Fire up your laser pointers and bunsen burners. We’re back with our yearly numerical slash statistical goodness. Each year we like to break down what YHL looks like by the numbers. Some are crazy. Some are surprising. Some are serious. Some are, well, just for fun.
Oh and this year we thought we’d include a few fun blog facts that might blow your mind (no guarantees though, your mind might remain intact).
Fun Bloggy Fact #1: Each month the cost for us to host our site (so it loads well/doesn’t crash, etc) is more than our mortgage payment.
Fun Bloggy Fact #2: We have written over 2,311 posts in the past five years, and if they each took an average of 2.5 hours to write (that’s the usual with uploading & editing pics) that means we’ve spent 5,777.5 hours writing posts, which translates to over 240 straight days of post-writing (without any sleep).
Fun Bloggy Fact #3: There have actually been Internet rumors about us, which always strike us as extremely hilarious for some reason. They’re usually of the “Sherry is pregnant” variety (I joke that I would have ten kids already based on their frequency) but perhaps the most random one was something we learned about when John’s mom called to say that her sister’s friend told her we were Mormons (which apparently is a popular rumor about us). Who knew?! There’s nothing wrong with being a Mormon, it’s just not our religion – so it’s pretty funny when your relatives hear something like that through the Internet grapevine! Also, in case you’re wondering, I’m not prego. Haha.
Fun Bloggy Fact #4: The total value of all the giveaways that we have hosted on our site in the past five years is over $55,000! And we’ve given away more value in prizes over the last two months (over $15,000!) than we did over the entire first two years of hosting them on our site.
Fun Bloggy Fact #5: Blogging is the longest job either of us have ever held (if you count the full five years that we’ve done it, not just the more recent ones when it was our full-time profession).
Fun Bloggy Fact #6: Tori Spelling once called us (herself! For real!) to chat about producing a TV show with us. True story. She was really nice (and there was a goat and a chicken in the background, which was hilarious) but you guys know that we’re waaaay too awkward to pursue a TV show gig. I can barely survive almost touching hands with Nate Berkus. We’re just happy to hide safely behind our laptops. As for when the call took place, it was actually right after Hurricane Irene, so we were camped out at John’s parents house where they had power, and I took this picture to forever memorialize the event.
Fun Bloggy Fact #7: Last month our site got 5.5 million page views (crazytown) and our total number of page views for all time is over 143 million (which is funny because we pretend we’re writing to ten people to avoid blog stage fright).
OK, now on to a slew of straight-up-stats. We’ve included some of last year’s numbers just for comparison’s sake, but you can also look back at our past by-the-numbers posts for our last four blogiversaries to see how things have changed: 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
1,043,621 – The number of total comments left by you fine folks. Nearly double our number last year (570,314) meaning there has been nearly as much commenting action in the last 12 months as our first four years.
76,825 – The number of comment responses we’ve posted ourselves, which is nearly double last year’s total (38,754).
Pamen – Default name Clara gives anything if you ask her “hey, what’s that bear’s/doll’s/person’s name?” (Aemon is her second most popular choice). No idea where either of those came from…
4 – Our longest span (in days) of not blogging over the last 1,827 days, also known as the last five years (through having a baby, an earthquake, a hurricane – we’re like the postal service, haha).
3 – Average number of times a week we find ourselves at Home Depot.
143 – The number of published posts to date on Young House Life (clearly someone’s gotta pick up the slack over there, especially when compared to the 2,311 posts that we’ve written on YHL).
21 – Number of months we’ve lived in our new house.
27 – Clara’s weight. Up from 21 lbs last year. She’s tall and skinny like her daddy.
8 – My main man Burger’s weight. A smidge down from a whopping 8.5 lbs last year.
198 – Total number of weekly giveaways that we’ve held since starting them back in November of ’08 (after you guys requested them during our very first blogiversary).
35 – Our average number of posts per month.
4 – Number of soda-themed shirts that John owns (up one from last year’s total thanks to adding a Coke one to the Dr. Pepper, Sprite, and Pepsi collection).
303 – Number of Instagram photos posted to date.
1,800 – Average number of words written per post (we’re chatty, huh?).
14,400 – Average number of words written per week (admittedly, this is kind of insane).
629 – The total number of projects that we link to on our Projects page (we still have around 40 to add, but haven’t gotten to that part of our to-do list yet. Sorry!)
70 – Number of Clara photos that we’ve taken for her photo project (52 weekly pictures + 17 monthly pics + 1 for her birthday card).
933,962 – Number of Pinterest followers (this. is. insane.)
1 – Number of ears remaining on Clara’s Olivia doll for her dollhouse (don’t ask, it was a terrible tragedy and we try not to speak of it).
So there you have it. The stats of the year. Do you guys count things like average trips to Home Depot or how many soda shirts you own? Are we the only weirdos who document this stuff?
Psst- You can also look back at our past by-the-numbers posts for our last three blogiversaries here: 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job.
Jennie M. says
Love the stats!! You guys have no idea how much you’ve inspired things for me in the last 3 years I’ve been reading. Our outdoor wedding on a budget happened because of your blog (that’s how I found YHL, googled outdoor wedding and there you were!)
You are my couple minutes of sanity everyday at my crazy job and hubs and I have had so much fun DIY’ing things inspired by “my blog friends” (that’s what I call you to hubs!)
Anyway, all that mushy stuff to say CONGRATULATIONS! You guys rock and here’s to another 5!!
PS. Never would have guessed fact 1…that’s crazy town!
Brittney says
Totally heard the Mormon rumor!!!
A friend that I had turned on to YHL told me that she read somewhere online that if you google “John Perersik” the drop-down with options says “John Petersik Mormon” which is very random since it’s now officially an interweb myth. We are Catholic, so completely Switzerland on the matter but with the increased media attention on Mormonism, this blog myth is extra entertaining right?
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! Someone told us Young House Love Mormon comes up too! So funny!
xo
s
Crystal says
Great now I need to know what happen to Olivia’s ear?
And almost a million Pinterest followers?!?!?!?! I was impressed with my 92 followers – http://pinterest.com/crystaly/.
Great job!
Melissa-TheHappierHomemaker says
I love your yearly posts! I don’t comment much here (I’m a lurker) but it is so interesting to see those numbers-it shows how much work you guys put into your blog which I think a lot of people might underestimate. Congrats on five awesome years!
Marie says
Happy 5 years! Random question-are dogs really allowed at your Home Depot? That’s so cool! My dogs would love to go (they love R-I-D-E-S)!
YoungHouseLove says
I think it might vary by region, but ours is totally cool about it! We usually see 3 others while we’re in there!
xo
s
Meghan says
You guys are awesome! You work so hard and I am glad you are getting the traffic – I am not surprised. And I would so watch a tv show with you guys – awkwardness is so awesome! (I just said awesome twice – time for bed)
michelle o says
Had to laugh at Clara’s invented names. My younger daughter has two imaginary friends – Evalla and Kevalla. No idea where those names came from!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love how the names go together!
xo
s
Britt says
Panem (Clara’s name for things) might come from the Olivia tv show. My 3 year old is obsessed with the show and names everything either Pam or edwin. The name Pam comes from an episode where Olivia wants to change her name to Pam because she doesn’t want to share her name with someone else. And Edwin is of course her cat.
So that is my theory from one olivia loving parent to another :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, it’s a great theory except she doesn’t watch that show (she pretty much just watches The Lion King, Toy Story, or the Chipmunks, haha).
xo
s
Vanessa Rodriguez says
Happy Anniversary to the 2 people that make smile, laugh and feel guilty all in one day (guilty cause I really should get to around to all those house projects I have been meaning to do and John building a deck all by himself….really lays it on thick!) But seriously, finding your blog a few months ago (along with your blog bestie Katie) has brought joy to my life. Wishing you much continued success! On another note…I found this quote on Pinterest and I thought of you guys right away (after thinking of me and my weirdo first…of course!)
We’re all a little weird, and life’s a little weird.
And when we find someone who’s weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. – Dr Seuss.
Congrats to two self-proclaimed weirdos!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- it’s amazing! To weirdos! (picture me raising a glass of soda with John)
xo
s
Nicole P. says
30 – minutes spent reading your blog each day
1 – person who heard me talking about a “house blog” I read and instantly knew it was ya’lls
9 – projects I’ve completed around the house since finding Young House Love 1.5 years ago.
(laundry room, kitchen pantry, storage closet, floating shelves, built in crafting area, garage redo, home workout space, dishwasher installation and one set of newly ORBed patio furniture. the master closet is next!)
Thanks for making what once seemed riduculous for us to DIY actually achievable. How about a Grapico or an RC Cola T-Shirt next? :)
Misty says
After reading this post and the earlier one can I just give you a BIG thank you for all the hard work and dedication you have put into this blog? You guys are amazing and like someone else said you make it look easy! I was beginning to wonder if you lived in some alternate universe where there were more hours in the day! I found your blog years ago when I googled how to paint wood paneling. We have a very old cabin in Minnesota we use in the summer and it is stuck in the 50’s! I would gladly pay you big bucks (if I had any!) to give me some advice, it’s overwhelming! Anyway, this blog has made me laugh and cry (your birth story omg!!) inspired me and made me feel like I have two long distance friends! I even saw a kids shirt at Target the other day that looked like something Clara would wear! Congrats on all your success and can’t wait to see what the future holds for YHL!
Misty
PS
Between this blog and my new obsession, HGTV Magazine, I’m seriously slacking in the housekeeping department! LOL
Kristin says
I’d never heard the Mormon rumor. Like others have said, it’s easy to spot a Mormon blogger if you are one…that sounds pretty creepy…it’s really not as weird as it sounds, I promise.
People probably think that because we’re everywhere right now! Seriously, it feels like every article or blog I read is written by a Mormon or about a Mormon. We’re kinda having a moment. :)
Marianne says
I love reading your blog. I hardly ever comment, I have to admit. Sorry, I will try to do better ;-)
Congratulate you on your blogiversary!
Marianne says
PS I forgot. I really have to check out your Instagram.
Carissa says
I’m a mormon reader too! I agree with the comment about a stat on how many reader projects have been done. I have done a few myself and am always using you as reference
Lucia says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your hard work!
julia says
love reading these stats, esp the fun bloggy ones! congrats on your 5th blogiversary and keep up the good work!
xo julesinflats.com
cori roberts says
I am so glad I found your blog a few years ago! look forward to it every day! You guys rock and inspire me! I feel like I know you! :)
autumn says
Oh my Jesus! 5.5 million? I average $.10 a day from adsense with an average of 65 page views a day. Imagine if I had 3000 times that!! Chaching!
Fran says
Happy Blogiversary! I firmly believe you’re the nicest people on the whole internet x
Nelle says
Tori spelling!!! You guys would be totally awesome on camera… Just saying! ;)
Jackie says
Hi! New to your blog, so I have helped contribute to the increase in your stats lol. Love this blog so much! Decorating and DIY are so fun, but the best part is that you guys are so relatable. While reading a post, I feel like I’m right there hanging out with the two of you (and Clara & Burger). I only wish that were true…
Thanks for sharing your like with all of us. Have you thought of hiring an assistant in the future?
Hope you have a fantastic Wednesday.
~Jackie
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jackie! We have thought about it, but for now we like to keep it grass roots and just DIY the administrative stuff ourselves as well. Sometimes it feels like the amount of time it would take for me to over-explain (I’m a total over-explainer) how I would like something done is longer than just doing it myself. Haha!
xo
s
Melanie says
Huh… I was surprised to find out that you think that Mormonism is fine (or rather that there’s “nothing wrong with it”) after stating that you’re Christians. The two don’t match up… not saying you needed to come out and say “and we’re definitely not Mormons because of x, y, and z” in your post, but it doesn’t make sense why you would say there’s nothing “wrong” with it if you believe in something else.
I really enjoy reading your posts and always find them really engaging. Keep up the good work!
YoungHouseLove says
We think it’s a very Christian quality to accept others and know that everyone has the freewill and choice to believe what they want to believe. We know a Mormon family and they’re lovely. Who are we to tell anyone what to believe? But this conversation is one of the reasons why we shy away from discussing religion at all on our blog. We definitely know it’s a polarizing topic, and we know that everyone won’t agree with our beliefs, so thank goodness that’s not the goal! To each his own :)
xo,
s
Sue J. says
too many numbers for me to hold in my head, but “5.5 million page views” last month? awesome and thensome.
Stephy says
~~~Treat yourself to a Vacay down Cajuntown since I see you’re a fellow admirer of Tabasco! ~~~
Avery island is home to the McIlhennys where Tabasco is made. Beautiful property; had my wedding & now all family photos there. Close by is The Myrtles Antebellum home. #3 most haunted in USA. Maybe swing down to New Orleans for good gumbo. Would like to see some pics of Clara eating a crawfish ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sounds awesome!
xo
s
Ashleigh says
So, I randomly wondered the other day if the people at Home Depot know you because you come in frequently, and if they realize they are seeing famous people. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, a bunch of them know us, although I’m not sure they really understand what our blog is or visit it. They just know we’re always coming in to get stuff for projects. Haha! My favorite Home Depot story is that when I was early prego with Clara, the very first person to touch my belly was a lady that worked at Home Depot. Is that hilarious and awesome, or what?
xo
s
Erin {Home Everyday} says
The most amazing thing about this whole post is how amazingly down to earth you guys are even though Tori Spelling called you AND you have over 900,000 followers on Pinterest. Thanks for keeping it real. Your fans DO appreciate it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Erin. The key is being completely and utterly in denial. I think I’d pass a lie detector claiming we have ten readers. That’s really what we thought for so long in the beginning that it stuck- haha!
xo
s
Lindsey says
You crazy non-alcoholic non- Mormons! What surprise will you throw at me next? Haha
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, oh yes, we’re rebels. Although I totally have a glass of wine at weddings. Bam, I just blew your mind.
xo
s
Amber V. says
Do you guys have any visibility into the unique vistors that come to your site? It would be interesting to know how many other “young house lovers” there are out there. (That sounds creeper than intended…)
YoungHouseLove says
That stuff is always shaky to say definitively (since four sources can tell us four different things) but according to Google Analyitics it’s nearly a million unique visits a month – although again, we’re not sure that’s definitive since it seems to fluctuate on other sources, etc.
xo
s
Jeanette says
Totally random, and perhaps already mentioned – but I would like to see an even closer up shot of Sherry’s bird/turkey leg shirt. My eyes can’t quite grasp the pattern…how are those birds?! lol. (PS Happy 5th Blogiversary!)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! Here’s a post for ya: http://life.younghouselove.com/2012/04/easter/
xo
s
Jeanette says
Thanks for the link…but still seeing turkey legs ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Noelle says
I’ve renovated 4 homes in the past 3 years and yes, I too counted the number of times we went to home depot, lowes, etc….When the employees start calling you by name each time you go in, you know you’re in there WAY too much! I’ve only recently discovered your blog and am inspired to start my own to document our renovation trials and tribulations. Thanks for all your great ideas!
Kate says
I totally heard you were Mormon! Funny. Thanks for clarifying. Great stats all around.
YoungHouseLove says
No way! An actual person who heard the rumor! I love it.
xo
s
cd says
I live in California and our mortgages are . . .um. . . different from most of the country’s. I think. These days who knows. But I have no idea what to think about fact #1!
Brenda Kula says
Sure wish you could number your comments. Takes forever to find one…
Brenda
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry Brenda! Have you tried doing a search? If you click into the page of comments you were on (that never changes, so if you leave a comment on the first page, that’s where it’ll be) and then do a search for Brenda (using the command F function if you’re on a Mac, I don’t know the PC version of that though) it should “find” your name right away!
xo
s
Amanda says
The PC version is Command + F. :)
Amanda says
I mean CONTROL + F … wow you know I’m a mac user when …
Sammy says
And these are the stats of a blog that was created for family and friends? Right. Just needed to clear that up. Who knows what could have happened if you had wanted to start a blog-business!!! Haha
xx
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s all a blur to us. The best way to describe it is completely denial! Haha. We keep saying “maybe a few people actually read our posts, everyone else probably skims” – haha.
xo
s
Kristy Swain says
Love numbers! I’m nerdy like that. Loved reading all the stats. Funny about Tori Spelling. Love her, too!
Brooke says
Poor Olivia! I saw this shirt and thought of Clara.
Also, do you guys ever go eat at Pierce’s Pitt in Williamsburg? We used to live in the Norfolk area, and it’s one of the many places we miss visiting.
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! And we have never eaten there so we have to check it out!
xo,
s
Marlena says
I agree with so many of the comments above. You two make it look so easy, but are clearly some of the hardest working people I read about. I so enjoy the balance of “being real” with budgets and timelines (the deck – poor John!) and also shooting for the stars. I also confess that I don’t comment because I wonder if it’s a pain. Do you feel connected to your readers? Like, are there some people who always comment, that if you met them at a book signing, you’d recognize them/his or her name?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, totally! We lay in bed and say “Heyruthie was hilarious today” and “Lynn was so sweet this morning” – we totally get to know everyone who comments and we love the support and love- you guys keep us going (and you keep us laughing!).
xo
s
Eugenie says
It takes a while to discover your blog, it’s rich with contents!
I liked this impressive stats review. Bloging for 10 people,good strategy :)
You know what I loved in this very post: the shopping cart from Home Depot! My dream with the 3 boys – last time I went to a botanical supermarket, my 22 months ended up eating unripe kumquats (and maybe a flower or two)
Any chance you’d put one up for a giveaway and ship it to France (ah ah)?