What Type of a Website has HubPages actually Become?

1. 59

   God shetposted 8 years ago

   We all know Facebook is for people to stay connected with their friends and family. Wikipedia is for acquiring instant 'knowledge'. Flickr is for sharing photographs, etc. But what is the ultimate objective of HubPages?
   
   I used to be sure that I knew the answer: HubPages is for making informative articles and making money. But I hit a forum thread yesterday - which piqued my curiosity - and I'm no longer assured that HubPages is really a website for making money: it seems to have become something like a 'global platform for creative expression and sharing our experiences'.
   
   Am I missing something.
   
   
   [Personally speaking, I do use this website for creative expression and I never thought of making money. If I were to make money I would rather try the real world, for example. My point is that if HP is now really for creative expression - then the core structure of the website should represent its core objective (for example: I can't expect Mr. Obama's official website to look and feel like the interface of Bubblews!)

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      Jasmeetkposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I think hubpages is meant for high quality content and information as well as making money

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      1. 85

         TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         However, I would add that making money here has become very difficult for most people due to the upgrades and changes.
         
         To really do well here financially, you have to know some SEO, have a strong command of the English language, know how to use ads and links without being spammy, write truly original content that can compete within its topic, use creatively done photos that are properly accredited, write relatively long articles and make sure they are on topics for which people will search.
         
         This is a tall order and few really can fill it.  So, making money , while possible, is not probable for many people.
         
         I know one writer here, very good and very popular, who had over 400 articles and was making 75 cents a day last year.  This is not making money.  This is slave labor!

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      2. 59

         God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         The question is - what kind of 'content'?

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      3. 59

         God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Is it true that HP is now mainly about people expressing themselves creatively ('expressive' articles) - or is it still mainly about providing search-engines ('content-farm' articles) what their users are looking for?

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   2. 72

      relacheposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      What a business decides it is for, and what it's users decide it is for, can often be different.
      
      Back in year one, the summer of 2006, HubPages had no ads.  No retail.  Barely had images.  And allowed pornographic content.  They also had no venture capital investors.
      
      Over the years, what the founders and admin team of HubPages have called/described the site has changed.
      
      The homepage says this is "your online space to share your advice, reviews, useful tips, opinions and insights with hundreds of other authors."
      
      Wikipedia says HubPages is "a user generated content, revenue-sharing website."
      
      Quantcast describes HubPages as "an open community of passionate people - writers, explorers, knowledge seekers, conversation starters."
      
      All those descriptions do describe the site, and yet they don't actually narrow down what happens here.  Sites that attempt to be all things to all people often suffer from not being specific enough.

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      1. 59

         God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         "Sites that attempt to be all things to all people often suffer from not being specific enough."
         
         
         Perhaps the same might be said of websites that don't know what they are, to themselves and to others.

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2. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 8 years ago

   HubPages is a place to read and write about topics you're passionate about.
   
   Our mission is to be the best place to discover and create original, In-depth, media rich, useful pages.
   
   HubPages is NOT a place to publish for a link or to solely promote something.
   
   There is a place for people on HubPages that want to earn residual income by sharing their knowledge. However, to have your product reviews or information earn, it requires a high level of expertise and deep details.  We know it's not easy, and the people we see be successful over the long term are experts in what they write about and are more focused on the content than the monetization.

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   1. 59

      God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hello, this is the first time I'm directly addressing you (I'm a bit nervous, too!), I really appreciate this site - I mean it.
      
      
      One point I would like to bring up is that the entire concept of 'making money' (through this site) is somewhat 'unclear'. I know that sounds like bit of a criticism - but I'm trying to be helpful and progressive.
      
      Though we all eventually get to know that we need to write articles and make them 'presentable' - and then we have to wait for the google clicks - that's how we make money writing online (including on this site). But the process is still not as sound and as solid that we may pass it on to another newcomer who may want to know from us how to make money. We do not have as much (insider) knowledge as to count ourselves as experts and hopefully, mentors, if the need be.
      
      It's difficult to succeed at anything that we don't know it to its blueprint. To be really making money here - we need to know - I guess - what really goes on and within the search engines itself that we are targeting. We can all write and create media rich content - but that's secondary, I guess. First we need to know exactly what it is that we are to create. There may be a gap there, which, I'm optimistic, that some adequate guidance may bridge.

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      1. 85

         TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         If you take the time to read the information in the learning center and also pay attention to the writing guides on the hub tool, you will see that what I told you and what Paul just said make it very clear as to what is expected here. 
         
         You are wrong about content...it is very important, but it is just one piece of the writing puzzle.  Read my post again and try to digest what I said.  It may not be easy, but it is what we all need to do to succeed here.

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         1. 59

            God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            that was not a very scientific explanation, dear friend

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         KeithNtrina Roweposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Well I've just signed up and signed in to read some information on an article, about the different kind of worms-  puppies may get, and Home Remedies for deworming my puppy. I
           I don't really know if people are on here much since it was 9 months ago, when  you all posted what I have read so far.  I sure did not know you can make Money. How does that even work?
            Anyways , I thought it was some kind of chat rooms once I signed in and read some of the topics.
           But some sounded like fun and Well; I think that fun is a pretty good money maker... In any Article. It draws ya in and kinda makes ya feel welcome.
           The Bible says Laughter doeth good like a medicine : in Proverbs. And it is true. 
            Well I don't guess anyone even reads this now.. So guess I will go now. God Bless you All

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   2. 59

      God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      "We know it's not easy, and the people we see be successful over the long term are experts in what they write about and are more focused on the content than the monetization."
      
      
      ~For example: if that were the ultimate advice - I would like it to be explained, elaborated, and scientifically outlined :-)

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      1. 85

         TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         OK...I'll use myself as an example.  I have been an RV enthusiast for more than 50 years.  I started with a tent and over the years worked my way up to a motor home.  I have traveled extensively across the US, and along the way have learned a great deal about various aspects of RV living and travel.
         
         So, I am an expert, of sorts, on this topic.  Because of my background, I have credibility.  People need the information I offer, and because I offer it from my own experiences, it is totally original.  This is evidenced by the number of people who have thanked me, emailed me personally for guidance and praised my work.
         
         One person even stated that one of my articles was the best one he had ever read on the topic he had been searching and another who wanted to employ me to write articles for his website.
         
         I am certainly no guru.  Nor am I the most successful writer here as far as money.  However, I generally at least make payout every month, and I clearly am passionate about my topic.
         
         Does this example allow you to see what we are talking about here?

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         1. 59

            God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            1. So, is it the case that only those with 'firsthand' experience on something should ever write on that subject (from the perspective of making money on this site, and on the online platform, in general)?
            
            
            2. And is it the case that anyone (without any firsthand experience) only wasting time when they create an article on the subject - with an intent of making money through that article?

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            1. 85

               TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Not totally, but it is best because Google wants to see many articles on a given subject by one person in order for the writer to gain credibility.
               
               However, extremely well researched and designed articles by a good writer can also do well and endure.  Much depends on the subject.
               
               You asked for an example that would "work", and I gave you one, but there are others, to be sure.
               
               Sometimes a person writes one article that gets picked up by social media and goes viral.  These can be on very mundane subjects, such as recipes.
               
               Online writing is very complex, so if you are seeking a "one size fits all", I don't think you will find it.  You really need to take the time to read work by some of the better writers here:  Relache, Writer Fox, Marisa Wright and others.  When you do, you will get a feel for what works here.

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               1. 59

                  God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  1. "Not totally"  - what do you mean by that?
                  
                  2. You 'explanation' resembles, quite like an explanation of an artistic work. "What is a good art?" No one knows. "How to make a good art?" No one knows, either.
                  
                  3. Thanks for quoting the popular 'artists'. I know better ones.

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                  1. 85

                     TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     You seem quite argumentative here.  I am only trying to be honest with you based on your questions.  Yes, there are many good writers here, but the ones I quoted are SUCCESSFUL FINANCIALLY here.  One of them got a million views on just one hub a few years back!
                     
                     If all you are interested in is money, as Paul says, you might as well forget writing here.  It takes a long time and many quality hubs to earn regularly.  You have three hubs right now...that hardly qualifies. 
                     
                     Yes, writing is the same as art in many ways, and it is difficult to pin down in terms of what makes success.  Success is a relative term that each of us view differently.
                     
                     For me it has always been about providing good information and the satisfaction that comes with knowing I have helped people and that others consider me to be a credible author here.  I do make money, but that was never my first goal.
                     
                     I am so happy that I found HP.  It is not perfect, by any means, but it gives me an outlet for my writing, provides me with great information, and introduces me to the most interesting people worldwide.  I have had great support both from the team and other authors, so I feel there is much more to be gained here than just the basics.

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                     1. 59

                        God shetposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        1. "Read my post again and try to digest what I said.  It may not be easy, but it is what we all need to do to succeed here."
                        
                        http://hubpages.com/forum/post/2756340
                        
                        
                        
                        2. "You seem quite argumentative here.  I am only trying to be honest with you based on your questions."

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3. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 8 years ago

   I highly advise to only write on things you have first hand experience with.  Things you care about and where your enthusiasm may spark another person's interest. 
   
   When I see folks focused on money first, they rarely see success. 
   
   But the beauty expert that writes about dying hair or the amateur beekeeper that writes about bee stings are two examples of people that have been very successful on HubPages.
   
   http://hubpages.com/hub/Bee-Stings-on-the-Eye
   http://maffewjames.hubpages.com/hub/How … range-hair
   
   You don't have to be a professional in the area, but you should be at least a hobbyist.

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4. 59

   God shetposted 8 years ago

   1.  The trouble is that some people may not have any hobby at all (less likely to be engaged in an interest as time-consuming, and as resource demanding, as bee-keeping). And they still might like to earn money writing online articles. Is their dream illegitimate - when they hit this website? Or is there any help (that can be 'scientifically' explained) that we may offer them?
   
   
   2. Exactly what element it is that makes a 'hub' commercially successful? Is that element as mysterious as the painting strokes of Jackson Pollock - to defy any logical explanation?

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5. 59

   God shetposted 8 years ago

   Just checked it out. Looks as good as HubPages in terms of "scientifically addressed" guidance:
   
   "• Be creative! We are looking for things that people may not have considered. We love non-commercial ideas like walks, bike rides, parks, beaches, and nice picnic spots.
   
   
   • There is some scope for articles that fall outside of these guidelines. These articles must be well written, appealing to the readership, and somewhat leisure related. This article about playing in the rain is a good example. If you intend to write one, you should seek approval first. The decision to approve or not is entirely at the discretion of the editors.
   
   
   • Read a few articles on Weekend Notes before submitting your own to get an idea of topics that are appropriate."

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      psycheskinnerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Be aware that while the intermittent "awards" offered at Weekend Notes are great, their traffic for the American city pages is very very low.  So the favorable CPM is not really playing out at least for me.

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6. 59

   God shetposted 8 years ago

   intermittent "awards"     ......hmmm
   
   

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7. 84

   psycheskinnerposted 8 years ago

   I do see any ambiguity with Hubpages.  It is now, as it has always been, a revenue-sharing content website.

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8. 59

   God shetposted 8 years ago

   "HubPages is about sharing information.  A good time to include a product is in an in depth product review.
   
   For topics that are informational, it's best not to or you run a high risk of getting de featured for spammy elements.
   
   While HubPages does share revenue, our primary purpose is to create a place for people to read and write about the topics they love. We hope hubbers share the value of putting readers and information first. Making a bit of money is nice and we need it to run the site, but we don't want to do it at the overall expense of the site.
   
   I hope this helps."
   
   http://hubpages.com/forum/post/2756019

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