The subject of today’s post is a something that has been on my mind for a while now…Content Theft. I have been dealing behind the scenes with a site that has been scraping my site and using my entire posts (text and pictures) and reposting it on their site. I have sent a few different emails and asked them to remove my content from their site and have been essentially ignored.
And just this past week I was made aware of other sites who were doing the same thing with my content. Stealing my text, tutorials and photos and just pasting them into their own sites. This has been so frustrating for me. I spend a lot of time and effort creating these tutorials and photos and to have them used in such a way, is frustrating, to say the least. I am happy to share them, so that people like you can use them and recreate them for your own use. It takes just one or two dishonest abusers to ruin a good thing.
I understand that truly there is no “original idea” and that content is just recycled with a new twist. But to outright copy and paste another person’s work is dishonest and is plagarism. This is bad for my site and others for a lot of different reasons. Duplicate content on the internet is not good for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Sites that have duplicate content are dinged by Google in their ratings which makes it harder for you and I to find great content. These sites are taking entire posts and not linking back to the original source which ultimately hurts the legitimate bloggers. These sites also create false impressions of their “knowledge and authority” on a certain subject matter which hurts those who have legitimate knowledge and authority in the subject matter.
In talking with some other bloggers who are having the same issues, we have discovered that these sites are not coming to our sites and copying and pasting our posts, but rather they are plugging in to our RSS feeds and stealing our content. Since I currently am not truncating my RSS feed (providing a shortened version of the blog post which the reader must then click over to the site to get the entire feed), this allows these sites to take my entire post.
I personally read many blogs through an RSS feed and understand how annoying it can be to have to “click over”.
I know many of you are busy and read your blogs through my RSS feed and/or emails. I hate to truncate my feed as I feel as though I am “punishing” my real and loyal readers. Truncating my RSS feed will make it so that you will be sent a summary as to what the post is about AND in order to see the entire posts and photos, you will be required to click on over to The Idea Room site.
I realize this will be super annoying to many of you and that some of you may stop following along. I hate to even think about doing this, but am unsure of how to deal with this issue effectively.
But I feel the problem has reached a point that I have to take drastic measures. I have had to spend a lot of time dealing with this which takes time away from creating content for the rest of you…So, in the next week or two, I am going to be doing some research to find the best possible solution to deal with this issue…and truncating my RSS feed could become a reality.
And I feel like I must add, at this point, a huge THANK YOU to those of you who are legitimate fans of The Idea Room! I appreciate your kind words, emails, comments and your loyalty! What do you think? Do you have any tips or advice on how to deal with this issue? I would love to hear from you as this will be something that affects many of you first hand.
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Kona Lynn Sankey says
I totally understand where you’re coming from and I find it completely reasonable for you to truncate the posts. I click through anyways to see the actual posts because I know how much page views help a blog.
I’m not going anywhere ;)
Amy {The Idea Room} says
Thanks! Glad to hear that! I really appreciate my readers!
It’s stealing, plain and simple! These are probably the same men and women who would stick a sweater in their purse at the mall or burn 15 copies of a cd and give it to all of their friends. Sad!
I totally agree! It’s too bad that these kind of people feel entitled to anything they want.
That stinks! Sorry you are dealing with that, Amy!
I don’t mind truncated RSS Feeds at all and have noticed that the majority of blogs I follow have gone that route. I am always surprised when I see one that ISN’T truncated actually. That really sucks – sorry that you have to deal with it!
I think most are heading in that direction and hopefully that will help with some of the problem. But unfortunately, There will always be those who take the time to actually come to our sites and copy and paste too.
It might help to put links back to your blog in the middle of your posts. That way if they steal them and don’t change them you still get the link back to your original blog.
That is a great idea Kelly. That way others will know where it originated from. I have also thought about putting some copyright material at the end of my posts.
I have seen a bunch of sites this weekend say they are doing the same thing. It is really unfortunate that it has to be done at all! I don’t really know what else would work to keep them from stealing your content. I have read in addition to truncating your posts you can also place information in your RSS feed linking back to you and your content. Here was a good article I found on the subject: http://www.hyperarts.com/blog/the-definitive-guide-to-blog-content-scraping-how-to-stop-it/
Just curious – how did you find out about the scraping in the first place? I am a small blog, but would love to know what to look out for!
Thank you Laura for the link. I will definitely check that out. Yes! It has been a discussion among a lot of bloggers and finally decided enough was enough.
I found out about the original scraping when one of my readers alerted me to the site. She had seen several of my tutorials popping up on pinterest that were not pinned from my site but from this scrapper site. You can also set up a google alert with your website name and you will be alerted to posts with that information in it.
thanks for the info… i pinned it to my ‘blogland’ board for reference! what’s your blog?
How bold. And wrong. I’ll be happy to click through. But at least they realize your content has meaning. In the meantime, make them stop.
Thanks Michele! Hopefully if enough of us stick together and look out for each others content, we can make a difference with these scrapers!
makes me SO mad to hear stuff like this. tell me who it is and i’ll give them a piece of my mind! :)
Haha! Glad to know I can call on you to help me out with that! I just may end up sending you over there :)
You do what you need to do! An extra click isn’t going to hurt anyone. =)
Thanks Stacey! Ha! I appreciate it!
I hate this for you, and for legit bloggers in general. Clicking through is a bit of a hassle when I’m reading blogs from my mobile, but I don’t mind if it means protecting other bloggers!
I totally agree. I read my favorite blogs on my phone too while waiting for my kids at their various practices and stuff and don’t always like to click over. But I think things are changing. Thanks for the comment Suzanne!
Wow! I’m so sorry you have had to deal with this! I have often wondered why bloggers truncate, it is annoying, but now I get it and I am no longer annoyed at having to click over!
If you can figure out a way to have a thumbnail in the feed, that would be awesome, but I still love you anyway!
Yes Courtney, that is usually the reason. I have kept my RSS feed full content as I know how much easier it makes it for my readers. But it looks like I might have to change it. I am working on trying to find a way to include an image and a summary for my readers so that you can see if you really want to click over or not. I know that you might not always be interested in what I am sharing from one day to the next!
As a regular RSS reader, it would be great if you find a way to include an image as well as a bit of summary. I almost always click over if there’s a pic or two, but very rarely if it’s just a random sentence or two that doesn’t draw me in. Smitten Kitchen seems to be able to truncate about 1/3 of the way through her posts — that seems to work well. Love your blog!
I totally agree! I would love to be able to have at least one picture so you can SEE if you want to read more. I am such a visual person myself. Thanks for the tip about Smitten Kitchen. I will check out her feed!
I understand your frustration and, for myself, I actually prefer truncated feeds. It gives me a quick skim to decide whether I want to read the whole article and I don’t have to scroll up and down. Have at it!
Thanks Jennifer! That is a great way to look at it. We are all so busy and seeing things at a glance can save us a lot of time!
Someone was doing that with my blog, too. I finally just had to pretend it wasn’t happening! I’m so sorry people are so dumb! )=
So frustrating. I pretended it wasn’t happening too, but I can’t pretend any longer now that I found all these other sites! Hope you don’t find anymore.
Amy, what is the name of the font for your post titles? I’d love to use that for digital scrapbooking!
I don’t mind truncated feeds … especially when reading feeds on my phone. A thumbnail is always nice because a lot of times words alone won’t make me click.
That stinks. I was one of your first followers and I still plan on being here for the long haul. Good luck.
You have been here from the beginning!! Thanks so much Letti!
What a shame to have to spend time dealing with something like this. Thanks for explaining how truncating the feed would help solve the problem. When I read a similar post on another site this morning I didn’t put two and two together to see how that would lead towards solving the problem but now I get it– if it takes a few more clicks from your readers to take care of this then go for it. No need to apologize!! Do what you need to do to protect your content. It’s worth it!
Oh Amy…I am so sorry to hear about this. It really sucks when someone doesn’t have the courtesy to give credit where credit is due.
Do what you have to do…I love your ideas and am grateful for your willingness to share them with us.
Trina
I use Google Reader and have quite a few blogs I read that I have to click through to read. It’s really not that hard with tabbed browsing, the sites I have to click just open in another tab and I go through them when I’m done with everything else I read in Google Reader. Not that hard and I for one won’t mind doing the same thing with your site if it’s what you need to do to protect your content.
Amy,
I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this issue with no resolve from the perpetrators.
I LOVE your blog and your willingness to share your talents with all of us.
I along with others feel like you should do what is best to protect your blog. I will always follow you and your blog because I love what you share.
It’s too bad there are people out there who are dishonest. I’m sure you’ve been sick about the situation.
Think happy thoughts and know you have followers no matter what!
Hey Amy, I just truncated my RSS yesterday and plan to do a blog post about it too- do you mind if I copy and paste this post to my site? HA HA HA!!!! (Love ya!)
I can’t believe that! Who would’ve thought to do that? What a horrible thing. I didn’t even know that was an option, to truncate your feed. But I say go for it. So sorry you have to deal with this.
HEy, I’m a loyal RSS feed reader, but I will totally support you if you need to truncate your feed! I won’t mind clicking over one bit! Good luck!
I used to hate truncated feeds, now that you and other bloggers that I follow are having these problems I completely understand the need for them.
Will read when the title and summary pique my interest, which is most of the time. Good Luck
I haven’t read through all of the comments, but I had a suggestion for you. I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with this, but please trust that all of your loyal readers won’t mind clicking over. To make it all very easy, though, you could suggest that your subscribers read via google reader and use their super cool “next” bookmarklet. It’s in the settings section of reader on the goodies tab, and after installing it, all you have to do to read through your subscriptions is hit the little “next” button at the top of your browser. It keeps you signed in and takes you straight to the next unread entry, and the best part is that it takes you to the actual webpage, so you bloggers get pageview counts, and us readers get to see the entire content in its full beauty. It could be helpful for you to include a little “FYI” in one of your posts. Here’s a link from google: http://googlereader.blogspot.com/2007/06/doing-shuffle.html.
Heather, that’s a great idea! I used to use that button when I started reading through googlereader, but I found I had a problem going back into googlereader to star blog entries that I wanted to remember. But now, with Pinterest, I need to go to the actual blog anyway! I think each blogger should do whatever they need to do to protect their intellectual property. We’ll all follow wherever Amy needs to go, because we love reading what she has to say. It’s outrageous that this can happen, and people can get away with it! I wonder if publishing the name of the blog doing the stealing would help?
So sorry to hear that you are dealing with this. As a fan and loyal reader, I hope that you are able to find a solution that works for you. I frequently read your posts as an RSS feed, but would click over, you are worth it ;)
Your site is awesome and I will continue to click over. If possible at least a paragraph description and photo before it truncates would be nice. I have a hard time clicking over on posts that are title only. Also, if you truncate I imagine your title and first paragraph would be more important to encourage readers to click over. Good luck. I hope this fixes the problem.
I read through Google Reader and I admit, truncated posts are a little annoying. If the pot sounds interesting, I’ll click through. If not, I skim past it. I feel like the loyal readers (like me) will still stick around and continue being a reader. :)
I’ve already read about 4 blog posts from different bloggers this week that have decided to truncate and are having the exact same problem. I hate that the world has come to a point where people think that stealing and breaking thr rules to benefit themselves is okay.
frustrating!! way to be proactive
Seriously, what is wrong with people?????
how rude…I am convinced that I would not like the people who are doing this in real life either. Total cheating brats.
Anyhow, this is the second blog today that has had this post and I am sorry to hear of this trend. I am one of those who HATES clicking over to the blog, and quite honestly I don’t do it all the time….so I hope this is not the new norm.
good luck and I hope this solves your problem
Not going anywhere!
So sorry that this seems to be happening to so many people! Do what you need to do, I will echo the idea of having a picture is great. Sometimes I don’t have a lot of time to read what I want to and a picture might give me a better idea – and the fact that I’m a person who remembers things visually – that I wanted to come back and read something later on when I have a bit more time.
Amy~
So sorry for all you’re dealing with, but know that we’re with you. I also don’t mind a few extra clicks as long as I still get to see all your great ideas and projects! I don’t understand a lot of how the copying/scraping thing works, but could you do like some of the other bloggers and stamp your pics/tutorials with a copyright? I’ve noticed that some bloggers have these copyright stamps imprinted on their pictures and tutorials. Would that solve the problem, or even be doable? Just an idea. Best of luck with this!
Trinity B.
I use a Google Reader to read your blog and click over when it is interesting. I don’t mind RSS as long as you make sure that it is interesting enough to make me want to click over. Several people who use RSS are rarely visited cause I can’t tell why it is of interest.
Sorry I don’t know all the terms. This is how it should read. “I don’t mind truncated RSS as long as you make sure that it is interesting enough to make me want to click over. Several people who use truncated feeds are rarely visited cause I can’t tell why it is of interest.” BTW, I go to your website quite often because of what I see on the RSS of Google Reader.
Some people, SHEESH! Thanks for still bringing us your great ideas. Your loyal readers/subscribers will still be here to read the creativity straight from the original source!
Wow. That’s sad. Even if they gave you credit, copying all your content of a post without permission is wrong. Most people don’t think about it, but you are loosing traffic and $ from ads (if one so chooses to use them) when people don’t actually GO to your site to read the content.
I wasn’t really aware of this when I started using Pinterest and to serve my own needs would simply copy the recipe or whatever and post it as the caption with the pin but since you cannot mark pins as “private” the repinners may not actually GO to the pin-source to get the recipe. So frusterating. I hope on the back end Pinterest somehow gives you traffic for repins that don’t actually click throug to your site.
Once while looking throug the FAQ for something else, I saw that you can add a line to your HTML to prevent pinning on your site if this is a problem source for you.
Wow! I had NO IDEA this was even possible! I’m SO SORRY it’s happened to you! Thanks for bringing it to our attention! Anyway, I love your blog and if you have to truncate your blog…well you have to do what you have to do! I’ll still be a loyal follower! :o)
I am so sorry! That totally stinks. Do what you need to do to help preserve YOU! Another blog I read has had a similar thing happen & in CHINA! Ridiculous!
This makes me so mad! I’m so sorry Amy!
You do whatever will keep you here. :)
It is nice to finally know WHY some of my other favorite blogs have taken this route. It is annoying having to click over to see the full post, but knowing the reasoning behind it makes it a little more acceptable. I am sorry you and other have to deal with this. I can’t begin to imagine the character of such people that would outright steal content without so much as a credit. You have to do what you have to do. So long as your content is quality, people will follow you and new people will find you. I wouldn’t worry too much. It’s not like you’re going to be the only blog out there doing this.
A question I do have is do they copy every post and pop it their blog word for word or do they go in and edit some things to make it seem like their own? If it’s truly a copy and paste with no addition on their part, would it help to put a disclaimer of some sort right smack in the middle of your posts that says something to the effect of it having been written and created by you? So that when others read it, it basically outs the blog host?
Good luck in whatever decision you make!
I don’t have time to read through all the other comments…but isn’t this just downright STEALING as in illegal?! I’m just a small little blogger, but of course I would feel totally violated to know that someone was stealing my content! It’s a lot of blood sweat and tears that goes in to blogging…especially tutorials! Isn’t there some kind of legal action you can take? Like a cease and desist letter or something? I guess suing is expensive and time consuming, but what else can you do?! Can a group of bloggers ban together to form a group lawsuit or something?
And PS, I’ll still click over to your blog and others…and ya, most of my blog reading is through a reader on my phone which does make it slightly inconvenient but you’re worth it!
Well that is just wrong Some people have no morals. I rarely comment but thought I better chime in. I too read through google reader. A few are truncated on there and I honestly have to say I rarely open them. The subject has to scream for me to open them to do so.
When you discover this it consumes your life which I am certain you are experiencing. Read my blog post about copyright here: http://ideaswoman.com/blog/2012/07/copyright-in-a-nutshell/
I can’t believe that their are people out there stealing other people’s content and pretending it’s their own!! People who do this should be named and shamed. I do use other people content on my site in round up’s etc, but i ALWAYS Include their site name and link back to them,and also message them to let them know I’ve used their photo’s. So far everyone has been ok with this.
I never even knew that they could steal your content via RSS! I’ve seen loads of blogs only use a summery in feeds, and personally I don’t like this. But Know I know why a lot of blogs are now doing this.
Is there anyway I can find out if people are stealing my content?
Do what you need to do to help protect your work! I doubt it will bother anyone to click over to read your complete entry.
Wow Amy..so sorry to hear you (and others) have to deal with this kind of nastiness! I appreciate all that you do to put together your posts and pics…I have NO PROBLEM with you truncating your RSS feed if that will stop the abuse.
Smiles, DianeM
You should tell us which blogs so we can go bug them about stealing! I can’t believe they do that! Crazy! I say do what you have to do. It will not annoy me. And wouldn’t it be funny if they stole this post???
You have to do what you have to do to protect yourself. I read through my reader, but protecting yourself is well worth clicking over to your site.
Amy I have been truncated my feed for years, and I still have followers :) I know your loyal fans will understand!
I don’t think I ever say anything valuable enough for people to steal from my site. LOL. But I think if I encountered that problem I wouldn’t know how to problem solve it.
What I would try to fogure out is a way to post a single picture with all of the wording and if the person wanted/needed more in detail pictures they would then need to click into the title to go to the blog to find out more. Sort of truncated, but not really.
Then make the pictures with permissions on them so they cna’t be easily copied – but like I said this isn’t something that I would actually be able to accomplish, and then would people still be able to ‘pin’ you ideas or copy at least one of the photos into a folder for reference – for credit?
I would also consider watermarking all photos so that it automatically represents you! :-D (Maybe you do this, I’m just so used to seeing the name I don’t even realize it?)
I’m so sorry you have had to use valuable time to deal with this. You have a lot to offer and you deserve credit for your work.
So sorry!! I’m working in my future Blog for more than a year!! to have complete tutos & nice info to offer, so I understand how you must feel. Please tell us which pages or blogs stealed your job in order to be aware!!. We appreciate your gorgeous job everyday, thank you!!!
That makes me so sick to my stomach!!! I LOVE your blog and have always appreciated and admired all the time you spend to benifit others with your great tutorials and photos! So just know that as a loyal reader I am more than Happy to click over to the site to read the post! You’re the Best Amy!!!
Is there anything you can do legally? Maybe you could join with some of the other bloggers to target a few of the worst offenders.
I love following your blog. I hate this is happening to you. But I dont mind “clicking over” if it will protect your hard work. ;)
I very rarely comment on posts like this…but hate to hear that this issue is permeating the blogging world. It makes you really wonder who the experts are. I think you should do whatever you can to make sure that you are given credit for your ideas. You have a great blog, a wonderful way with words, and have such great ideas that are not intimidating or overwhelming for wanna-be DIYers. Clicking through to your blog shouldn’t deter any fans of your site. Good luck!
I’m very sorry to hear someone is taking your thoughts, suggestions, IDEAS and using them as their own. I to, very rarely comment on posts, but I felt the need to let you know how much I apprecaite your blog, how much I enjoy reading it and learning from you. Please keep up the GREAT work you do and know that I will “click” to find you where ever you go!!!
That sucks! I totally understand if you do decide to truncate your posts. Thank you for explaining why people do truncate, as I didn’t know why they would before this. I have to admit that I find it a pain to have to click over, and sometimes if I’m in a bit of a hurry, I just don’t. But knowing the why makes a big difference in my own understanding. I would totally click over to read you, if that is the route you have to take. I hope you find something that works for you. Hugs.
I think I must be weird. I like seeing the full sites, so I click over to see all of the blogs I read. I guess that’s good though, since I won’t even notice if you truncate! I’m sorry that you have had to deal with this plagarism.
I look forward to reading your blog and always get GREAT ideas!!! If this is the road you need to take, I will definitely click over. You need to do what you have to do and so sorry to hear this and wish you luck!!!!! Thank you for explaining the issue as this has brought a new light onto why other blogs do the same!!!!!
Amy, I’m really sorry to hear this is happening, it’s unfair and dissapointing no doubt but remember, like you said, your “real” readers will still be here. I will definitely won’t stop reading your posts if you truncate your RSS and thank you for sharing your reasons for doing it and for sharing your work so selflessly!!
I am a faithful RSS reader and I will click over to see more of your content. I just love your blog. I am with the other commentors that think they should be named and shamed!!! Maybe you and the other bloggers could join up and post about scrapers and the blog names/ websites that they use, So that we as followers could be aware and avoid them. This makes me sick. Also I have a a small blog but would never even know if something like this was happening to me. Could you please do a tutorial on how to figure it out? Thank you so much for all of your beautiful posts,
Stacey C
I have often wondered why I had to click over to read the entire post on some sites and when I have been in a hurry it is frustrating, but now that I know the reason, I say you do what you have to do. I love your blog and I will click over. Thank you for all you do. Count me as a real fan!
Do what you need to do. I do not mind clicking over at all. I hate to hear that your hard work is being stolen. It just saddens and angers me to hear that people can be so dishonest. I just love your blog and your great ideas.
Thank you so much Connie!
One of my other favorite blogs has had to start truncating her feed this week for this very same reason. Your loyal readers will continue to click through to see what amazing ideas & projects you’ve completed! It’s disheartening that people feel the need to pass off another persons ideas as their own, because they have no creativity within…or, they’re just nasty people. Keep up the great work, I can’t wait to see what’s to come!!!
Thanks Nicole! Nice to know so many of you are happy to click on over :)
Wow….that is so frustrating!!!! Take it as a compliment though, they only WISH they could be as cool as you.
Since I am fairly new to blogging, I was wondering what the etiquette is on using others pictures or making a project based off of something someone else did. I always provide a link to the original source or inspiration, but what are the “rules” on that sort of thing?
Sorry to hear about this mess!
We were all new to blogging at one point and I think you just learn it as you go. Most bloggers I know love when others post a link back to their blog…for example The Idea Room or Painted Rug by The Idea Room. Use of a picture can vary from blogger to blogger. Most will have something about their share policy on their sidebars. I for one do not mind if you use ONE picture, a short summary and a link back to my site. If you repost your own tutorial for someone else’s project that is where things can get dicey. To be safe you can always email the blogger and ask. I always appreciate when others share my stuff as long as they link back properly. That is how your blog grows. So I personally realize that I would not have grown, if it had not been for my awesome readers!
I just can’t believe that someone would steal an entire blog post and use it as their own. I came across this so many times when I was planning my wedding. I would google something and click from one website to the next and it would be like deja vu, word for word! We have become a lazy society, in more ways than one.
It really is so true. I have seen that myself! Usually I just let it go, but it has gotten to the point where I can’t remain silent any longer.
I will still follow you! I love your information and your tutorials. It’s sad to know that people will do this and I admire you for taking a stand. Earlier in the summer when I saw one of your older blog posts for a sewing tutorial that I thought would be wonderful for a non-profit class I had to teach, I followed “proper procedure”, got permission from you and promoted your blog in my class. We all need to remember to have respect for others and if in doubt, put yourself in the other person’s shoes and ask yourself if this was reversed how would this action affect me? Off my soap box – hold your own and do what you have to do to protect youself – your true followers will continue to follow you!
Thank you Jennifer! I remember that! I always appreciate when readers ask permission and share my site with others. It is the only reason my blog has grown the way it has is by readers like you! Thanks again for being so loyal!
How frustrating! I have a client that had this happening to him as well (I develop WordPress sites). What we ended up doing is we set up a post footer that is automatically added to the footer of his post ONLY in the RSS feed. In this footer, we wrote that the content belonged to ____ and here’s the link to his site. After a few months of having this up, we noticed the person quit feeding his posts. :) I believe we used a plugin foot WordPress by Tentblogger. You might check that out…
Great tips! I will definitely be looking into the plugin you suggested! Thank you so much. That is so helpful!
That is terrible!!! Like many other readers, I fully support you and your efforts to prevent this form of stealing!
I am not a real blogger so I have no real advice, but I am a real fan. I love your site! I’m sorry for your trouble and I hope you figure out how to deal with it.
I always appreciate real fans! Your comment made me laugh!
I love you blog!
Thank you Elizabeth!
This is terrible :( So sorry to hear that. Think in a positive way….they steal your content/photos is totally wrong but they’re stealing it b/c its good right? We adore your ideas and blog :)
haha! I will choose to look at it in a positive way. Thank you!
I hate that you and several other bloggers I follow are having this difficulty. But I would be more than happy to “click over” from my reader to get your inspiration. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
Thank you Tracie! I appreciate that…and especially you taking the time to share that with me.
I too love your blog and would read it if I had to take several clicks. You’re a daily read for me. I love your ideas and have pinned them to my boards. I pin directly from your page or repin your pins. I hope that is okay and if its not please educate me. I try to keep the orinigal idea and creater attached so that I can find the idea later on ‘work day’.
Thank you Kim. Love that you are a daily reader! Thanks so much for your support! I also love it when my readers pin from my site. I do not mind it at all. I think most bloggers don’t mind as long as you aren’t pasting the recipe or tutorial instructions. If the pin send readers back to the original site you should be just fine! Thanks again!
I support you and other bloggers who need to protect their hard work.
Good luck
Marie
Thanks Marie! I always appreciate how loyal my readers are!
Oh Amy, I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. But please, remember you have a lot of loyal readers who love you and will click over happily to protect your work ;-) You are the best and we won’t go anywhere.
Lots of love from Spain,
Alicia
can you leave a watermark on your pictures? or a statement at the end of your videos with a link to your site and original post?
I say keep up the great work! They only want to copy you because of how awesome you are! I have been an long fan of yours and have “copied”(LOL) a lot of your oreo pops, finger puppets, etc, so do what you need to do to cover/protect yourself and keep on shining!
Truncate, girl! It would drive me insane to have my hard work stolen. And I actually prefer truncated posts. Sometimes I just can’t read everything in my RSS feed, but if I can peruse the truncated posts, I click over to the ones I really want to read. Your loyal people will not mind, I assure you.
THANK YOU for this post. THANK YOU!
I just started my blog in june and understand the hard work that goes into producing original material!
Ugh i can’t even begin to talk about how mad it makes me. some people are just plain rude! I wish there was more of a consequence for people who steal content.
Thank you for informing me about truncating, i had no idea. I’m going to google it now and switch mine to the same thing.
That is really awful!!!
My husband has a Window Cleaning company and has a calculator that helps clients get a rough number on his site. Some other window cleaning company stole it. I don’t understand all of it but he was getting it straight from my hubby’s site.
He added his logo and changed it and it showed up on the other person’s blog. That might work for you.
I love your blog and support you in whatever you think is best. Sorry their are just terrible people out there.
I will still follow you even if I have to click to your site. I am sorry that you are dealing with this issue! I hope you find an easy solution!!
That is just terrible! Your blog is amazing, original, and YOURS!
I understand the problems that you and other bloggers are having with scrapes, but I ask you to reconsider the new format with the RSS feeds. I very much enjoy your blog, but will be unable to read it if I must click over to your site every time that I want to read it. Please consider using some of the strategies mentioned here http://blog.kissmetrics.com/content-scrapers/ so I, and fellow readers, can continue enjoying your blog.
I am not a blogger so I can’t give any advice but I use Google Reader to follow a lot of blogs and many of them are summary content only. I don’t see a problem in clicking on the link, it is no extra work, in fact sometimes it works better because I let the site open and then I finish going through my list and come back to the blogs I had to open and read them last. It usually means I spend more time there.
I know that you are taking the high road as have other bloggers I follow but I really think you (all of you) should tell us who these thieves are. I want to make sure I don’t follow anyone who would steal like that.
Thanks for what you do.
Great points Tracy! Glad to hear that! Believe me I have thought about posting their names and calling them out…many times. But as I thought about it, I didn’t want them getting any more attention then they already do. And Thank You Tracy for being a loyal follower. You have no idea how much that means to me!
I’m really envious that you could figure all that out. I have a blog, but really naive with all the RSS and everything else. I’m just happy I could figure out how to post, LOL. I had a friend tell me that she saw my card (exact photo I took) on someone else’s blog and suggested I use a watermark on my photos. I did figure out how to do that.
Anyway, I hope the stealing stops now that you’ve made changes. love your blog!
haha! It for sure is a big learning curve! We learn as we go right? Glad you were able to figure the watermarks out. That will help out a lot with photo theft so that at least they will know where to find you.
Imitation (and copying/pasting and downright stealing) is the highest form of flattery! Sorry that you have to deal with this. Totally makes sense with what I’m seeing on other creativity blogs that I follow. I have found it annoying to have to click over, but I’ll definitely look at it in a different light. Maybe even throw in a “Mwahahaha!!!” as I click and know it’s preventing these copycat thiefs from taking great stuff as their own! Keep doing what you’re doing! xoxo
I think it’s just so very disappointing to say unethical to steal other people’s work, something they’ve spent time and effort creating. Truncate it! Throw in a few pictures and links that link back to your blog! It’s worth it!
That us terrible! I’m a brand new Blogger and though not experienced plain common sense must rule! I live in Jamaica and have already noticed my pics being re posted on Facebook pages…which is great, except the persons are making it out like their own, so I guess watermarking is also necessary. What a world we live in. I must learn how to truncate, this is all so new and obviously very important!