Quite a few people read this blog every day, and I try to make their experience while reading it as good as I possibly can. When I decide to make a change that will impact how people read the blog, I consider it very carefully.
I thought about it for months before decided to divide my posts, using a link readers would have to click to continue reading and see the recipe. I'm anticipating some readers might not understand the change, and if you're one of those people, I want you to know exactly why I'm making it.
Several times every day I check to see who is linking to my website from other places on the internet. For months now, I've been finding links from spam weblogs (called splogs) who take the content from my site and re-post it as if they wrote it. Sometimes I find more than one in the same day! All this is done electronically, and some sites are so sophisticated that they literally re-produce my entire blog as if it was their own.
If posts have the "continue reading" link, it will cut down on this stealing of my material in two ways. First, a splog won't be as likely to steal from a site where the whole post isn't showing. Second, people reading the splog site who click through will realize they were on a copycat site and hopefully start reading the actual Kalyn's Kitchen. At the least they will be forced to visit my blog if they want the recipe.
The "continue reading" link will only show when the post is displayed on the front page in the month it's first posted. If you're using the recipe archives or sidebar links, when you click on a title you'll get the whole post.
Thanks to everyone who reads for your continued support. Of course the fabulous team of Rand and Bradley have been helping me do this, and we're hoping it will work smoothly, with no hitches, especially for people who are subscribing through e-mail or rss reader. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.
If posts have the "continue reading" link, it will cut down on this stealing of my material in two ways. First, a splog won't be as likely to steal from a site where the whole post isn't showing. Second, people reading the splog site who click through will realize they were on a copycat site and hopefully start reading the actual Kalyn's Kitchen. At the least they will be forced to visit my blog if they want the recipe.
The "continue reading" link will only show when the post is displayed on the front page in the month it's first posted. If you're using the recipe archives or sidebar links, when you click on a title you'll get the whole post.
Thanks to everyone who reads for your continued support. Of course the fabulous team of Rand and Bradley have been helping me do this, and we're hoping it will work smoothly, with no hitches, especially for people who are subscribing through e-mail or rss reader. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.
20 comments:
slogs...booo! But you know I will always click "Continue"!
I need a blogger tutor...ha ha...I am feeling so technologically inadequate!
a 'more' link won't really deter sploggers, but at least it will force people to click through to your site if they are so interested... i don't know how many readers splog sites have though, they usually seem to be built for adsense than human interaction :( that's why i added a digital fingerprint to my RSS feed, to better track down misuse :(
Kalyn, I'm in awe -- this is all a mystery to me. As always you are pointing the way for the rest of us, and for that I thank you!
Greek would be easier. I have never heard of any of this. This blows my mind. Why? What is wrong with people?
But I don't even understand how you can follow them and then find them. Something more for me to put on my worry list.
anything that deters them from stealing blog content is good in my book! My short rss feed has helped a lot actually, now they only lift photos but don't realize that they just get the html code. So whichever way, let's fight them!
I suppose in a way it's flattering, but I'm with Tanna, it's hard to imagine what is wrong with people who steal so openly and brazenly. And Chris is right - we'll click continue and carry on reading ...
Joanna
joannasfood.blogspot.com
I think this is great. it'll really work for people who like short posts. And yes if they're keen, they'll click CONTINUE!
I doubt you'll lose readers, and I think it's a very good idea if you're getting that many sploggers! I've only had them a few times but I understand how irritating they are!
Wow, thank you to everyone for the supportive comments. I'm really hoping this will help, and that people won't find it a bother to have to click one more time to get to the recipe.
Of course I wouldn't know how to do any of this without Rand and Bradley so I'm grateful to them. And I'm learning as I go along like all of you.
Kalyn, you are doing a great thing by taking control of your intellectual property like this. And go you! for figuring out the holy grail of blogger: how to create jumps! Don't worry, I will still be clicking through too.
Kalyn: I can totally understand your rationale, and I will do the exact same thing the first day I notice my content being copied!
thanks for the warning. i didn't even know these things existed...
I totally support your decision, Kalyn. Besides, I almost always click through to view the recipes on your site anyway. Much nicer looking than by blog reader. :-) Anyway, thanks for considering web site usability before making your change.
I haven't heard of splogs and have been lucky in not finding out! They sound just awful!
Hope it works.
This totally makes sense...good thinking on your part!
This is eye-opening! And makes something I discovered the other day make MUCH more sense. :) Thanks.
I was a little thrown off at first, thinking, where's the recipe? But then I saw the sentence about clicking to see the recipe. I don't mind that at all, but I wonder if you could make that sentence stand out a bit more, for us lunkheads. :)
Sorry about the people stealing your content. That's just disgusting.
A very inofrmative post...now I too understand why some blogs have a "continue reading". will have to find out how to do it?
Ronell
Isn't it a shame Kalyn. I suspect this won't help though. These spambots could be stealing your content from your rss feed, which contains the whole post. They don't even have to visit your main page. I hope it works though...
Thanks again to everyone for the support. I have been very happy with how understanding everyone has been.
Lucas, the changes are not all made yet, but ultimately the rss feed and e-mail subscriptions will have the shorter version too. I hope people who read that way don't hate it, but shortening the rss feed is the only way to make this effective.
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