Blogger’s Etiquette.
I received a highly disturbing email from a disgruntled blogger this morning. She insisted I remove a post about a recipe of hers that I posted a year ago. Full credit had been given to her for both her recipe and photograph and linked directly back to her blog and the actual post. Yet she reported me to Blogger for running a “splog” anyway. I’m attaching the email not to call her out, but to get your opinions, ala Carrie Bradshaw. Is posting material that’s not your own bad blogging, whether you link to the original source or not??
“Stepped on my toes” simply put you stole a photo, in fact all the photos on your site are stolen some from friends of mine. It does not matter if you link back to the original blog or not. You are directing traffic to your site by using others work. You are operating a splog and I’ve reported you to blogger.”
neilnjes
September 22, 2009 at 3:28 pmwell I guess she can report me too, because my blog has photos and things that I've found on other sites that I'm posting the same way you are.
I think it would be different if you are running tons of ads and making a profit on a blog that contains NO original content, but you aren't. Its just you expressing yourself and marking your life with things you find, like, enjoy, are inspired by and want to share with others who may not have the time to search and visit the same blogs.
We all do it, because that's what blogging is.
Furthermore, if she has time to police the entire internet over something this petty…well …yeah, lol.
Jessica
:puts flamesuit on:
angiemcgovern
September 22, 2009 at 3:32 pmI haven't been blogging long but it seems that one of the best ways to get traffic to your own blog would be being recognized (and linked to)by other bloggers. If credit is given I don't see the problem.
angiemcgovern
September 22, 2009 at 3:33 pmI haven't been blogging long but it seems that one of the best ways to get traffic to your own blog would be being recognized (and linked to)by other bloggers. If credit is given I don't see the problem.
jenni has her head in the clouds
September 22, 2009 at 3:34 pm(to continue from twitter) Most blogs are people linking cool things from other people, passing of information. Twitter even does this with RT-ing. If you were claiming as your own it would be one thing, but you're not. You gave her full credit and posted links, which is proper blogging etiquette.
Well known popular blogs all do the same, Kottke, Swiss-Miss, just about every Tumblr page. Buzzfeed makes a business off of reposting the newest and coolest thing out there. (all give credit)
But if she asks to take her stuff down, I would take it down as it's her request, but it's not right for her to attack you like that.
If anything, she should be happy that you thought her recipe was so good, that you wanted to share it with the interwebs for everyone else to try, and you know go back to her blog and try more of her recipes (which I'm sure was your logic).
Jeanette Mc.
September 22, 2009 at 3:39 pmShe's a touch of crazy. That's how I found all the blogs I read – through links and posts on OTHER blogs. I don't even understand "it doesn't matter if you link back to the original blog or not" statement. That is responsible journalism – web or print. Yep, touch of crazy she is!
two brunettes
September 22, 2009 at 3:48 pmholy crap! Everyone I read links to other bloggers. In fact I really don't know a single blogger who I read that doesn't post others work. People email ME and every blogger out there to post their work to promote them. Hell, I email tons of people as well to promote me! Isn't that the beauty of being in the blogging community! Not to mention someone should feel honored that their own work was good enough to be admired from someone else. Its an honor really. Geeze.
Lyndsy
September 22, 2009 at 4:13 pmI think that is TOTALLY lame! As long as you give credit where credit is due what's the problem? Obviously she has experienced problems from other bloggers and chose to take it out on you because you have an amazing blog.
I enjoy reading blogs because it exposes me to other blogs or recipes or pictures that I would otherwise miss out on. I am sorry you got the brunt of this blogger.
You and your blog are fabulous! Keep up the great work!
Meghan
September 22, 2009 at 4:21 pmI think she has the right to ask you to take her photo and recipe down, but she crossed the line when she contacted Blogger about you. I'd be willing to wager that no blog has 100% original content, so we're all "splogs" in her mind. Honestly, you'd be sending new viewers (and more traffic) her way, so it's her loss.
I enjoy your blog because you have a great eye and you find/share so many great things that I'd never find myself. Keep doing what you're doing, and F the haters. 🙂
Kelly
September 22, 2009 at 4:27 pmthanks for the feedback, friends! i really appreciate it more than you know.
xo
Kelly
Kelly
September 22, 2009 at 4:31 pmPS: i did remove the post containing her photo and recipe.
tracie @ {tsj} photography
September 22, 2009 at 4:35 pm"splog" ?? bogus!
that's what blogging is about … sharing and connecting.
don't let this stop you … i love your finds! 🙂
brooke @ claremont road
September 22, 2009 at 4:39 pmI'm tickled absolutely pink if anyone likes something I've blogged about enough to repost it, give me the credit, and link to my blog. All that can do is increase my readership so I have more people to share with… and isn't sharing what blogging is all about?
It is my understanding (as a pretty active blogger) that a good majority of the blogging community is open to sharing and allowing other bloggers to share their thoughts/finds with even more people. If someone doesn't want their content reposted, even WITH credit, I think it should be clearly stated all over their blog.
You are definitely the "rule" in this situation; she is the exception. I have found many a great blog through so many of your posts, so she should be thanking you for driving more traffic to her own blog.
Brandi
September 22, 2009 at 4:39 pmI think it's a compliment when another blogger sees something you did and likes it so much that they want to include it on their site. And as long as you give credit for where you found it, I don't see a problem with that. As a blogging community, we move beautiful images and ideas we like around the internet. The problem is when people claim other people's work as their own, but you clearly weren't doing that.
All in all, I love your site, I've found new cool sites because of your posts here, and I don't think you should give it up. If people don't want their work featured on other people's sites, they should explicitly state that on their site. End of story. Rock on.
Anonymous
September 22, 2009 at 5:21 pmIn my experience, all bloggers do this, and you are very good about giving credit where credit is due. Also, I can't tell you the number of times I've seen a recipe on your site and then linked to the original site to (at length) peruse their other offerings.
liNdsEYloO
September 22, 2009 at 5:31 pmi think she may not realize that those who read your blog can now be directed to hers through your spotlight of her creativity. its actually putting MORE traffic to their sites.
i dont think an author would be upset if you quote his book if its in your bibliography- i'd be flattered to see another praise my work and give me the credit for it.
Jaclyn
September 22, 2009 at 5:32 pmWOW — sorry to hear that. How ignorant. Yours is one of my favourite and most inspirational blogs out there. And I THANK YOU for forwarding me onto other inspiring blogs. Keep up the FANTASTIC work!
Allison
September 22, 2009 at 5:36 pmI think you're ok. If you never create your own content (photos or text) then that's not cool. But if you write original posts and only occasionally borrow from others that should be flattering. Particularly if it's something that the other blogger created that you want to eat/buy/cook. There's nothing wrong with that.
Megan
September 22, 2009 at 5:36 pmIf anything she should be saying Thank You for building backlinks to her blog which will rank her higher in the search engines.
I often find the blogs I subscribe to off of other blogs. You post something, I like it, I add it to my reader, I then turn into a follower of that blog too. There is nothing negative that comes out of reposting someones work.
Kate
September 22, 2009 at 5:41 pmGood lord! I'm so sorry you had to deal with this, you win for worst email received this morning!
All blogs are is linking to other things out there and using their photos! I'd be hard pressed to find many with 100% original content! It's not stealing at all, and you're bringing her traffic. When people reblog my stuff, I get SO excited! It's press, hello!
Oh man, this really works me up..
ely
September 22, 2009 at 5:44 pmOne of my favorite things about your blog is that you find cool things and show them off. I think your very respectful in giving credit, and I agree with Brandi, i'ts a compliment when another blogger blogs about you. I think most people would be thankful.
Jenn
September 22, 2009 at 5:48 pmHow sad. I LOVE when people repost my stuff or refer to me – my traffic increases tenfold. (It's happened all of twice, because my blog is still in that fledgling stage as I learn what I want it to be…)
It's her loss, but I guess her decisions as well. If she wants to remain anonymous on the web, her site rarely visited by others because she refuses to let people sing her praises… so be it.
wide open spaces
September 22, 2009 at 5:53 pmI for you, will be shutting down my blog, if it is wrong to do what this person is claiming.
Yikes.
Alicia M
September 22, 2009 at 5:59 pmI think she's honestly lost her mind. If anything she should be flattered that you would share her recipe and blog with others.
Judging by the amount of comments you get on your posts…I'm sure you have a decent sized following – in turn, directing people to her site, increasing her traffic!!
What a nut-job. Keep up the good work!
miss warrior to you
September 22, 2009 at 6:05 pmjeez. i understand her problem, with wanting credit, but attacking you is too much. i figure she has a right to ask to take it down, but she would probably get more traffic if she let it stay up.
you gave her credit, what more can she ask? keep up the good work, i love your blog!
Danielle
September 22, 2009 at 6:35 pmI've always been flattered when someone uses pictures or ideas from my blog, as long as they don't claim it as their own. I think this person is being unreasonable.
Also, I think your blog is great.
elizabeth marley
September 22, 2009 at 6:38 pmThis is still a murky area of ownership, but I think that ultimately a lot of blogging is re-blogging. Consider Tumblr, which is really a tool to re-blog more than anything else.
While I don't think what you do is necessarily wrong, I think it would be polite to ask permission from the authors of the content. However, you aren't required to do so at all.
Amy@OldSweetSong
September 22, 2009 at 6:39 pmSeems CRAZY, Kelly. Isn't that what we all do, link to other fun stuff we want to share with our readers. Also, she got a link and maybe some traffic so why so upset?
Very strange indeed! Don't worry about it though. You (and your blog) are awesome and amazing! Keep up the great work.
Michele Horne
September 22, 2009 at 6:41 pmI would be so flattered if someone found me so interesting/fun/creative as to repost something from me. AND to link to me and send traffic my way… bonus!
Courtney
September 22, 2009 at 6:53 pmWow, that is absolutely insane! Apparently me and every other blogger I know are all running "splogs". I've never even heard of that before.
Like some of the others said, most people are thrilled to get recognition and some traffic for themselves.
As long as you're not claiming the work as your own or profiting from it, I don't see anything wrong with that. Crazy!
Little Gray Pixel
September 22, 2009 at 7:04 pmWho complains about free advertising? So bizarre.
Emily
September 22, 2009 at 7:20 pmDoes taking a photograph of something beautiful diminish that thing's beauty? No. It creates another layer of beauty, one that can be preserved and shared.
Your blogging does the same thing.
Yolksy
September 22, 2009 at 8:25 pmWow, that's a little crazy! As a blogger I think about this happening all the time and it freaks me out! I have two examples of this happening to me. 1) I purchased a necklace, LOVED IT, and I wanted to share it on my blog. She had a great picture of the necklace I bought on her site, so I used that picture. I contacted her telling her I chose her as one of my Top 5 from this craft fair and gave her a link to the post, and she responded with a…"i can't believe you used a picture from my site without permission. that is so unprofessional." Okay! Now here is another example. I posted about a fabulous shop, the shop owner found my posting months later, picked up the phone and called me to tell me how incredibly excited she was to have come across my post and thought it was the sweetest thing in the world!
So I still struggle with what is right and what is wrong in the world of blogging. But take down the ladies recipe it just turned sour!
Who Sees the Seven.
September 22, 2009 at 8:44 pmThat is beyond words. I say that she has overstepped her bounds on this. The majority of bloggers are blogging about others' work and almost all of the time give credit to where credit is due. This is something that you do EVERY TIME!
Tom
September 22, 2009 at 8:50 pmEven Cook's Illustrated magazine asks inkind that any reposting of their recipes be given credit. Welcome to the Internet. I suppose Blogger and other public blogging sites could have their own terms and conditions, but it is generally accepted across the web that you may repost material as long as you provide credit where credit is due (a link back to the originating post isn't even required, but you've gone above and beyond). If Blogger tells you "no more" you can follow their T&C, or you can find another venue for your fantastic blog.
jaime
September 22, 2009 at 8:51 pmwhat? no! sharing is caring. if anything, she should thank you for the free press. I love that you share your finds here. i rely on you to see what crazy fun cool things are floating on the web. keep it going!!
Ms. Jenn
September 22, 2009 at 8:57 pmThis is a tricky situation. She has the right to ask you to remove it, and since you didn't ask her for permission to use her content, she also has the right to report you.
At the same time, you aren't a splog. And, generally speaking you are a very good blogger. It's true that the best way to get publicity for your blog is to have other bloggers re-post and link back to your blog.
However, copyright terms state that attribution isn't enough unless the copyright holder specifies this. So, you could get in trouble for this, especially since recipes are as protected as writing and photography.
Perhaps you could offer to negotiate with her. Offer a public apology to her and explain that you were only following the blogging practices that you have seen as being common within the blogosphere.
Really, she's in the wrong as far as public opinion. However, as far as a legal opinion, she is likely in the right.
Marisa Midori
September 22, 2009 at 9:12 pmI think sharing posts about other blogs that you think are awesome is one of the best things about blogging. It promotes the original poster's blog and shares something cool with the rest of the blogging and blog-reading community. Getting lost in an endless train of links through blog after blog is one of my favourite things to do. I wouldn't know about half the amazing blogs I read if it weren't for this! As long as full credit is given, I see no problem with this.
Morgan
September 22, 2009 at 10:37 pmI am so glad you posted this as I recently had a similar experience. And my first thought was, "Oh, snap – how in the world is everyone else doing this then?"
But clearly, we are all doing it the same way, or at least similarly so now I don't feel so bad. I'm not so sure how else you would go about blogging. Would it be even humanly possible to have a blog if all you could post was original content?
Gallivanting_Girl
September 23, 2009 at 2:45 amI'm sorry that you got that obnoxious email. I read your blog often and I've found a lot of other blogs only because of your postings. I have just started blogging about other people's work on etsy and to protect myself I always ask their permission before featuring them or using their images. I always link back and I also send them a link to the post so that they can see that I did them justice.
You put so many posts up a day that this would be difficult for you, but if you aren't sure of a certain blogs policies you might consider asking so that you don't have to go through all this again.
Keep up the good work just the same–I always find the neatest things on your blog. Don't let this incident hold you back.
You Are My Fave
September 23, 2009 at 3:57 amUmmm, for real? This lady needs to sim simma. Isn't that what we blog for? To share inspiration with each other and then pass it along.
Tegan
September 23, 2009 at 6:30 ammy favourite part of blogging, and actually majority of my blogging is focused around giving a plug to someone else's blog, or advertising an online store or gallery that i think is fab. for me, blogging is all about sharing what i love, with other bloggers. so therefore the point of me crediting other blogger's photos/posts/blogs on mine, is to simply share. not to steal.
Chelsea
September 23, 2009 at 12:43 pmwhat?! What a silly thing to get upset over. That's what I've always loved about the whole blogging community: the willingness to share the ideas of others and "spread the love" if you will. There is almost always a credit given to the original author/photographer, and I feel that it supports other bloggers, authors, photographers, artisans, cooks, jewelry makers, etc who want to get their name out there and share their talent with the world.
Extremely petty of her to send you that email. Kind of funny since I made a post about one of YOUR posts the other day!
Kelly
September 23, 2009 at 2:53 pmthanks so much for the support and feedback, everyone! like i said in the post i didn't put this question out into the blogosphere to slander her (no name or blog is mentioned), i just wanted to get your opinions. so THANK YOU! i really do have the best readers. period. 🙂
xo
Kelly
Martina
September 23, 2009 at 7:24 pmI think every blogger uses and references and quotes his/her peers, as do, you know, musicians and writers and artists and designers and… the list goes on. Creativity is about rethinking the raw materials all around us — and I know that nearly all the blogs I read regularly I originally found by being linked there from another blog. I think you're great — a total inspiration source every day. So thank you and don't worry for a moment about "splogging."
TTAGG
September 24, 2009 at 10:52 pmWell, I guess we're all guilty then. I just posted a new song from Jason Mraz and a link to a lollipop I thought was funny….
I had no idea I could sing that well or make candy that yummy!!!!!
Oh wait, I can't…
Perhaps she's just mad because you probably got more traffic on that post than she did on her original… You can't help it that you're more stylish and creative in the way you present information… you just have "it".
She'll get over it… and if she doesn't… oh well. you still have all of us! 🙂
caroline duke
September 25, 2009 at 9:02 amLAME.
it's amazing how stupid some people are.
that is my opinion on the matter.
lindsay
September 29, 2009 at 2:24 amdisagree completely. Aren't we all drawing inspiration from each other anyway?? why so selfish. learn to share.