Ask HN: Why do people (you) give feedback?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=698147

by bdmac97 • 17 years ago

3 15 17 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Hi guys,

I'm trying to figure out what makes people that give feedback tick.

As some of you may know, I have started a new website, launchly, that is trying to be a centralized point for new web startups to get feedback on their idea/site/design/etc. I have been getting some feedback from random users but so far I am not seeing the feedback rates that a site like HN gets (and HN isn't even focused on website feedback). I'm getting lots of votes (Digg-style) but the majority of my visitors don't seem to be leaving feedback.

My question to you, then, is why do you leave feedback on the "review my site" posts on HN? What is it that draws you to provide feedback? And on an obviously related note, what WOULD draw you to provide feedback on a site like launchly?

Is there some direct benefit to you that I am missing when you provide feedback here? I provided feedback on sites prior to creating launchly just because I enjoyed it so I guess I assumed that's why others did it but maybe I have missed something obvious.

ZachS2• 17 years ago

I think you have to find the right type of people to write full reviews without incentive. Maybe people would be more apt to review sites if it wasn't so much work. Maybe you could use a system where people type a couple of words in review of the site, rather than a huge amazon.com style product review.

You could just put a small textarea up in your top launchly info frame where people can leave small page specific comments about sites.

Speaking from personal experience, I went to your site clicked around, looked at a couple of the sites. I did find a few things that I could suggest about them, but didn't have the motivation to write a dissertation about the problems.

Hope this helps.

bdmac976• 17 years ago

That does help but I'm still not understanding why you WOULD write up a review/feedback here but not there.

A bit off the primary topic of but you mentioned a system where people could type a couple of words in review of the site. Was there something about launchly that made you feel like you had to write a lengthy review? Feedback can be any length so you could write something as simple as "Your logo is crappy and I don't see any market for your service." I mean more in-depth is obviously more helpful but there's no minimum amount of helpfulness :-)

Can you think of what would have motivated you to provide feedback (of the non-dissertation variety of course)?

ZachS2• 17 years ago

Oh, I see I think I misunderstood your question. HN has points, and it's more of a two way "discussion." Maybe you should, rather than have comments have discussions (I know this is probably the same thing given a different name)

As for the second problem, I guess (personally) I see a huge textbox where you ask for my name, email and an optional website, and I just don't feel motivated. I think you could have a small, anonymous comment spot that felt more like a tweet rather than a post.

Oh and as an aside, I didn't realize that you had the comment overlay button when I viewed a site. Maybe add some words to the icon to make it OBVIOUS for unobservant people like me?

trickjarrett2• 17 years ago

I provide feedback because I think I have a unique perspective and can provide insights that the creators and others may not have thought of.

bdmac976• 17 years ago

Excellent reason and that's why I typically do it too (well I have another reason in launchly now but before that...). Why do you provide feedback here though and not other places (not launchly specifically)?

trickjarrett2• 17 years ago

Because this is one of my favorite online hang outs. It's like asking why shop at WalMart rather than go to the equally priced specialty store. I'm already here and I'm interested in helping others in the community.

e1ven3• 17 years ago

I give feedback out of a sense of community. I like the people who come to HN, and I emphasize them.

When someone asks for feedback on their site, I'll usually check their post history and how long they've been around. If they're contributing and being helpful, I'm happy to help them in return.

bdmac976• 17 years ago

Great reason. So no direct benefit to you personally is necessary.

e1ven3• 17 years ago

Right- The hard part in trying to replicate it is that I don't know the launchly community, so I don't have any particular incentive to help them.

I don't mean it coldly at all.. It's part of the whole idea of a monkeysphere- I want to help my friends because I like them, and we are close. When a blog writer launches a site, like Stack Overflow it is a step away from that- They're people I know, at least through their writing, but aren't friends with directly.

Hacker News is one step further- They're people I'm aware of, I read their comments, and I like their work for the most part. I want to help them collectively, even If I don't know the person individually.

Launchly.. Is just a bunch of folk. I don't really know them, so I don't have any reason to help write reviews for them.

It like Babysitting- I would be happy to watch my nephew for a few hours, but I'm not going to volunteer my time to a daycare.

CyberFonic2• 17 years ago

Had a look at the first four pages of launchly.com. I wasn't near enough tempted to look at any of the sites. I'm sure that the visitors to that site are very different to those who regularly visit HN. For me (and that's only a single data point) HN provides value that matters to me. Launchly, on the other hand, doesn't hold any appeal nor interest.

IMHO your best way forward is to start a dialogue with those who do visit your site, ask them what they are looking for, etc. Only then are you in a position to better provide value for your visitors. It's all to do with Marketing.

bdmac976• 17 years ago

Why weren't you tempted to look at them? Were the sites themselves lacking in quality? Were they not presented well enough by launchly?

CyberFonic2• 17 years ago

The content wasn't of interest to me.

Ask HN: Why do people (you) give feedback?

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