Since our work here is copy written to the author, wouldn't it be prudent to ask the hub author if the link to the hub can be used in a different hub? We have to do that with pictures so what is the difference in using another persons hub that belongs to that person who wrote it.
I am not complaining, but I would like to know if someone else is using my hub link in their hub. I just think it would be common courtesy to ask for permissive use. What are your thoughts?
Sarah,
Consider your self blessed that your fellow hubbers like and value what you are saying as evidenced by them wanting to link to your sites as a reference or to provide more information. Wish I had that "problem."
I feel the same Sarra. In fact I have asked permission when I wanted to use another hubber in my hub. I think I even asked you one time hahahaaa Havn't done that hub yet. But, I do understand what your saying. I would like the same courtesey, and is beneficial to both parties. Thanks for bring this to attention.
Deleted
That would be good too, then we would be able to look for it and see where is being linked to also, I would like that too. Yeah, that's good too and thank them for doing so.
There's a big difference between using a picture in a Hub, and using a link in a Hub.
Say you've bought a book which you love. You lend it to all your friends. They read it, they love it too, but none of that benefits the author because you're the only one that bought the book. Sharing a photo on your Hub is like that, because you're giving people the whole image - although you've thanked the photographer, it's likely your readers won't pay any attention to that. The photographer gets no benefit.
Now say you've bought a book that you love, and you send all your friends an email saying "I just love this book, you must buy it". The friends go and buy the book so they can read it. Would you expect to be notified by every reader who recommends your book to others?
Sharing a link on your Hub is exactly the same - a link is just a recommendation, letting people know where to find some great writing.
I can see why you'd be curious to know who's linking to you - but you should be thankful to anyone that does, because they are directing readers to your Hubs. Sometimes, those people may quote a few lines of your Hub before the link - but even that's a good thing, because that short introduction will intrigue people and make them even more likely to visit and read your work.
Whether it be another hub or a different website altogether, it's the same. Linking to them without further ado is the norm. As an example, there are probably a 100,000 new links to Google everyday. It is a pretty good bet that Google would not want to receive a 100,00 requests/notifications a day concerning that.
I'm not quite sure I understand your concern. Do you not want people linking to your hub?
You don't have to ask permission to link to something. You also don't have to ask permission to talk about something...even if you're writing a rebuttal where you disagree with something that someone said, or giving a negative review of a movie or book.
You do have to ask permission to post someone's photo. Just as you would have to ask permission to copy and paste someone's exact words. But you don't have to ask permission to link to something...that's not a copyright issue at all, since you're not stealing anyone's work.
Links to your stuff is a good thing! It helps people find and read your stuff!
I know linking is a good thing, just thought I'd ask, inquiring minds want to know.
OK, you've sold me "theluckywriter" hahahahahaaa thx for that, it would be an honor to have someone link to my hubs. I guess I change my view. It is a big help to us to link to others hubs and more traffic too. Thx everyone like this info
I would be upset it someone was taking my words and NOT linking back to my hub article, but if anyone wants to link to my article, please do it! ;-)
Yep, I feel the same too. Please Please link away
That would be like requiring people get permission to say your name aloud or look in your direction. Links are just how people refer to each other online. Requiring people to ask permission is unreasonable. There is no imposition on you, so courtesy doesn't even come into it.
Courtesy exists within a culture. For example, in the online culture using capitals is considered impolite.
I am just saying that if you imply people are being rude for doing what is considered entirely socially acceptable, people will disagree with you. Not out of any malice, but because your expectations are not aligned to the current cultural norms. Such is life.
I gave my opinion on the topic you raised. I am sorry that you take that so personally and will be happy to avoid your threads from now on.
So you've never shared an article on Facebook, never linked to an article or wikipedia page in your hubs, never emailed a friend a link?
Most of us live in hope that someone with high traffic loves our hub so much they'll link it! That's free traffic (and money) for us!
If I were to link an article of mine to a Wikipedia page, would I then be able to link the Wikipedia page back to my Hub somehow?
What can I say, it is a huge compliment/bonus to have someone link to your article. Expecting someone to ask permission to is like expecting someone to ask permission to give you a free gift, or a financial bonus at work (basically you would be crazy to turn it down).
At the least, it should generate more traffic and earnings for you. Not only that, if your hub is featured, it should rank higher in search engines. I see your point and understand, but it is beneficial to you. I am glad that Hubpages shares my links because more people see my work.
Often when I am reading a hub that relates to one of mine, I will leave a comment telling a hubber that I would like to link their hub to mine, asking if that's okay. The asking if that is okay is pretty rhetorical since we all would love to have links like that. But there are other times when automatic links suggest hubs that I link to. While it's nice to know when someone links to your hub, it isn't always practical, though.
The web is a way for people to link to things on other parts of the web. That's how it works, and that's what it's for. Asking for permission to use links would be like contacting an author for permission to read his/her published book.
If you think about it, Tim Berners-Lee is the one we'd have to ask for permission, anyway. He invented URLs. He invented the web. He invented the way it's all connected together by links. He invented HTML, the code in which webpages are written. And he invented web browsers.
But his brilliance was that he gave anyone permission to use them, because that way, the web could grow without everyone asking him, "Can I use your invention?" And his generosity was that he gave these ideas away for free, and has never earned a dime of royalties from the invention that we use every day.
You guys all missed the point. I am flattered that others are using my links on their hubs. I'm not implying it is rude or wrong. I am 51 years old and don't know much about computers and the do's and don'ts.
I was just asking a question, a simple question, about copywrites on links. I did not mean to start WWIII and a whole lot of upset people here. I have white hair and I'm old, I am not computer literate and I am learning.
A question is not a statement. Sorry I asked.
Happy Monday. And welcome to a brand new week. I even feel inspired enough I might do a new hub.
After reading your response here (quoted above) I thought I must have missed something nasty in the various answers left here. In fact I have just been back and read the entire thread again. Honestly I can't see any answer that sounds like anyone was 'upset' by your question, or that implied 'WWIII' was breaking out. All I can see are genuine people giving genuine comments with regards to their own thoughts on the matter of linking in general. Some of the comments were made in response to other comments that were made, but none were aggressive, they simply made it clear why linking is okay to do without asking for permission. Try not to be too sensitive, this thread is not at all a 'heavy' one and no-one seems 'upset', I have however seen far too many threads and certain forums that are full of truly nasty and aggressive exchanges (highly recommend you avoid the religious forums or the political ones for this reason).
Good Luck on Hubpages and enjoy yourself whilst learning all about the Internet, computers etc. I am sure you will soon be much more computer literate and a true 'Silver Surfer'
Sara, there's no harm in voicing your thoughts. I think I understand where you're coming from. I have asked some people when I provide a link to their site, but not everyone. My main reasons, personally, are that 1) they may not answer in time for me to post my article, and 2) they may think that I am trying to promote my hub by informing them I want to put a link of theirs in it.
I think this is a valid question. I have wondered about certain things as I have been writing, and it is nice to hear opinions on the subject.
As far as copyrights, I don't think we have them on links, since those just bring people to your article. Your article isn't viewable on the other site, and the only way curious viewers can see it is to go to your site.
I also understand how you would be curious to know if someone was using a link of yours.
I hope I have in some way helped. Have a good week, Sara, and don't be sorry you asked. I think it is very important to ask questions.
Thank you so much Kathryn for your kind words. Maybe I'm too old fashioned and get upset when people jump into the middle of the conversation instead of reading everything. It's sad when you encounter adult 'bullies'. My question was taken way out of context and shouldn't have. As I said, a question is a question not a statement. I'm learning the ins and outs of the internet and copywrites. If you ask a question sometimes it helps others who are afraid to ask the same thing. I'm not shy anymore due to my experiences of life. The only way one is to learn is to ask questions and learning something new everyday is a good thing.
I'm learning the ins and outs, too. It is such a process! Good luck to you.
I hope I didn't say anything wrong Sarra I see you deleted your comment back to me earlier. I am like you in wondering about this and was so glad that you put that statement in. It was nice to hear all the different comments too. Things that I hadn't thought of. So, I didn't mean to sound wishy washy. Take care and your not old, we are just getting better, right. hahahahahaaa That's why we write, and ask questions.
My advice Sarra, would be "don't sweat the small stuff!"
Actually, your curiosity in wanting to know who is linking to your hubs is not such a bad thing. Google has a "disavow" tool which enables webmasters to remove shady backlinks to their site for which they may have been penalised.
Nonetheless, given all the quality procedures that hubs are now subject to, you have nothing to worry about on that score. In any event, Google now views subdomain links as being internal links anyway.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the traffic that the hub linking brings you!
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