93 responses to “Is Reblogging Dead? Why I Have Removed The Reblog Button From My Blog”

1. 

   I Removed my Reblog Button – Share Your Light

   Aug 13, 2022

   […] my posts, you may notice that there is no reblog button anymore. A few weeks ago, Hugh of Hugh’s Views & News published a post about why he removed the button. Please read his post to receive the complete […]

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2. 

   Lea

   Jul 31, 2022

   Hi Hugh, it’s hard to believe bloggers would get fined for this. I mean I believe you it’s just strange.

   Please don’t think I’m dense Hugh. I have probably asked you this before. I don’t have a blog (I want to someday.) What is the difference between a reblog and a pingback? If I had a blog and told my readers about this very post with a link to this post is that a pingback? Is this a good thing? Does blog etiquette say that I should contact you first to ask permission? Or at least let you know that I’ve done this? Is reblogging when I copy what someone wrote and put it in my blog? I would think bloggers would like if I had a link to one of their good blog posts but what do I know? Thanks for your patience Hugh. And thanks for answering my silly questions. I haven’t read all of the comments. Be well.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Aug 1, 2022

      Did you read Deborah’s post, Lea? Most bloggers believe they won’t get fined if they download or share copyrighted material, but Deborah’s story proves them wrong. I also know of a few other bloggers who have been fined for sharing or downloading copyrighted material on their blogs.

      With regards to your question about pingbacks and reblogging. A pingback is a link inserted into a blog post that takes a reader to another website when clicked. It’s perfectly safe to do. A reblog is when a blogger shares a blog post of another blogger on their blog. When reblogging, any images and photos in the post being reblogged are downloaded to your blog. Hence, any copyrighted material is downloaded. That’s why reblogging is not always a safe option.

      ‘Does blog etiquette say that I should contact you first to ask permission?’ – not when it’s a pingback, but if you are reblogging the post of a blogger for the first time, I’d recommend you ask their permission first. While most bloggers would be delighted that you reblogged their post, there are some bloggers who don’t like it.

      I hope that all helps. But feel free to ask more questions. I’m always happy to help.

      Reply
      1. 

         Lea

         Aug 2, 2022

         Thank you for the explanation Hugh, I appreciate it. It does help me to understand better. I would just stick with a pingback. It’s much easier and safer apparently. Now I’m going to go find Deborah’s post, haven’t read it yet. You always have the most interesting and educational blogging information Hugh. Thanks for that.

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         1. 

            Hugh W. Roberts

            Aug 3, 2022

            Pingbacks are much safer, Lea.

            There is a pingback to Deborah’s guest post in this post. It makes worrying reading.

            Reply
3. 

   Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – July 2022 – Hugh's Views & News  

   Jul 31, 2022

   […] Is Reblogging Dead? Why I Have Removed The Reblog Button From My Blog […]

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4. 

   Barbara Harper

   Jul 25, 2022

   I don’t use the reblogging button at all. The first time someone reblogged one of my posts, I thought it was a little odd. Usually when a post has been reblogged and I checked it out, it has been on a reblogging farm–someone who doesn’t write original content but just reblogs other people’s. I don’t know what their motivation is unless they have ads and are trying to attract readers with other people’s content.

   I’m honored if someone refers to one of my posts with a pingback. I post a weekly list of the best blog posts I’ve seen that week, with a line or two from their post and a pingback. That way, traffic is driven to their site.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jul 26, 2022

      Barbara, pingbacks are the best way to share another blogger’s post because, as you say, it’ll drive traffic to their blog. I’ve never understood why many who do reblog never close off comments on the reblog. It’s much better to have comments in one place rather than scattered between two posts.

      Reblog farms are a big mystery. I’ve no idea why somebody thinks running one is a good idea.

      Reply
5. 

   JenT

   Jul 22, 2022

   Hi Hugh, Thanks for another insightful post on Reblogging. I just wanted to add that not all Sharing options are equal. Sharing a post from the Reader Sharing icon or PressThis have their own issues, which I covered in my “Sharing is for Pizza” post. However, the Reblog button itself continues to slurp images into a reblogger’s Media Library even today. Unfortunately, as I noted in the comments on that post, in spite of starting to work on the problem, WPcom closed the open ticket as they felt the current Reblog complies with the ToS requirements, so there is nothing to fix. So, yes, I heartily agree with you that folks should remove the Reblog button from their sites if they haven’t already done so.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jul 22, 2022

      You’re welcome, Jen.

      It’s a shame that the ‘Press This’ sharing button is still broken. It’s one of the reasons I added the ‘Press This’ marketing button to the toolbar of my computer, so I can click it and share the link it produces in a new blog post.

      And thank you for your endorsement of removing the reblog button from blogs. Given what WordPress has done (or not done) with copyright issues, bloggers are walking blindly into the potential of being fined for downloading images and photos they had no idea were copyrighted when reblogging. I hope WordPress have a change of mind on this serious issue.

      Reply
6. 

   Jennie

   Jul 20, 2022

   This is an interesting perspective. I do reblog on occasion, but only the bloggers I follow.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jul 21, 2022

      I think that’s what many of us do, Jennie. Only reblog the posts of those we already follow. Be careful about copyright images and photos, though. Deborah thought she was safe reblogging the post of somebody she followed.

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      1. 

         Jennie

         Jul 21, 2022

         Thanks, Hugh!

         Reply
7. 

   Debbie

   Jul 20, 2022

   I wasn’t ever sure about the reblog button but did use it after reading about it in one of your posts Hugh. I hardly ever get reblogged either so wonder why I keep the button there! Might be time to remove it :). Thanks again for sharing your thoughts like this Hugh :)

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jul 20, 2022

      I’ve written a few posts about how to reblog a post correctly, so I’m glad they helped, Debbie. But since those posts, I’ve seen a decline in the number of bloggers using the reblog button. It’s become redundant for many of us, especially when ‘Press This’ is a much better and safer option.

      Reply
8. 

   Daily Kind Quote-1500 – Share Your Light

   Jul 20, 2022

   […] From today on, I will put numbers behind the title of my quotes and other series. The reason is Hugh’s post in which he explains that SEOs “dislike duplicated blog post titles and will rank blogs […]

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9. 

   dgkaye

   Jul 20, 2022

   Worth repeating Hugh. As you know, I too was caught like Deb Jay, years ago and learned my lesson and blogged about it. I’ve written a few posts over the years on using the ‘press this’ button, and I use it to capture info off any web page. It is so handy to have. It just shoots over the title and a link in the post to draft. Once it’s in my draft post folder, I work with the post however I want – never taking images unless I know the author, and know they too use their own or legal images. I do find complete blogs reblogged very boring. If people don’t add their own spin to it and it’s just copied from somewhere else I just move on. And most likely, I’ve already read the original post. :) x

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Jul 20, 2022

      I remember your post informing your readers that you had been fined for reblogging a post that contained copyrighted images, Debby. It just proves to those who have said to me that it’ll never happen to them how wrong they are. It can happen to any of us if we reblog.

      ‘Press This’ is my favourite method of sharing other bloggers’ posts. So easy to do, and I love how you can edit the post and add categories and tags before publishing it. That’s something you can not do when reblogging.

      Reblogging farms are a nuisance. I don’t get what bloggers get from anything but reblogging other bloggers’ posts. It comes over as lazy and uninspiring. I unfollow any blog where the majority of posts are reblogs.

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      1. 

         dgkaye

         Jul 20, 2022

         I agree. And that copyright blooper happened in my first year of blogging. I learned quickly, lol :)

         Reply
10. 

    Mthobisi Magagula

    Jul 19, 2022

    Great stuff Hugh. As for me its the first time I hear of a “Reblog”, I never did such since I started blogging. I think WordPress no longer has a reblog button, we have drafts, publish, bin and share buttons only, I’m afraid. Anyways, nice post

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    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Jul 20, 2022

       The reblog button is still very much there. I’ve seen it on hundreds of blogs. It may be that you have already disabled it on your blog.

       Reply
11. 

    BookerTalk

    Jul 19, 2022

    I’ve reblogged only one time and that was one of your earlier posts Hugh. It should have been simple but there is a glitch in my blog site that made it impossible (WP still hasn’t resolved it) so I had to do it from the Reader. The whole experience put me off so I’ve never been tempted again.

    Deborah’s experience is a scary story!

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    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Jul 19, 2022

       There are much safer ways to share posts you’ve enjoyed reading, Karen. So I’m glad that reblogging experience stopped tempting you from ever trying it again.

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       1. 

          BookerTalk

          Jul 20, 2022

          The case study you shared was enough to scare me off re-blogging forever!

          Reply
12. 

    Norah

    Jul 19, 2022

    Intersting, Hugh. Like you, I haven’t observed much use of the reblog button lately.
    Sadly, WP is doing other funny things to me at the moment.

    Reply
    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Jul 19, 2022

       Sorry to hear about the problems you’re having, Norah. Hopefully, nothing to do with the theme you’re using on your blog. When I had some issues with my blog, WordPress had retired the theme I was using and no longer fixed bugs, etc. I didn’t mind changing the theme. I found it fun, interesting and refreshing to pick a new one. No doubt the theme I’m now using will be retired one day. I just wish they’d let those of us using retired themes know.

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       1. 

          Norah

          Jul 20, 2022

          Maybe that is the issue, Hugh. I’m not sure. I’ve been using the same theme since I started blogging way back when. Hopefully the issues will settle down. We’ll see. So far I’ve found a work around. 🤞

          Reply
13. 

    Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

    Jul 19, 2022

    I think I have only reblogged one or two posts in my time blogging. If I see a post I really like that I think will appeal to my readers, I add it to my monthly roundup post and share it on social media instead.

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    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Jul 19, 2022

       I’m guessing you use a link to that post in your monthly roundup, Michelle?

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       1. 

          Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

          Jul 19, 2022

          Yes, I share why I loved the post, and a notable quote, along with a link to the post.

          Reply
          1. 

             Hugh W. Roberts

             Jul 19, 2022

             That’s a much safer way to do it than pressing the reblog button, Michelle.

             Reply
14. 

    TanGental

    Jul 19, 2022

    There are days, Mr Roberts, when you seem to be the adult amongst us. I’ve not given much thought to reblogs, tbh though I don’t myself. I share very few via Press This (you again, methinks) and the last would have been my brother. If he threatens to sue me… I’ll remove the reblog, for the reasons you indicate. Can I recommend you for a gong fro services to blogging? I think you’d look good in ermine…
    PS, while I’m with the Fount of All Wisdom, is it me, or am I experiencing insane amounts of spam, over 350 a day? Am I missing a trick oh Wise Owl?

    Reply
    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Jul 19, 2022

       ‘Press This’ is much safer than the reblog button, Geoff. When using ‘Press This,’ none of the images or photos of the post you’re sharing are downloaded into your media library. So you don’t risk the possibility of being fined for downloading copyright images. When you use the reblog button (like Deborah did), images and photos from that post are downloaded into your media library.

       Ermine? Isn’t that some kind of stoat? I enjoy sharing all the blogging knowledge with you all. It’s my way of thanking you all for following and reading my posts. Without an audience, there would be no point. All nominations are welcome.

       Did you read my recent post about spam? If not, here it is.

       https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2022/06/06/how-to-deal-with-spam-without-closing-comments-on-your-blog-posts/

       It contains some ideas on how to beat spam. However, I think every blogger will suffer from periods of getting lots of spam from time to time. Depending on which WordPress view you are using when looking at your comments section, it can be bulk deleted or deleted in one go. There are various reasons why specific posts attract lots of spam. There are also some crazy reasons some bloggers give for spam – such as one recently saying that removing the ‘Press This’ sharing button from her blog posts helped reduce spam.

       Hope that all helps? But feel free to ask any further questions. I’m all ears.

       Reply
15. 

    Dan Antion

    Jul 19, 2022

    I’ve reblogged posts by people who have interviewed me or were supporting my blog/book. Otherwise, I’ve reblogged posts about subjects I thought should get some attention, but not often.

    Your frustration with WordPress over the fact that removing the button isn’t n iron clad way to go is interesting. It works (or doesn’t) like that for other things. A lot of bloggers limit the levels of comments to 2 or 3, but you can exceed that in the apps for phone and tablets. Sometimes, even by reading comments on the notification pane in a web browser.

    Reply
    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Jul 19, 2022

       I’ve never limited how many comments I leave on a post, Dan. If the discussion flows, then I’ll carry on talking. However, I know when it’s time to shut up. And I loathe comments that are nothing but emojies.

       Reply