Can People See My Tumblr Sideblogs?
Ah, the age-old question that Tumblr users have been scratching their heads over—a riddle wrapped in an enigma encased in a sideblog! In this delightful little corner of the internet, where chaos and creativity reign, the last thing you want is for your horrifically embarrassing fandom posts on that one sideblog to spill over to your “let’s pretend to be a sophisticated adult” main blog. Spoiler Alert: it turns out there are ways to keep your Tumblr life private.
The Mystery of Sideblogs
So, you’ve created this dazzling sideblog to unleash your inner fandom enthusiast or secret poetry guru, and now you’re understandably concerned about whether the rest of the Tumblr community can connect those dots back to your majestic main account. Here’s the good news: You have a fair amount of control.
Main vs. Sideblogs: The Do’s and Don’ts
When it comes to Tumblr, the main blog is like your public persona—a well-maintained garden where the sun shines bright on your posts, and people can see all the pretty flowers (or, let’s be real, the weeds you’ve neglected). Sideblogs, however, are more like the cozy basement hideaway where your inner weirdness can thrive without judgment (or, you know, judgment from only your closest friends). So, let’s dive into some essentials about navigating this Tumblr labyrinth.
Can People Figure Out It’s Your Sideblog?
Short answer? Yes, but not easily!
There’s a sneaky little feature in the desktop version of Tumblr called “Show author portraits.” Now, issuing a warning to the uninitiated: this feature is your friend if you want to be public about your sideblog, but it is also the bringer of doom if you want to keep things hush-hush.
What Happens When You Enable “Show Author Portraits”?
Enabling this little gem means that every time you post from your sideblog, your main account’s profile picture pops up next to the post. Cue dramatic gasp! With this active, you’re essentially waving a giant neon sign that says, “Surprise! This treasure trove of embarrassing memes and niche poetry is all my doing!”, and anyone clicking the picture can navigate directly to your main blog.
Ensemble of Detectives
Now, while most people may not do some extensive digging, astute detectives (read: nosy friends) might piece the puzzle together based on likes and reblogs. If they notice the same patterns—like your equally weird posts mirroring each other at the same times—then, congratulations! They may just have cracked the case.
Making Your Tumblr Life More Private
If you want to play a stealthy game of Sherlock Holmes, making your sideblog a true side venture requires a few nifty tactics. Here’s how you can wield your privacy settings like a pro while reveling in the chaotic splendor of your second account.
Essential Privacy Settings
Head over to the desktop version of Tumblr (because of course the mobile version needs extra love), and let’s take a gander at what can keep your deep, dark secrets… well, secretive.
- Disable “Share Posts You Like”:
- Who needs everyone to know my affinity for cat videos? Turning this off keeps your likes as personal as the secrets you save in your diary. It also prevents others from seeing your joy in the bizarre.
- Disable “Share the Tumblrs You’re Following”:
- Why would I want everyone to know who I’m stalking? Employing this option gives you control over your followers’ account visibility—the less they know, the comfier your sideblog life gets.
- Enable “Hide [Account Name] from People Without an Account”:
- This nifty little feature makes sure that casual browser creepers without a Tumblr account can’t even see your content. Poof! Magical invisibility!
- Enable “Discourage Searching of [Account Name]”:
- Want to hide in plain sight? Activate this, and it will reduce the chances of curious users stumbling upon your precious bubbles of chaos. You’ll be like the Matrix—not everyone needs to know you exist!
Blocking Your Friends (But Not Really)
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—or let’s say, the mutual friend you don’t want checking up on your “not-so-private” sideblog. If your sideblog turns out to be a delightful abyss of thoughts you’d rather not share with certain people, you can actually block them from seeing it!
- Go to your sideblog settings in desktop mode.
- Click on “Blocked Tumblrs,” and have fun inputting the usernames you’d like to banish.
- Voilà! You’ve just “blocked” them from that account without touching your main blog.
Pro tip: Feel free to share your main blog with them. Nothing says “I’m not a troubled soul” like a carefully curated main feed with all the sunshine you can muster!
Embrace the Chaos of Tumblr
While gripping the reins of your privacy on Tumblr is crucial, remember—embracing the chaotic charm of your multiple blogs is half the fun! Engage with your sideblog however you wish, posting to your heart’s content, and who knows? Maybe that cringe poetry collection will go viral someday!
Final Words of Wisdom
Navigating the rules of Tumblr requires a little finesse, a sprinkle of savvy, and a whole lot of giggles as you grouch over which privacy setting you should click next. Just keep in mind:
- Your Sideblog, Your Kingdom: Own it, curate it, show off that facet of your personality without fear…and without accidentally hashtagging your main blog.
- Enable/Disable Features: Get to know the ins and outs of those settings. The more comfortable you get, the more you can relax in those daunting corners of your sideblog space!
- People = Hilarious Seers: In all seriousness, your friends may be aware of your quirks, but they cherish you for them!
So whether you’re delving into profound thoughts on your main blog, or crafting chef’s kiss content on your sideblog, just remember—it’s all about finding your unique balance in the whimsical world of Tumblr. Now get out there and share both your beautiful chaos and exquisite privacy—because both deserve their moment of glory! 🥳
