Hub of The Day Criteria

1. 61

   stuff4kidsposted 10 years ago

   I was just wondering what are the criteria for HoTD awards and who is responsible for the selection? I'm not being churlish, just factual, when I say that clearly not all HoTD selections are chosen on the basis of correct grammar, spelling and proper use of the English language. Some only have one picture, not always properly referenced, with big blocks of unbroken text. So I guess building optimum Hubs that employ the full range of creative potential furnished by the available tools and follow the guidelines in the Learning Center isn't one of the criteria, either. Is just that they meet some sort of  'minimum standard' ? Please understand, I am really not not knocking anyone's work. I've had HoTDs and then discovered typos or usage errors (a couple of which were kindly pointed out to me by another Hubber in the comments, so I was able to correct them quickly - thank you!) so I'm not on any kind of high horse - just genuinely curious to know what it is about a HoTD selection that qualifies it to represent the best of the site to a first time visitor? It's probably me being a bit stupid but I just can't figure it out!

   replyreport
   1. 91

      Christy Kirwanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi stuff4kids,
      
      Hubs of the Day are selected by myself and Robin using the criteria relache kindly pointed out below.
      
      We do our best to showcase many different Hubs on a range of subjects written by lots of different Hubbers, and we're always open to suggestions as well. Please feel free to email me or email Robin to suggest Hubs for the Hub of the Day award.
      
      Also, the #1 most common reason we're unable to choose some otherwise excellent Hubs is that the images are not legally used and properly attributed.

      replyreport
      1. 95

         FlourishAnywayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         If there is a hub where the only thing holding it back from HOTD is proper photo attribution, do you let the Hubber know as feedback and then give him or her a chance to amend it?  It may be a good learning opportunity and may broaden the base.  Perhaps you already do this.

         replyreport
         1. 91

            Christy Kirwanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Hi Flourish,
            
            Your suggestion is a good one. When we have the time, we do occasionally reach out to Hubbers whose Hubs can be selected with a quick, easy fix (usually by attributing photos or fixing a pixelated/blurry image). We'd like to do so more often, but we usually have a lot of other projects we're working on as well.

            replyreport
            1. 31

               Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Matthew Meyer has posted on this Forum that it isn't necessary to credit photos in the public domain.  Yet, today's HOTD (which is excellent!) includes 'public domain' as a photo credit seven times – almost as many times as the main keyword is used.  Are you saying that this photo credit is a requirement for HOTD?  Also, why are photo credits more important than spelling/grammar usage?

               replyreport
               1. 90

                  Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  What is the problem? There is no link.
                  
                  Google can cope with 'public domain'. It will know perfectly well what the page is about.

                  replyreport
                  1. 31

                     Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                     You want to see a link?  Here's a link:
                     http://tinyurl.com/mye2qjx

                     replyreport
                     1. 90

                        Will Apseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                        We are not living in the days of Alta Vista and Dogpile.
                        
                        Google really will know what the page is about.
                        
                        Of course, it will not rank for its main keywords. There are so many edu pages with the same phrase.
                        
                        Melbel is canny enough to know that, and I would guess she wrote the page because it was something she just happened to care about.

                        replyreport
               2. 91

                  Christy Kirwanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Hi Writer Fox,
                  
                  Citing public domain images is not necessary to use them legally on HubPages (or anywhere else), but it IS indeed necessary for Hubs of the Day to cite photos by the author and photos in the public domain because it is the only way that staff will know they are legally used.
                  
                  I'm not claiming that photo credits are more important than quality writing. Just that they are the most frequent reason for rejecting otherwise high-quality Hubs.

                  replyreport
   2. 93

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      +1 Not a stupid question, stuff4kids. Most of us express confusion about the criteria and choices.
      Maybe there needs to be a moratorium on HOTD if image attribution is such a big issue until most hubbers can get it right.

      replyreport
   3. 61

      stuff4kidsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Okay. I think I understand what the score is. I'll just go back to working on my own stuff and not worry about what anyone else is doing.
      
      I'm baffled by Christy's statement, however, as the evidence of several recent HoTDs - riddled from the first sentence with spelling and grammatical errors that would make a first grader wince - glaringly contradicts it. Same goes for the 'beautiful formatting' statement.
      
      However, I don't have the time, energy or inclination to get embroiled in a forum debate, so I'm going to leave it there. Let's just say I have learned something today and have made a mental note.
      
      Good luck to everyone.

      replyreport
2. 72

   relacheposted 10 years ago

   From the HubPages FAQ, http://hubpages.com/faq/#hub-of-the-day
   
   
   
   

   replyreport
   1. 61

      stuff4kidsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Relache.
      
      So..."Staff are looking for Hubs that contain interesting and useful subject matter, high-quality and grammatically correct writing, and beautiful formatting. "
      
      Somewhat mystified now...

      replyreport
3. 55

   janderson99posted 10 years ago

   Hotd is one of those things that people raise concerns about, but nothing seems to happen. Worst is huber score. Eventually people simply give up suggesting improvements . Hotd is extremely important as it is the public face of hp , reputations destroyed affects traffic. This needs more attention to get it right. What about getting an experienced mTurk to suggest a few each day and then check photos etc. This needs to be improved. IMO

   replyreport
4. 55

   janderson99posted 10 years ago

   Ho hum there is grammatical error in the summary, first sentence. More careful attention to detail would be good - see latest about 30 year olds.  Please it needs to be better. Thanks

   replyreport
5. 74

   healthmunstaposted 10 years ago

   Do quality hubs with relevant topics that get no traffic have a chance at HOTD?

   replyreport
   1. 31

      Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Apparently so.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Will has gone to bed. Do you want me to fight with you so you don't get lonely?

         replyreport
   2. 91

      Christy Kirwanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi healthmunsta,
      
      Traffic is not a requirement for becoming a Hub of the Day.

      replyreport
      1. 74

         healthmunstaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for replying Christy!

         replyreport