If you are a subscriber to my blog in Google Reader (or another reader) or an email subscriber, you will have noticed that a few days ago, I changed my feed to truncated, meaning that I’m showing part of my blog post, but not the entire post in my feed reader.
And you may have noticed all the hubbub in blogland the last week, as many bloggers that I personally know are also truncating their feeds for the same reasons.
I’ll tell you why I’ve decided to do it. It seems that the blogging landscape has changed a LOT in the last couple of years and now there are sites, called scraper sites, that go around blogland stealing feeds from blogs and publishing them as their own content and they are making money off of this stolen content.
Many of my blog friends and I have decided to take action against this practice and at least to slow it down, by not offering our full feed out there so that these scraper sites can just set up software to steal our content as soon as it is published.
My friend, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch, has written a great article about blog scrapers and how it all works, so if you want more info, please read it there.
Susan also has found that if you read in Google Chrome, there is a feature you can download, Google Reader Inline, that once you load it on Chrome, you can click on the magnifying glass when reading a feed and it will bring up the entire feed, so this may be one way for you to still read in your reader and see the whole post. Susan explains that in this post.
I do realize that this may be a hardship for some of you reading. It will take a few extra seconds to click over to read the post. I do know that and I’m very sorry for the inconvenience. It’s not my intention to make things hard for my readers, but to protect ourselves from thievery, this seems to be the best thing to do at this time. Some bloggers have had more content stolen than others. This has been going on a long time and I’ve seen my posts stolen before, but now it seems to be a whole feed that is stolen and used. And that’s really not fair to all of us who take a lot of time with our blogs and work hard on our content, only to have it stolen word for word and posted on a scraper feature site. These sites are garnering lots of traffic even, but their practices are not ethical at all.
I’m going to monitor the feed situation and I am hoping that most of you will not unsubscribe, but will continue to follow my blog. I hate to lose any of you, but I know it will probably happen! I really do hate to do this, but we don’t want our content stolen either and this will at least help deter that. I’ve also added a note at the end of my posts as to where my content originates. Hopefully, these 2 measures will help keep my content from being used elsewhere.
If I find that this truncated feed is not working all that well, I may consider switching it back later. I’m going to give it a try for now and see how it works, so thanks for hanging with me!
I’m still trying to get it all figured out, so it may go back and forth for a few days until I can get the correct excerpts working on the feed and my blog. I want to show a paragraph and a picture on my feed, so then you can decide if you want to click over and read the whole post. I’m still tweaking that part and am working with plugins to make this happen and so far, I haven’t gotten it all worked out yet . You may see the whole feed up there right now, but just know that I plan to truncate very soon, but want to at least make it look good with a picture for all my readers!
Thank you ALL so much for following along on my journey all this time. I truly do appreciate each and every one of you out there who take the time to read and stop by and leave comments. It means the world to me.
I do hope you understand all of this and will stick with me! Thanks for the positive comments I’ve seen already and for the ones of you who aren’t happy about it, I’m sincerely sorry, but feel this is a business decision for all of us to make who do this blogging for a business.
Oh No! I’m just now figuring out blogging and already now I have to learn something new! I’m so tired of mean people in this world!!!! I don’t blame you a bit for protecting yourself. I guess I’ll have to learn a few new tricks of blogging self defense too.
Thanks for the heads-up.
I completely understand why you are doing it. But, it’s maddening for readers. I hate having to click over and I only do it when I really, really want to read more (such as when the post is about your house progress!!!). Hope you can find another way!!
Rhoda I read your blog every day, but never subscribed until now. I just signed up after reading this post and I hope other “lurkers” will do the same.
I totally understand the problem, but I really think that is the wrong tactic for both you and your blogging friends. Bloggers are not the only ones to wrestle with content being stolen–every media outlet deals with that these days, but instead of restricting digital access (I think the NY Times has been one of the only ones to do and we’ll see how that pans out), my options to access movies, TV shows, books and magazines have grown. I do not have to turn on Food Network on my TV; I can watch it whenever and wherever I have my phone, tablet or laptop. I can choose to read magazines in the old school way or digitally and many magazines now will give me a digital subscription when I take out a traditional subscription, which expands my options.
Instead of limiting readers’ access, bloggers need to figure out a better solution to the problem. I have see a number of suggestions on the blogs that I read. And I am not sure that you should use feed numbers as a a total barometer of the effect of this decision unless it gives you numbers of how many clicked over. It is so easy to skip to the next post, and sometimes easier than deleting the feed, that I am not sure that it will give you an accurate picture of the ramifications.
I write all this because I am very frustrated by this decision. I read many blogs and the reason I cans read so many is the feeder. Without it, I would have to limit my blogs to about ten. And because I read so many blogs, when I see something really cool, I pin it on Pinterest. My friends, who do not read these blogs, will pin it as well and go to that blog; and I know that, generally, log revenue is tied into clicks on a post.
I am afraid that the reader, like me, will be ignored in this debate b/c we simply do not have the time to do so. We use the reader to make our lives easier to indulge our interests and we interact in our own ways. But we are not like many of the readers who have been responding to these posts who either save the blog to their favorites and click through them all or who receive email notifications to do see their favorite blogs. I rarely ever comment, like .0001% of the time, but I feel so strongly about this issue that I felt I must address. I would love to continue reading your blog, but will be unable to do so. Yes, it is only a click, but those clicks add up and, honestly, it makes me upset that it seems that a portion of your audience (and I do read every post) is simply being disregarded.
I completely agree!
oh wow, she does make a point. It does make me happy to see that at least you will start off your google reader with some intro and a photo or two. I was very bummed to see a few other bloggers truncating posts before they even got in a sentance or two! Even if you did 1/4 of the post or even 1/2, wouldn’t it keep the scapers from wanting to steal the post? It wouldn’t even be a full post so if they did take it, they would look dumb…..maybe?? I have no idea! There must be some solution?? Of course for me personally, I’ll continue reading 😉
Kelly and Amanda, I really don’t want to upset my readers, believe me. I am going to give this a try, but it might go back the other way, if I am not able to get my feed truncated with a picture. I’m still working on that part, so I will definitely take all of this into consideration. I’m not trying to make things difficult for my readers, believe me.
I read in reader also and I see how it slows reading down to have to load blogs graphics etc. but I don’t personally see any problem with having to take an extra moment to read my fav blogs! I think you have to do what you have to do and although you don’t want to loose people we also cannot dictate to you exactly what WE all want to be most convenient or you’ll *never* get it ‘right’ 😉
Love the blog – I’ll keep clicking over!!
Rhoda can correct me on this, but one of the reasons I take time to click on everyone’s blog is so that they will get credit for my read and be paid for it by their advertisers. Some blogs load more slowly, so I click open more than one and then read them. It’s interesting to me that you enjoy ‘reader’ as much as you do…I have found it cumbersome. Maybe I’m missing something. Hmmmm.
Diane, you are correct in that bloggers do get more pageviews which means more advertising $$ when readers read “live”. If it was all about the $$, we all would have done this long ago.
It takes my computer 5 or 10 SECONDS to open a blog from the truncated email. I thought that was why solitaire was included on my computer. 🙂 I would encourage Rhonda to do what ever is necessary to protect her blog/business. That’s why actual physical stores have security cameras and burglar alarms. I used to follow more blogs than I do now. I reduced the number of blogs I follow right after I hung a sign in my dining room that reads “SIMPLIFY”. I applied that one word to all areas of my life and I’m much happier and enjoy the things I do so much more.
I, too, so agree with Kelly for all the reasons enumerated here. I love your blog but you’re not the only blog I read. Unfortunately, I’ll be unsubscribing and I’ll miss reading your posts.
Whatever you need to do and whatever it takes to read your posts, I’m there! You are the Best blog I have found. Thank you for sharing your life’s journey with all of us. 🙂
I’m really sorry about all this. Rhoda you are an inspiration and I love your blog. There is no problem about clicking over. I have my Reader simply to bookmark online my favorite blogs so if and when my computer dies or I upgrade I still have them.
So sorry that bloggers have been forced to deal with this. I’m not a blogger but I enjoy numerous blogs. I will still follow your blog, though. The thing I’ve found a little frustrating with blogs is that if they have “linky parties” and I am a subscriber, I have to go to their site online to see others that have linked to their party. For some reason, I am not able to view all the links unless I close out of the email and go to the web to view a blog. Not sure I explained that very well. Any suggestions? Anyone else experience the same thing?
HI, Jill, with linky parties those do not show up on the feed at all, so those will always have to be viewed live on a blog. That’s just the way they display from the link website that hosts them. No way around that one!
Thanks, Rhoda! This answers my question:)
Rhoda — congrats to you and the other bloggers who have made this tough business decision to protect your intellectual property. Because it what it is — borne of your intellect (and of course, some sweat and tears) and YOUR property. The fact that you invite us in every day is an opportunity I wouldn’t miss, even if it means that I have to click one or two more times.
I am one of those lurkers. I don’t have a blog but I don’t subscribe to blogs. The old fashioned way of book marking my favorites and choosing which ones I want to read at any particular time works for me. I am in favor of bloggers doing what they feel is necessary to protect their work (and income). I agree with Sharon. As long as I pay my internet bill, I can enjoy the talent, inspiration, ideas and encouragement for free. Amazing.
I’ve used google reader for years & I don’t understand why readers would think this would be a pain. I never read posts in google reader. I always open it in a new tab – I want it to fill the page so it’s easier to read & the pictures are bigger. It’s such a small thing to me I can’t see why anyone would stop reading for that reason alone.
I would like to see some kind of list of these scraper sites. Is it possible to follow them & not know you’re reading stolen content? I certainly don’t want to support them but I don’t know how to tell if I don’t see something I’ve read in another blog.
Jen, there are many of them, but I’m don’t have an entire list of them. One of the big ones that “borrows” from bloggers a lot is Shelterness. They are notorious for taking posts and pics from and not always linking back. This site complies all sorts of decorating posts from many sources and just republishes it all. None of that is great for the blogger they take from. You probably wouldn’t find the other ones unless you stumbled across them. They pop up all the time and some of my blog friends have had to work hard to try to get their content off these sites. It’s just very frustrating for all to deal with.
I love your blog and will continue to follow, even if I have to click over. One way that people may be contributing to the problem unknowingly is by re-pinning on Pinterest. I try to click over on pins and make sure that the photo is linking back to the original source. It takes more time, but I think it’s important to give credit where it’s due!! I don’t have a blog but have somehow garnered a ton of Pinterest followers. I try not to send them to those big sites. And Shelterness is a big offender–many of those pins that say “100 fall porch ideas”, etc. are from those spam sites. Sorry for the long post–just wanted to point out that we need to be careful with Pinterest!! 🙂
Hi Rhoda,
I always only provided an excerpt in my feed and don’t think it’s a big deal to click once to see a post.
I personally don’t use a reader – I just go to the blogs I love and read! And if there are excerpts there, I’ll click once to see the whole post. I think it’s more important to protect your property than not wanting to bother your readers – the ones that love your content will have the extra half a second to click. No one else but you should make money off of your hard work.
So sorry about this Rhonda. You do what you need to , We will all still follow .
I understand why, however, I think they will be able to find a way around it. Think of the wasted energy they put towards this kind of stuff.
Good question Jen Y – I would hate to be reading stolen content without knowing. Is there a way to know if the site is one of these scraper site?
Clicking out of reader to read a full blog post doesn’t me 🙂 I’m sorry you have to deal with all of this to begin with – it is your blog and your ideas – there is always going to be someone complaining about something, so you should do what makes sense to you.
I will certainly follow. Such a shame this is happening to you bloggers.
So sorry this is happening, Rhoda! I have heard of other blogger’s posts being stolen. I don’t think it’s happened to mine. I don’t have to much to offer! 🙂 You know what, you just do what you hate to do to protect your blog. I’ll always be there and I don’t mind clicking here or there to read your posts. I have Google Reader but I don’t use it much. I had much rather go to the ‘real’ post.
You know I wish you the best.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I’m sorry! I think I need to read my comments before I click publish. I meant “do what you have to do”! Not “hate to do”!
Rhoda, one more mouse click is no problem. I understand what you are doing and support you 100%. You put a lot of effort into your posts and must do what is necessary. One more click will not kill anyone. Looking forward to your next post!
Hello Rhoda, no problem here. I appreciate the problem and honor the solution, whether it be temporary or permanent. You offer such a wonderful blog, so what’s another click between cyber friends? Cheers, Ardith
I read about this on Thrifty Decor Chick and I just hate that yall are having to protect your own thoughts!! As our teachers in school told us, a few bad apples spoil it for everyone. That certainly seems the case here. I will continue to read your blog…a few extra clicks do not bother me. Another blogger who I know personally has been doing this all along just for that reason.