Follow vs Subscribe on WordPress: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been blogging for a while, you’ve probably noticed two words that pop up often on WordPress — Follow and Subscribe. They sound quite similar, but they don’t mean the same thing. Understanding the difference can help you connect with your readers in the way that suits you best.

Follow

When someone clicks the Follow button on your WordPress site, they’ll see your new posts appear in their WordPress Reader. The Reader is built into WordPress, so it’s mainly used by people who already have a WordPress account and enjoy reading blogs there.

A follow is quick and easy, but it does rely on people checking their Reader regularly — and not everyone does that.

Subscribe

When someone subscribes to your blog, they may receive your posts by email, depending on their settings. This means your new content can go straight to their inbox, without them needing to log in anywhere. Subscribers don’t need a WordPress account — just an email address.

Some subscribers may also choose to view your posts in their WordPress Reader instead of email, or receive both.

This is usually the most reliable way to stay in touch with readers and reach a wider audience.

Important tip: It’s a good idea to allow email notifications for new posts so subscribers have the option to receive your updates directly.

Newsletters

Email subscriptions can also be used as a newsletter. This is a little different from sending every post by email. A newsletter lets you choose how often to contact your readers — perhaps once a month or every couple of weeks.

You can use it to highlight your best posts, share extra tips, or give updates that don’t need their own blog post.

For example, you might choose:

• Every post by email — ideal if you post once or twice a week and want readers to see each update.
• A monthly newsletter — useful if you post more often and prefer to send a simple round-up.
• Occasional newsletters — for special updates, seasonal posts, or announcements.

There’s no single right way. It depends on how often you blog and what suits your readers. Many bloggers find it works well to do both — send each post by email and also share a short monthly newsletter.

Read more about setting up a newsletter here: Streamline Your Email Newsletters with Jetpack

Which One Should You Focus On?

All three are useful, but one stands out:

• Follows are helpful for reaching WordPress users who read through the Reader.
• Email subscriptions are usually the most effective way to reach people, as most readers check their inbox regularly.
• Newsletters help you build a stronger connection by sharing updates in your own style and at your own pace.

If your goal is to build a steady readership, it’s best to focus on email subscriptions first, with a newsletter alongside if you’d like. Follows are still worthwhile, but more of a bonus.

Tip for Bloggers

Make sure both options are easy to find on your site. A simple “Subscribe by Email” box, a “Follow” button, and an option to join your newsletter give readers a choice — and more ways for you to stay connected.

You can check this guide on WordPress:https://wordpress.com/support/subscribers/

Thanks for taking the time to read — I hope this helps make blogging a little clearer. ♡ Janet