Can Non-Tumblr Members Sign Up for Your Blog? 
Ah, the burning question: Can non-Tumblr members sign up to your blog? Well, let’s get right into it because who doesn’t love a good ol’ nitty-gritty about blogging platforms?
First things first, let’s clear the air: Tumblr isn’t your typical blogging platform. Simply put, it’s more like a visually appealing gallery of memes, gifs, and the random deep quote you’ll probably save for your next Instagram post. But if you fancy yourself a fuller-fledged blogger, hold on to your hats because this ride isn’t taking you where you might think!
The Ownership Dilemma on Tumblr
Here’s the deal: if you think you own your content on Tumblr, I’ve got some bad news. When you post anything—be it that profound thought or hilarious cat video—you’re not the actual owner. Tumblr retains the rights! 
So, if the royalty checks were your motivation for becoming a “blogger,” you might want to rethink that. You’re more like a user here, just like that friend who crashes your party but doesn’t bring snacks.
You know what’s wild? Tumblr is not even recognized as *true* blogging—at least not by traditional standards. Sites like WordPress, Medium, and Blogger have their own sets of quirks, but they let you at least *pretend* you own your work (cue the applause). As far as the blogging landscape is concerned, the better choice for serious blogging is tossing down some cash for your own domain and hosting your blog on WordPress.org. Trust me on this one!
| Cost Breakdown | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Domain Name | $7.95 |
| Web Hosting | Just a few bucks a month! |
Now, here’s the kicker: If you’re just using Tumblr for fun and have no desire to make that sweet, sweet money from your writing, you might consider it for casual sharing. But why waste your fingers typing away for nothing?! It’s like running a marathon only to find out there’s no finish line or free t-shirt waiting for you!
So, sure, non-Tumblr users can pop by and see your blog if you allow guest submissions or collaboration posts, but they can’t sign up per se. And remember, even the most entertaining reblogs will merely *exist* in the realm of Tumblr, taking you nowhere near the riches of your own website. If they wanted to subscribe or connect, they’d have to be part of the Tumblr ecosystem, which frankly, isn’t the most engaging a place for actual blogging.
Bottom line: Sure, you can dip your toes in the Tumblr waters, but for any *real* blogging aspirations, investing in a self-hosted WordPress site is the way to go. That way, you own your content—yes, even that poorly-edited picture of your cat dressed as a taco!
If you’re still wondering how to juggle non-Tumblr member engagement or need any further clarifications on blogging in general, don’t hesitate to drop us a message! We’re here to help you untangle this blogging web. 
