How is length of Reader text excerpt determined?
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I read about this issue in
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/character-length-in-reader-summary?replies=9
and the two answers given by Staff don’t add up, neither with each other nor with my experience (see series of examples below).How can we know or at least estimate the length of text that Reader will display from posts? The examples below seem to make it nearly entirely random.
Latest posts shown in Reader from the Ear to the Ground blog
https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/#1: Large YouTube Video image +
POST TITLE: You say ‘tsnuami’ I say ‘tidal wave’ Who’s right?
If you say ‘tsunami’ to describe those immense swells of water that can reach 100 feet in height, travel at more than 500 mph, and are capable of causing widespread destruction, then you are correct. 243 more words [in the post]
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 35 WORDS, 1 SENTENCE. COMPRISES 2 OF 3 SENTENCES IN POST’S FIRST PARAGRAPH OF 48 WORDS. YOUTUBE IMAGE SITS ABOVE TOP OF TEXT.#2: Small cat photo +
POST TITLE: DNR Website Maintenance
June 21
Staff will be upgrading some of DNR’s online systems June 21.
The website and web based programs may not be available for use. In the meantime, please stay connected on our “ 32 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: INCLUDING A 2-WORD HEADING, 33 WORDS AND A QUOTATION MARK – BROKEN SENTENCE #2 OF 2. POST LAYOUT: “JUNE 21” HEADING, PARAGRAPH 1 CONSISTING OF ONLY THE FIRST SENTENCE HERE, 2ND PARAGRAPH CONTAINING THE PARTIAL 2ND SENTENCE SHOWN HERE. CAT PHOTO IS INSERTED ABOVE “JUNE 21” HEADING; NO CAPTION.#3: Small forest photo +
POST TITLE: Look up! It’s the forest canopy (Part 2)
The canopy layer in the forest—the interacting tree crowns that create a remarkable maze of three-dimensional spaces between and on the branches—is a habitat niche with specialized functions for many species of wildlife. 538 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 35 WORDS, 1 SENTENCE. POST LAYOUT: IMAGE IS INSERTED AHEAD OF TEXT; 9-WORD CAPTION. THE 35 WORDS HERE COME FROM THE FIRST PARAGRAPH, WITH 59 WORDS IN IT.#4: Large forest photo +
POST TITLE: Look up! It’s the forest canopy (Part 1)
When we walk in the forest, we are dazzled and soothed by the leaves and needles of the trees above and around us. These surfaces — the photosynthetic factory of the forest — gather sunlight and pull carbon from the air to build themselves and all of the organisms that depend on trees. 621 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 51 WORDS, 2 SENTENCES: 23 + 28. POST LAYOUT: IMAGE IS INSERTED ABOVE ALL TEXT; 10-WORD CAPTION. 2 SENTENCES IN READER ARE THE ENTIRETY OF THE FIRST PARAGRAPH IN THE POST.#5: Small forest photo +
POST TITLE: What good is a cottonwood tree anyway? (Part 2)
Today, we conclude yesterday’s blog, “What good is a cottonwood tree?”
What good is a cottonwood tree?There can be many reasons to dislike cottonwoods — low timber value, low BTUs of energy for firewood use, and they can crowd out and shade new conifer plantations. 587 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
I EXCLUDE THIS ONE FROM CONSIDERATION DUE TO PUNCTUATION ISSUE, CAUSED BY IMAGE POSITION IN POST.#6: Large/Tall tree photo +
POST TITLE: What good is a cottonwood tree anyway? (part 1)
Here at DNR we often talk about trees in terms of their value for habitat as well as for revenue to state trust land beneficiaries, such as public schools, state universities, many counties, and others. 485 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 35 WORDS, 1 SENTENCE. IMAGE IS ABOVE TEXT; 15-WORD CAPTION. THE 35-WORD SENTENCE SHOWN IN READER IS THE FIRST OF TWO SENTENCES IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH, TOTALING 55 WORDS.#7: Small workmen photo +
POST TITLE: Communities: Deadline fast approaching for Urban Forestry Restoration Project
Is your city located in the Puget Sound Basin? Could you use a hand maintaining public trees, green spaces, and natural areas that make up your urban forest? 304 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 28 WORDS, 2 SENTENCES. IMAGE IS ABOVE TEXT; 11-WORD CAPTION. TEXT SHOWN IN READER IS THE FIRST 2 OF 3 SENTENCES IN THE POST’S FIRST PARAGRAPH OF 55 WORDS.#8: Large seashore & lighthouse photo +
POST TITLE: Come see aquatic critters and celebrate our shoreline
June 14 at the Low Tide Celebration at Maury Island State Aquatic Reserve
It’s family fun that’s free, local, educational and 100% natural! Come fete Puget Sound at the ninth annual Vashon-Maury Island Low Tide Celebration. 299 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 36 WORDS, HEADING=13, 1 SENTENCE=23. IMAGE POSITION ABOVE TEXT; 7-WORD CAPTION. READER TEXT SHOWN IS SAME AS POST’S FIRST HEADER AND FIRST PARAGRAPH CONSISTING OF ONE SENTENCE.#9: Small people group photo +
POST TITLE: DNR & WSU Extension to present forestry education for small land owners this summer
Got a little “home in the woods”? Manage several acres of forestland? Or, do you hope to have a little woodland of your own someday? If that’s you, then this summer’s Forest and Range Owners Field Days presented by DNR and WSU Extension on June 21 and August 9 are just the ticket. 179 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 53 WORDS, 4 SENTENCES. IMAGE AT TOP; 20-WORD CAPTION. 4 SENTENCES SHOWN IN READER ARE THE ENTIRE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THE POST.#10: Large pond photo +
POST TITLE: Recreation Alert: Woodard Bay NRCA to close temporarily for construction
Starting in July, DNR will close a large portion of Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) through December 2014.
The access point from Whitham Road, and the trails leading from this area, will be closed to protect public safety during construction of public access facilities and interpretive sites in the NRCA. 329 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 52 WORDS, 2 SENTENCES. IMAGE INSERTED AFTER FIRST SENTENCE/PARAGRAPH. READER TEXT IS ENTIRETY OF FIRST 2 SENTENCES/PARAGRAPHS OF THE POST.#11: Large tree branch photo +
POST TITLE: Climate change and the Northwest’s trees
Can we predict how future climatic changes will affect the growth of important Northwest tree species?
Mathematical models developed by area researchers show great promise in predicting how future climate changes will affect the timing of the budding and flowering of coniferous trees here. 527 more words
From <https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/7401877/>
EXCERPT: 44 WORDS; HEADING=16, 1 SENTENCE=28. IMAGE IS BETWEEN HEADING AND FIRST SENTENCE. READER SHOWS 1ST OF 2 SENTENCES IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH, CONSISTING OF A TOTAL OF 45 WORDS.The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hi there!
It looks like in most of these cases adjustments were made to avoid breaking a sentence.
Currently the web Reader limits the summary to 200 characters or 25 words, with some adjustment to avoid breaking words or sentences.
This is inline with Karim’s response. The initial limit is 200 characters or 25 words, but then we make subtle adjustments in order to avoid breaking words or sentences.
We want to keep your content as understandable as possible. So rather than a hard limit and breaking your sentences before your Readers can understand what you’re writing about, we opt to let the limit be a little bit more variable so that your Readers get the whole picture.
The second post looks like something hiccuped slightly with the quotes and link. If you see this happen again, just let me know and I can look into it.
Does that make sense? Let me know if you have any other questions!
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