Phew! These last few days have been insanely busy! I built some uber cute bookshelves that I’m excited to share with you soon but that isn’t what ate up most of my time. I have been working on a site redesign and am trying to get things better organized around here. Spiffing up the categories section and trying to make it much easier to find things on the blog takes for-evah! Kuddos to all of you who are innately organized beings. I have to work at it and even then it’s not quite “perfect”. This weekend I also spent a great deal of time researching ways to protect my intellectual property. If you read this blog in a feed or reader, you will notice that this weekend I decided to truncate my feed.
You’ll also probably notice that MANY of your favorite blogs have also truncated their feeds. I’m part of several blogger facebook groups and this weekend we collectively discussed all of the “scraper sites” that make money off of copying and pasting blog feeds onto their sites. My blog posts have been stolen for years now, and I’ve tried to tackle them one at a time which takes soooooo much time to do! (You have to write the site emails, contact the site’s host domain, and then file a formal DMCA complaint with Google. It’s ridiculous and time-consuming and doesn’t always even work to stop the thieves.) But lately these sites have been popping up at alarming rates and are becoming increasingly more difficult to take down. We all decided that enough was enough. The best way to conquer the thievery was to collectively truncate our feeds. It’s a bummer for those who just want the pleasure of reading their blogs in their reader of choice, but it’s the best way at the moment to ensure that others aren’t profiting off of bloggers’ hard work.
***Edited to add: I will write a post this week on all I know about scraper sites, how to truncate your feed, etc.
Your features from last week will be up tomorrow at the latest! I can’t wait to see what you’ve been working on this week!!
If you’d like to link up, please be sure to read the rules.
Remember that everyone with a tip or tute is welcome to link up but only those who link back to me within their post will be featured.
Party Rules
- Any tip or tutorial is welcome! Decorating, holiday ideas, room makeovers, cleaning tips, recipes, crafts, and sewing all count.
- Keep content fresh! Please do not link the same projects week after week. I will delete posts that you’ve linked up here several weeks in a row.
- If your post has been featured in a Tutes & Tips Not to Miss, please do NOT link it up again.
- Link back. I only feature those who link back to me within your post.
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Thanks for hosting, and I’m sorry about the stealing. I have no idea if my content is being stolen – how do you check?
ChiWei » This article is really helpful: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/content-scrapers/
I am sorry you are dealing with people stealing your posts. It happened to me too. When I confronted the blogger she made her blog private.
Ugh. So frustrating! Sorry you had to deal with one too Brandi.
Thanks so much for the party, Beth!! I just truncated my feed too. It’s so disturbing to see full posts out there on those sites!
I couldn’t agree more. We all work WAY too hard to have our projects stolen.
Hi Beth! I hope truncating your posts gives you more of the credit you deserve for all the the great things that you share on your site. As a new-ish blogger I would love to find out further info on how you can establish that your site has been “scraped” by these sites. I know when I look at my stats I see some weird addresses but it never displays my content when I link to it.
Thanks for hosting every week
Claire » this is a great article that talks about it: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/content-scrapers/
So sorry you have to deal with content stealing. I would have no idea if my content was being stolen … so awful. I totally understand the truncating of posts to try and ward off future stealing.
Thanks for hosting, Beth.
Thanks for hosting, Beth. Reading about so many bloggers truncating their feeds has me considering it too. I don’t want to lose readers, but (being completely honest) it would be nice to get those page views at the very least…not to mention keeping scrapers away!
Amanda @ Serenity Now » I agree all the way around.
Thanks so much for hosting another great party – had no idea posts could be ” stolen ” how do you know?
Hugs,
Suzan
I have my “google alerts” set to pick up on key words and many times readers will tell me that they found my content elsewhere
.
I was already truncating my feeds and it is good to know that it is a good practice and will help me in the long run.
Thanks so much for the advice and hosting the link up.
Have a great night!
Definitely a good way to keep your content safe!
I will happily read a truncated post so that people can protect their hard work. I think it will become the norm quickly.
Thanks for hosting. Hope you have a great week Beth
Thanks so much for the party, Beth! I added my Stenciled Bathroom…it’s the first project in my bathroom update I’ve talked with you a bit about. I was inspired by your powder room makeover, and, even though I rent, I felt like our little powder room needed some help. Now on to the shelves! Thanks for the inspiration!
How fun Beth! I’m excited to see it
.
Thanks for the party Beth! We support you in your decision and will happily click on over!
Thanks Bonnie and Trish!
Thanks for hosting! It has been so long since I linked up. Went a little link crazy, hope you don’t mind
THANK YOU Beth! I went to the link you put in the above comments. I then went to the Copyscape link in the post of that and found a TON of my content copied….so, now I will begin the same process. I’m not sure why I’m so shocked. I already have a “copyright” on my page each night that it sends me AND a Google alerts but it really doesn’t send me much so after yours and a bunch of your other blog friends posted today, I’ve decided I need to get this going, as well! Would you mind if I pass this information along via your blog? I may put a link to it in a post this week so my readers can see I’m not the only one doing this. If not, let me know and I won’t
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Oh my goodness, I am so glad I just read this. I was wondering why I kept getting emails from my copyright site. I recently put it on there. I need to go back and read the emails. So frustrating. I’ve been seeing my content from one specific posted completely stolen several times. Lesley
I don’t mind at all Becky.
Very interesting Beth! I have seen truncated posts, but never understood why they existed until now! I’m interested in reading more, thanks for sharing and for hosting! xo, Kimberly
Thanks so much for the party!! XO, Aimee
It’s a shame that this is even an issue! Grrr…
Thank you for the update and thank you for hosting!
Kerry at HouseTalkN
Mean people suck
. Totally a shame that we all have to deal with it.
Thanks so much for hosting! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Nici
Thanks for hosing Beth. I am having the issue to with one of my post being copied and stolen. Also re-created and stolen. It’s very frustrating, I can’t imagine how it would feel to have all of my content swiped. I think I am just going to go ahead and truncate my feeds. Thanks for the info. Helpful as always. Lesley
It is so frustrating
. Truncation seems to be the best option right now to solve it.
Thank you so much for hosting! So sorry your posts are being stolen. Thanks for the great info.
Thanks for hosting! Sheesh – the horrible things that people do never cease to amaze me. I would never even imagine that. I’ll have to think about truncating while my blog is still a little baby!!
Have a great week!
The whole stealing of blog content just makes me feel kind of sick to my stomach. I have been reading about this on other’s blogs! Too bad there is not more protection offered somehow for the servers where our blogs are hosted. Good for you for taking steps to put an end to the blatant stealing. It just seems like wherever there is a way for someone(s) to make money by stealing, it will be done. I hope this puts an end to it and your property is protected.
On a happier note, thank you for hosting such a great party, and as always sharing the awesome ideas. -K
Makes me sick too Karen. I wish we didn’t have to even worry about such things.
Thank you so much for hosting. I am looking forward to more information about these scrapper sites. I am relatively new to blogging (less than a year) and I am unsure how to even know or look for someone using my content. I can’t wait to find out what you have learned! P.S I have been told I am a non-reply blogger. I thought I had taken the proper steps to remedy this, but I am unsure. Do I show up as a non-reply blogger to you? If so, would you be so kind as to let me know!
Here is my email just in case. theconsignerdesigner@gmail.com
Hi Jen,
You won’t show up as a no-reply blogger on WordPress hosted blogs because they require everyone to enter their info the first time you comment on the blog and then save that info (or sometimes you have to enter it each time). On Blogger hosted blogs you will show as a no-reply blogger if you haven’t updated your blogger profile with your email address and allowed Blogger to save it and show it. You should be able to go into your Blogger settings on your profile, update your info, and save to solve the problem.
Thank you so much for hosting Beth! And thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and information on this topic! Truncated posts certainly won’t stop me from reading blogs, such as yours, that I love and look forward to each day! I totally support whatever steps you have to take to protect your property, talent & creativity! Angie xo
Thank you Angie!
Hello Beth: Thank you for hosting the party today. I hear you about being busy–I hope you get to enjoy the moments along the way!
Nowadays, there are so many ways to steal a posts. Blocking your feed is one of the ways to prevent your blog content from being stolen.
Anyhow, Keep up the good work Beth and thanks for sharing dear
Q8 All in One » Thanks for the great pic. I hope you don’t mind that I used it.
You’re most welcome.. Not at all
Having content stolen must be so frustrating. I’m eager to learn more about this and how to protect my blog. Thanks for hosting the party.
I’m so sorry that posts are being stolen. How do you even know if you stuff is being reproduced? I noticed that many blogs I follow have started truncating and shortening their posts. Looking forward to your blog post on this.
Hi Danielle, I’ll write a post this week about all I know about scraper sites and how to find out if your content is being stolen.
Thanks for hosting, Beth! Ugh-I’m considering truncating my feed, as well…so sad that it’s come to this! I’ll always click over for your posts, though;) xo
Mwah! Thank you Linda!!
What is ‘trundicating’? No clue. Also, the photos are not matching up w the correct post. Meaning someone linked anout blueberry pancakes and there is a thumbnail about making yoir own laundry soap. I have seen it all week at ither parties as well, did you knkw about this? I LOVE your parties!!! I learn soo much from them!
Hi Bonnie, “Truncating” means to shorten. So when a post is truncated the entire post doesn’t show and a reader will need to click on the “continue reading….” link to see the entire post. If someone steals a truncated feed the reader would have to click on the link which would take them back to my blog post. However it also means that those who enjoy reading blogs in a reader wouldn’t be able to read the entire post in their reader and will now have to click over to read the post on my blog. Thanks for letting me know about the pictures. I’ll let Inlinkz know that something is off.
Hi Beth, I’m sorry that people were stealing your content. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to click through all the blogs that I read, so I delete any that are truncated on my reader. I guess it is a trade off for the blog owners. Greater security but a decrease in readership. I see a lot of the ladies saying that they are also going to truncate their feeds. You might want to inform them that one of the results of truncation is often a loss of readership. Good luck! I’ll miss your blog.
I certainly respect your choice Amanda and fully understand the consequences. I also predict that truncated blogs will become the norm and readers will have to make the choice of which ones to click.
Well I dont totally understand this, but if all you have to do is click to read more, how is that an annoyance?I have been clicking for “more” for quite a while, and it has never bothered me.
How do people steal your content, do they copy and paste? Why would they do this? What is the point? I am totally ignorant of this issue.
Yes, all one would need to do is click to see the post in its entirety Bernice. It’s not a big deal. People are taking RSS feeds and having them post to their own online website which is monetized. When people search for one of my posts in Google search, it potentially will come up on another site who has stolen my feed. When someone clicks over to read my blog on the stolen site, they make money off of their pageviews/ads.
Hi Beth,
I am not a blogger, I am a reader, and I enjoy your blog as well as several others. I had no idea people actually steal posts! but then I’m always trying to see the good in people, and usually have my eyes opened that there are always a few who have a sick mind and will take what is not theirs. Happens in every area of life doesn’t it? I am aware of mean spirited commenters, I think called trolls, ad. They are the reason I don’t comment to bloggers. I’m afraid I’ll set one off and they will start the attack thing. I have seen it on other blogs. And again, don’t get that attitude, but it’s there.
Keep up the good work, and best of luck to you. Hard as it is, I think it’s great that you and other bloggers are not going to take it!
Thank you so much for your support! We work so hard to share our inspiration freely and when others try to profit off of our hard work it is infuriating. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and encourage!
Beth, thanks for the information and for hosting!
This whole scraping/stealing thing baffles me. Is it ok to stumble across something on Pinterest, love it, try it, and then feature it (with credit to the original blogger) on your site? I’ve linked several recipes, or projects that I’ve loved and tried back to my site. Sometimes I use the original bloggers pictures, if I didn’t have good ones of my own. I always give credit and links back to the original poster. of course, I only have like (5) people who read my blog right now anyway. Am I bad? I don’t want to be! I want to be a part of the good crowd!
Help! I don’t really understand this whole “link” party, linking back to the party site in your post, and how to host a link party anyway
I think I did it right above?
Hi Kisha, most bloggers are okay with you using one picture of theirs with a link back to their blog post. Linking back by their name instead of “here” or “source” is always appreciated. Some bloggers will have a copyright clause on their sidebar which states what their rules are regarding their intellectual property. To understand how a link party works and how to properly link up your post (and link back), I encourage you to read this tutorial: http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2011/03/how-to-link-up-your-project-to-a-linky-party/
Beth – thank you so much! You are so sweet to answer all of these comments, and I really appreciate you taking time to help me figure this out.
And thanks for the party – this is pretty cool! My first, actually!
Now if i’d just finish a project I’d have more to share -.-
hehee
Kisha
You’re so welcome Kisha! Welcome to the party!
Hi! I don’t know if you know this, or if it even intrests you.
I know there are ways to code the blog that does not allow people to select what is written and copy it.
good luck!
I’m sorry to hear about your content being stolen however I do think deciding to truncate your posts is a mistake. I don’t have the time to click through and therefore delete those sites that truncate their posts. I’ll miss your blog.
I respect your choice Colleen but am also sorry to hear that you don’t have time for an extra click. Also as I said earlier, I think this will quickly become the norm and your reader will be very empty if you choose to delete all the truncated blogs.
See, once again, I am confused…one click …how big a deal is that? it takes a second? 2 seconds?Just my 2 cents!
Hey Beth,
I have read several similar postings on other blogs this past week, probably the same group of people you refer to the Facebook page. I am so against stealing and not giving credit to those that are due it and I sincerely hope I am not a member of any such sites. I really wish you would post which sites have been stealing content so we as readers have the opportunity to disassociate from them. Legally speaking, all you have to state is that you believe they are taking without permission and no harm will come to you for posting it.
Hi Kimberly, Thanks so much for the comment. I understand the curiosity, but I won’t be posting a list of the sites. As far as disassociating yourself from a site that steals it’s fairly simple. If you see someone’s post lifted onto another site or if you see several pictures used on someone else’s site you have probably landed on one. If there is a site that posts nothing but feeds contained in what are called “iframes” those count in my book as stealing as well. Feeds are meant to be read in readers not reposted and monetized on someone else’s website. I hope that helps.
I think people using Pinterest unknowingly (or knowingly) make everyone’s blog content so accessible and pin after pin the lines of ownership of intellectual property become verrrrrrrry blurry and eventually totally broken. I don’t use Pinterest for this very reason. People get pin-happy and forget to link. And Pinterest’s TOS says all images posted must be the property of each person who pins and once pinned, Pinterest can claim ownership to the images. One artist was fed up, like you, with having her intellectual property being stolen online and started Link with Love. http://linkwithlove.typepad.com/ if you’d be interested in what she has to say, if any of it applies to you.
I wish you much success on stopping the scrapers!!
Yes, Pinterest has definitely blurred the lines. I’ve had a few of my top projects stolen by Asian websites that have taken all of my pics from a single post, removed my watermark from the pictures, compiled all the pics into a long chain of pictures and claimed them as their own. It’s maddening.
That is TERRIBLE. I had NO idea that things like that were going on. Thanks for enlightening me and giving me something to think about.
Hey girl–
Thanks for hosting the party!
So sorry that you’re having such an issue with thieves. I saw that Chris decided to truncate her posts this week as well. I assumed that people did that just to generate more pageviews; I had no idea about the scrapers. I’m so naive! I don’t even have my photos watermarked. By the way, I think you’re a Mac user–do you use iPhoto for photo editing, or another program? Do you know if there’s a way to watermark photos in iPhoto? If you have experitse in that area, I’m guessing lots of people would love to read it. And I know that people will be really glad to read your post about the scraper sites, truncating posts, etc. Thank you for taking the time to write it all out.
Bless you! Hope you have a great week!
Thanks Richella. I don’t use iPhoto for editing, just for organizing my photos. You can batch edit photos by exporting them from Picasa and there are a few other programs that work well for batch editing with a watermark. I manually add mine using ipiccy.com. It’s a pain but I’m particular about what I want my watermark to look like and where I want it placed on each photo.
Thanks for hosting! Have a great week!…hugs…Debbie
Thanks for hosting Beth, this is my first time linking up. I have been a follower of your for a while. Love your blog.
Margaret
Welcome Margaret! Thanks for linking up!
Thank you so much for hosting, and passing along important info we need!
Hugs, Tanya
Beth, thank you for hosting Tutes and Tips every week! Also I’m sorry to hear about your content being stolen, I suppose I haven’t run into that problem since I am small potatoes, but am so bummed to hear that happens to you on a frequent basis. Looking forward to reading about how to truncate your feed and any other tips you might have to protect a blog. Thank you for all you do to educate me and other bloggers!