I upgraded to WordPress 2.3 finally last week after reading that Kyles blog was hacked. I’m sorry that Kyles blog got hacked, but it did help the rest of us actually upgrade! I am a procrastinator when it comes to upgrades, but I didn’t want my blog to have any issues which some have surfaced and I haven’t had time to correct just yet. The biggest difference I noticed was that WordPress 2.3 now uses Google Blog Search within the dashboard to display recent posts that have linked to you.
Current dashboard listing from Google Blog Search
I have seen a lot of complaints about Technorati in the past few weeks and I have noticed a lot of maintenance myself when trying to use the website. But after having Google in my dashboard for only a week I’m officially missing Technorati and may just have to go in an revert that part of the code if I get desperate enough.
Technorati helped me see daily who has been linking to me, see my blog reactions. This allowed me to thank other bloggers for linking to me and just stay in touch in general. I didn’t realize that Google was not displaying all blogs linking back to me or at the very least most of them. From what I can tell it does not update as often as Technorati or maybe it just doesn’t include all blogs?
Another thing I noticed about Google is that it is displaying my own posts too! I do remember Technorati doing this sometimes, but all I see in my dashboard right now is pretty much my own posts which doesn’t help me network with other blogs or know who is linking to me in the blogsphere.
After a few other bloggers let me know they were going to be linking to me but I didn’t see it show up on my dashboard I when to Technorati to discover that there are a lot of blogs linking to me, but are not displaying in Google Blog Search. This is disappointing because it is the one thing I like to keep up with, even if I’m not doing anything else I like to thank other bloggers for linking to me.
I just want to apologizes if I’ve missed a post you’ve mentioned to me on, I plead guilty of relying on Google. Also I want everyone out there who does similar to check Technorati directly, because right now Google Blog Search is still in Beta for a reason and sucks – in my very humble opinion.
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OH MAN, you’re RIGHT ON THE MONEY! I’ve been wondering what the heck was wrong with my incoming links ever since I upgraded! At first I thought it was just some glitch that all of my own posts were showing up, but this is just very unfortunate to hear that it’s BUILT IN!!! That really sucks!
I think we should all write some kind of petition and ask the Wordpress team to revert back to the Technorati search in the next version because this one is utterly useless!!!
Good post!!
Ah! I just thought you were busy and I was being impatient (you know that’s a problem I have-lol!)
There are still issues with plugins for me! Should I upgrade?
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for the mention. The hack generated a bunch of incoming links!
Anyway, you can use this plugin to help fix your Technorati problem. It adds them back to your dashboard (although a little lower). Here is the link:
http://hackwordpress.com/bring.....dpress-23/
GBS is great, but it does show internal linking as well. I would guess a future release will indeed either have the return of Technorati, or an option of which to use. In the meantime, that plugin works great! (although you have to enter your Technorati API).
Felix, I upgraded and I think some stuff doesn’t work still but overtime it will hopefully work itself out :c).
Thanks Kyle! I was sure there was such a plugin and its going to make me very happy.
I think I would prefer to still use Technorati for tracking links. I may make the switch back.
I haven’t upgraded mine yet and now I don’t want to! Google is just too big. When you are on top, you become the target. I came here from the Menopauseprincess!
I really like this blog. I subscribed. I also stumbled & reviewed your blog! Thanks and it’s great to meet you:)
Google does not indicate all IBLs; So, Technorati seems to do better in this aspect, otherwise, I find Google Blog Search more powerful.
I seriously think that Google Blog Search isn’t up to the standard yet. I have long set up a Google Alert which is supposed to alert me whenever somebody links to my blog, but ALL that the search returns is MY OWN BLOG POSTS (doh!).
That was why I turned to use Technorati to monitor reactions to my blog. I’m not sure if Technorati is a better way, but at least it shows me more than what Google can deliver! =)
I’ve yet to update myself and am a bit hesitant because I would hate for some of my plugins to go kaput.
It seems like Google’s agroithm when it comes to linking is extreamly conservative. I like Technorati, even as flawed as it is. I think there is still a lot of potential and if they were to just clean up the junk they would have a superior product until Google wants to come out of it authoritative hole in the group.
A couiple of things you might want to know -
1) Google is stinchy in counting links -their algorithm subtracts any reciprocal links. That may be the reason you are not seeing all those links.
2)There is a plugin to bring back Technorati links to admin panel.
Dont remember the URL, but Googling should be enough
I’m waiting for the technorati plugin to be written to replace google blog search.
I had the same issue so swapped back to using techorati using the simple instructions from this fourm post http://wordpress.org/support/topic/135548
I have not upgraded to the newer version yet. I believe I’ll wait a little longer before I make the transition. I use Google Alerts and technorati to track who’s linking to me. It catches a fair amount but not everything.
I just had an AHA moment myself when I read this Sarah. I also didn’t understand why I could see my technorati links anymore and like you I like to see how links to me so I can repay the favor my commenting on their blog.
I even went to Technorati myself and complained there as I thought it to be their mistake. What a stuff up from WP it seems. Anyway, I have downloaded the plugin suggested and that will hopefully help to solve this nuisance.
Monika
You’re so right Sarah, I’d go for the plugin though - its just install and forget anyway - if we edit the core files, it’ll be a mess when we upgrade. But thanks for the heads up Dee.
I found a plugin that completely replaces links pulled that are pulled by Google Blog Search with those that are pulled by Technorati, and the effect? Same like before the upgrade!
The plugin that I am referring to is Nusuni Technorati Links WordPress Plugin. I have just installed it on my blog without problem, and right now, my Technorati links are being shown, NOT Google Blog Search links!
WooHoo!
Pelf,
I installed the plug-in last night and my links are now back to normal again!
Also, anyone have any issues with the WP-Cache plug-in not working with version 2.3?? For some strange reason the Admin panel was running very slow until I deactivated it.
Thanks
What version of wordpress did Klye had before he got hacked because it seems to be a pretty old version if you ask me.
I was worried after reading that Kyle’s site got hacked but i am more worried about upgrading as i feel i might mess things up .
I’m currently using UTW for tagging, and I’m afraid WP 2.3 mightscrew my blog up.
Maybe I’ll upgrade soon.
Thanks Sarah!
I went through the list of compatible plugins from the list below
http://codex.wordpress.org/Plu.....bility/2.3
and everything worked ok. The best part about 2.3 is the automatic notification for new versions of plugins. I went ahead and updated all my plugins and I’ve had no problems so far except with WP-Cache. My Admin panel was really slow and I had to disable the plugin.
Oh and Felix, the UTW plugin currently does not work with 2.3 according to the compatibility list.
As a quick update to my comment above, it looks like the plugin now replaces GBS instead of appearing below it. It also no longer requires the API to work.
I still expect us to get an option in a future version of WordPress to pick which one we want to display, but for now this plugin works perfectly! (I just prefer relying on as few of plugins as possible)
WordPress 2.1.2
I was in the same boat. I originally upgraded to 2.2.2 after getting hacked (from 2.1.2) and finally decided to make the jump a few weeks after it was released. It went flawlessly and I’m happy that I did. In addition to no problems, the UTW tags were easily imported to the new tagging system, so I didn’t have to redo any old tags.
I’ve always tried to avoid Technorati. I enjoy the service that they provide but the site itself doesn’t really do much for me in terms of GUI.
I agree, I hate upgrades…I end up praying nothing will happen!
LOL Why is everyone complaining? I use the Automatic Wordpress Upgrade Plugin
Google it and you should find it. Only take about 2 min to upgrade using it
I haven’t upgraded yet as I don’t want to deal with the issue of plugins not working while my time could be used for writing - waiting for people to ‘test’ things for me and learn from them
[...] problems. Sarah highlighted one of her early issues with it and how she fixed it, as she preferred Technorati over Google’s Blog Search in the implementation of the Incoming Links feature on your WP [...]
[...] Technorati vs Google blog search by Sarah [...]
[...] It turns out I’m not the only one, Gnomeynewt is also having issues too. [...]
You are so damn right Sarah. Google blog search sucks at counting incoming links. I am glad I haven’t upgraded yet, and I hope that someone puts together a plugin or a hack to revert the incoming links to good old Technorati.
@Mohsin: Check out Jeremy Steele’s plugin! Just what you’ve ordered
http://www.nusuni.com/blog/nus.....ss-plugin/
I just updated recently (about 2 days) to v2.3 and was also surprised to see Google Blogsearch results for incoming links. I am not sure I can say I miss Technorati their reporting was also screwed lately.
WordPress developers have been kissing up to Google a bit lately, maybe some sort of deal is in th works that we are not aware of.
If you ever decide to change that portion of the code don’t forget to share it with us!
I’ve yet to update myself and am a bit hesitant because I would hate for some of my plugins to go kaput.
I’m an engineer on the blogsearch team at Google. We noticed that a lot of people were unhappy with self-referential links being included in the results, so we removed them. We also fixed a few bugs that may have caused us to miss some links.
Cool plugin!
i like google, even though they disable my adsense account and still didnt enable it. so, wish me luck
Nice blog, and you are right on the money about the google blog search
Happy Holidays to everyone at Bluejar.com!!!!
For me they’re both screwed.
I have just started wordpress 2.3 based blog. I think it is best one till now. Moreover if you can suggest me how to do seo with wordpress.
Good recommendations, the work will go better with using them , I think.
I’ve always enjoyed the service that they provide in terms of GUI.
Cool plugin!
usually i am using Google Blog Search
recently just using Technorati
thanks for your recommendations!
I’m a Google Blog Search user too…Reading this post, make me think to start use Technorati. Thanks!
Cool plugin! Thanks…
I wouldn’t rely on either Google Blog Search or technorati to tell me whose linking to a particular blog. I have seen my own posts counted as I have seen Google counting links more than once. I usually don’t pay attention to the links that the dashboard usually reports.
it takes a while to get used to the new one, but i like it better. Excellent post!
I too, much prefer technorati over google. Maybe someday google will improve everything and it may surpass the expectations and abilities of technorati, who knows, but until that day it is technorati all the way for me.
Well i think google will show more relevant results, since technorati its mostly webmasters trying to promote their blog
you can get the plug in at
http://onapplestore.com