Why do members lurk?

Let's create a thread of why we think people lurk and don't actively contribute on our forums.

I'll start:
- They are visiting to obtain information (and learn), but not discuss or converse.
- They don't feel welcome or that they would fit in.

 

I'm like that XD. I start off by registering thinking I'll join in the discussions, but I never get past my shyness so I just happen to lurk most of the time. I admit, I do just roam around here most of the time. I think this is the most active I've ever been here LOL.

But yea, maybe they don't feel like they fit in or don't think they have anything worth sharing or don't know what to say about the discussions.

 

1) came across the site looking for info, had to register to get access to said info, didnt feel the need to return again unless looking for more info
2) Access site from office terminals not enough time to get involved
3) Feel intimidated
4) Feel have nothing concrete to offer since they maybe newbies in the field (especially true in the case of niche forums)

 

I've been reading quite a bit on this.

While this is more focused for a business site the more forums I have my hands in the more I see the following is true..

User participation often more or less follows a 90-9-1 rule:

• 90% of users are lurkers (i.e., read or observe, but don't contribute).
• 9% of users contribute from time to time, but other priorities dominate their time.
• 1% of users participate a lot and account for most contributions: it can seem as if they don't have lives because they often post just minutes after whatever event they're commenting on occurs.

See http://rubiconconsulting.com/downloads/whitepapers/Rubicon-web-community.pdf

 

i am a lurker on a few forums, the reasons i lurk are

1. one forum i lurked on was a support forum and i only joined to anonymously complain about another forum that was set up, but there was a few interesting discussions in the off topic section but i didnt want to reveal my identity in case the admin of the forum i was complaining about saw it, as she was a member.

2. i always love to lurk and have a bit of a look round before i make my first post, to see what its like and what threads i want to reply to. thats why i always make my first post in intoductions, then also reply to loads of other threads at the same time

3. dont really have anything i need to contribute, jsut enjoy reading it

 

Interesting document. Thanks for posting.

 

Everyone here is way more advanced than me, so I'm more like a sponge learning. I post, but it's kind of like trivial posting! LOL

 

They are afraid of posting something that makes them look stupid.

 

I've got a good friend who is addicted to forums but at the same time is a professional luker. I can count on one hand how many times he's posted on my forum but yet he's a serious hunter and gun enthusiast. It's that way with him on every forum. I asked him about it once, not really about my forum but in general and he said he hates a lot of the BS or politics that takes place on forums.

 

I hope laziness counts as a reason because thats what prevents me from registering and taking part in a forum. Have been a lurker ever since i remember and the reason is just plain laziness on my part. Sounds bad but its true :o

 

I sometimes register on forums to get ideas for my own - but that wouldn't be the 'normal' member i guess.