I have been writing this blog since September of 2006. As a writer, I may not be the best, but the work I produce is mine–it comes out of my head and onto the internet because I thought of it. So when I found out yesterday that another RV site was essentially stealing my work, I was just a little ticked off about it.
This other site, to remain unnamed, sent me a message via a comment on one of my blog posts to let me know that they had changed their format from a “link exchange page” to a “blog network”. Now, I am a member of several other blog networks that “I” chose to become a member of. Those are REAL networks where they post an excerpt of my posts, and then a link to “read more” takes you here to FabGrandma, my blog. Which is the way blog networks are supposed to work.
On this other site, when you click on “full story” to read the rest of the post, it takes you to another page on THEIR site. It is not until you click a third time that you find a link to my blog. So, if you are reading my blog over there, you have no reason to ever come here. And if you leave a comment over there, I will never see it. That is not a blog network, that is someone using my content, my work, to populate their website, without my permission.
Another thing that bothered me is that when I finally did find the link to my blog, there was a prominent political ad which expresses views to which I do not adhere. I don’t write a politcal blog–I try my best to keep my political views to myself, and I don’t appreciate having my name associated with views I can’t support.
So, if you are an RV blogger, you may want to check to see who is using your content–and let them know it is just not right to use other people’s content without their permission. I’m just saying…
Jennifer says
Ugh! That’s terrible that someone is doing that to you! I’m sorry!
Susan Adcox says
Yes, plagiarism is quite rampant on the Internet. I have found several places that were using my pieces without authorization by using Google Alerts, which sends you an email a day alerting you to new pieces that have been published using a keyword that you select. Besides finding out new information about your subject, lo and behold, you may find your own content on some other site.
bettyl says
It really sucks that your work gets stolen like that. It seems that’s just what happens.
I have learned that if I want to control my work, I don’t put it on the internet.
Sorry for your problems. I hope you can work something out with the unnamed site.
Judy Bell says
I just got a comment from a guy named Kenny Scott at RVthereyet. Is this the same networking site you are referring to?