How Honest Should We Be?
I have a question about giving feedback on posts on other member's sites and how honest should we be.
I understand the value in positive feedback It is human nature to be apprehensive about 'putting yourself out there' by submitting a post up for appraisal.
To receive positive feedback is good for the soul and will ensure that next time the member will not be so worried about submitting their work.
Negative feedback, as long as it is constructive, can also be positive as long as it helps. However, when you come across a post where there are spelling mistakes and the content has been plagiarised and in one case, copy and pasted, do we comment on that?
I noticed it because the post was in a different font to others and so out of curiosity I checked. If I was able to determine that a post is not unique then Mr Google will certainly be aware of the duplicate content. Do we comment on that in our feedback? Should we even be concerned about duplicate content?
I read some earlier posts which suggests that Google is not concerned too much with duplicate content unless it is spammy. (is there such a word?) They are more concerned about which page to index for the content created. However, I am sure that content copied from another site will not rank as high as original content. Should we comment on that?
I thought about this situation for longer than I should have the other night and really did not know which way to go. Will I be honest and say that you should consider rewriting your post (s) and carry out a spell check on the content or that the content is great even though it isn't yours....
Has anyone else been faced with this predicament and if so, how did you handle it?
Stephen
Recent Comments
16
I think most everyone agrees Stephen. Start off with the positive and then add you might want to think about doing this and end positive. That is how I would like to receive feedback also the way I give it.
Tim
I think we all try to use the same approach but be warned -- some people do not like ANYthing negative said about their site no matter how you say it. It's like walking a tight rope. Personally, I want to see things good/bad from other perspectives and ESPECIALLY if there is an error!
I always like to start feedback with a compliment, and then give constructive advice/ feedback! I myself prefer people to be honest so I can improve on what I have created!
Cheers, Lisa
I always try to use the sandwich approach. Start with a compliment (first slice of bread) then the constructive criticism - tell it like it is (the meat and salad) then another compliment (the last slice of bread). There are always good things you can say about every post.
I agree with Loes, start with something nice, give the constructive criticism and then say something nice again, (otherwise known as a sh*t sandwich!) :)
I think that by way of giving constructive and honest criticism, you will help the people more than saying all is rosy, when it is not. Some people may feel hurt initially, however, at the end they will see they can benefit.
I now have a website that is one and a half year old, earning nothing yet, but everybody tells me how good it is. I would rather hear about my shortcomings!
I always start with telling some good things, then I go over into however... "have you thought about doing it this way", or "I am sure I have read this article elsewhere, can it be that it's copied from you?" Then tell about what effect copying has on a website.
I tell them about the images, which are opening in a media file, and explain that it will loose visitors. etc.
Always try to write in an not accusing way, for as you don't know the person wrote the original post. But in such way that the message is given straight to the point.
Thanks Jessica, I have the starting point that everybody is trying to do the best he know or can
Hi Loes, I agree with this comment but can you just explain this "I tell them about the images, which are opening in a media file, and explain that it will loose vitsitors. etc." I do not understand and I prefer to know exactly everything we are talking about. Thank you. Thomas.
The default setting when you add images is Media file
you can choose for attachment page, custom URL and None
I have wondered how honest to be with comments as well. I will be interested to see what others here have to say.
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Thank you all for your feedback.
I was worried about unintentionally humiliating people in the forum and wondered whether it was better to send a personal message rather than risk doing so publicly.
I do like the sandwich approach but to comment on someone's work and tell them that maybe they should consider rewriting their content because the content was copied from an authority site, could be a little difficult to do.