Nikesh Parekh recently wrote a post, Stop Duplicate Titles! Apparently, a lot of people on AR were posting market reports, listings, etc with every title something like, "Hickory NC Market Report." This can definitely cause a problem with Google if you've got 50+ Market Reports on your website. Nikesh's suggestion to simply add a date (or in the case of a listing, a property address) to the title is very sound and solves the problem.
However, I did take a bit of an issue with a reply Nikesh gave in the comment section of the post. Someone asked about reblogging posts and whether or not they should change the title of posts that they reblog. Nikesh responded that they should change the titles of posts that they reblog.
Now, reblogging is a great feature of ActiveRain. Basically, if you allow your posts to be reblogged, you, as the author, are giving other AR members the right to reuse your material on their AR sites (inside blog, outside blog, etc), in its entirety. It's a great way to promote useful info and to get your name out to people that may otherwise not have found you (or your post).
The key there is, "in its entirety." That includes the title. I allow my posts to be reblogged (in most cases). I do not allow my posts to be edited and that includes the title. It may seem like a small thing, but a change in the title could change the whole meaning of the post. People that have had their words turned around on them in print will undoubtedly appreciate that more than those that haven't.
The reblog function is a work of ActiveRain. If they plan on changing policy to allow other to edit reblogs to their liking, then the staff needs to officially report that change. If that's the case, then I'll definitely stop allowing reblogs because that is not the authorization that I would allow.
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Realty Texas - Round Rock, TX
GRI, E-Pro, SRES, SRS, ABR, CNE, REDS, CPS, WCS
Interesting point, not sure I really like people reblogging my blog, after I work hard to write the material. I usually will click on no reblogging button.
Aug 01, 2011 03:56 AM
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor
Very interesting point..I have reblogged several blogs but never changed the title.
Aug 01, 2011 04:02 AM
Hickory, NC
Different strokes, Suzanne. Personally, I would like every post of mine reblogged 50 times! It not only gets my name out to others that probably wouldn't have seen it otherwise, but it provides crucial backlinks to help with Google placement.
And you shouldn't, Ritu. You don't have permission to change the title. Reblog is giving you permission to use the post as it is with no changes.
Aug 01, 2011 04:08 AM
Christie's International Real Estate - Summit Colorado - Breckenridge, CO
Breckenridge CO Real Estate & All Summit County CO
Roger, I agree that you shouldn't change the title or anything about the post if you decide to reblog. First, the author is giving the right for the post to be reblogged but not the right to change it and try and make it your own. I personally don't reblog or allow for reblogging of my posts but maybe in the future I will change my ways. --Krystal
Aug 01, 2011 04:13 AM
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services
Roger - While I too have never changed a blog title, I have to say there have been times I wanted to because either the title was really bad or it was misspelled. I too allow reblogging of my posts but never thought of anyone changing the title. Not being a great creator of titles myself, I don't think I would mind too much if they came up with a better title. Guess I should think about this a little more................ok I thought about it and I don't care if they change the title but that's just me.
Aug 01, 2011 04:19 AM
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign
Roger- very interesting and I have suggested this. I'm all for people reblogging my blog. Why? It give my blog and me more exposure. I love reblogs from others because there have been too many times that I missed a very good blog or news. Changing the title? No way. I want my words out there... for better or for worse. and with some posts, I take great pains in making them interesting. Now, it they wanted to change it by adding the date or something that Niki suggested for the Wordless, Speechless blogs, then that's ok.
Aug 01, 2011 04:26 AM
Hickory, NC
Right, Krystal! how would you feel if a reblogger decided to crop off your tagline at the bottom? I think it would create a much bigger stir then.
Donne, I've chosen not to reblog a post because of a bad or misspelled title. Still I wouldn't change it unless I specifically got written permission from the original author to do so. The title may not be a big deal, but if you allow that, where does it stop. Again, if a reblogger cropped off all your tagline info, would that be important?
That point, of course, is that by allowing a reblog, I'm giving you permission to use that post as it is. If you want to change something to it, please ask first.
Aug 01, 2011 04:29 AM
Hickory, NC
I think I could live with a date addition, Kathy. That said, most of the posts that are reblog worthy wouldn't normally require something like that.
Aug 01, 2011 04:31 AM
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA
Never thought much about changing titles to reblogs. That's a great suggestion and it makes perfect sense.
Aug 01, 2011 04:40 AM
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services
"I've chosen not to reblog a post because of a bad or misspelled title"
DITTO!!! I have to say Roger, I haven't given this subject much thought but your post does give me cause for pause. While I don't have an opinion one way or another about a reblogger changing my blog title (if they have a better title - good for them) but I would have a problem removing my contact info that I include in pretty much all of my posts (usually the last paragraph). That would bother me because then they're trying to pass the post off as their own. THAT IS WRONG!!!
Aug 01, 2011 05:47 AM
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX
Roger, I certainly do not want anyone changing ANYTHING in my posts. I didn't even realize it was possible to do that?
My thought is that if you need to change ANYTHING then don't reblog it. suggested for all to read.
Deb
Aug 01, 2011 06:05 AM
Hickory, NC
Chris Ann, just to be clear, I'm NOT advocating changing the title in a reblog. Exactly the opposite, in fact.
I'm with you, Donne. For the most part, the title probably isn't that important, except for the fact that it's mine. Like the tagline, if you want to change it, you have to ask permission first. Reblogging doesn't give you that permission.
Unless something has changed, Deb, if you reblog, you can go to 'edit' and basically change anything you want. Definitely a loophole that needs fixing, but now a senior staff member has supported the idea of changing the title, which I obviously do not agree.
On really good reblogs, I have went to edit and put in tags, which do not seem to copy over in a reblog. This, however, is not changing anything that the original author wrote, but actually giving their post more "Google Juice"
Aug 01, 2011 06:53 AM
(909) 476-9600 ~ WeLoveSellingRealEstate.com - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Realty Masters & Associates
It actually never occured to me to change the title, but I can see your point. I like reblogging sometimes if someone has a really great post, but I agree it's critical to not alter any part of it or it seems to slip into nebulous territory. Really good post!
Aug 01, 2011 12:51 PM
Las Vegas, NV
Hello Roger and a great post, and wonderful title! Some people are just so weird about "Google Juice" and missing a beat that they can really screw things up for themselves.
Your wonderful post has been featured at one of my favorite groups at AR ...
Vegas Bob ;o)
Aug 01, 2011 07:07 PM
COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON - Pullman, WA
Potter, Mng Broker, CRS, ASP, ePRO, ABR
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