Internet stalking: the sincerest form of flattery?

I am not the first person to debate privacy issues on their blog. I am acutely aware that even though I don’t aggressively advertise my blog, it is, after all, a public website that technically can be found (and read) by anyone. Mostly, I am ok with that. I’ve made incredible connections and friendships through this blog, which wouldn’t have happened, I am sure, if I had decided to protect this space  and restrict it to only readers that I already know. I love (!) when new (or long-term) silent readers reach out and connect with me. This is what blogging is all about, right?

So, I guess I should be extremely flattered that someone seems to take relish in visiting my blog on a very regular basis. I mean, isn’t that what most bloggers want? More hits? More followers?

But what if you realize that this someone is someone you know and  you’re not so happy that they’re reading your blog?  If it was just some random person, I probably wouldn’t care. I am checking in on blogs where I hardly ever comment and I don’t mind when people do that with my blog. But what if that person visits often without ever saying a peep and you think you know why?

I’ve been watching this happen for months now. The same person coming here again and again.

Here’s the thing: If I know who you are and I know you’re coming to my blog – on a(n almost) daily basis! –  to keep tabs on my life, it irritates me.

I know you are reading this and I think you have figured out by now that I am talking about you, so let me give it to you straight: I know that I technically can’t stop you from reading, although this would be my ultimate goal. But, in case you weren’t aware, you are also not as “anonymous” as you think you are. I want you to know that just because you don’t comment doesn’t mean, I don’t know that you’re reading. I also know why you’re coming here: You want to snoop. I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve by doing so or what you’re trying to find here, but I want you to know this: I don’t like it one bit. And I’d like to ask you to just stop and get a life.

  1. Yikes … this is not a good feeling. I hope he/she stops reading!

  2. Oh, dear. I need to stop idly making circuits through the few blogs I read. Haha.

  3. ugh, I’m annoyed for you. Hopefully they get the hint.

  4. Aww, stinky situation but I’m glad you are not afraid to address it!

  5. Oh no, thats a stupid situation. Hope you get it sorted.

  6. I know what you mean. You can easily track “anonymous” views down through google analytics or log files. My friend ended up taking down her CV and other things down from her school website because she could actually identify the creep who was downloading her CV and pics daily (yikes!).

  7. I think I know who it is . People are never as anonymize as they think they are. You can track them down to what damn terminal in their office or home computer they are working from…..

  8. Scary. I have a love / hate relationship with my blog for this reason too. You’ll have to show me how you monitor your analytics.

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