But everyone is doing it . rant
[Rant]
I see lately an increase of signing blogs off with a website URL.
Or asking for comments, feedback or just visit the website using the blog space.
That is not allowed here according to the WA rules. And when I tell people that it's not allowed, they say
But everybody is doing it!
Still, it's NOT allowed
Rule 9.
Do not post content where your readers are required to go to an external website to "read more"
Rule 16.
- No signatures at the end of your posts
And to all other ambassadors and members: When you see that people are flouting the rules, do not pretend you do not see anything, if you post a comment.
Please, keep this forum clean!
[Rant over]
Recent Comments
149
Hi Loes,
Thanks Loes for putting up a caution and warning sign. I have noticed the same thing, "check out my website at such and such...
It may be true some of the new members haven't reach the training on how to get comments and feedback. My suggestion is be cautious until you understand more.
This is such a great place to learn, work and grow. I am all for enforcement of the rules. Thanks again.
Bill
Thanks Bill, without those rules, we bogged down the WA forum into any other online forum, with hundreds of advertisements
Thanks for posting this Loes I have seen on Live chat many who show or even ask members to have a look at their sites and not just to ask for feedback.
Even that is the wrong place for that.
Yes, some may be newbies and either unaware or test the system out.
Many times I along with some other members have given them the Spam is a no-no link which you have already provided in your post above.
Some have given their thanks for letting them know while others just disappear from the conversation all of a sudden for a long while.
Have a great day Loes stay awesome.
I am having a flashback, I really thought I did place a reply beneath your reply, but it seems to have vanished.
Have a great day too Andre
You did not sure why it's not here now but this was your reply then.
@apache1 I agree Andre. And some have left, forced or not
To which I replied back to your comment and that is gone as well.
Time to get some sleep here it's 11pm so good night from me and have a great day yourself. :)
I thought I went crazy;) Early start of Alzheimer:( Thank you for clearing that up and cured me the same time from a disease:))
Hi, Loes I thought that I would chime in again, hope that it doesn't come across as spammy, one of the things that I am really enjoying about WA at the moment is reading a post like yours they are what I call " salt of the earth posts" more so I am enjoying the conversation that they start and the interaction of the members.
The value is that it brings ideas together, and as we know universities are the cauldron of ideas and new thinking.
From the comments, there seems to be some confusion about the rules, more so the interpretation, of the rules. The WA platform is so dynamic it is like its own living entity, it can be like a spinning top and sometimes the community tips over, one person does it and then another and next thing we have a new season it is the fashion and everyone is doing it.
From my observation whether by design or not Kyle and Carson give us so much freedom to explore and it is basically left to the individual to take responsibility for their actions and in a way this really helps us to develop as a marketer but also develop integrity and in this industry that is one of the golden harps.
So Kyles comment in this thread has really clarified things for me, so if we track back to the rules then things are covered and as a community, they serve us well and have stood the test of time.
It is only when folks start to deviate or start bending the rules that problems arise.
So moving forward it is so clear, don't sign off with your website URL or the URL of an external website that you are sending folks to read more information about your post, which from observation is invariably just a summary of the post of the external website.
My interpretation is that you have done a post on a topic that has helped you in your content creation or you have found something online that has brought value to your business it is ok to share the URL of that knowledge or platform within your post. I may have picked that up wrong please clarify it for me if I have. Invariably they are sites that offer free apps, or information or free entry level.
The classic would be Grammarly, so many members have been helped using that app, I still learn so much from folks sharing their experiences. it is a revolving share here at WA, just an example, like as you have said Canva.
It becomes uncool when folks share these external links and slide that little affiliate link in, you watch the redirect in the browser and you can usually detect it, those little numbers, that is another story.
If we go back to the rules then things are covered, they are pretty clear-cut. I think the major cover all rule is no self-promotion, and if you stop and ask your self that question prior to pushing the publish button then you should be good to go.
There are three categories for me the person just tentatively starting out, I usually look at the sidebar and that gives an indication of where the person is in their WA journey, invariably under ten posts, I usually place a comment, they are just starting out and need some nurturing, I know that if I wade in and say you can't do this its against the rules, they are gone burgers and I see this so often.
The second group is folks that post on an irregular basis you look and they may have posted once in the last 60 days, I just place a comment.sometimes we just need that connection and reassurance.
The third group is folks that should know better, and it kind of becomes a habitual thing, thanks for this post, Loes because I think I will reach out when I see this moving forward. I think as Marion said it devalues the platform to a degree.
Thank you for raising this Loes I guess we are like a big extended family here at WA and the best thing we can do is to look out for our brothers and sisters and help them out if they are doing things that will get them into trouble.
Apologies for writing such a lengthy response
Hi Alex
Yes, I have also lately spotted a few posts that was just another shiny object in disguise and wondered about this. There seems to be a very fine line between really useful (and initially free) referrals, like Grammarly for instance, and just the next shiny object with an affiliate link sneaked in.
I just want to make sure that I understand this correctly Alex, if you can please clarify:
> "The third group is folks that should know better, and it kind
> of becomes a habitual thing, thanks for this post, Loes
> because I think I will reach out when I see this moving forward."
Do you mean this is posts where everybody chimes in, posting a "Thank you, great post!" kind of comments? I thought that is what we are suppose to do? But that said, being fairly new here, I may be a typical case of what is spoken of in this thread, where a newby assumes that is the way things are done around here and innocently perpetuate less desirable behavior! Therefore the reason for asking for clarification!
I also regard these type of posts as "salt of the earth" since I believe we all want to do "the right thing", it is just that we don't always know exactly "what the right thing to do", is. ;-) Therefore one of the reasons why I have not made a blog post yet... just checking things out and learning the ropes... treading on eggs, trying to miss the toes... ;-) LOL!
Classic Sharlee, I hope that I haven't confused anyone that was just a personal view when we are starting out we don't know the ropes so it is easy to goof off, if we have been here a while we should know the score as they say.
It was more a comment about my self if we know what the story is and we see folks in the community that are breaking or are tending to bend the rules, then we should reach out a lot of times it goes under the radar probably because we are all so busy, So a Pm could be really helpful for them.
It doesn't just take a platform to make a good affiliate marketer it takes a community as well.
That is a good point, folks see something and we all assume that is how it is, so it is easy to see that it creates an environment where folks start posting signature URLs. I guess if we have been here a while we should step up to the plate as they say.
You should give it ago, it is one of the best things that you can do to break the ice, the nice thing about WA is the support that we get, in the beginning, it can be hard to find your writing legs and stand on your own and in sharing our experiences we can help many. I like that one, nothing like stepping in it when in bare feet.
LOL! Oeeeee Alex! Sand is just about the only thing I can tolerate between my toes - and then only when walking barefoot on the beach. ;-) LOL!
> It doesn't just take a platform to make a good affiliate
> marketer it takes a community as well.
I hear you Alex. Just like a child is not only brought up by its parents, but also by the community: think about the big, mean looking guy with the twirled moustache whose one mean look in the direction of a screaming child, immediately quiets it down. ;-) So I just wanted to be sure that *I* don't sometime get such a mean look from somebody here, for something that I'm doing without knowing any better! ;-)
It is ok to share an external URL when it gives credit to the writer you have written about, but the post has to be sufficient enough and cannot be a read more link. It is only allowed to tell people where your knowledge is based on.
Rule 9 - Do not post content where your readers are required to go to an external website to "read more". All of the content must be self contained within the post itself.
I have shared dozens of external links, to Canva, Grammarly, Lunapic, pixlr, button creators etc. etc. all helpful for our business free online programs to use.
You just have to remember, do I share something of value, or something to gain from
Thank you for the clarification and bringing this to light. I can say that I have probably inadvertently made this mistake replying to or sending a message within this forum. Being immersed in learning, building content and eager to show the world what we have done is certainly no excuse for flouting the rules. My apologies if I have done this to you and by all means anytime you see something improper or incorrect, please let me know. We appreciate your concern.
Sincerely,
Michael
I think we all are so proud of what we have accomplished, and eager to shared our newborn website:)
It's funny Loes. Just late last week I used the very same Kyle written "Open Education Project/no spam" article, lesson 6) when a member, (obviously new) posted a religious article on the dashboard in which he encouraged all members to go to a link which mentioned a spiritual song which promoted God.
This gentleman might have had good intentions. But. . . I also informed him that his article in fact would no doubt offend some members here at WA who do not share his specific religious beliefs.
Posting religious articles is a definite no-no, (Rule 15) here at WA and I informed him of this fact.
By the way, there is also a rule against promoting any type of political view in a dashboard article or statement which forces people to take sides on one of the many issues in that vein which can be found on a daily basis on the Internet. (Rule 17).
The fact is that Kyle and Carson devised these rules, 21 of them, to protect the integrity of WA. This site is promoted as being strictly spam-free and the two co-founders want to keep it that way.
As I've said many times, all members and not just new ones need to be made immediately aware of the "Open Education Project" especially lesson 6 having to do with spam. They should be given a copy of the article. New members should then be required to sign a declaration stating that, in fact they did both read and furthermore understood the article. If they didn't bother to read it and instead lied, well. . .
Since all members would have claimed, (in writing) that they each read and fully understood this no spam policy, (found in lesson 6); following that there should be a one strike and after that you're out penalty. Violate any of the rules once, and the member gets a warning, as well as a penalty which temporarily denies him/her the ability to participate in WA Chat, writing/commenting on dashboard blog articles, and etc.
However, then proceeding to do it purposely violate any of the no-spam rules a second time - See ya!
The reason why I say "purposely" is because not only would the member have provided that declaration stating that the article had been read by him/her; but in further violating it once obviously the individual still did not "get it" by just choosing to violate it a second time.
The forum does need to be clean, Loes! I agree 100% with your statement.
Thank you, I would certainly applaud for it, when these rules were incorporated into the first lesson of the certification course and the Bootcamp. The rules are liked by 1824 people here, so lots of the members are not yet read these/liked these. I should be a part that people can not go on with the lessons when they don't check off that they have read it.
What is considered a signature? I made an attempt to go through the rules once to seek clarification on some of them and was frustrated in the process; I hinted at a renewed effort by admin to conduct a forum or devise a plan where every member must sign off on the fact that they have read and understand the rules. Recently I saw a comment in response to a request from a member that you cannot post an URL in a comment; but I have seen this over and over and might have been guilty of it in responding to a request. Makes me feel I should revise the rules every 3 months as a reminder.
The best signature that I saw in here is a moving GIF image of a pen writing the author's name, as if the author is actually writing his signature.
They mean, signing off with your website URL as signature beneath your blog, or any other signs that brings you any gain
I have read the rules a few times over the year or so I have been involved here. I cannot remember the specific rules, so I apply the "test", would this be regarded as spam, if so I do this:
1. contact the member direct; and then
2. report them if no change (after re-reading the rules)
I have only ever reported one person out of quite a few.
This, for me, lets me think I have done my bit, and then the people who are responsible take over.
I also try to reach out using PM, Steve, before I send them over to the authorities with the spam button
Those I see on live chat that seems to be spamming innocent or not I send them the Spam is a No-No link first as Loes mention in her post.
Most of the time they either acknowledge this and give thanks, others just ignore or disappear from the conversation.
If I see them spamming again after being given the link or otherwise informed this is spamming I report it to Kyle and Carson to determined further action
The same would give for any posts they may make when you can let them know by PM if you are not 100% sure or to save any embarrassment if this is an innocent action.
If in doubt of whether they are spamming as some I have seen create constant posts bloating of their success elsewhere and consistently having their site shown or continually shown what they are selling.
Yes showing your success is one thing and that is great to see and hear of their success but on a constant basis intentionally advertising indiscreetly is more than pushing the limit.
Fortunately, some of these members I have noticed have had their ranks lowered not just on this last algorithm change but before on the previous change as well.
The worst thing about that is that some of these members have been in the let's say top 50 who should know better. A couple still are while others have dropped in their ranking big time.
Keep it clean and stick to the rules and then we are all on the same page, I think this is excellent advice Loes. I am sure some rules are broken innocently or unknowingly. Never the less, it's about working to together and keeping the house clean!
Thank you
Wayne
I know most people are not aware of the rules, and just follow the example of others, who also are not aware of the rules too, Wayne
Hi Loes I haven't seen any in a while, but when I do tell them on that blog post it's not allowed.
Update.
I was just leaving a comment on a blog post where they posted their social media link for their Twitter account. I told them they can't and let them know about your post here, but I'm wondering...if we can leave this link since it's just a forum? Share Your G Accounts Here!
I do but most don't share them there.
I had a recent blog post on Pinterest and we PMd them to each other if they weren't listed on our profiles.
Hi Loes
You mean the same rule about not sharing URLs in blog posts'space applies to sharing social media accounts? Had no idea about that.I see so many links to Facebook, Twitter, Gmail+. I figured it was not the same as sharing the site's URL.
Maybe it'd be a good idea to write a short update and say members aren't allowed to do that either? Some do it out of ignorance. Thanks for clarification, anyway.:)
During the course, you create Social Media accounts, and beneath the lessons, you are able to share your account and get followers, when EVERYONE here also writes separate blogs about, follow me on Twitter, G+, FB, Reddit, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, FB page, G+ page, etc.
that would be 10 x 1.2 million (all registered members) blogs
See more comments
What is interesting is that at WA we are not only allowed have always been encouraged to place links at the bottom right of our profile page to our websites.
But certainly not at the end of a WA blog post as that would be spam. Even though if someone mentions they have a new site in a post without including a link, any reader can easily go to that person's Profile page and click on their link.
Yes, that´s right Kaju, they can add it to their profile, if they want to share their website
If they would use that area Kaju, I see it happening more and more that links to websites and social platforms are posted right into their bio profile and not on the right bottom where it belongs.
Ambassadors should be the ones giving the good example to anyone within the community and first rule is you know the rules and you stay put to those rules. So anyone getting Ambassador should look up their bio profile and make sure not promoting its own links there, how else do you want to explain a newbie it is not allowed? Put it where it belongs on the right bottom of your profile page. Else newbies get the wrong idea as they see up to Ambassadors as their example, so if links are to be found guess what newbies will do? The same!
Thank you Loes for your awesome support. As always A++++
Agreed on all counts, Stefan, Peace, bro!
Thank you, I have 2 links on my profile bio too, Stefan, due to not enough space on the follow me on, you can only add 7 links there, and I have already 8 websites, where do I suppose to place links to social media?
Did you ask Kyle if he is ok with it? If yes that is an exemption to the rule then. Kyle should update his rules then for others to read.
If not, you are creating double standards here by saying a rule is a rule but you cross the rule yourself, although it seems reasonable, still we should ask Kyle for his approval.
In the meantime newbies will adapt to what they see in your profile, without given explanation why you put those links there, they will adapt and do the same. :)
Btw I meant those who are not using that right space at all and throw all their links in their bio profile, and I have seen many, and then get Ambassador....
I hope it will all clear up, maybe Kyle can extend the space what you can show.
Steffan, I have links placed in my bio, but they are links to my internal blogs. I assume that's fine of course...!
David
There is nothing written about that, so I guess you should be fine.
However it is "Double Content" as those links are already on the right side of your profile... :P
Stefan!
Only a few of those links show up at the side, by sending the "view all" link, then newcomers wanting to read my blogs have a greater chance of seeing something they are interested in.
It probably works. Only yesterday someone commented on having explored my blogs and that was why they followed me... possibly because I had the link to the view all in my bio.
I doubt most ever bother to click "view all" or know what it's about.
David
David!
Just kidding Bro! Don't take it all to literately here, let's keep it funny. :P
(although you have to admit it worked well on you and it had truth to the double content statement lol) :))
Cheers Bro! ;-)
I have asked for more space, a few years ago, but didn't get it, I have filled up all the 7 spaces. I would love to see an extension to 15 links.
That would be great, needs to be, the internet has expanded with so many networking possibilities. And I know you share a lot we can all learn from! It will take a while till I can compete with you... :)