Squidoo Policy Change ~ Who Will It Effect?

[Sweetestmiracle]

I was wondering what everyones thoughts were on this matter and how it could effect a lens that you had taken the time to build. My thought is, better to be safe then locked out.

I will be moving my lenses over to another blog. What do you say?;)

http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-policy-update

[Forum Admin 2]

This is a great question sweetestmiracle. There are quite a few lensmasters who are starting to panic on this change:)

[volybal3]

People are freaking out about this because they think their lenses are going to
be affected. The fact of the matter is that if you create unique and quality lenses,
you should be just fine. This is what you should be doing in the first place, and
just like it was mentioned on Squidoo, if you write good quality lenses, then you
should not even notice the change.

[Sweetestmiracle]

I did create a quality lens and when I went to have the angel bless it, she said I had plagarized and that money making products were spammy and that she could not put her blessing on it.

With her statement, I feel I will be better off moving my lenses for fear of coming on to find them locked;)

[simplyg]

I did create a quality lens and when I went to have the angel bless it, she said I had plagarized and that money making products were spammy and that she could not put her blessing on it.

With her statement, I feel I will be better off moving my lenses for fear of coming on to find them locked;)

I have been worried about this as well. If your lens gets locked, do you still have access to your material? Do they report you somewhere?

[Moderator 1]

From what I have read, they do not want anyone to panic as this will not affect 99% of the lensmasters lenses. Make sure your lens is high quality and does not fall into the "SPAM" category or the SquidDon'ts, blacklist, etc. :)

[TshirtFrank]

Hopefully this does not affect to many of us. I think that if you are creating quality, unique lenses you wont have to worry. If you copy someone elses stuff or your lens is not up to squidoo standards, you are probably not getting great traffic on that lens anyway.

[buckwild]

I just started with a few squidoo lens so not sure how this will affect me. Guess I will put my efforts elsewhere for now and see what happens after the changes go into effect.

[Moderator 1]

If you make sure that your lens is not full of spam and is original content and more of a review you should be fine. They are already locking lenses, but only the ones that have violated the current terms of service not the new ones. Those will go into effect mid-July. :)

[rosa41]

I've read the rules twice and don't think any will get locked but I've decided to not take a chance. I'm copying and pasting all of them on to my computer for backup and also putting them in blogs. Just don't want to lose all the work.

[Forum Admin 2]

That is a smart move Rosa. As they mentioned, it should not affect most of us, but it is better to be safe than sorry. You can also transfer your information to other blogs and begin again that way.

Just make sure you have under 9 links throughout your lens and make sure all content is orginial and you should be fine :)

[rosa41]

So much for thinking I was safe! One of my lenses was just locked. I re-re-read the rules and nothing jumped out at me, I had less than 9 links, it was clearly a review site but they still locked it. Fortunately, I had already moved it but now I am wondering about republishing anything. Not sure I want to challenge the reviewer and risk all of my other lenses so will probably just put it somewhere else for now, duplicate content and all.
I'm open for suggestions.

[Forum Admin 2]

So far you are the first to mention that your lens was locked. I would still email them to find out why this has happened when you felt you had met all their guidelines.

[Moderator 1]

Oh Rosa, I'm sorry to hear that happened. I would email them too. At least you will learn why they did it.

[gangster3591]

I was accorded the same honor by Squidoo. My 2nd lens, promoting a well known weight loss program, was flagged for review over a month ago. [they don't like lenses that promote weight loss products.. even a good lens, on a good clickbank product]
I "disputed" their decision immediately, even re-submitting the dispute form after 1 month. I received no reply. Finally, today they advised me that the lens is "locked and flagged for deletion". No explanation.. nothing except links to policies and updates. Charming. How many hours of work down the drain!?
I have violated NONE of their rules on links, spam, plagiarism, or anything else.
These Squidoo clowns should get their act together: they could spend less time beating their chests as the policy prissies of the blogging world, more time on the legitimate grievances of lensmasters

[Forum Admin 2]

WoW! I am so sorry to hear this Mike. How unprofessional not to even send you an email. I am hoping that you have saved your work and can transfer it to a blog to continue all your hard work. :)

[Dennis Anthony]

Wow! That's a bummer...
You still have no idea why they blocked the publishing of that particular lens?
Strange indeed...

[Moderator 1]

You can read more here: www.squidoo.com/squidoo-policy-update (http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-policy-update)

They are not allowing quite a few different categories, and weight loss is one of them. Unfortunately they have become too spammy, if that makes sense. So it is on the Squid Don't list. This is not a new policy, but some overlook it or simply do not know.

Hopefully this link will help our members understand their policy updates. :)

[Forum Admin 2]

Unfortunately what Mod1 has said is true. But on the otherhand I have seen some of these topics that are on the Squid-don't list get published without any issues. Sad to say, that I have not seen to much consistancy with this new policy.

Squidoo is a great resource and highly loved with the search engines. So if one is able to build a lens and publish this is a great tool for marketing. :)

[gangster3591]

WoW! ..sorry to hear this Mike.
How unprofessional not to even send you an email. I am hoping that you have saved your work and can transfer it to a blog to continue all your hard work. :)

I Sure did. The lens is reincarnated on Wordpress.
I deleted the other lens, and closed the Squidoo account.
I was asked to explain why I was doing it!
So I answered, showing them a courtesy they never saw fit to extend to me.

Your concern is appreciated, Admin 2

[Moderator 1]

Michael,

Good to see you back in the forum. :)

If you are using Wordpress.com you should also be careful. They tend to update their terms of service from time to time and are very big on fighting spam and/or what they believe to be spam. They already don't so much care for affiliate links, you never know where they will go next. Just always make a back up of your information so you don't completely lose it all. :)

[gangster3591]

Michael, Good to see you back in the forum. :)

You should also be careful with Wordpress.com. They tend to update their terms of service from time to time and are very big on fighting spam and/or what they believe to be spam. They already don't so much care for affiliate links, you never know where they will go next. Just always make a back up of your information so you don't completely lose it all. :)

Advice taken, Mod 1, and a big thank you for your concern.
Me? - I'm certainly no spammer, and I use affiliate links sparingly.

A heads-up for members: I got in trouble a couple times with EzineArticles & ArticlesBase, for "including too many self-serving links".
These directories each allow a maximum of 2 "self-serving links", and only in your Bio. They can be websites, blogs, articles..
Affiliate links are not accepted - at all.
Sometimes we forget rules, so we need to be careful [at least I do].
Violations will affect status, and delay approval of articles.

Cheers,

[Forum Admin 2]

I am glad to hear that you were able to transfer your data. Wordpress is also an authority site with the search engines.

With any sites that you maybe using, it is always best to read the terms of agreements. This way you already have the heads up of what is expected and what is no allowed. Most questions have already been asked and are answered in their FAQ section (if they have one). The way they have some of it worded can be quite confusing at times.

Glad to hear that this has not got you down Michael and that you are continuing to push forward :)

[Moderator 1]

You're very welcome Michael :)

[Jamie]

I would just like to point out that everyone should read the point of spamming on the squidoo news flash page. They clearly state that if you use originall and quality content you can publish a lens on just about anything that does not break the law.

So i suggest people really take their time to look at there keywords and use ORIGINAL CONTENT as Squidoo are saying there is to much copy & pasting going on leading to SPAMMING.

[Forum Admin 2]

Thank you for sharing Jamie! :)

[Moderator 1]

Very true Jamie - that is a good point. :)

[Paul D'Arcy]

I would just like to point out that everyone should read the point of spamming on the squidoo news flash page. They clearly state that if you use originall and quality content you can publish a lens on just about anything that does not break the law.

So i suggest people really take their time to look at there keywords and use ORIGINAL CONTENT as Squidoo are saying there is to much copy & pasting going on leading to SPAMMING.

Thanks for the information, Jamie :)
You're always a step ahead...

~Paul

[Forum Admin 2]

Jamie has been becoming a great source of providing information to members. This goes to show how fast the learning process can be as well as the comfort zone of sharing ones knowledge. Go Jamie!! :)

[Moderator 1]

That is why forums are so beneficial - we all can benefit from the information. :)