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The author at least takes on the topic... but I'd really like to see more data that shows the icons work.

For instance, if I get referrer hits coming from del.icio.us (I do), that doesn't mean that the icons work. It more or less just means that somebody bookmarked me.

What would be interesting is some type of data that shows the icons were actually clicked, how often that happens, and then what the resulting traffic difference is.

Lowell -

Exactly (btw, are we the only two commenting on DZone? hehe). In addition to the concerns you brought up, the usability clutter these icons create plus the keyword density/SEO issues that arise from the IMG ALT tags (proven when I let Google index my phpBB forums and the top keywords for my site included such words as "Reply") aren't worth the traffic IMO.

Heavy users of del.icio.us are going to use the bookmarklet so you don't need the icon. However, I'd be open to switching my position if provided with some hardcore statistical evidence.

Yeah, that's exactly what I've been looking for... real hardcore evidence that shows they are even used.

And there's a lack of commenting on dzone, sadly... .I try to comment in order to incite more people to comment as well.

Hi Lowell,

Is there a way to track that? Unless Digg shares their data that they received traffic where I am a referrer.

You'd have to piggyback your own tracking code (JavaScript) on top of the social bookmark icon's click event. Would probably be pretty easy, I just haven't done it before.

hagrin is right, you'd have to track it yourself.

It would also be most useful for a blog that has good readership numbers. I don't have any blogs with really great numbers to try it on, or else I would have.

Exactly my point. My blog isn't really in the "most read" list that's why it needs all the help it can get. Perhaps if a blog has reached a point where getting traffic is like opening a faucet, then it may have outgrown sociable.