What You Might Not Know About Article Submission Sites
Published on 21 Aug 2007 at 10:51 am.
4 Comments.
Filed under Feature Articles, Raves and Rants, Savvy Marketing Tips.
I write a lot of articles in my monthly ezine, on this blog and as a guest contributor for other sites. It’s one of the best ways to increase visibility online. A few months ago I began submitting 2-3 articles a week to a broad list of free article submission sites as part of my marketing strategy.
Last night, out of curiosity, I googled my name to see where my articles were listed. On the whole, I was pretty pleased to see how many sites picked me up and added me as an author. And then I saw something I hadn’t expected. On the few sites I discovered (and there may be many more) I found that keywords with the body of the content were highlighted. When I put my mouse on the words, they opened small windows of ads that had nothing to do with my article. I was shocked. And angry. To me this is tampering with content without permission. I also felt it cheapened the value of the content as it was intended. That’s just how I feel.
Ok, maybe I am naive and this sort of thing happens a lot. After contacting one of the sites, I received an email saying I could turn off the ad links. Oh, please. Like I have nothing better to do with my time or my VA’s time to revisit sites to turn off ad links, and monitor the articles to be sure the links are turned off!
These are some of the sites I found who use ad links in articles:
www.articleco.com
www.articleblotter.com
www.add-articles.com
Using article submission sites to market yourself is a great idea that I heartily support. Just know that all sites are not equal. Two of my favorites are www.ezinearticles.com and www.selfgrowth.com.
As for me, I will be monitoring article submission sites more closely. I encourage you to do your homework to research the sites you select if you care about how your articles are being reprinted online!
Comments are welcome!
Eric Roth on 22 Aug 2007 at 6:41 pm: 1
Thanks for sharing this puzzling and troubling aspect of our new wonderful, wired world. I have made a copy of your article for my own future writing.
lorraine on 22 Aug 2007 at 9:06 pm: 2
I’m glad it was of help to you Eric
It was a real surprise to me and something I never realized. My sense is that although many sites welcome free articles, othes use the content as a means of generating income.
Personally, I would have appreciated the option of being told in advance so I could say yes or no. As a result, my VA will be removing all articles from sites that do not allow you to turn off the ad links and no more articles will be submitted to those kind of sites in the future.
Priscilla Palmer on 23 Aug 2007 at 10:02 am: 3
Hi Lorraine! I just added you to the Personal Development List. I saw a comment that gave me the impression you’d like that.
Now it’s your turn to choose some additions. If you want to see the full list up to date, I’m keeping a master list at my site.
lorraine on 23 Aug 2007 at 1:32 pm: 4
Hi Priscilla,
I’m so glad to meet you. Yes, thank you so much for adding my name to your list. I’m honored! Thanks to Lyman, who is such a sweetie, I am finding out about all of you incredible folks!
I’m working on the list and you already have blogs I love so I need to do some exploring. I only have two additions so far! I’ll be back!
Cheers!
Lorraine