A reblog of one of your posts: a compliment or an act of theft? Here, we discuss the process of reblogging.
By The last time we discussed reblogging, your opinions in the comments were mixed: some of you felt that reblogging was a great compliment, and others felt that it was something akin to theft.
We here at The Daily Post love a good etiquette debate, so let’s wade back in, shall we?
Many of you mentioned being bothered by your content appearing on blogs consisting entirely of reblogs, with no apparent connecting theme and no original commentary at all.
No wonder! It’s true that some of the most famous blogs are essentially carefully curated aggregators, but they are still infused with the blogger’s personality. They have an easily identifiable “About” page, and their links are collected along the lines of the blogger’s specific interests, so it’s obvious these blogs are written by a person. Good curators typically also include at least a few comments on why each post was shared.
Blogs consisting of nothing but reblogs without any obvious real person behind them make people feel they’ve been used for spam. But just because these annoying blogs exist doesn’t mean reblogging is all bad!
C.T. Murphy makes some excellent points in his post, “Why I Reblog.” He likes reblogging because, as he explains:
. . . I read more broadly than I write. I love blogging and the community I have been a part of for the variety of topics. I have the voracity to match. That’s why I read wide and often; that’s why I try to share my own comments and opinions. Every time a blogger clicks publish, they are putting themselves out there. If the post is good enough, then I want to make sure they can feel confident enough to write another.
But he does admit that it’s unfortunate when his readers’ comments and likes appear below his reblog, rather than on the original post. He comes up with a considerate and elegant solution to this:
That’s why, effective immediately, all reblogs will have comments and likes turned off. I’ll make sure to post a direct link to my comment in case anyone wants to reply to me directly, but I ask of you to do so at the original source. That way I can better guarantee people will click since that’s the most important part of the post.
I think that’s a wonderful gesture to better ensure that the writers you admire are benefitting when you reblog their content. You can turn off comments for individual posts and can also disable likes on a per-post basis.
Some other good tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t reblog without comment — add your own thoughts! If others see their work appear on your blog without any mention of what spoke to you about it, they’re likely to wonder why you’ve reposted what they’ve written at all. Adding your own thoughts makes a reblog a meaningful contribution to a cross-blog conversation.
- Pay attention to sidebar warnings. Some bloggers don’t want their content reblogged and say as much in their sidebars. Others have specific requests on their front pages as to how and when they like their content to be shared. If you want to reblog another blogger’s post, it takes only a second to check their site for such information.
- Pay attention to context. Is the post you want to share about a very sensitive or personal topic? Does the blog itself appear to be mostly personal in nature (for example, does it have share buttons and/or comments turned off)? If so, it might be a good idea to check with the blogger before you share their post.
- Check that your reblog appears correctly. The WordPress.com reblogging feature is designed to display an excerpt of the original post and clear attribution with a link back to the source. Double-check all your reblogs to make sure that the link back to the source is obvious, and that the entire original post does not appear (this can occasionally happen if the post is very short).
- If in doubt, ask. While it’s not necessary to get permission each time you reblog someone’s work, it never hurts to do so. This way, you can be 100% certain you’re not stepping on anyone’s feelings.
- Respect the wishes of other bloggers. Should someone contact you and ask you to remove their content from your site, take it down promptly and confirm with them that you’ve done so.
We should all remember that anything we post on a public blog, we share with the entire world wide web. Keep in mind that even if your blog is read only by your closest friends, if it’s public, the words and photographs on it can be picked up, shared, commented on, promoted, and dissected by everyone from your neighbor to CNN. Because of this, you should never post anything publicly that you would be devastated to find was being shared by someone you don’t know.
If your content is too personal for sharing, consider setting your blog to private so that you can control who’s able to read it.
When it comes to reblogging the work of others, it’s good to recognize that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Most bloggers love to have their work shared far and wide, as long as they are credited. If you run across one of the more private bloggers who doesn’t warm to this type of attention, respect their feelings about it, and show your appreciation through a like and a comment on their own blog instead.
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I get intimidated by how it appears to the blogger when I repost. When a post is re-posted, it shows in the comment line of the original post. The other day I re-blogged a post about national water day, and wrote a whole post about gardening, and was mainly reblogging about gardening. I think that entire, long post showed up on the person’s comment feed, and I didn’t like that. So if I reblog, unless I have something that will double as a comment and post, then I’ll write something along with the reblog. Otherwise, it’s the reblog on its own…..if any of that made sense.
But I agree – I reblog to share content, and help get a blogger’s work out there, just like I would share an article on Facebook.
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Hmm. Usually the automatic comment shows about a sentence-long excerpt, and it’s up to the blogger whether to approve that or not, just like any comment.
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Wait, no. You’re right — I was thinking of how pingbacks appear.
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I have a concern. Let’s say a neo-Nazi posts a twisted argument and that I desired to quote the passage for the purpose of dismantling their argument. Certainly, the poster would object to me referencing the quote. I hear that WordPress has a rule that a blogger is not required to get permission to cite a passage. I presume that this rule is meant to encompass situations like this. When an essayist writes a piece for a major magazine, they do often highlight comments that they disagree with. So there are situations where a blogger can honorably quote a passage even if the other objects. Certainly, the reviewer should declare who the author is and they should also add in their own thoughts and understanding. I do believe that keeping the passage short is still essential. If there is another passage the reviewer disagrees with, then I think it should be cited seperately with the reviewers material interspersed. Situations like this aren’t an everyday occurence, but they should be noted. It is certainly possible to uphold respect and opposition to theft while at the same time declaring your right to raise concern about deceptive claims.
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Yes of course, you are correct! But then usually someone writing controversial political opinions will expect to be responded to (or should expect it), even if they object to your counterargument. Whereas someone posting about their personal health situation, or pictures of their children might not expect anyone to share that.
And to clarify, WordPress.com certainly does not require anyone to obtain permission to quote anything; these are just tips for good blogging karma. 🙂
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I’m flattered by reblogs, and I’ve had my stuff reblogged without people asking permission first. However, since I get the pingback I check it out and I’m completely fine with it as long as it’s clear that I’m the author. I like the exposure and the fact that people like my stuff enough to share it. When I reblog other peoples’ posts, I usually ask their permission first, and don’t reblog until permission is confirmed. Then I do usually comment in the reblog, saying something about why I enjoyed the post enough to share it on my blog.
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I don’t think most people reblog to “steal” other people’s material. I know for myself, if I were to reblog something it’s because I thought it was interesting enough to share with other people.
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I have reached the point where I’m commenting on a reblog less and less I kind of feel that when I do comment I’m imposing my opinion over that of the writer and by so doing taking advantage of his/her creation to piggy back my own. If I reblog its because I like or dislike the post enough to do something about it, sometimes I comment but that is a diminishing occurrence I don’t want to offend genuine effort and original thought by possibly diminishing the posts impact with my opinion.
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I don’t think reblogging is theft, it isn’t like you are claiming it as your own. I think reblogging is a great tool for spreading good ideas and blogs. If reblogging really irritates you, then don’t reblog.
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I don’t like the word “theft.” After all, when you click on the link to read the whole post, it goes to the original author’s site. If someone re-blogged something I wrote, I’d be flattered. Someone is sharing your work. Isn’t that why one puts their work on the internet? For it to be seen? “Oh, you mean MORE people might read / see my work? Oh, no, no thanks!” I don’t get that kind of response. Having said that, of course we should respect everyone’s feelings. If someone’s upset because their work was re-blogged, the “offending” blogger should remove it. (But I’m kind of rolling my eyes. Just a little.)
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@Meredith: by the way, I’m agreeing with you. As I reviewed my comment I realized that it didn’t look that way. 🙂
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I agree. Full credit is given in re-blogs, and they are a way I’ve found some blogs that I probably otherwise would not have found. They’ve also allowed people to see my blog who otherwise might not have seen it. If this were a feature that didn’t give credit to the original blog and blogger, I’d feel differently, but “theft” is going pretty far since there’s literally no way to remove a blogger’s information from something that is re-blogged.
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I mostly re-blog only posts that are not blogger’s original work (like quotes or you tube clips). For original content that’s inspired me, I create a post (usually with an illustration), explaining why I love it. When I have re-blogged (only 3 times), most times I receive a thank you from the blogger. Also, I take those posts down after a week or so… as I want my content to be my own, especially with the theme I’m using were all my work is shown on the first page (hatch them).
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I always try to leave some type of comment when I reblog something of someone else’s work. It is only right that they get the credit for the written material. There are tons of posts that I like to read and find interesting. I do not have any problem with taking something down if the person does not like their items to be reblogged. I have experienced that many posts that I have reblogged the original person is honored that I found it interesting enough to reblog.
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You have great blog etiquette. I think more people, if they choose to reblog, should follow the same rules. Or maybe there should be some kind of handbook?
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Thank you for your kind words! I try to reply to the items that I reblog because it is only right to voice your opinion on why you are reblogging the other person’s information.
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It never occurred to me that I could turn off likes and comments for reblogs. It has always bothered me to get feedback on a post that isn’t even mine. Thanks for posting this!
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Reblogged this on Tammy Hopkinson MBA and commented:
If anyone has conflictions about the items that I reblog please feel free to let me know. I find that most of the items that I reblog are interesting, beautiful, and something that I would like to share on my blog. I understand the concept and thinking that the person on the other side might be a spammer. I would just like to say that I enjoy reading and reblogging interesting information that other’s post. I also try to leave a comment to the owner of the blog about the material that I have read.
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I get reblogged at bit, not a lot, but it does happen, I don’t mind, I don’t have a problem with it being reblogged, it is advertising in a way and sharing my blog, I don’t think that is bad. I would prefer that than someone just using my images with no credit or link back to me, at least with a reblog you know you get that.
What I don’t like, which is something I have just recently found out about, is how all my images from my post end up in their media centre on their blog, so they effectively have all my images. That is a worry.
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You know I did not notice that in my media but I will check because I do not want to use other people’s pictures…I have also noticed on my blog that my comments are above the original person’s post.
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Now that I didn’t know…and must be a concern. Grateful for the info though not sure what bone can do about it.??
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I accidentally re blogged Bella On the Beach s’ post from yesterday. I was reading off my phone and didn’t know what the particular button was for and lo and behold, I reblogged so I want to apologize!
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I’d thus far been reluctant to reblog posts on my own blog. I’ll reconsider it…
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I really appreciate being reblogged as for me it means that I get the chance to connect with someone who enjoys what I have written. What I really object to is finding my words plagiarized with no credit whatsoever. It’s never happened on Worpress sites but I have seen myself appearing without permission or acknowledgement on other social media sites.
Thank you to everyone who has reblogged me so far 🙂
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I’m new to WordPress but I thought that re-blogging is part of the discussion of the blog. Everyone has their own view on the subject.
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I’m not too keen on re-blogging, but I have done a few when I feel there’s a great message that needs to be spread…
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I’d just like to thank all of you for the interesting and thoughtful discussion on this post! I’ve really enjoyed reading these comments, and a lot of you raised points I had not thought of.
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Wow! I never thought of it like this, but to be fair I have only reblogged once. To me, I reblog when I want to share a post that I thought was interesting (and relevant to my blog) with my followers. Reblogging isn’t bad, its just that formatting doesn’t highlight the original blogger.
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Excellent topic and very informative. I always wondered on the do’s and dont’s of reblogging. Thanks for this article.
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I have no idea what you are all talking about. I am sure no-one has re-blogged my entries but the only re-blogging I acknowledge is when I reiterate what I have said before in my blog. If you have nothing to say, don’t talk. Maybe you’ll learn that as you get older, there are too many spurious and uninformed opinions flying around; usually based on Rupert Murdoch’s indoctrination.
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This was an interesting post – thank you. I appreciate the tips and etiquette on reblogging.
I’ve only had one of my posts reblogged. As long as the credit is there, I don’t mind. To me, it’s a way of getting a bit more visibility. I don’t reblog other people’s posts though.
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I’ve been reblogged quite a bit, and I have to say, only one has fit what you described above…all the rest are just scraper blogs or get rich quick, etc. This is the one thing I really dislike. I wish we had the option to approve it before hand, or to delete it. Or something – that gave the actual author a bit of control about where their content is used. I hate it when someone reblogs a post and their site is one I would really not like to be associated with at all. I hate it that I’m forced to be associated with them, even though I may deplore their values, and the content of their blog. It feels like this just a real violation of my values.
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Is it possible to make a setting where we could decide if we want our content reblogged or not, and if we don’t, then opt out of the reblog, just disable it. I assume almost anything is possible with a bit of ingenious coding…why not offer that? I think it’s wrong to say well, if you post it online, it’s fair game…because actually, wordpress is making it extremely easy to be fair game. Just disable reblog, and those that are writing the kind of blogs like CT Murphy, can still get permission and do it the right way. But these creeps that just steal content, would have to work to hard and go away.
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You can disable the re-blog button on your specific posts in Settings, though it will still be available to readers via the reader.
In terms of WP making it “easier” than average, I disagree. Tumblr is entirely based on the re-blog, Twitter with re-tweets, Facebook with shares, and so are most places with share buttons. Even without share buttons, it’s a simple matter of copy & paste. WordPress’s re-blog function actually helps keep it legit and fair because it makes it easy for re-bloggers to correctly source content, and to share only partial content instead of everything. I think turning off this function would encourage, not inhibit, actual theft.
And, for what it’s worth, I’ve met many an online friend and found many readers– and found many blogs– through re-blogs.
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I have already, in my setting turned off reblogging. But it can still be reblogged from the Reader, and that is what is happening. I seriously think, if that was not the case, and someone had to go to the trouble of clicking in to my site, and then copying and pasting, they probably would bother on the scrapper sites. So if turning off the reblog option, actually turned it off site wide, that would be nice for those of us that don’t want to be reblogged.
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I agree! It seems like it would be so easy to insert an “Allow Re-blog” button next to the “Allow Comments” and “Allow Pings.” I started a dialogue in Forums but this idea has gone nowhere. I was very frustrated to see several of my pieces (one that was Freshly Pressed) re-blogged in what I deem inappropriate places. I requested removal but the sting was still there. Since then, I’ve posted a sidebar note stating re-blogs require permission.
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Joyce…you can turn it off in your share settings. But that doesn’t turn it off in the Reader. The same thing happened to me. I was Freshly Pressed, and I thought, cool! Then I got reblogged by a dozen scrapper sites, and went, crap. There goes my google page rank. It totally sucks! There is nothing I can do to stop it, and wordpress is making it so easy for the the sleeze sites. I honestly don’t understand their thinking.
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So agree! I did turn it off in Share settings, but those scrappers are disturbing. I don’t understand WP’s thinking on this when there’s a simple solution that gives the author the option.
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Joyce…this seems to have just changed. JenT at http://wpcommaven.wordpress.com, experimented with reblogging one of my posts yesterday, and it seems that they have changed it. She was unable to reblog when I had it turned off. Then, I turned it on, she reblogged it, and when I turned it back off, it mostly went away. She will be blogging about her experiments later this week, I think on the site I linked above.
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Thank was helpful information as I am a new blogger, thank you!
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* I mean than you! As a new blogger that is helpful.
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Anyone who reads this post will surely be more conscientious when reblogging posts from other sites. Some posts contain unique material or important messages or are lovely for the soul, and they beg to be seen by larger audience. I’ve found that a reblog gets much more attention than a post written to point others to that same link. Sometimes you have to spoon feed readers to get them to follow a link!
Thank you for your helpful post!
Lisa/z
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I don’t feel like it’s theft. But it does feel a little strange. I just published a post that took me several days to compose, about a subject that’s pretty delicate. I am proud of the post. When it was reblogged, I did take it as a compliment, but it still felt odd. I think I would have preferred a note from the blogs’ owners letting me know they were using it, or even asking permission. At least a “like” on my post would be nice. But as long as I’m credited, I guess I’m okay with it. (The one who didn’t credit me, though, got a strongly worded email…)
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Nothing flatters me more than getting reblogged. It’s a great way to spread work to readers who may not have been exposed otherwise.
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Reblogged this on Random Acts of Photography and commented:
Apologies to my regular readers for yet another post on the new Reblog, but this is my current bugaboo and with good reason.
It’s all well and good to discuss reblogging netiquette and karma, but the nuts and bolts of reblogging are broken and we community members cannot fix this. Besides the written content in a reblog still being overly long, the current iteration of reblogging a post with visual content pulls every image in that post into the reblogger’s Media Library whether it’s used in the reblog or not. I’ve discussed this on this site and at length on WPcomMaven.
Further aspects to consider: what are the ramifications if someone reblogs a post that contains purchased stock images which are licensed only to the original site? What about posts where a person has permission from the original content creator to post their content (not a reblog), but then someone else comes along and reblogs it? There are too many aspects of reblogging that WPcom doesn’t seem to have thought through to the end or perhaps that their Terms of Use absolves them of any responsibility.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been on WPcom now close to 8 years and continue to recommend it to my colleagues and clients. However the new Reblog needs some tough love that only Staff can give.
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I’m still new but the times I’ve reblogged I’ve always put my own thoughts on the front so my audience will know why I’m sharing it. I think if it’s done with manners & they still produce their own content there shldnt be issues.
I am a little confused about how to get comments & such to go back to the main blog writer tho…..
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