StumbleUpon is a social bookmarking cum networking site that feeds on content curation. A site that turn anyone into a stumbling addict like me, who not only loves to discover fascinating articles, photos, applications, tools or videos, but also believes that this site can play an important role in generating traffic for your website or blog.
Having said that, one must keep in mind that even though StumbleUpon can hugely help in attracting traffic to your site, but it cannot be relied upon as far as audience specific traffic is concerned, anyone, anywhere can come across your site, but won't necessarily spend time there.
Nevertheless, it is a great site that always manages to surprise you, enlighten you and quite a few times startle you. So here's an comprehensive guide for those who haven't tried it out yet and for those who've used it but can always use more insight and tips.
StumbleUpon uses collaborative filtering (an automated process combining human opinions with machine learning of personal preference) to create virtual communities of like-minded Web surfers. Rating Web sites updates a personal profile (a blog-style record of rated sites) and generated peer networks of Web surfers linked by common interest. These social networks coordinate the distribute of Web Content, so that users "stumble upon" pages explicitly recommended by friends and peers.
The social content discovery approach automates the "word-of-mouth" referral of peer-approved Web sites and simplifies Web navigation."
BASICS
Simply put, StumbleUpon (SU) is website that lets you find new and interesting stuff all over the web, stuff that has been liked or shared by other Stumblers. Once you register with the website and start using it regularly...the site automatically recognizes your interests (on the basis of your likes, dislikes, favorites and shared content) and brings results accordingly. You can:
- Submit stuff that you find interesting for others to find.
- You can drive traffic not only to a website but to a specific page.
- You can randomly look for stuff that others have submitted.
- You can give "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to any site that you see.
- You can create a community by making new friends.
- You can submit reviews for articles or websites that you stumble upon, you can also leave comments.
- You add links to your favorites by tagging them.
- You can "Photoblog" on StumbleUpon.
- You can choose to stumble according to a topic of your choice.
Now that the basics have been established, lets go ahead with details on what you can do with this bookmarking site:
TOOLBAR
StumbleUpon has extension/add-ons for all major browsers, on Firefox the toolbar looks like the image above, and in Chrome it looks like this:
The toolbar is a very convenient way of organizing your bookmarks, all you have to do is either click on "I like it!" button or "thumbs down" button. You can add links to your favorites and also share it with other stumblers or your friends via email, Facebook or Twitter.
Like I mentioned earlier, SU lets you choose your topics of interests, and presents you links accordingly:
You can also Stumble within popular websites:
Although this toolbar is an excellent resource for finding new stuff online, but let me warn you that it can get very very addictive, so much so, that you might just stumble upon a page that says: "Stop Using Stumble Upon".
Talk Bubble
If you wish to comment on a particular link presented before you by SU, then click on the "Talk Bubble" button next to "All Topics" button on the toolbar. Once you do, you will see a page that looks something like this:
In this page you can submit reviews or comments for the page and also see who else has liked this page as well.
STUMBLE VIDEO
A service that was released in 2006, Stumble Video is site that even those without SU toolbar can use it.
ATTRACTING TRAFFIC
Su.pr
Su.pr is one of the latest service by SU that not only lets users shorten links like you do with bit.ly or TinyURL, but also lets you share these shortened links on Twitter or Facebook instantly. (By the way, you can log in to SU through your Facebook account as well, without signing up). Through this service you share interesting links or stumbles with those who are not a member of SU. It also lets you schedule publishing these links on Twitter or FB.
Whenever someone visit a link shared by you, they will be able to see SU's toolbar within the page giving them the option to like, share, favorite, comment or dislike your content.
Su.pr also lets you see real-time stats for all the links that you've shared, you can see retweets, likes and clicks for your post. If you are a regular StumbleUpon user, then it is advisable to use this URL shortening service that will help you in gaining more exposure by being featured more often, thereby bagging more likes...and in return driving traffic to your site/blog.
SU Badge
Other than using su.pr another helpful way to attract more traffic vis StumbleUpon is by adding its widget to your website or blog, allowing readers to instantly stumble your links.
In order to get this button, visit http://www.stumbleupon.com/badges and copy the code presented to you on your website. Although there are many "share" services that integrates StumbleUpon Button, but you can also consider adding this button next to 'retweet' and 'FB like' button to your website. In our blog, we use "Share This" service that SU's button as well:
Other than using su.pr another helpful way to attract more traffic vis StumbleUpon is by adding its widget to your website or blog, allowing readers to instantly stumble your links.
In order to get this button, visit http://www.stumbleupon.com/badges and copy the code presented to you on your website. Although there are many "share" services that integrates StumbleUpon Button, but you can also consider adding this button next to 'retweet' and 'FB like' button to your website. In our blog, we use "Share This" service that SU's button as well:
StumbleUpon Advertising
StumbleUpon also provides advertising services which aren't very expensive with campaign costing $0.05 per visitor. You can target your audience by category, demographics or/and geography. My advice would be make sure that you want to advertise through SU before choosing this option, you can take it for a spin for a short period of time and keep a close eye on the traffic in Google Analytics. And after reviewing the benefits from advertising through SU (if any) you can think long term. Make sure that you are getting valuable traffic.
On this note, I wrapping up this post...for now. In the sequel I will bring insights on how you can benefit from your profile on StumbleUpon, make new friends, participate in communities, join groups, other services related to SU and some cool tips 'n tricks.
In the meanwhile, you can share your experience, views, opinions or valuable tips about StumbleUpon in the comment section below.
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