My Links page has been a little bit sloppy and crowded recently. So, I’ve revamped it. I’m sure the re-vamping won’t be appreciated by everyone, since it involved the removal of quite a few links, but it needed to be done.
Everyone who was on the list before is still included in the “Recent Reads” section in the footer. When the RSS feed is updated, it will appear in the list as per usual.
The actual links page has been reduced from 40-ish links, to 15, based on a simple criteria.
First, they must pass the “how interested am I in this blog/blogger?” test. My basic outline was that I must have found at least 2 out of the 5 most recent entries interesting. By “recent,” I mean the blog must have been updated since December 1st, 2009. And, I must have an invested personal attachment to this blogger, in one way or another. This does not mean that I’ve just kept friends on, and in fact many people I would consider to be amazing friends are no longer on the list, due to inactivity, or just a difference in interests, etc.
After they’d passed that test, I needed to decide if I liked their design or not. Let’s face it, I am a design snob. And since I’ve mainly replaced my feed reader with the “Recent Reads” box, I am visiting actual sites these days. I want to look at something nice. Obviously, I did not delete amazing blogs just because I am not a fan of their layout (in fact there are one or two people on the list using a pre-made theme), that would just be silly. But I do see quality blogs as something with a quality design, so yeah.
It may seem a bit harsh, I guess, but lots of people are doing their links pages this way, with sort of a highlight of a special few and a list of the rest. I just felt like I should be a tad more selective to prevent my links page from being so incredibly long! And, obviously, if I notice other pretty layouts accompanied by interesting, consistent blogs, they will be re-added as well. 
I don’t know if this will work, or if I’ll end up hurting anybody’s feelings, or what. I guess I’ll test drive it, and if things don’t go well, go back to the uber long list…
Sooo, what are your thoughts on these sorts of things? How do you decide who to link and who to leave off, or do you just link everybody?
Aww, Ling, your little blurb made me smile.
Well… you know my links page.
I read a lot of blogs, so I pretty much just cram everyone in my feed reader onto the sidebar. The people who I really love get a special awesome link on the main part of the page. It needs some updating, though! There are a few links I need to add, banners that need updating, and a few people to put on the OMG I LOVE YOU part.
I have to say, though… the OMG I LOVE YOU part is mainly for people who I know/connect with. I am exclusively and cliquey like that.
OH GOSH I totally meant “exclusive”. I like adverbs a little too much…
I find it difficult to decide who to link or leave off, so in the past, I linked pretty much everyone. However, it was bothering me, so now I just don’t have a links page. HOWEVER, I want to have one, so you’ve inspired me to work on mine!
I like it when pages have under-20 links and include descriptions, because then I actually visit the sites! I’m even adding new blogs to my feed reader thanks to your revamped list
Yaaay I made it.
I am pretty semi-public about my life and its problems. ‘Cause I am a whore for attention like that. And you looove it. <3 
I don’t have a links list as I would never be able to keep it updated. I’d feel like I’d have to list all of my friends’ blogs, even if I don’t find them interesting, and I’d be in a conundrum as to if I wanted to list them or risk offending them by ignoring them. And then I’d have to go through the list every now and then to update URLs/remove dead ones. Too much effort
I don’t have a links page, and I haven’t had one for ages. I hate maintaining pages, and maintenance is necessary for a links page, and I keep feeling guilty about my choices of links. If I leave out sites I feel guilty, but if I add sites I don’t really find interesting, I feel guilty for not being honest. I also don’t like adding sites I never/rarely comment on (especially when they’re personal sites) because I feel like a creepy stalker person. All in all, I think it’s simpler not to have a links page.
I figure that if people want links to their sites from my site, they can comment.
Also, the content of their comment is probably a better attraction to their site than any description I could provide. I know I hardly ever visit anyone’s “links” page, but I do usually read comments on the blog entries I read, and if I see an interesting comment I’m going to check that person’s site.
I love it when bloggers take the time to describe their links and be choosy about them, but I’ve never done anything about my own (which is just a list of blogs that I follow on Tumblr). Maybe I will follow your lead!
Hmm I have to admit there are some names on your links I’m surprised I didn’t see. This kinda reminds me of the “friends cuts” I used to see floating around LJ and whatnot. *shrugs*
It’s funny you write about this link revamping thing because I just added my links list to my main page. While it’s a wee bit long, it’s people that I’ve been e-friends with for a long time and/or whose blogs I enjoy reading, regardless of the last time they updated or how pretty their design is. I dunno, I just think these rules are kinda silly…
My links page is ridiculous. While I read every blog on the list, I don’t necessarily comment on all of them. I think I might take a leaf out of your book (or maybe even Jess’!) and downsize/remove my links page.
I think I might also steal the recent reads feature you have going here!
I haven’t got around to updating or revamping my links page at all. It’s on my to-do list since god knows when.I have a full (and long) list of friends, frequent reads and other awesome people.
I’m motivated to do some revamping after looking at yours. It’s really neat and I like the brief introduction of the blog. I don’t even look at mine anymore because it’s so messed up right now.
Too bad, my blog was getting a lot of it’s hits from your site (if even from the links page).
I have a links page, but I took the easy route and just wrote a script to list everyone who ever commented and has a website. So the only maintenance I have to do is check it about once a year and remove dead links.
I was jealous of your links page before (lots of variety), and I’m jealous now :O
Hmm. My links page is just a list of people I can somehow relate to. When I visit a blog, I think, “Can I relate to this?” And if I can, I rush to add it to my blogroll. It should be more than just a list, really. Aw.
I’m flattered that I made your list! And my little finger is obviously oversized if your description is true!
Thank you for keeping me on the links list! <3
I am not going to delete my entries anymore, it's actually pointless. And when I'm older, I want to look back at me now (will be lulzy).
I think this idea is good!
Not only did you keep me on, but you linked to my comic. ^.^ You made my day.
I’ve actually been thinking about cutting back on my links list to. The problem is, I kind of use it as a place to put my bookmarks, so I’m afraid if I chop it up, I’ll lose people. Eh. Maybe I should clean out my bookmark folder in Firefox and use that… so much work. ^_~