Why am I unable to initiate conversations and stuff?

[Ross]

Uhm...HELLO?

How come no-one here is paying attention to me? Are my messages to this group/thread even visible? I also notice I seem to be unable to initiate message conversations with most other users here on Goodreads. Is anyone else having this problem?

Someone, please answer me! Thanks.

[Anna]

Hi Ross, I see you!

Maybe the messaging problem is down to Goodreads making changes in who is allowed to message whom! I'll let someone else explain the latest rules as I might not get it wholly right.

We're all experiencing problems in getting in touch with others via the messaging - unless they are friends.

[Marcelle]

Hi Ross, I see you too.

Were your comments/message sent directly to someone or were you commenting in a thread?

[Xanxa]

My experience of being in Goodreads groups is that they're not particularly interactive. I think the issue is because it's such a large site and the sheer volume of members makes it hard to get our individual voices heard.

I don't believe it's a personal thing. It's just the way the site is. Ever since I first started joining internet forums back in the late 90s and early 2000s, I've found that the larger the site, the more invisible I am. It used to annoy and upset me but I've gotten over that. I no longer waste my time metaphorically shouting to be heard.

I've largely given up trying to participate in any meaningful discussions. I just concentrate on doing reviews of other people's books and promoting my own books.

[Ross]

Xanxa wrote: "My experience of being in Goodreads groups is that they're not particularly interactive. I think the issue is because it's such a large site and the sheer volume of members makes it hard to get our..."

Thanks a bunch for this long, but honest and meaningful answer! I wasn't aware of Goodreads making changes in who is allowed to message whom! Why do you suppose they did this? And I guess I haven't completely gotten over being invisible/ignored.

I am sorry for seeming desperate for attention here.

[Anna]

Try posting status updates on what you're reading and they will get sent to all your Goodreads Friends on the 'Home' page. Then maybe some will 'like' what you're reading and you can say 'thank you' in the comments box and then, hey ho, a conversation has started.