Is There A Vocal Top Story Effect?

Or Am I Imagining It?

By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred Published 4 months ago • 2 min read

An AI Image By The Author

Introduction

Someone told me recently they had suggested to Vocal that one of their stories should have been a Top Story and it was given the accolade. It is a good story, but do comments and direct messages influence Vocal's choice of Top Stories?

The music is the excellent "Thinkin'" by Steve Forbert

Why Do I Ask?

Over, maybe the last six months I have mentioned in comments that maybe a story would be a Vocal Top Story, and fairly soon afterward the story has been chosen as a Top Story. I don't think there is any way of definitively proving this although a couple of creators have acknowledged my comment when their stories become a Vocal Top Story.

I know on Discord and Raise Your Voice that people can explicitly recommend Top Stories, but I am thinking of the effect of mentioning that something may be worthy of a Top Story in the comment.

The odd time readers say they think mine are worthy of Top Stories or even Challenge win but as far as I am aware nothing has followed on from them. I am not complaining because I see comments like that as heartwarmingly complimentary, and that is more than enough for me.

Maybe it is just that my observations are on par with the Vocal judges and moderators, although I suppose I am swayed when I am reading something by a Vocal serial Top Story nominee.

I think I would be a bit perturbed if I found out that my comments were directly causing stories to receive a Top Story nomination because then I would think that I was letting people down if I didn't comment that their story was worthy of a Top Story nomination.

I am sure that if I hold any influence it is part of some much bigger conglomeration and my perception is just skewed toward the bit that I have contributed, or maybe it is just coincidence.

I may also have forgotten about all the ones that I said might be Top Stories that did not make the cut.