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In the 2013 Challenge, we introduced a new feature to the sign-up process called Category Codes. These are codes which allow you to identify the general topics of your blog, to give other participants a bit more information about what they might see on your blog, before they click your link. In case you missed it, here are the instructions and the list of Codes from the sign-up page:
There are categories for those looking for like-minded blogs. Select ONE category code and enter it after your blog’s title/name. The code applies to your blog, not your theme for the Challenge and is purely optional. However, if your blog has adult content, you MUST mark it (AC) or it will be removed from the list. Codes are as follows:
1. WRITING: (WR)
2. BOOKS: (BO)
3. FILM: (FM)
4. PHOTOGRAPHY: (PH)
5. GARDENING: (GR)
6. CRAFT: (CR)
7. ART: (AR)
8. MUSIC: (MU)
9. CULINARY: (CU)
10. LIFESTYLE: (LI )
11. FASHION: (FA)
1. WRITING: (WR)
2. BOOKS: (BO)
3. FILM: (FM)
4. PHOTOGRAPHY: (PH)
5. GARDENING: (GR)
6. CRAFT: (CR)
7. ART: (AR)
8. MUSIC: (MU)
9. CULINARY: (CU)
10. LIFESTYLE: (LI )
11. FASHION: (FA)
12. PERSONAL: (PR)
13. SOCIAL MEDIA: (SO)
14. GAMING: (GA)
15. EDUCATION: (ED)
16. POLITICS: (PO)
17. HISTORY: (HI)
18. SCIENCE: (SC)
19. HUMOR: (HU)
20. TRAVEL: (TR)
21. MISCELLANEOUS: (MI)
22. ADULT CONTENT: (AC)
The A-Z Team thinks these codes are really awesome, and encourages everyone to use them. Here are a few reasons it's beneficial to use the Category Codes:
- Interested in a certain topic? Look for folks with the appropriate Category Code marking and go visit their blog!
- Hoping to attract others to your blog that are interested in the same topics as you are? Commenting on others' blogs is the best way to drive traffic to your own, so if say, you write about Education and want other educators to find you - go visit them first! Remember, A-Z is all about making connections so use the Codes to help you find your people.
- Is there something that you aren't really interested in? You might skip blogs that are marked with that Code. But! The Challenge can also be a great opportunity to push your boundaries. In our humble opinion, our participants are the best of the 'net, so the Challenge might be the place where you find a really excellent blogger that shows you that a certain topic isn't so bad, after all.
As we are just over a week out from the start of the Challenge, and the sign-ups are just rolling in, we hope that new participants will stake their claim in a category, and hope that folks who are already browsing the list will start to take advantage of the Codes to find their future blogging besties!
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A note on Adult Content blogs - this is the only category for which we have made it mandatory to identify yourself. Many of our participants have families and jobs, and we don't want to risk disruption of harmony in either of those locations if someone were to accidentally end up with explicit material up on their computer. And so we require that AC blogs identify themselves, out of respect for other participants. Any unidentified AC blog that is discovered by the Host Team will be immediately removed from the list. For more information, check out this post from a couple weeks ago. Thanks for your cooperation on this!
Going through the list I have come across many who have put a code by the side of their blog.
ReplyDeleteI recall the other year doing the same.....checking list I came across many Adult Only. I had one of my grandchildren here at the time so am pleased these codes are here.
Yvonne.
The category codes are a great idea. I was able to select blogs of fellow crafters and photographers to read and follow. I had to put 'MI' on my blog last year which did me a great disservice. If there is any way to increase how many category codes we can use, that would be helpful for bloggers like me who are both crafters and photographers
ReplyDeleteI'm a co-host, but I'm not as keen on the codes as my lovely co-host AJ. However, I'm a team player, so I will support the team and get on the bandwagon and encourage you to use this tool to your advantage.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER, the codes are OPTIONAL. That means that if you have a blog like mine which defies categorization, then go naked. The purpose of Life is Good is for me to practice writing, so honestly, you never know what you'll get when you show up. Besides, I'm Swedish and we don't have a problem with nudity ;-)
Great explanation, AJ, with good reason and ways to take advantage of the code system. I won't be looking for any one type of blog, though. One of the most fun aspects of the Challenge is you never know what you're going to find when you click on that link. You're entering a worm-hole to someone else's world, and that's a thrill.
Regardless of your opinion on the codes, get out there and visit! That's the main point, whether you're seeking others like you, or just taking a chance on what you'll find next.
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
Hi Tina, how about a code for "storytelling"? Many of my colleagueswho are joining this challenge are storytellers, like myself
DeleteI missed putting a code on my blog. I will focus on food for this challenge, but my blog contains a variety of topics, like yours Tina, so I'm ok with not having a code this year.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Some say my entire blog is in code. . . .
ReplyDeleteRob Z Tobor
I say that.
DeleteJust so we can keep the wee ones from seeing things that they are not ready to see.
ReplyDeleteOh! I missed out putting the code..can i do it now??
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha,
DeleteUnfortunately you can't change it. If you really want we can remove your initial sign-up and you can re-do it with the code.. But I wouldn't worry - lots of people don't use them!
Yes me too Natasha. I'm wondering how to edit my linky submission.
ReplyDeleteI was going to put the (MI) code against my blog when I was filling the information out but forgot. I'll remember if I get the chance to enter next year. Hopefully.
ReplyDeleteA thought I had when visiting my theme reveal commenters: we encourage use of signatures on comments, but if the link goes to an AC listed blog, anyone linking from comments won't know that. As mine's a PG blog, I'd prefer bloggers not to link AC blogs in their comments, just in case a youngster clicks it - or to put the AC code in the link.
ReplyDeleteWhat do others think?
Jemima
Blogging from Alpha to Zulu in April!
I didn't put a code on mine... my theme is based on books... but then my blog name does have the word 'writer' so that takes care of it.
ReplyDeleteWriter In Transit
Hi Ajay .. I forgot to put my code in and know we can't change it .. but I must make a plan to check out the category divisions .. cheers to all - and I agree re the Adult Content themes and bloggers ..
ReplyDeleteAll the best everyone - Hilary
I didn't put a code... mainly because I didn't what to put. Haha :)
ReplyDeleteanna @ Deeply Shallow
Love in Penang giveaway running now.