If there’s one main thing that the Blogoshpere revolves around, what would it be?
Back links! That’s what.
Anybody who has ever commented on a blog and happens to also have their own blog as well, knows exactly what this is. Name, Email Address, Website–we all know this so well we don’t even think about it anymore…until now that is. Can anyone say Blogger or perhaps Google?
Well they goofed. They goofed by no longer allowing any blogger other than those with "Blogger" accounts to leave their website address unless it’s within the comment itself. No more selecting "Other" and having that two line form pop up where you can put your name and website address. And considering how well the "DoFollow" movement has caught on since it’s inception and what it means to effectively isolate the rest of the Blogosphere from Blogger type blog owners, this must have been a decision made while under the influence. For example:
"I got a great idea dude, check this out! Let’s…like…tell the whole Blogosphere that ain’t us to bugger off, okay?"
I’m not going to go into all the details here since a couple of blogging type folks have already written good, concise articles on this rather idiotic decision on Google/Blogger’s part so I’ll post the links here and let you folks read all about it.
Google Lets Down The Bloggers (Matts Nutts)
Blogger.com No Longer Allows Links to Non-Blogger Sites in Comments (Suburban Oblivion)
Now I have quite a few fellow blogger’s that have their sites hosted on Blogger and I’m not going to stop commenting on their blogs because of this but I, like others, find this new state of affairs rather disgusting. I would have hoped Google was better than this but apparently not. Do they actually believe this is going to help? More like biting the hand that feeds them. Biting it off that is.
And thanks Elaine, for bringing me up to date about this.
Possibly Related Matter
Tags: changing blogosphere
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:04 pm
How interesting. I haven’t followed your links yet, but this is a pretty lame move. I’m glad I signed up for a blogger account that is unused but still let’s me comment with linkback.
I have noticed that some of the larger sites (lifehacker.com) don’t have linkbacks.
Hmmmmmm, wonder what they are up to?
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:31 pm
That is pretty sad news. Looks like Blogger users now have one more extra piece of motivation to switch to WordPress.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I really do wonder just what they were thinking.. I mean they can’t expect everyone to get a Blogger blog, surely?
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:29 am
I think this is a very poor decision and will ultimately hurt those who do use blogger. Leaving comments has never been easy with blogger accounts if word verification was activated, now this just makes it worse.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Hi all,
Been dealing with the snow storm or should I say, trying to run errands in the snowstorm.
I just have to wonder what prompted them to make such decision in the first place. I also have to wonder why it apparently went unannounced and nothing posted anywhere from Google since then. Such a move should not have been kept quiet and just leave the users and readers wondering what the heck happened.
Time will tell I suppose. A few more users for WordPress?
December 4th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Hey, I’ve written about this today, too, with a link back to your post. Seems this IS the buzz around the ’sphere lately :/.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Thanks Kirk for your help. I will change to the instructions you gave me and will post about it as soon as I have a minute (or and hour)
December 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Hi Robin!
I’ve been reading your comments throughout my own group of favorite blogs over the past few days and now here you are. What could be cooler than that? BTW, great article (you have a great sense of humor). And thanks for the link. I’m meandering over to your place to leave a comment now.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
janeywan,
Your original instructions worked for me BTW. Just thought I’d let you know.
December 6th, 2007 at 6:04 am
I thought Haloscan would be the answer for me but tried it and found that it wiped away all my comments so I reverted back. Does anyone know if it can be configured to not do this?
December 6th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Hey Otto,
I’ve been researching that myself and by what I’ve found out, there’s not. It’s the top reason Blogger folks won’t use it and those that tried experienced the same thing that you did. A lot of Blogger users are becoming really angry about this. Can’t blame them any.
December 6th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Thanks for addressing my question Kirk! Have a great day, or night as case may be…
December 6th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
At the moment it’s 5:26 PM. Just so ya know.