As the year comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to look back at the past year on the blog, and highlight the most popular posts. While this site gets a lot of traffic, I spend a surprisingly limited amount of time focused on analytics. Sure, I try to do basic things that are good for SEO, but if you asked me how much traffic the site got in a particular month, I’d have to check the Google Analytics page.
The reason I don’t focus much on this stuff is because I prefer to focus on writing, and in particular focus on writing about what I enjoy. I write 50+ posts per week, week after week, and I’d be burned out by now if I weren’t writing about the things that I enjoy.
With that in mind, the most read posts aren’t necessarily the ones that I would consider the most useful. I’m often surprised by the things that others find interesting, because sometimes the things that end up being most popular are the posts that I don’t think much of.
With that in mind, below are the 18 posts that were read the most in 2018. Some of these posts were written in previous years, so next to each post I’ll put the year in which the post was published. In order of the amount of traffic received:
- Does Closing Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit Score? [2018]
- Emirates Flight Attendant Jumps From Aircraft To Her Death [2018]
- Ultimate Guide To The New Marriott & SPG Program [2018]
- How To Get Between Terminals At LAX [2017]
- My Second Case Of Credit Card Fraud This Month (And It’s Sort Of Creepy) [2018]
- Uh Oh: Delta Introduces Basic Economy Award Tickets [2018]
- Delta Is Letting You Pay To Secure Elite Status For 2019 [2018]
- Emirates Vs. Etihad Vs. Qatar – Who Has The Best Economy Class? [2017]
- Uber Now Lets You Pay In Cash In Some Cities [2016]
- Heartbreaking: United Kills Another Dog (This Time In The Cabin) [2018]
- Everything You Need To Know About Getting An “SSSS” On Your Boarding Pass [2017]
- American Airlines’ Secret Customer “Eagle Rating” [2018]
- Lufthansa Is Launching The World’s Worst Flight [2018]
- Angry Non-Rev Plans To Sue American Airlines [2018]
- The World’s WORST First Class Airlines [2018]
- American CEO Doug Parker Lost A Bet… BIG TIME [2018]
- 5 Reasons I Love The Embraer 175 [2017]
- Chase May Have Just Expanded The 5/24 Rule [2018]
My main takeaway is that the things that I enjoy writing about (trip reports, ways to earn and redeem miles, etc.) aren’t necessarily the things that the internet at large enjoys reading about. That won’t change the approach I take, though.
As always, thank you guys so much for reading. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to do what I love every day and call it a job, even if it doesn’t feel like it. I owe that all to you guys. Here’s to a great 2019 filled with big credit welcome bonuses, mistake fares that are honored, and lots of great promotions.
What about all the Iberia 90K stuff?
@Morgan +1
“The ME3 economy comparison post should be an indication of economy demand”
I was going to make this comment if no one did. The ONLY review that made the list was an economy review. This is an extension but I really think this gets to the heart of the question of who is reading this blog. Business flyers or spontaneous travel hackers. More economy reviews might be of higher interest to the masses.
"I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to do what I love every day and call it a job, even if it doesn’t feel like it. I owe that all to you guys." - HOW ABOUT MONTHLY AMENITY KIT GIVEAWAYS THEN?
* pretty please * ;)
Your wedding post isn’t among the top ten articles? Didn’t you get like - what? - 600 comments? Weird.
I enjoy keeping up with your global flights on an almost daily basis; your honesty and willingness to sample 'exotoc' carriers such as Air North and Rwandair make your blog my favourite; best wishes and happy, safe flying + Merry Christmas
Nice roundup! Surprised that "My Second Case Of Credit Card Fraud This Month " makes it to the list! It just posted last week!
I have read (commented) on this site since the beginning! I love it, and even though I sometimes disagree with posts....OMAAT offers the best travel reviews in the known world ;-) Cheers!
@Duck Ling
The World’s Worst First Class Airlines
Sad to observe that the #1 item is the American obsession with credit cards (and credit scores).
Really love the reviews and the more unusual the better for sheer entertainment. Looking forward to PER - LHR and maybe Kuwait first class in 2018
I know some people come here for only certain types of posts and then feel the need to complain in the comments of anything that doesn't line up, but I really enjoy the variety of topics you cover. Keep up the good work!
I'm just here so I don't get fined.
First class expert here. I enjoy reading about First class flights reviews and business as well sometimes
I can’t believe the article cataloging all the ways to fly business to Europe isn’t in the top 10, let alone the top 18.
As somebody who used to write search-friendly headlines for a living, it looks to me like a lot of your most popular headlines were really algorithm-friendly. No need to let anyone under the hood, but how are you measuring readership? Are these posts sticky -- are they connecting to readers who 1) follow your sponsors' links and sign up for credit cards or 2) return to read other content?
The ME3 economy comparison post should be an indication of economy demand
Lucky values consistency in the reviews he writes. And he walks the talk. He says that the readership stats won't change what he does or how. To the extent that he accomplishes that, I'm delighted. There's a lot that goes into being on top (haha) and for Ben, consistency is a biggie.
Interesting list. As usual, I'm an outlier.
Why the pic of the TAAG review on this post? Did I miss spotting it on the list of most read?
As a daily reader, if I have a busy day and only have 5 minutes to read, I’ll breeze through the industry news and leave product reviews for a more leisurely read when I have time. This may be a lot later, and potentially alongside planning my own trips.
How about publishing a list of 2018’s most read product reviews?
If I only look at a post in the preview screen of my email client (not as a web page), then Google Analytics is unable to count it as a view, correct?
I'm here for everyday post from Endre.
Nice work! I really enjoy the blog!!
I can't believe a post you wrote 6 days ago (your second case of credit card fraud post) is already the 5th most read post of 2018 on this site!
Yes, I'm sure you have your day to day readers and then those who come to your pages through Internet searches and they each look for different information.
Thanks for doing what you do, still the first place I come to each morning and again throughout the day.
Ben, Please could you publish the exact viewing figures, as I always like to know the exact number of people who have read an article that you have written, not just those who have commented on the article. Thanks !!
Lucky,
I hope to see
1) More reviews of legacy Marriott and Hilton hotels
2) More comparisons and debates around the merits of various airline and hotel loyalty programs for different kinds of guests (similar to the Hilton debate)
3) Introduction of premium economy reviews
Keep up the good work
Also here for your excellent trip reports! Thanks for a great year.
I'm here for the trip reports and tips on redeeming Avianca Lifemiles!