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* So, I just noticed this story on Editor & Publisher…
The number of unique visitors in December declined 27% at Politico compared to November’s stats. At The Washington Times, uniques in December dropped 12% compared to November. Dips were even steeper at the Boston Globe and San Francisco Chronicle sites.
Not all newspapers saw a reversal of online readers. The Chicago papers — most likely benefiting from the hometown Obama angle and the Rod Blagojevich mess — both reported increases in their audience in December. The Chicago Tribune was up 7% compared to November while the Chicago Sun-Times was up 21%.
I checked my stats and this site’s unique visitors were up 80.5 percent in December compared to November.
Thanks much.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:20 pm
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Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Impeachment stuff (use all caps in password)
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shouldn’t you be thanking barack and the impeached one???
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:23 pm
I thank God for Rod in my prayers every night and every morning.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:28 pm
Rich,
Yesterday in reference to subscribers you spoke of a circular logic. I would appy the same here. Your readership is a reflection of the quality and thoroughness of the inormation one finds at this site. Your readership increase is because of the top notch information one can find in these difficult times at this site. So you are the reason for increase in readership. We thank you.
Comment by Irish Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:32 pm
I feel so special now!
Comment by Belle Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:35 pm
Your stats are not surprising to me. You’re top drawer Rich!
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:37 pm
It is not hard to take this blog for granted. It is always here (almost always anyway) and accessible and a valuable source of information and (mostly) coherent opinion from the blogging populace here. But I miss it when there are breaks. I wonder how many of the uniques became repeaters. Our host does an extraordinarily commendable job and provides a truly critical service in this endeavor. Thanks.
Comment by Captain Flume Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:38 pm
I agree. I’ve also noted several times recently that the national bloggers have been picking up your reporting and linking to you also, so I’m sure that helps. Congratulations and thanks.
Comment by Disgusted in Chi Boogie Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:42 pm
I suspect a lot of the drop in unique visitors is related to the fact that campaigns have shut down their paid blogging operations. I won’t miss reading inane national talking points in the comments and welcome a return to normalcy at Capitol Fax.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:50 pm
well, even as rod leaves the governor’s mansion (irony intended), i somehow suspect that you will still continue to see a high level of interest in your insights. we have 2010 and then redistricting — plus rod’s inevitable trial!
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:51 pm
You misread the post. There ain’t no drop. There’s an increase.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:51 pm
…And it appears to be going pretty strong in January as well.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:54 pm
You do a good job keeping us up to date with the latest and greatest with Blago, but I usually just check to see what Bill or Cassandra are going to post!
Great Job once again.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:54 pm
Rich-
One thing about your bloggers-
Many of them are still unique, even after they are repeaters!
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:56 pm
but I usually just check to see what Bill or Cassandra are going to post!
A true purveyor of literature, you are.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:57 pm
It will only get better as the National Outlets will likely do just as the Pres and turn a blind eye to the woes of IL as we begin the Guv’s trial. Now that the Pres is gone, they will not want to take time off of his excellency or remind the world about the tainted loines from which he was conceived.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:57 pm
==Cassandra are going to post==
I loved the comments a while back about the auto-Cassandra post generator…it was classic!
I think Rich won over a lot of people with his Blago coverage—the people who know come here to learn!
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 2:59 pm
If you build it, They will come.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:01 pm
Rod is the “Ill(inois) wind(bag)” that at least blew Rich a lot of good
Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:10 pm
I can’t remember how I found this place, probably a Zorn link, but I’m never leaving. (I stopped going to Zorn a while back after another “I have a drop-dead awesome idea to save (insert sport here).”)
This blog rox.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:13 pm
I am new here because of Rod, but staying because of the accuracy and intelligence of the reporting and blogging. Thank you.
Comment by Cinho Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:16 pm
Most of the regulars read you every day, Rod or not. I am wondering where do you think your new readers are coming from? Did you post banner ads? How do new readers find you?
Comment by carbon deforestation Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:27 pm
I am in my second year and check the site several times per day. I think the success is due primarily to the quality of the information provided by Rich. Secondarily, but important nonetheless is the generally quality of the participants. As a general rule there seems to be few if any inane entries due I suspect to a vigilant moderator.
Good job.
Comment by What's in a name? Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:27 pm
===How do new readers find you? ===
I really don’t know. I suppose word gets around. My advertising is based on eyeballs amongst the Statehouse “regulars,” so it’s not a huge priority to keep track of that stuff.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:28 pm
Rich:
You da man.
Comment by Concerned Observer Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:29 pm
Rich has gotten some mentions by the NPR station in Springfield as well. I’ve heard a number of times where CapFax/Rich Miller has been quoted in stories about the Gov.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:37 pm
Thank You, Miller!
There is nowhere else to get the great inside info that you continually provide and the commentors, except for VanMan, are insightful and entertaining. Here’s a tip for free loaders. If you think the blog is good, pop for the Fax. Nobody can say they know the real stories in state gov’t unless they regularly read CapFax!
I’d be a subscriber even if I had to pay for it myself.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:41 pm
Rich,
When it comes to advertising your blog, I’ll bet your best action comes from the blurb at the tail of your column in the county’s weekly newspaper. Those newspapers are still being read.
Comment by enrico depressario Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:43 pm
Rich you rock–best damn blog PERIOD!!!!!
Comment by lifer Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:46 pm
Congrats Rich! No surprise to me. Of course, this is the finest political blog site for us Illinoisans, bar none!
Comment by Tunes Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:47 pm
Always good work, but the past couple of months have been extraordinary. Well done.
If people aren’t reading print on online, where are they getting their information? TV? Yikes.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:47 pm
This blog has been my home page since its inception. Usually I find everything I want to read either in the threads or on the links. I am lost when I log onto to some other computer and CapFax blog isn’t there.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:56 pm
I’m not surprised, but this is worth celebrating!
There is nowhere else to get the great inside information that you continually provide and the commentors, except for Bill, are insightful and entertaining.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 3:59 pm
Way, way off topic here but I just got my City Club email for Roland Burris’ appearance. Within two minutes I went to buy tickets. Sold Out! I guess I’ll have to try StubHub or I am going to miss some great theater.
Just to make this relevant to the subject, Rich should give some credit to Roland for being so shallow in accepting the appointment. Definitely counted for many hits to the site.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:03 pm
Sold out already? Guess I’ll have to use my press pass. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:07 pm
===Sold out already? Guess I’ll have to use my press pass. lol ===
Can I borrow Murray’s press pass?
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:09 pm
He doesn’t have one yet.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:10 pm
Kevin never did get one
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:11 pm
For people who care about Illinois government beyond the level of depth provided by the MSM, and there are many, this is simply the must-read blog — nowhere else do you get either the breadth or the depth, let alone both. Whether you agree with Rich or not, or any other commenter for that matter, this blog is the internet water cooler of Springfield.
Comment by Trent Green's Clipboard Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:12 pm
Rich,
I know I’m not alone when I say, “I, a reader of this blog, thank you.”
If the newspaper industry concentrated on covering local events, they wouldn’t be in such trouble. I ultimately found your site after searching far and wide for a place that would tell me what my State government is up to.
And boy did I find out a lot.
The failures of the Tribune and SunTimes are a boon to you.
Comment by jerry 101 Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:19 pm
Plus it must help that the national press covering The President (doesn’t that sound great!) and Blagoof were being refered to the Capt. Fax blog for updates.
Not sure which is more exciting —knowing The President or Capt. Fax.
Hmmm.
Comment by HorseShow Holder Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:20 pm
opps typo got in the name
Comment by HorseShoe Holder Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:21 pm
I didn’t even try to get Burris tickets for the City Club event. What possibly could he say that would matter. No offense to our Senator, but he’s a placeholder - by choice or not.
Comment by carbon deforestation Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:27 pm
Roland bought all 300 tickets
Comment by Joe Schmoe Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:39 pm
Rich, I come here first for statewide news knowing that I’ll find detailed information not available anywhere else. The same is true of my fax subscription.
You earned all those extra “hits.” Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:39 pm
One way people hear of this blog is from readers like many of us. I have e-mailed this link to friends, family, and neighbors. Those who do not know of this blog are really lost for accurate information. Rich does a wonderful job of filling that huge void.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 4:48 pm
that’s really great, Rich!
it also puts an increased responsibility on those of us who post here to make comments that are our own, not scripted, or cribbed from some piece we read. it’s an increasingly fast paced world out there and we all need to share information and thoughts to make the fast paced world a better one.
cheers!
Comment by Amy Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:19 pm
=it also puts an increased responsibility on those of us who post here to make comments that are our own.=
Absolutely.
Just kidding.
Congrats and thanks for all the great work.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:51 pm
Rich, Great job with all you do!! If we want to know what’s going on in goverment folks in Southern Illinois just look up Capital Fax.
Comment by NIEVA Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:54 pm
My day is not complete unless I read Cap Fax. You’re the best Rich.
Comment by Can't Say My Nickname Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:55 pm
The extremely diverse one word answers to the QOTD about how people felt yesterday says a lot. Many blogs are soft furniture for people of like minds to gather and agree with eachother. The feistiness of the posters is a big attraction here. And the quality of information and the demand for civility on Rich’s part make it all happen. Job well done.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:55 pm
It’s the caption contests, Rich. People love those!
Comment by Ahem Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:58 pm
Have you weighed your local paper lately?
Content, context and coverage are the keys to understanding what lies beneath the ballyhoo. Rich gives us all three in heavy heaping helpings and we thank you.
Comment by Pomerium Ultra Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:52 pm
We love you, Rich! Don’t you know?
Just please stop deleting my posts…pretty please?
Comment by Black Ivy Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:56 pm
Oh…and the Governor’s trials and tribulations haven’t hurt the need to support the Capital Fax?!?!
Comment by Black Ivy Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:58 pm
Bravo, Rich, and thank you for all you do! Nothing much else to say, but ditto on what everyone else said!
Thanks to the all of those who post here as well. Extremely diverse and knowledgeable group of folks with great thoughts and opinions, with whom debating is always fun and often becomes a great learning experience.
With regard to VMan and Bill, if anything, I think they’re interaction with one another, alone, is insightful and entertaining.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:42 pm
Rich, you have a very important blog. But, it’s also your posters, many of them lawyers, judges, auditors, etc. etc. who are just as interesting and informative. I’m just a low-level state employee posting under a pseudonym.
Comment by Marianne North Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:46 pm
Well deserved praise. Can’t get through a day without this Site.
Don’t forget to acknowledge the newspapers. So much of the real investigative work is still being done there…no way a blog can do that.
Comment by Bobs yer Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 9:37 pm
Things are so dull on the satellite coasts there on the outer periphery. It’s much more exciting here in the center of things than in those areas you just fly over to get to another country….
Comment by Excessively rabid Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 9:38 pm
If only this blog had a crossword puzzle . . .
Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 8:06 am
interesting that political scandal really does sell news
more than private business scandal or wall street bailouts etc
obviously it is in media’s best interest to “sell” political scandal more so than anything else.
Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:39 am