What is StumbleUpon?

StumbleUpon is a two tier discovery engine that collates web addresses.

In the main, members use the StumbleUpon facilities to discover new online content according to pre-set personal preferences.  


For bloggers, using the StumbleUpon facilities to create shortlinks to your own online content adds your post (web address) to the StumbleUpon directory and drives traffic to your blog/website.

Sign up to StumbleUpon

The StumbleUpon registration process is very simple.  You will need a valid email address, a unique username, a password and you will also be asked for your gender and your date of birth.  This is so that content can be streamlined to your preferences.  You can also opt to log in using your Facebook account.

After you have entered this information you will be directed to a list of interests, or categories.  Pick as many or as few as you like but the more you select, the more varied the content you will be shown.

Download the StumbleUpon Toolbar

(check which toolbar/add-on/extension you need for your browser)

Select the toolbar for the browser that you use – there are toolbars available for all the main browsers; Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, etc.  They may differ slightly in appearance but their functionalities are the same.

 or 

Hitting this button will find you random new content.

Click this if you like the content displayed and want to publicly recommend it on your profile.  Also hit this to recommend your own content.  If it is the first time a web page has been Stumbled then you will need to complete a short form detailing whether the content is “safe for work”, the topics it should be filed under and there is space for an optional review.

Click this if you dislike the content displayed so that your StumbleUpon preferences update to show less of this type of content although it won’t completely remove the category from your preferences.

Share the displayed content with your social network and your online community.  Share on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, email and more.

“All Interests” will provide you with web content from all of your category selections or you can filter down to a single category to get more precise recommendations.

See reviews and recommendations of the displayed page, Stumblers who like it and more.  This is a great way to “meet” other Stumblers.

This is how many web pages you have recommended or given a “thumbs up” to.

Quick navigation to the StumbleUpon home page

HINTS AND TIPS

• Use the StumbleUpon share options to create shortlinks to your own content

REMEMBER:  When sharing your own content on your social media platforms, use the StumbleUpon toolbar.  Each time your StumbleUpon shortlink is clicked on, it is another "stumble" or recommendation.  The more times a web page is Stumbled (recommended or give a “thumbs up”) the greater the chance that it will be recommended to other Stumblers, therefore widening your audience.

• Stumble other pages (give them the “thumbs up”), not just your own content

REMEMBER:  You can “stumble” any webpage – not just one that has been thrown up from the StumbleUpon directory.  This can be a link you have seen on Twitter, a picture you have seen on Facebook or your own content.  Ensure that you don't just Stumble your own content as this is considered spamming and poor etiquette.

• Set the StumbleUpon toolbar to open each time you are browsing the internet OR have a shortcut in your browser toolbar

REMEMBER:  By nature, internet readers are followers rather than leaders.  If they see content recommended by others, it is more likely that they will recommend it themselves to their own network or hit the “thumbs up” button so that it appears on their profile as an official Stumble.

• Have a StumbleUpon button or share option on your blog

REMEMBER:  Now you've signed up, give it a try by Stumbling this post by using the button on the left. And here is my StumbleUpon profile too.

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