Housekeeping: Extended Posts?

Legacy blog posts MP Housekeeping

As most of you have probably noticed, I have started using the “extended post” feature in the blogging software to continue longer posts on a jump page. One commenter complained: “It’s a pain to have to scan down the page while opening umpteen windows, then read and close them one by one…Using it for the occasional really long post is one thing, but you seem to have started using it for almost all posts” That seems reasonable. I’d like to make viewing this site as easy as possible for those who visit every day, but I’m a pollster and I’m not comfortable making decisions on a sample size of one. So…

At risk of breaking every rule I preach on this site, I’d like to ask you to take a quick, informal, unscientific poll* with just one question:

Which of the following would you prefer I use as a rule for the “extended posts”?:
a) Use it to break posts longer than 2-3 paragraphs (~200 words)
b) Use it to break posts longer than 4-5 paragraphs (~500 words)
c) Use it to break posts longer than 7-8 paragraphs (~800-1000 words)
d) Don’t ever use it – it’s a pain and I don’t mind all the scrolling to find older items

Post your answer as a comment below or by email to me directly. If you don’t like the answer categories, feel free to answer any way you like. I’ll report back with the results. By the way, if you’d prefer not to share your email address, feel free to make up a phony one when entering your comment. “Poll@this” seems to be a popular choice.

*Yes, I know…this sample will be entirely self-selected and not representative of anything except those daily readers who feel strongly enough about the issue to respond. For the moment, however, that’s the universe I care about most.

Mark Blumenthal

Mark Blumenthal is political pollster with deep and varied experience across survey research, campaigns, and media. The original "Mystery Pollster" and co-creator of Pollster.com, he explains complex concepts to a multitude of audiences and how data informs politics and decision-making. A researcher and consultant who crafts effective questions and identifies innovative solutions to deliver results. An award winning political journalist who brings insights and crafts compelling narratives from chaotic data.