Babbling about site stats

[rusty_halo]

Since my site is a fairly popular Spike site, I think that by looking at its statistics, one can extrapolate some general trends about Spike fandom (especially the fanfic side). Of course, my site is skewed toward the segment of Spike fic readers that happen to visit my particular site, so that should be kept in mind.

I've compiled some statistics and my analysis of what they mean. These are just from January 12 - January 29 2004, since I lost all my old log files in the server move (stupid fucking ipowerweb). The good side is that they represent what people have been seeking most recently; the bad side is that they can be easily skewed by, say, someone posting a link in a popular forum that then gets clicked often and skews the results in that direction.

The top 10 stories are Spike/Buffy stories; the top 10 authors are all predominantly Spike/Buffy authors.

The top pairings:

[Hits since mid-January: Percent of total pages visited: Pairing]
23021: 5.03%: Spike/Buffy
12260: 0.44%: Spike/Angel(us)
8356: 0.34%: Spike/Xander
4422: 0.06%: Spike/Dawn
2839: 0.04%: Spike/Willow
2678: 0.08%: Spike & Dawn
2321: 0.02%: Spike/Fred
1990: 0.02%: Spike/Tara
1265: 0.02%: Spike & Xander
1261: 0.02%: Spike/Wesley
1191: 0.02%: Spike & Willow

(Spike/Buffy is almost twice as popular as any other pairing; Spike/Angel(us) has replaced Spike/Xander as the second most popular pairing. S/B, S/A, and S/X are the three big Spike pairings with large followings. Spike and Dawn -- both friendship and sexual/romantic -- also still has a surprisingly large following, given that their last meaningful interaction occured more than two years ago. And Spike/Dawn romance seems to be more popular now that Dawn is older. Spike/Fred--once an obscure pairing that very few people considered--now has a bit of a budding fanbase.)

The top time periods:

1498: 0.04%: Post-Chosen
1459: 0.02%: Post-Destiny
1081: 0.05%: Alternate Universe
902: 0.04%: Post-Gift
812: 0.01%: Post-Harm's Way
808: 0.01%: Post-Fool for Love
727: 0.01%: Post-Something Blue
721: 0.01%: During Something Blue
629: 0.01%: Early AtS Season Five
627: 0.02%: Pre-Series

(No real surprises here, except that the predominance of Something Blue--a comedic episode from four years ago--is most likely so highly represented because people are seeking fluffy Spuffy fic.)

The top themes:

2382: 0.09%: Romance
1761: 0.03%: Hurt/Comfort
1527: 0.06%: Humor, Parody, and/or Fluff
1469: 0.02%: Webmistress' Choice (hee! I have influence!)
1404: 0.08%: Angst
1403: 0.02%: Threesome
1135: 0.03%: Post-Soul Insanity
1082: 0.02%: Soulless Redemption (Yay!)
1030: 0.01%: Time/Universe Displacement
909: 0.03%: Horror/Darkfic
881: 0.01%: Crossover

(I'm sort of surprised by the popularity of hurt/comfort. I guess the "romance" category shouldn't surprise me, but it kind of annoys me anyway. Stupid pairing-obsessed Buffy fandom.)

Ratings:

10758: 1.40%: NC-17
953: 0.09%: R
809: 0.02%: G
755: 0.05%: PG
256: 0.01%: Not Rated
173: 0.02%: PG-13

(No surprises about NC-17 and R, but PG-13 used to be a lot more popular than this. And why is "G" rated so high? It used to be last.)

Fiction by Length:

2386: 0.10%: 30,000+ Words
819: 0.04%: 10,000 - 30,000 Words
818: 0.02%: Works in Progress
495: 0.06%: 1 - 1,500 Words
354: 0.02%: 5,001 - 10,000 Words
292: 0.04%: 1,501 - 5,000 Words

(The longer the better, pretty much. Though the very shortest stories also seem to have a bit of a following.)

Most common searches by multiple categories:

584: Spike/Buffy, NC-17
192: Post-Destiny
88: Spike/Angel(us)
86: Spike/Xander, NC-17
84: Spike/Buffy
77: Spike/Buffy, Post-Chosen
77: Spike/Dawn, NC-17
67: Spike/Drusilla
63: Spike/Buffy, NC-17, Post-Chosen
62: Spike/Buffy, Romance
61: Spike/Buffy, NC-17, 5,000 - 10,000 words
60: Spike/Dawn
59: Crossovers

The moral of the story is: if you want to write a really popular story, it should be post-"Chosen" NC-17 epic-length Spuffy romance.

Of course, I probably won't archive it. But don't worry, plenty of other sites will.

According to the little stats thingy on my homepage (which only tracks visitors to the homepage, but has logs for the past year):



Visits to my site peaked in May 2003, with the BtVS series finale and the publicity surrounding it. Visits then went steadily down until they perked up again in October 2003, when Spike returned on AtS. Visits then proceeded to go steadily down once again, which suggests to me that AtS began losing Spike fans almost right away. Though it could just mean that they went to another site that archives more Spuffy. ;)

The extreme decrease in site visits (I'm getting about 70% as many visits now as I got in May 2003) is probably due to several factors:

1. General decrease of interest in Buffy fandom when the series ended.

2. Summer lull -- even those people who returned for Angel in fall were likely to lose interest over the summer.

3. I stopped archiving most works in progress, which used to bring in the most visitors. (I stopped mostly because I couldn't keep track of them all, and a lot of them took directions halfway-through that didn't work well for my site, so I figured it's best to wait until a story is finished even if it does mean many fewer site visitors.)

4. I started archiving more slash. I got a lot of complaints over this. Stupid homophobia.

5. I started archiving less Spike/Buffy. Most Spike fic readers mostly read Spike/Buffy.

I do still archive S/B regularly, btw, just not as often as I used to, and the S/B I archive tends to be angsty rather than fluffy. This is because
- fewer people are writing good S/B; a lot of writers have just moved on
- I'm not interested in S/B and don't read it for enjoyment; I'll only read it if I respect the writer or if someone actively submits it to my site
- Warning: Spuffy bitching. Stop reading now if it will upset you. Just my personal opinion, etc. I absolutely do not buy that post-S6 Buffy could possibly have loved, cared about, or valued Spike on his own terms without vast amounts of therapy and personal-growth. All canonical evidence indicates that he was simply a useful thing to her and that she was pathologically incapable of recognizing the value of anyone but herself or someone who does something for her. She might have missed his constant boot-licking post-"Chosen," but she sure as hell didn't miss him, and I'm certain she's not mourning him. I get really sick of the sappy fluffy Buffy-as-Mary-Sue, crying her eyes out missing her twu wuv Spike, wish-fulfillment Spuffy. (Even though I'll still, very occasionally, archive it if it's written very well otherwise.)

Comments

[miggy.livejournal.com]

I always enjoy your stat posts (likely because I do the same thing). And, of course, you know I'm right there with you on the last paragraph.

[paratti.livejournal.com]

Love stats. It's the econometrician in me, I can't help it. This is great stuff. Thanks for posting it.

[soundingsea.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this! Very interesting analysis. Just goes to show that trends may push in one direction or another, but there's enough room in fandom for all pairings (though I agree that pairing is not the be-all and end-all).

Even though site visits aren't as high as they were when BtVS was on the air, I'm really glad you're still archiving. Sometimes I've read the stuff I see go by in the allaboutspike updates and I nod, but if I haven't, I'm almost certain to click and read. You bring the good fic to Spike-lovers everywhere. (And I have you to thank for the fact that I'll read Spike in any well-written pairing or no pairing at all.)

[wickedprincess3.livejournal.com]

I get really sick of the sappy fluffy Buffy-as-Mary-Sue, crying her eyes out missing her twu wuv Spike, wish-fulfillment Spuffy.
I agree so much with that. I just can't buy the idea that Buffy's even really thinking all that much about Spike. Certainly not pining or waiting for him. While some good fic has been written around it, I always have to put on my "suspension of belief" blinders when reading it.

[sangpassionne.livejournal.com]

Fascinating set of stats. The migration from S/X to S/A is expected of course, but it's interesting that there hasn't been a similar move from Spuffy to, say, Spike/Fred. Like you say, the Spuffy hearts are still pining.

And BTW, I totally agree on the post-season 6 Spuffy romance thing. She has so much growth to do that being in a relationship with anyone right now would be a terrible mistake. Not that Spike's perfect but I can't help feeling he actually does relationships relatively well for a vampire.

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[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

It's the econometrician in me

Really? I had no idea one of my favorite fanfic writers was also a fellow economist. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

She might have missed his constant boot-licking post-"Chosen," but she sure as hell didn't miss him, and I'm certain she's not mourning him.

On that, we agree completely. And yet, I find S/B just the hottest thing going - on paper. Go figure.

But on AtS - I'm thrilled that SMG won't be making an appearance. Run, Spike, run far away! Be free!

[circe-tigana.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Very interesting. Thanks for posting these!

Personally I found that in the fall my interest in Spike/Xander began to seriously wane. I actively dislike Spike/Angel, and I found myself really interested in reading romantic Spuffy again ::hides::

But yeah. Post-Chosen I find I'm all about Buffy/Spike, but my preference is DEFINITELY for stories that take place Season 5 and earlier.

[chase820.livejournal.com]

Very interesting statistics. I'm not a bit surprised about the ongoing prevalence of Spuffiness--I still get twice as much feedback for Thrall, even in its unfinished state, than I do about Eldorado.

I completely understand your prejudice about post-"Chosen" Spuffy fics. I've read very, very few of them, simply because after "First Date" I concluded Buffy in no way, shape, or form deserved him. I had an idea for a post-"Chosen" Spuffy fic where Spike comes back from the dead, Buffy goes to see him, and he tells her the Hellmouth burned out all his love for her. But I was so sick of Buffy by then I couldn't stand to write her, even if it was to show her getting smacked down by Spike.

I'm surprised Spike/Faith didn't make the pairings list at all. They seem like such a natural couple to me.

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[paratti.livejournal.com]

Yup, Warwick graduate - which turned out to be more maths based than I anticipated, which was painful, but useful. And thanks, I'm glad you like my stories.

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[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

But I was so sick of Buffy by then I couldn't stand to write her, even if it was to show her getting smacked down by Spike.

Hey, I killed her in my post-Season 7 fic. Twice. ;)

Next, I'm working on my S3 Glimpses-continuation. You know, back when she was still fun to listen to, and the UST was thick on the ground.

[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

Hey...speaking of fic archivage...did you get the last one I sent you? Or were you just horrified by the entire S/R thing, and not want to say so for fear of hurting my feelings? ::chuckle::

I understand if you don't want to archive it, sweetie. :) It squicks me out, too.

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[chase820.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if you want to write Spuffy, going early is the only sane option. For me, the cut-off is right before "Dead Things," when she really went beyond the pale with the abusive selfishness. But I'm so sick of the character I'm having problems finishing "Thrall", which is comfortably placed post-"Wrecked."

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[paratti.livejournal.com]

I've killed her more than you.
Ok, I've killed everyone, and pretty much multiple times.
I can't help it. It's the Evil thing.
/slinks off to write more pain, and smut.

[dkfeatherstone.livejournal.com]

I want to respond to your comment about post Season Seven Buffy. I saw her as loving Spike, but not in a sappy way. I think she has loved Spike all through Season Six and Season Seven, but she couldn’t get past the fact that he started out as a vampire enemy. She loved him in spite of that, but she was not willing to indulge the love and instead maintained a constant state of denial even to herself. She still found it unseemly for her to be in love with a vampire. I know you can now say, what about Angel? But the fact remains that she met Angel and fell in love with him when he was an ally and not evil. Perhaps if Angelus had surfaced before she fell in love with him, then things would have been different.

I agree that she heartlessly used Spike in Season Six. She was emotionlly broken. But I would say that she still loved him but just would not admit it to herself. She alluded to this in Season Seven, when she asked Willow, “Does everyone think I’m still in love with Spike?”

The other thing that kept her so distant in Season Seven was taking her role as Slayer and savior of the world so very seriously. Serious to the point of dullness I must add. She was particularly lacking the grace under pressure that she exhibited in earlier seasons. And she was constantly inconsiderate and selfish, but my take is that she was trying to keep her focus on the war with the First. Love could wait. As the season ending neared she was mellowing, because she knew this might be their final days together.

I agree that the sappy fluffy love was not there and never could be.

I would agree that she could use some therapy to help her demonstrate and acknowledge her love. A problem that has been a continuing theme throughout the series.

I am not trying to change your mind or attitude. We all see the same show but interpret it differently. I think the fact that we do see it in so many different ways, proves how layered and complex and entertaining the show was.

I admire you and your Website. I always enjoy reading your insightful posts, even when they run counter to my own thinking.

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[paratti.livejournal.com]

Burning out the love is the route I took in SPV, but that's been stalled by aggressive woman eating bunnies for other stories and Wes's fixation on Fred on the show. He's messing with the wonderfully painful Wilah aspect that's crucial to the story. Bad Wes! No biscuit.

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[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

I've killed her more than you.

And it was oh, so good.

/slinks off to write more pain, and smut.

Yes, please!

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) Glad you find it interesting.

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

I'm glad to hear that I've encouraged you to read fic regardless of pairing. There's so much out there; it makes me sad to think of all the good fic that people who only read one pairing are missing.

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

IMO, Buffy's thoughts about Spike post-"Chosen" are limited to the occasional:

- Buffy's upset. She wants to take out her aggression on someone who doesn't matter. She realizes that her walking, talking punching bag is gone. She feels a mild bit of irritation at Spike for dying.

- Buffy's horny. She wants sex without consequences. She realizes that her walking, talking dildo is gone. She feels a mild bit of irritation at Spike for dying.

- Buffy's sad. Someone has hurt her pwecious little feelings. She wants someone to give her emotional validation without criticism, regardless of whether she actually deserves it. She realizes that her walking, talking self-esteem booster is gone. She feels a mild bit of irritation at Spike for dying.

- Buffy's bored. She wants to bitch about her day to someone who will approve of and validate everything she's done, then tell her what a wonderful person she is, regardless of whether she actually deserves it. She feels a mild bit of irritation at Spike for dying.

- Buffy's lonely. She wants someone to cuddle her and make her feel good about herself without requiring her to offer any affection or comfort in return. She feels a mild bit of irritation at Spike for dying.

But in all likelihood, she's already dragged some other poor, unsuspecting dope into her little melodramatic life and is currently using him for all this.

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

I'm glad that S/X is still somewhat popular and hasn't faded into obscurity or anything. It definitely still has its devotees.

And it's cool to see S/A getting more attention; there's so much interesting ground to explore there.

It depresses me about S/B, though. Spuffy: it's the new B/A.

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[miggy.livejournal.com]

"Mildly irritated at him for dying" is exactly what I've been thinking her reaction is to all this. "Mildly irritated" would also be her reaction if he showed up, methinks.

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. Just picture the famous Buffy eye roll, complete with nasty little fish lips.

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

I can still read and enjoy early S/B, but almost anything set post-"Smashed" just makes me ill.

Maybe part of it is that what I think about a person determines to a large degree whether I find them attractive. I find post-S5 Buffy to be a repulsive human being (in terms of behavior) so I subsequently find her completely physically grotesque, too. Imagining her having sex? Eeeeewwww. The only thing I want to see that stone-cold heartless bitch doing is dying horribly.

(Just to be clear, I mean the character, not the actress, who I don't know and don't judge and certainly wouldn't wish dead.)

OTOH, I can enjoy different "Buffies," like for example, rahirah's. She's such an alternate Buffy--a Buffy who grew in a completely different way, into a decent human being. I have no problem seeing her with Spike.