The 17 Most Popular OMAAT Posts Of 2017

The 17 Most Popular OMAAT Posts Of 2017

21

As the year comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to look back at the past year on the blog, and highlight the most popular posts. While this site gets a lot of traffic, I spend a surprisingly limited amount of time focused on analytics. Sure, I try to do basic things that are good for SEO, but if you asked me how much traffic the site got in a particular month, I’d have to check the Google Analytics page.

The reason I don’t focus much on this stuff is because I prefer to focus on writing, and in particular focus on writing about what I enjoy. I write 60+ posts per week, week after week, and I’d be burned out by now if I weren’t writing about the things that I enjoy.

With that in mind, the most read posts aren’t necessarily the ones that I would consider the most useful. I’m often surprised by the things that others find interesting, because sometimes the things that end up being most popular are the posts that I don’t think much of.

With that in mind, below are the 17 posts that were read the most in 2017. Many of these posts were written in previous years, so next to each post I’ll put the year in which the post was published. In order of the amount of traffic received:

What do I take away from this?

  • The things that I enjoy writing about (trip reports, ways to earn and redeem miles, etc.) aren’t necessarily the things that the internet at large enjoys reading about, though that won’t change the approach I take
  • I’m always surprised by how many old posts still do extremely well; of the top 17 posts, only seven were published this year

As always, thank you guys so much for reading. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to do what I love every day and call it a job, even if it doesn’t feel like it. I owe that all to you guys. Here’s to a great 2018 filled with big credit card sign-up bonuses, mistake fares that are honored, and lots of great promotions.

Conversations (21)
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.
Type your response here.

If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Anyone can comment, and your email address will not be published. Register to save your unique username and earn special OMAAT reputation perks!

  1. Greg Guest

    I thought that infuriating post where you said you saw a dreamy male celebrity....but then didn't disclose who it was...was one of the most 'popular' ...certainly had the most comments....most of which were irate.

  2. Chris K Guest

    I guess the most read posts receive most of their traffic from Google Search, while trip reports are read by regular readers.

    So if you've received a SSSS on your boarding pass, and are googling to find out what that means, you are sent to Lucky's post as it is judged and ranked highly by the algorithm. That kind of casual drive by traffic dwarfs regular readership

  3. Jay Gold

    Happy new year, love reading your blog several times a week, can’t wait for the Africa trips - I’m sure these will be an adventure for us all :-)

  4. David Diamond

    Genuinely surprised that only 2 of the top 17 are trip reports, and that one of them is EVA considering how that airline is largely under the radar for most regular people.

  5. E New Member

    Happy new year and thank you for a great blog. The popularity of trip reports is probably diluted as everyone is interested in different airlines/products so when looking at the popularity of posts, it might be interesting to consider trip reports on an aggregate basis.

  6. Donna Diamond

    Perhaps not the most read but my personal favorites were the reviews of the Etihad Residence (including all the posts before and after) and the Qatar Qsuites review because they were both such unique products. Thanks for the memories and Happy New Year!

  7. William Member

    Happy New Year to you and Ford! Been following everyday for 5 years now and I feel like I’ve seen you go through so much and I’m so happy to see how much has changed and progressed. Look forward to your next adventures in the new year. Oh, and I know your job is travel but don’t ever forget to make time for your family. Time flies and new planes, products and destinations are great...

    Happy New Year to you and Ford! Been following everyday for 5 years now and I feel like I’ve seen you go through so much and I’m so happy to see how much has changed and progressed. Look forward to your next adventures in the new year. Oh, and I know your job is travel but don’t ever forget to make time for your family. Time flies and new planes, products and destinations are great but family is everything.

    Wishing safe and hopefully luxurious :) travel to you, your loved ones and all who read this blog in the new year!

  8. Kate Member

    Would be interesting to know what are the most read posts from people entering through boarding area. Also would be fascinating to know how many people read almost everything you post! And count me in for all the trip reports!

  9. Andrew Guest

    Happy new year, and all best in 2018!!

  10. AlfredBali Guest

    Happy New Year Lucky !!
    Hope you keep posting about what you find of interest !

  11. James Guest

    Happy New Year! The results are surprising but I guess perhaps it’s a sign of people googling uber or Postmates and such and stumbling across your article?

    I’m sure there are many more searches for uber than say La Premiere review

  12. W Diamond

    Happy New Year Lucky!
    I'm surprised though that the Etihad Residence review didn't make it.

  13. ron Guest

    Happy New Year to both of you.

  14. BP New Member

    Happy New Year! Looking forward to another great year learning from you.

  15. Scott Guest

    Heads up Lucky. Not sure when your new EK F trip is booked for but it seems they have taken it off the BRU route for some days in JAN.

  16. DB Guest

    Happy New Year Lucky! Keep up the great work!

  17. Patrick Member

    Happy New Year Lucky and Ford! Thanks for another amazing year and best of luck in 2018. I hope there will be a Wedding "review" this year.

  18. R B Guest

    Happy New Year to Ford and you.
    Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with your readers.

  19. You Guest

    Reviews have moved to Youtube.

  20. Justin B New Member

    Cheers and Happy New Year Lucky! Appreciate all you do and finally got to experience LH First and the FCT this weekend thanks you all your tips.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Greg Guest

I thought that infuriating post where you said you saw a dreamy male celebrity....but then didn't disclose who it was...was one of the most 'popular' ...certainly had the most comments....most of which were irate.

0
Chris K Guest

I guess the most read posts receive most of their traffic from Google Search, while trip reports are read by regular readers. So if you've received a SSSS on your boarding pass, and are googling to find out what that means, you are sent to Lucky's post as it is judged and ranked highly by the algorithm. That kind of casual drive by traffic dwarfs regular readership

0
Jay Gold

Happy new year, love reading your blog several times a week, can’t wait for the Africa trips - I’m sure these will be an adventure for us all :-)

0
Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
5,163,247 Miles Traveled

32,614,600 Words Written

35,045 Posts Published

Keep Exploring OMAAT