Attention newbies: a must read!
Follow the Guidelines!
For all the new members who don't know this yet, it is crucial here at Wealthy Affiliate that no SPAM is posted within the community! You must learn and follow all the guidelines when starting out. Please know that this is simply a friendly reminder so what happened to me doesn't happen to you!
Unanswered Blogs at Risk?
I have noticed that some Unanswered blog posts have maybe resulted in being Unanswered because within these blogs, people are asking members for comments and to check out their website and then posting their web address. This is unacceptable at WA, so I thought I'd guide you to the following links to help you gain some insight.
I DO want to point out, however, that is is perfectly acceptable to post your link when asking for help!
Where Can I Post My Link?
There are a few certain places that the leaders provide where you can post your link besides on your profile page at the bottom right under "Follow Me On."
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/website-feedback
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/authoring-writing-content/th...
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/training/wa-affiliate-bootca...
Helpful Training to AVOID SPAM
Here are a couple essential training blogs, among many at WA, that will teach you more about SPAMMING.
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/training/how-to-avoid-spamming-at-wa/avoiding-spam-is-easy#
I Learned the Hard Way!
When I finished a cat site I created earlier on my journey here, I was so excited, that I wrote a blog asking for the community's thoughts, and included my web address. I genuinely wanted people's opinions before I worked full force on the SEO.
No More Writing!
Well, someone within the community misinterpreted my innocent gesture and reported it as SPAM, and the next day my writing privileges were revoked within the community! I was devastated and didn't know how long it was for or anything! I didn't know what I did wrong and hadn't even asked for comments directly on my website.
Should I Quit?
I was heart-broken and discouraged, wanting to quit. However, I turned it around and tried to block it out of my mind for the time being. I loved it too much here and was establishing an incredible business! So, I put all my energy into my website and working on my business.
Yes, I got my writing privileges back after remaining idle in the community for three weeks. But, it taught me a valuable lesson--to learn all the rules and regulations here from the get go so nothing like this could EVER happen again!
I just wanted to make everyone aware of this, especially the Newbies, since I have known many that this has happened to. I wish you all the very best on your journey here and HAVE FUN, BUT BE CAUTIOUS!
Note: I am adding this also--I thought that it would be a perfect idea to post the SPAM training link to each new referral you get to prepare them at the get go! This idea came to me when reading a comment from CowboyJames. Thanks for your inspiration, James!
Erin :)
Recent Comments
276
Okay, thanks for your heads up. Can you this question? Why are they posting links to their websites on the NEW WEBSITES COMMENTS? Can you answer that? Because I can't figure out what's going on there? I've posted my URL there, because that's what we're asked to do, and everyone's been posting there. I'm not getting anywhere with that. I'm really confused, and now even more so. Did I misinterpret the instructions on the NEW WEBSITES COMMENTS page?
Thanks. I hope someone can clear this up.
There are two places where you can ask for comments on your website. One is on the page where Kyle instructs you to do so. The other is to do it formally. Go to the blue SiteRubix button on the left. Then click on SiteComment. You will need to sign up with Gravatar.com to use this.
In this section, you must earn credits to get comments on your site. You can do this by commenting on other sites. This is also true for SiteFeedback. You can also earn credits for writing training here at WA. The other options to buy credits, but I think the give-and-take method is really best.
When you use SiteComments, the results are much faster than by just using the page that Kyles gives you. There your comment gets lost if there are a lot of people going through that lesson.
I hope this helps!
Anita
Thanks for the great instruction for MJL71, Anita! I use SiteComment daily! It's a wonderful resource! xoxo
Just as Anita relayed so perfectly, using the SiteComment platform is the best way to go!
Yes, Armlemt (Anita) gave you the perfect explanation. I hope things are going well for you! :)!
I'm sorry you had to go through that but, thank you for posting this as it is a helpful reminder to those that have been here for awhile as well as for the newer members who are unaware.
One point I would like to make though is that, I think I remember reading something awhile back that it takes about 10 spam clicks for someone's privileges to be revoked so, no one person has to power to do that.
I did not know that. However, if it didn't happen to me, perhaps more would have accidentally spammed without knowing it, too! I just hope I've prevented some of those possible mishaps.
You did a great job with this post and it is something that does need to be posted every so often so that newer members are aware
thank you for this.
I had posted yesterday in Affiliate Bootcamp trying to get insight as far as if I'm going in the right direction, and for any advice about my niche. I wasn't trying to sell anything but when I typed out my idea for the dot com it posted as a link. Reading this just now makes me go "uh-oh" but hopefully there's nothing to worry about cause it was for educational purpose only. I'm glad you posted this. Thank you.
Yes, it can be scary, but knowing the guidelines minimizes the chance of making an error considerably! SO glad for your input!!
I think it is great you turned a sour situation into something positive to let other newbies know about. I have seen this mistake quite a bit and most of the time it is an innocent mistake.
I think it is a good idea also to add the spam training link for new referrals.
Erin, that is not only an excellent post for newbies, it is so very thoughtful of you to share your experience and save others from similar misfortune.
I'm so sorry to know you had such a difficult time when you were new to WA. It's so unkind of people to report newbies for their innocent errors. Members need only to look at another member's profile to see how long they been with WA. And that includes the number of posts a member has produced. For instance my profile shows I joined 12 months prior to when I became a Premium member. As a Starter member I did absolutely nothing. When I became a Premium member 12 months later, I felt very strange and was nervous of making errors. Probably most newbies feel that way.
Thanks for your sweet compliment, Valerie! Yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly! We need to spread the integrity here and think like compassion humans to avoid any harsh behavior! Point well-taken, V!
Three weeks is an eternity on the web. A hard lesson to learn. I think your idea to let new referrals know how this is viewed as spam is a good idea.
Also, I agree with others below that a one time post could have been handled differently by the original reporter, but I am a flexible guy, so others obviously think differently than I do.
Yes, I do agree with you! I'm not one to interfere and don't ever pass judgement. I thought that to inform other members of this issue would be my best bet in preventing it from happening to them--in a more subtle way.
I just want to say that posting your website and asking for comments like you did is actually perfectly harmless. We did stuff like that a few years ago and nobody complained but unfortunately, we've picked up some tattletales along the way.
I'm not trying to be negative here. We are all about helping one another and a little help was all you were asking for.
I just think it's a shame they way some people act. Rant over....lol
I appreciate your soothing comment to me! I agree with you. People should be discreet when reporting SPAM that seems totally harmless, and maybe PM the person to warn them instead. However, in my situation, I feel that everything happens for a reason and, giving my "tattletale" the benefit of the doubt, I learned a lot from my writing ban. It made me appreciate my time here and pushed me to work diligently on my sites.
I thank you for your heartfelt insight and feel that some should handle situations like this with care instead of taking it personally.
I 100% agree with this. It seems pretty obvious you weren't actually trying to spam people, and you CAN tell the difference. Sorry that happened to you!
And Steve - I haven't seen you around here in forever!
Yes, like you, I was on hiatus for about a year. Getting back at it now though! :) And Congrats on your baby!
Thanks Wendy. It's gonna take a while to get used to the idea of being a grandpa!.........lol
Thanks, dear one! I just saw your reply. I appreciate your kind words. Hope things are going great for you!
Oh wow, yikes, I might have done that. I am not sure. But thank you for letting us know. I will make sure I don't do that. Appreciate the kind reminder and info. I want to make sure I respect the WA guidelines and get the help I need with out spamming or offending anyone. As always, I appreciate your insight.
Thanks for your comment! I'm glad you're taking steps to make sure you're in the clear! It can and does often happen without being aware of it. Glad I could open some eyes! See you around again!
What you say is true, especially regarding newbies. However, I have seen posts here, with personal website links included, while Ambassadors actually pass comments on the content of that particular website.
I have never included my site anywhere where it shouldn't be, and I don't intend do, but I expect members of a certain status to check out the spam you mentioned, and not actually be involved in this themselves.
This sort of action is only giving others a bad example, and at the risk of having their writing privileges removed...like in your case.
A point well-taken, James. It's a nice gesture to let people know or warn them when they have SPAMMED so they have a chance to delete it before getting caught. I wish the person who turned me in would have done that. I was clueless when it happened. Yes, those who have been here awhile and know about this subject should know better. Thanks for your input and see you around again!
I have never pulled the plug on anybody here, Erin...and yes, it would have been much better for those 'in the know' to warn others that certain posts aren't welcome or acceptable, and not have them shot down, like what happened to you. I'm very glad you rose up from the deep, and made great progress :)
Thanks so much, James! (I just saw your reply). Opps! Hope things are going well for you, my friend!
See more comments
I just wanted to comment on the blog here. I guess I spammed without knowing it. I connected with a newbie and offered to look at this site. I did it on pure impulse, had nothing but good thoughts in my mind, but I never heard from the guy again and I know now why. Boy, it makes you feel like a fool! I can understand you chagrin, herinnelson.
I meant "his site."
LOL!
Been there, done that! Yes, as badly as I felt, it made me a life-long Wealthy Affiliater--I missed the community and my work here so much during those 3 weeks!