreads was giving me the option not to get group emails and notifications. I joined Horror Aficionados, Zombies!, Apocalypse Whenever and The History Book Club. When I pressed 'Join this group' button, it specifically asked me to choose my preferences so I picked 'none'.
Today I was contacted by Horror Aficionados about the bloody August Group Read! So nothing has changed then. I double checked my preferences and everything was set to none and I'm STILL getting junk I don't want! Now my choices seem to be either trying to block all the moderators from contacting me or leaving the group again! Why can't my wishes be respected? All I want to do is join a group and CHOOSE what to take part in and comment on. I really don't want mass emails badgering about things I don't want to take part in! Why can't these groups and Goodreads actually respect my wishes! It is my Goodreads account after all so surely it should work for me and give me what I want!
So now what? I have blocked the sender of the group message. Now I'm waiting to see if that group can find a way around me doing that. If they can, it is going to be a very short return to joining groups and I'll be quitting them all again.
Have you had issues with emails and notifications? Do you have a secret way of stopping group notifications? If so please share!
Have a good day!
Chuckles
Every time I have tried to join Devilreads again, I've always left after about a month. I've come to the realization that that site isn't for me, as I want to do my own thing. You can't do your own thing there. You have to do their thing.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck sorting it all out. Personally, I'm pessimistic on your chances of that happening though :-(
Bookstooge.wordpres.coom
I agree with you-they'll find a way to thwart me! I have blocked the moderator who sent the notification so I'll see if that works. Stupid site!
DeleteGoodreads does tend to drive me mad. I really enjoy the groups I belong in but honestly, the book group reads and discussions kind of wears me out so sometimes I just ignore the emails. Can you set up an email account just for your Goodreads groups so you can ignore them altogether? Probably not but it's a thought.
ReplyDeleteI like sharing what I'm reading and commenting on some of the threads that interest me but I hate all this stuff trying to force you to vote and take part in stuff you couldn't care less about! Your idea about the second email is something I could try as a last resort-thanks for the advice!
DeleteThis has happened to me too. I don't get it. You choose an option and it gets ignored. So frustrating as the groups I joined were right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteI think Bookstooge is right about having to do their thing, not your own thing. I'd like to move to some other site but hate the thought of all the hassle that comes with it. Ugh.
DeleteI don't get emails from goodreads. When I log into goodreads I have messages in my GR inbox but I ignore those as nothing ever lands in my personal email inbox.
ReplyDeleteBlocking the group mods seems to have done the trick to stop the notifications!
Delete