Do you ever feel like Goodreads is controlling your life?
Do you sometimes wonder if this site for books is really Facebook in disguise?
Have you ever thought that you might have to leave Goodreads because of the arguments/debates (even in so-called fun) that pop up?
Are you ever tired of rants about politics?
Do you start feeling depressed by nasty comments over someone’s review?
Does you head spin over the swamp of “likes” on books you have no interest in?
If you answered yes, to any of these questions, then keep reading.
You aren’t alone! There have been times I’ve seriously thought of unfriending everyone and going back to my solitary status as a reader and reviewer. But I discovered two things that have helped me manage Goodreads so it doesn’t manage me.
1. Keep my “friends” list low. When I first joined Goodreads I really didn’t know anyone except a few fellow Indie authors. But the list grew. Others wanted to be my “friend” and some have been a bit–shall we say–questionable. How do I keep my list low? I added a question that anyone wanting to be my friend has to answer. It’s a simple question: “Why do you want to be my friend?” If they aren’t willing to answer that, tough.
2. Use the “Top Friends” buttons! Honestly, I didn’t know about this at first. Go to your “Friends” page and click “edit friends.” This will bring up a little box for each friend. Any boxes that are blue means I will see all their status updates, comments, likes, reviews, everything–on my home page. (Make sure your home page is set to “Top Friends Only.”) If the box is not checked, I can still see reviews and added books in an email every morning. If someone doesn’t share the same taste in books, has a tendency to “like” everything they see, seems to enjoy debating things, I’ll uncheck that little box. It keeps my home page less cluttered, I can keep up to date easily, and I don’t get discouraged, frustrated, or overwhelmed.
Yes, I do check and uncheck my Top Friends boxes every couple months. 🙂 It keeps things simple.
Just you manage Goodreads
Don’t let Goodreads manage you!
How do you manage Goodreads? Do you have any tips to share? I’d love to hear them.
Oh my yes!! I feel this so much! 🙂 Great advise! I’ve known about the Top Friends thing for a while and have been doing it.. it’s quite helpful!
Glad to know you are managing Goodreads and not the other way around. 😉
Great post! I just got goodreads! Thanks for these tips! 🙂
-Brooklyne
Happy to help, and welcome to Goodreads. It can be a lot of fun if you don’t let it manage you. 🙂
I haven’t had problems with Goodreads because I strictly manage it exactly the way you describe here. Good post, Rebekah. 🙂
That’s great! I’m happy to know that you manage Goodreads instead of the other way around. 😉
I actually ended up quitting GR because it was managing me. 🙂 And I am so happy that I made the decision. 😉
I’m glad you made that decision if it was managing you. 🙂
Yes, it didn’t take long at all for me to see that the well-intentioned Goodreads is another way for some people to hide behind the computer and bash other people. I don’t log on there very often, I basically just check in when I get the email. Good to know I can change the settings to only have top friends show up. I enjoy finding new things to read:)
Yes, I know what you mean! Changing the settings makes Goodreads a good place to find new books and read reviews and leave your own without all the trash.
Thanks for the tips! These will be useful when I join. 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂