What happened???

[Corilliant]

I haven't really been around this last year, so noticing the absence of the Atlas Awards was my first inkling that things were getting quieter here.

For me, one of the sadder aspects of the internet's evolution over the last decade is how much worse search engine algorithms are getting at suggesting sites like ours. I can't recall the last time a search result returned a quirky or interesting website to me (which was how I came across the Guild). At risk of sounding like some irritating internet marketer, I don't think this trend has helped our online "presence" or "retention". I think we were on the right track with treating social media platforms only as tools to support and promote the forum rather than as the future of the community, though.

Ours is not a dying art by any means, so I'm sure that some people will naturally return once their circumstances allow it. I sense people agree "improvements" to the site could assist in drawing people back, but there's limited time and labour we can invest in website upgrades, so it'd need to be strategic. Unfortunately, it's a bit difficult to gauge what members value more when so many are currently not about and can't tell us what they think!

A wee idea — perhaps our leaders could cook up a one-off email survey to the wider community with questions that they think might assist with the longer-term planning for the site.

It's been a rubbish few years for everyone in general. To all the folks who posted about their experiences — I wish you the best and hope your fortunes turn for the better this year!

[Turambar]

I haven't really been around this last year, so noticing the absence of the Atlas Awards was my first inkling that things were getting quieter here.

I really hope the Atlas awards are back this year. Mods, anything on this? In addition to being a lot of fun and great for the artists who win, it is also an avenue for marketing the forum. I found the Guild through the Atlas Awards.

[Diamond]

A wee idea — perhaps our leaders could cook up a one-off email survey to the wider community with questions that they think might assist with the longer-term planning for the site.

This right here is a brilliant (a Corilliant?) idea. I'll float it to the CLs.

As for the Atlas Awards... yeah. It is a huge amount of work. One of the CLs has expressed interest in reviving it though, so stay tuned.