I've noticed an upsetting trend emerge in the last 24 hours. Many minnows are withholding votes from others while giving themselves more votes than ever.
There have been a couple of my own posts where someone will give me a positive comment, upvote their own comment but neglect to upvote my post. I've seen this happen on other blogs as well in the last day.
Look guys, I get it...
We're excited that our penny votes are now worth dollars. It's nice to be able to give yourself free money. But spread the love a little. We want Steemit to be a community.
I know that each vote consumes more than it did before, so maybe you're concerned about depleting your power. If that's the case, why note scale your vote down? It's better than not voting at all. In fact, it feels like quite an insult when you vote on your own comment but ignore the post that you're trying to compliment.
Let's continue building this community by building up each other. Don't be greedy. Don't be selfish.
On another note, has Steemit Chat been on the fritz for anyone else in the last day or so? I've been getting "502 bad gateway" error messages from time to time. And more often than not, when it does load it doesn't completely load. Anyone? Just me?
~Seth
This post is set to Power Up 100% because I believe in Steemit :)
still learning , im what they call a really really REALLY small minnow , upvoted..
Let's go against this trend - you just received my 100% upvote !
Thank you :)
I'm not sure how much of a "trend" it really is. But I have spotted this behavior a few times since HF19. I'm glad to see not everyone is following the "trend"
I had the something similar but even weirder happen on one of my post. I had 2 people give positive comments without up voting my post or their comments, yet. Plus one of them even said this...
[-]niceviewsua39 · 22 hours ago
I wish you that your bubble was only getting bigger :)
If you want to help me with my vote for my introduceyourself post , and good luck with bubbles :)
I probably would have if he would have bothered to show a little love. I seriously could care less about the size, its just nice to get a up vote after you put in some work.
Exactly the same is happening to me. In some text that I am writing, the comments are pretty positive and relevant, but users don't want to give upvote. I think it's temporary because of that fork.
Btw, thanks for sharing @sethlinson
Exactly!
As a long term this way will put the whole system down! Had the same issue with the chat today
I was able to get on chat this morning, but no luck right now... There's probably been a huge increase in traffic.
Thanks for the resteem @robert-call :)
I don't see it as a negative trend. Since minnows have a super limited amount of votes, 10. They have to spend them wisely. Since I get to drop my vote to 1% I can vote any comment I choose.
As for myself, i wont vote my own comment unless i get a significant upvote by others, i don't see any point on wasting my voting power that way...
I probably should have been more clear in my post, but I'm being a little broad with my definition of minnow. The instances of "selfishness" that I noticed were from minnows whose votes are not worth a few dollars, these are people who would definitely be able to scale their votes, they're simply choosing not to vote on the content of others.
For those who can't scale their votes, I understand this behaviour a little bit more. But I think they should learn that the community will be more likely to reward them in the long run if they reward others. No one looks fondly upon the greedy and selfish ;)
Only been here for a bit but seeing this happen as well which can be damaging, dumb question though how do I set the percent to upvote at lol I just click on the upvote button and I guess it then splits it evenly between all of my votes for the day ?
I learned through these comments that if you have less than 500 SP, you can't set your vote strength. I hope they change this in a future update.
ah ok that makes sense then why I cant thank you
I shot you a nicely weighted upvote, to bring you just a little bit closer to 500 SP :)
Thank you! I appreciate that, I upvoted your comment for my meager 7 cents lol Gotta start somewhere though look forward to more of your posts
Thanks! And if you don't mind me making a plug for another post, I'm doing an art giveaway where I draw a portrait for a random winner. You should enter the contest
I read somewhere thats its 800 STEEM before you can set your vote strength but I'm not sure. Also check out SteemVoter.com where I beleieve minnows can view and adjust thier voting power.
Others in the comments have said 500 SP
Will be at 500 SP soon so I'll keep you guys posted. keep BOOMIN over here!
Currently at 489 SP and can confirm that I can now adjust my vote strength with a slider. Before I replied I had only 400 SP, it must of triggered somewhere around 450. kaBOOM!
Thats part of the fun of a dynamic environment and group. Strange things happen. Look at us now!
Not sure how I feel about this....I have always upvoted my own comments, BUT...If I feel the post is worth a comment then I will upvote it, unless I disagree with it...
I don't have much beef with a person upvoting their own comment, I'm mostly speaking about those who leave a positive comment, upvote their own comment, but choose not to reward the post. That feels like an insult.
I agree with you, it is rude. Now I have commented on a post, upvoted my comment and NOT upvoted the post, but that was because it was a BAD post. I did not feel I was being rude. I could have flagged the post but I felt that simply not upvoting would have more of an effect.
Yea, that's a different situation. I've done the same (though I don't upvote my own comments.)
That's your choice and it's cool. I will continue upvoting my comments until I can use the slider and delegate the SP Percentage I vote with. Every vote I give myself brings me just a bit closer to that goal. Anyway...Steem on Mate.
All the power to you!
That is true. You don't get access to the slider until you reach a certain amount of Steem Power. I'm not sure what the exact number is because that feature was implemented at a time when I already had enough to take advantage of it.
Read more here: https://steemit.com/voting/@timcliff/condenser-pull-request-submitted-minnow-vote-slider-vote-slider-threshold-update-to-125-sp
It absolutely makes sense to lower the necessary SP value now that HF19 is in play.
THIS.
Hopefully they address this problem for HF20!
Yes, re-editing here.. Hi Seth, thanks for the follow. I am new to Steemit. Opened my account minutes ago. Got two cents on leveraging and attracting good audiences and creating relevant content? In other words, what (you think) people should write/post here?
It looks like you edited this post an something got messed up. But in response to what you originally wrote: Welcome to Steemit! I gave you a 100% vote on your post and I'm your first follower :)
Honestly, there is no perfect path to success. A lot of people here are doing a lot of different things. Posts on tech, politics, and anarchy seem to be popular. But there are also a lot of great art and life blogs.
Just be honest, write about things that are important to you. If you create good content, you'll find an audience. But be patient! It may take time.
Thanks! Appreciate your feedback. How long have you been here? Any success story/ good case practice?
I've been here for 10 months, but took a 5 month break. I had a really successful introductory post, but after that it took me a full month of posting to build enough of a following for it to be worthwhile.
If you look through my blog, you'll see that most of my early posts didn't cross a dollar. Even though I'm no "superstar" on Steemit, I would consider my blog something of a success story. I came here with no following and no fame, and I've made quite a bit of money.
Doesn't make sense to me since an upvote from the author is worth a lot more than their own upvote if they're minnows.
Depends on how big the minnow is. I would call anyone with less than 5000 or maybe even 10,000 SP a minnow. But even that amount of power gives you a vote worth several dollars now.
So you consider yourself a minnow?
Yes. I'm getting to be a bigger minnow in this pond. But I'll admit, I feel like much less of a minnow now that my 100% vote is worth over a dollar! Before HF19, it was only a few cents.
Noticed that too..It was hallelujah yesterday when all former posts suddenly got 10 times more dollars. But today posts aren't really receiving much votes (because people only have 10 votes per day - and as you say, use them on themselves) But,let's see how it plays out.
I don't want the HF to change my voting habits. I'll still vote just as much as ever, but I've adjusted my power. A 25% vote uses the same amount as a former 100% vote, so that's my "base value" for voting. If impresses me, I'll go above that 25%. I'll give out a few 100% votes per day.
Yeah. You do what you have to do. I'm not at 500SP yet, but once I'm able to transfer from poloniex I will. Really looking forward to that slider, because right now there are so many good posts I wanna upvote, but I end up spending too much. Im down to 70 voting power..And that's why I didnt give you (or myself) a vote right now!
You are 100% true dear. Some minnows are behaving like this but I always give 100% to the post I read and love.
Cheers! Thanks for the support.
Hello, I read your posting and agree 100% . Could it also be new users who are not following steem etiquette?
I mostly saw this kind of behaviour among "bigger minnows"... those whose upvotes are worth several dollars now. Sadly, I don't think it's a new user problem.
Hello Seth, you are right. I saw a video posting yesterday- someone bragging that they made a lot of money with a single post now (I won't say who). Hopefully many people will not pursue this line of thought. I'm trying to participate more often now- it is difficult working full time and college full time.
I've been in the same boat. I want to grow my Steemit following, maybe enough to do my art and animation full time (I'm dreaming now, lol). But it's hard when life is in the way. I work, I have school, not to mention personal commitments.
Exactly Seth, it takes time to write a good article with research. I'm hoping to use my steem power as part of a retirement investment (we will see- I'm trying to learn about cryptocurrency as well).
"Retirement investment"
That's a big part of my goal too. Steemit was my gateway drug to cryptocurrency and there are several coins, including Steem which I consider my "retirement plan." You should consider getting into Expanse. It's a really solid project that's seen good, steady growth in the last few months.
I will check into that crypto, thank you!
Noticed same thing. Just made post about it. https://steemit.com/steem/@cmoljoe/i-m-minnow-but-hf19-is-bullshit-here-is-why
I'll check it out.
I had the same problem with Steemit chat but it is working again for me. I personally post with 50/50
I usually post 50/50, but I think I might go on a binge of 100% Power Up posts to increase my stake in the platform.
I'll check out Steemit Chat again...
Most of the time I alsow power up to put all in Steem Power so I guess I could also use the 100% option from now on
same feeling here @sethlinson. That sentiments make us feel really underrated. But let's still cross our fingers and hope admin and other big names here can come up to another ways of helping us earn decently here though we are minnows. Thanks for sharing.
I don't think it's necessarily an issue that requires any admin action. I think people should be free to do what they want. But I'm also free to call them out on their BS! Ha.
yeah we are all freeman here, but we can't do nothing if our fellow steemians don't like to give their 100% support for every projects initiated by others that can give us full swing benefits and increase in earnings. I felt you from here. Thanks.
I upvoted you and from $5.06 and now you have $18.44 cheers :)
:D
you are more blessed than me here hehe. Look at my page and all the post there. Though my content is not a king but of course at least I'am expecting from my fellow minnows and stemians that they will lend me a piece of bread (crying here lol) but here I am a guy from a third world country, trying and keeping what is in my resources just to survive. What I felt really is like I am a minnow left in the Sahara desert. Keep it up, there are more wonderful days to come :)
I'll check out your blog.
I think with time this will change. Once the initial hype passes people will start upvoting other material again. I also noticed a decline in my votes today.
I must admit I do upvote my posts, but rarely my comments, only when I want them to show higher in the comment section. You are absolutely right, it's insulting to comment and not leave you an upvote, just one for himself.
I always upvote my own posts, but like you, rarely my comments. I think that just comes off as selfish. I'd rather pay it forward to someone else. I only got what little power I have from other Steemit users giving value to my contend, so I want to give back to the community.
It's all about sharing.
I wish they'd add a feature to scale votes if you have less than 500 steem power, but oh well I'm not slowing down on the upvotes!! and I'm not gonna be giving them to myself. I'll upvote my posts, sure, since I spend time on them, but I'd rather save the majority of my voting power for all the unnoticed great content on steemit that's relegated to the shadows... the lurking minnows awaiting their grand opportunity... lol
P.S. I just discovered the 100% steem power rewards, and i'm gonna keep doing #steemkeepit100 challenge until August 1st, because I truly believe in the potential of this platform and want to invest in it!!!
I completely agree, especially now since HF19 made votes so much more powerful. They should lower it to 100 SP or maybe just make that feature available to everyone.
I've heard about votes going from 40 to 10 yesterday and as a minnow, I spent time researching it because as a relatively new minnow, I initially didn't even know votes are limited. Perhaps people just got overly excited. Yay free money (well even MORE free money)! That aside, I haven't really thought of commenting just to upvote my own. And it's a little strange to me to like a blog enough to comment on it but not upvote it (unless you're only commenting to disagree, in which case, maybe just stick to skipping the blog altogether if you don't like it). Ah, I'm rambling! Upvoting :) (Hopefully, I don't see this self-upvoting thing becoming a trend as it takes out the fun in discussions)
There technically isn't a vote limit. But you have a limited amount of vote power, so the more you vote, the more that power is diminished.
Each vote used to be worth 0.5% of your power, now each vote is worth 2%. Emptied power will take 5 days to recharge (20% per day), meaning that it's sustainable for you to vote 10 times a day.
Oh! That makes sense. Thank you for explaining that so clearly.
No problem
Very true. Share the love! Here, take my 100% vote!
Cheers! :)
I m having the same problem. Unfortunately Chat is not working. Anyone knows what the problem is ?
I would imagine it has to do with increased traffic... but I'm really not sure.
Thanks for your fast reply. I m trying to find out what the issue is. If I figure it out I will post it here...
I just started this gig, literally today, and so I was not aware of how valuable all of our actions are on this platform, but I still believe in this concept, I was welcomed warmly for my first post, and I believe that we should spread the love around as much as possible.
I like your attitude :)
Welcome to Steemit!
Upvoted :-)
I have yet to learn how to scale my votes, must have missed that somewhere
Votes can't be scaled until you have 500 SP.
What do you mean with scaling ?
I see you don't have 500 SP yet. Once you have 500 SP, you're able to scale your votes between 1 and 100%. I think they should make this feature available to everyone, especially following the changes made in HF19.
Thanks and under 500 SP how much Power does a vote have ?
Every vote given is a full powered vote (2% or your total voting power.)
Before HF19, a full powered vote was worth 0.5%. Because of the increase, you can drain your pool of total voting power much more quickly if you aren't careful. A "fully drained pool" takes 5 days to recharge (20% per day.)
If your vote power recharges at 20% per day, that means you can only sustainably vote 10 times per day.
Since there are less votes to go around since each vote is worth so much more - the amount of commenting as a whole will reduce? I'm assuming this will happen as people find their comments get less love.
This might be true. I think the culture on the platform is still settling into the changes. We'll see what happens.
It happens... Also there are whales and dolphins that wont for anything on the world even look at minnows posts, and if they do, they set their slide to 1% before upvoting... We must go on, adapt, encourage positive behavior to make this community better than it already is!...
It's fun to see my votes worth more, but I decided not to change my voting behaviors because I want to share the wealth!
That's exactly how I feel! Good on you.
Admittedly, I have increased my post production to maximize my earnings during this new vote payout structure!
So maybe a little selfish...
Ummm... me too... haha.
truth!
Also yea, wtf. everyone told me to get on steemit chat
and it was just not happening for me haha
I rely quite a bit on promotion through Steemit chat... I'm getting pretty peeved that it still isn't working.
Right, I see the same. I am also a minnow. I see fewer chances to grow. Before HF is was much nicer. People had a happier mentality in regards to upvoting.
I hope they will do something.
I think HF19 was a good change to the system that has yielded generally positive results. I don't think "they" need to do something. I just want more community-minded people using the platform and interacting with my posts.
As a minnow myself. I totally agree. Resteemed so hopefully more people can see.
Glad to know I'm not the only one that feels this way. Thanks for the resteem.
I'm still learning the ropes here so please forgive my ignorance, but how does one scale their vote down?
I had no idea about voting power and went on a post coital euphoric upvoting binge a while back that I'm still trying to recover from.
Thanks in advance for your consideration to reply to my comment, you've been upvoted, followed and resteemed!
The vote-scaling feature is only available to those with at least 500 SP, unfortunately. You can read through the other comments for more info on this.