So 9rules is going back to its roots a bit, removing the social aspect of the site and placing it somewhere else to become its own brand: Chawlk.

Some people have complained about this move, and others are excited. I fall into the latter camp. I think the power of the 9rules brand was its membership and exclusivity. I used to chase 9rules membership in hopes that one day they would let me add the leaf to one of my sites.

As I was passed up for each subsequent round, I got more and more frustrated with the 9rules brand, wondering what was wrong with me. What wasn’t I doing that made me not fit what they were looking for. I even tried to structure my blog to fit what they needed.

I doubt you would see too many people doing that today with their current social network slant. Right now there is no real exclusivity, nor do they feature member content heavily enough to be doing a good service to those that are members.

When I found out they were going back to their roots, I almost leapt out of my chair. I feel that this will be the first step in the road towards the 9rules leaf becoming a highly sought after badge of respect and an honour for those blogs that get to display it as a member.

I really didn’t think Scrivs, Rundle and Tyme had it in them to steer the ship a full one-eighty. But they are doing it, and I am super impressed. Will I be chasing the leaf again? While Xfep is part of the Grand Effect network, started by Sarah Perez, it really only “fits” for one of my sites, and so I might start working hard to see if I can earn the leaf. I have great respect for the owners, and their ideals. Kudos to the 9rules team, and members.