Problem in Comments

1. 89

   Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years ago

   I got a message to check my comments and was sent to my Tom Dooley hub and I cannot see any comments there although there should be some!
   How can this be my problem? I have nothing to do with whether comments are showing or not do I?
   It is suggested I might want to disable them until I can fix them. How can I fix them? Does this sound crazy to you? Yes there had been an unapproved question from seven days ago I can read on my accounts page because it has not yet been approved but the rest are blank on my actual hub!
   Any answers out there to help me?
   http://hubpages.com/education/Hang-Down … Tom-Dooley

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   1. 0

      Snakesmumposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It may be that there is a comment classed as spam which is not being shown,.
      
      If you go to your account, then the Comments tag, you will find several
      options.  Check all of them, and see if there is a comment listed under
      those headings.
      
      Hope this helps

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      1. 89

         Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         No, I tried that and even made comments approved which they had not been and still it is the same. Thanks for suggesting though. It might have worked!

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   2. 91

      MizBejabbersposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It really does sound like a glitch, Jackie. I haven't received anything like that, but I did read the HP Weekly that suggested (it was just a suggestion, I hope) that we check our comments and delete any that didn't add value to the hub. As the old saying goes, "I have this to say about that." They are suggesting that we delete short complimentary comments, like "Great hub, I really enjoyed it". I have no intention of deleting those because anytime a fellow writer takes time to compliment me, I appreciate it. I think if they want to require longer comments, they should apply a minimum-word rule to the comments.
      If you wrote a lot of poetry that gets short comments, that might be a problem, but I don't recall that you write poetry hubs.

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      1. 89

         Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         You are exactly right, MizB! The only time I delete hubs is when they are commercial or hateful or offensive which is once in a lifetime! It is weird to suggest such a thing, I think! Either we have comments or we don't.

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      2. 0

         Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         The reason we suggest this is because keywords in the comments are considered part of a Hub's content. Comments from other writers may be nice and complimentary, but your readers likely won't know or care what a "Hub" is, and Google may send readers who are searching for unrelated keywords that only appear in your comments, causing them to be very dissatisfied with your article (which can actually lower its ranking in Google).
         
         If you want to let a fellow Hubber know you enjoyed their writing but don't have anything to add that would be useful to all readers, we recommend doing so with Fan Mail or a private email. Likewise, we recommend deleting those comments (which Google has stated they consider "low quality") and simply thanking the reader privately.

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         1. 89

            Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            So are you discouraging us reading our friends hubs and commenting? I mean I really want to know, because it has always been like a thing we do and we do offer our opinion or add to of our thoughts. Is this good or bad? Do it outside HP are you saying?

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            1. 0

               Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               As long as you're discussing the Hub's subject and your comment is on-topic, this is a great thing to do. But if you're just telling the Hubber that you liked their article, it's better done off the Hub itself.
               
               For example, if you write an article on small dog grooming, a comment like this would be fine: "Wow, I really enjoyed this. I have a small dog myself and I never thought to use this technique. I'll have to try it next time and tell you how it goes!"
               
               However, a comment like this does not add value for any readers who don't know you or the commenter: "Another great piece, I always enjoy reading, take care!"
               
               Essentially, the second comment has nothing to do with grooming small dogs, so it doesn't offer any added value to your readers, though it is very sweet.

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               1. 86

                  Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  +1

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               2. 89

                  Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  I can see that!

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               3. 94

                  jansharesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Hmmm. I get your point, Christy, about a comment "not adding value" or not referring directly to the hub. I do try to make a point of critiquing or referring to the hub by using descriptive words or opinions about the content. But it seems unfair to delete a hubber friend's comment who only meant well by leaving a brief, encouraging word. Maybe we should put more emphasis on how to write comments than on what to delete.

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                  1. 89

                     Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     Great idea jan! We love our friends here and would hate to delete any kindness and many of them shared which is worth as much as their words!

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                     1. 87

                        Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        Yes, let's not focus on deleting, but going forward and sticking to the topic of the hub but with adding our own uniqueness which makes the comments even more special.  All of our friends here who take the time to read and comment means so much to the writer of the hub, well, they do to me.  I would never dream of deleting a comment, except if it had a link in it as I know that has always been frowned upon by HP.  It just seems so rude to delete a comment, especially when it is an encouraging one or just saying they enjoyed reading it. 
                        
                        We have come to know so many special writers and friends here, and that is really what makes it a wonder community in which to belong.  However, if we start taking away from that, it just will not be the same.
                        
                        Plus, it would take forever and a day to go through all hubs and review each comment, especially when one receives almost 100 comments on each hub, sometimes more and sometimes less.
                        
                        I can understand about not using text slang, etc., as there is a lot of that on HP in comments.  So, as Jan stated, if all would focus on not doing that and keeping on topic, rather than deleting, I think everything will work out just fine.

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                        1. 82

                           Venkatachari Mposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                           +1

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                  2. 59

                     paradigmsearchposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     I, too, am finding it extremely difficult to delete such comments.

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                     1. 87

                        Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        Yes, it is just our nature to feel like that and that is normal and the way it should be ...I just cannot be rude to someone who read and then had taken the time to write a comment, no matter how brief.

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                        1. 59

                           paradigmsearchposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                           I kind of wonder why Google would care about short comments. They certainly don't care about ultra short paragraphs and bullet lists in the hub. It's all aggregate content on a single page. Seems to me all Google would care about is the grand total.

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                           1. 87

                              Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                              Exactly.  Why is it all of a sudden an issue now? 
                              
                              We were always told before (from those who make the big money) that comments do not matter in the grand scheme of things (as far as money making goes), so what has changed?  However, comments have always mattered to me because I truly appreciate the time someone takes to make one, and I am not one so concerned about the moneymaking aspect here as others are, but regardless, why has this all of a sudden become an issue?

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                              1. 0

                                 Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                 I happened to see the newer thread first this morning and posted a response here that covers pretty much the same issue: http://hubpages.com/community/forum/135 … ost2808512

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                                 1. 87

                                    Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                    Hi Christy,
                                    
                                    Oh, thank you so much. I will check it out.

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   3. 0

      Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Jackie,
      
      This sounds like a bug. Thanks for reporting, we'll look into it.

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      1. 89

         Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I think it really is. Thanks!

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         1. 0

            Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Yep, it looks like that's the case. Engineering is taking a look. I'll let you know when it's fixed. Thanks for reporting and for your patience, Jackie!

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            1. 89

               Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               No problem, and thank you Christy!

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               1. 80

                  ezhangposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  This should be fixed now, Jackie

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                  1. 89

                     Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     I see that it is ezhang, thank you so much!

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   4. 82

      Alisha Adkinsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I have a different issue with a comment on one of my hubs that it is now housed at a niche site. 
      
      I have been logging into HubPages via Facebook for the past 3 years, but in order to see / approve this new comment, I am being prompted to log into LevelSkip (even though I'm already logged into HubPages).  The problem is that there is no option to use Facebook to log into the niche sites.  I'm assuming the login info is the same, but I don't remember it...
      
      I guess my question is: will we be able to log into niche sites (to approve comments or whatever) via Facebook in the (hopefully near) future?

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      1. 87

         Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I had a comment too this morning on a niche hub, and all I knew to do was sign back into HubPages via that hub and it allowed me to approve the comment then. 
         
         We do need instructions how to navigate the new sites it seems.

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2. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 8 years ago

   The latest HubPages Weekly talks about comments. It says to check them. I have 2,346 of them. Oh,well.

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   1. 89

      Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I have over 4000 last count (not counting the dozens of hubs removed or deleted) but I have never had a problem before and I still do not see how when I must approve them they can be a problem. What is wrong now cannot be because of anything I have done but some technical HP problem it looks to me like. I have been here over six years and this has never happened before.
      Oh well!

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      1. 59

         paradigmsearchposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Tough town around here these days.

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         1. 89

            Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            You got that and I see you have been here 6 years too and still can't get a 90 for your hard work same as me. Maybe doesn't bother you but really sucks to me.

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            1. 82

               Venkatachari Mposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Don't allow it to suck you, Jackie. It is the life. It does not remain same ever. It keeps on moving and changing. Get along with it. Do whatever you can do according to your own stamina. Leave the rest to fate. That's what anybody can do.

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3. 87

   Faith Reaperposted 8 years ago

   What!  Oh, dear, that is not good at all, especially being you always get so many comments.  A couple of years ago I remember a Hubber or a couple who said their comments were disappearing.  I don't know if they ever came back.   
   
   We did get the HubPages weekly email that is telling everyone to check their comments and delete some that are not related to the actual hub topic.  Do you mean that message?  Or was it a personal one just to you?
   
   I read that email, but I did not click on the check my comments.  I have 11,189 comments and just had my 4 year Anniversay.  I have almost 2,000 comments left on my questions.
   
   I cherish all of my comments, as they mean so much that anyone would even comment on something I have written. 
   
   I know you probably have already done this, but go under edit mode on your hub and see if you have comments click to show.
   
   This is a disturbing issue here, Jackie, and I do hope it is resolved soon, and that your comments are somewhere, maybe just hidden at the moment?

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   1. 89

      Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes it was a personal email from a member of HP and that is why it was so shocking when I went and saw my story there is OK but the comments are not (they are gone and the spacing and whole look of it is off. How could I possibly fix something like that? I put it in edit and still have no control over it. I can do nothing with it.

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      1. 87

         Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         That does not sound like something you can fix to me, Jackie, but rather some sort of glitch. But it could me something as simple as clicking something to unhide them? I hope the email was from an actual HP person and not a hacker of some sort. Hopefully, an HP Team person will come on here and have a simple solution.

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         1. 89

            Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            No it was from someone I am familiar with and have heard from many times. I guess eventually I will have to get back to them if it doesn't get fixed but thought I would check with all you guys first! Usually someone here knows it all! lol

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      2. 82

         Venkatachari Mposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         When you are in edit mode, add a comment capsule freshly. That should work out.

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         1. 89

            Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            No Ven, none of that works. I get nothing no matter what I do. I can't change anything even.

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4. 59

   paradigmsearchposted 8 years ago

   I'm amazed at the comment totals around here. We should get pats on the head for those.

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   1. 87

      Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      LOL, yes, for sure! 
      
      Well, I figured out long ago when I first joined HP, if you would like for other writers here on this site to read what you write and leave a comment, then you have to put in a lot of time reading others' hubs and leaving an insightful comment, and then they will come to your hubs.  At least that is how it has worked for me.  I just had my 4th anniversary on March 31. 
      
      However, I am one who loves to comment and receive comments and I am always sure to respond to every comment made, being I feel like if they have taken the time to leave a comment, then I surely should acknowledge that and reply.

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      1. 82

         Venkatachari Mposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         But, Faith, now you can't leave acknowledging comments. You should give feedback on the hub. You should mention why you think it to be good or useful or even not good.

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         1. 87

            Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Hi Ven,
            
            Yes, I always leave healthy comments in response to hubs I've read. If you ever have seen my commenting whether on my own hubs or others, they are always plentiful. I'm probably guilty of leaving too lengthy ones.

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            1. 82

               Venkatachari Mposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               I enjoy your comments much. No need to be guilty. That's a good habit.

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      2. 89

         Millionaire Tipsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I've been deleting my responses to comments, since a lot of them say something to the effect of "thank you for your comment" and don't add much more besides a keyword thrown in for good measure.

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         1. 88

            Jodahposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Good idea. I think I may do the same.

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            1. 89

               Millionaire Tipsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks. This will also help Google see that I am not artificially adding to the hub.

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         2. 87

            Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Oh really. I am one to respond to a comment in a more interactive manner. I remember when I first joined HubPages, I read somewhere, maybe in the Learning Center, that is the manner in which we should respond so that the reader will return to continue the discussion on the topic of the hub.  It was my understanding we should possibly respond with maybe a question back to the reader on what they relayed in their comment.
            
            For example, the other day a reader mentioned in her comment, as relates to the topic of my hub, that she used to interview such persons, and so I inquired about that of her, as it added much interest to the topic of the hub.
            
            However, I am sure to always add a thank you too.
            
            Sometimes though, when a good friend comments, we may go back and forth on the topic of the hub for a bit, but then down the line get off topic about the upcoming weekend and, in my case, mentioning something about my grandchildren. I may have to revisit those but if I responded to a comment with one comment and not several different ones down the line, I will leave it alone.

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            1. 89

               Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               I agree, I really have stopped commenting on many hubbers because they did not care enough to respond to my comment I went to the trouble to make after reading!

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   2. 82

      Venkatachari Mposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You say pats on the head, Para. But they are stabbing your head.

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   3. 87

      Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I think the total comments must also include those we left on others' hubs.

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      1. 89

         Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         No it is just ones of that particular hub including ours and then all added together. I wish I had kept a tally of mine and well a copy too for I had such sweet ones I would sometimes copy but then you lose track and forget what you have saved...but that is like saving praise and well probably not a good thing.

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         1. 87

            Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            You're right, Jackie,
            
            It is for the total comments on our individual hubs. I was so tired when I was not doing the math right. Lol I understand about wanting to keep all the sweet comments from long ago on hubs. When I decide to delete a hub for my own reasons, I copy my hub and paste it into a Word document and all the comments show up to save forever if I want.

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5. 88

   Jodahposted 8 years ago

   Wow, this is weird Jackie. I got the Hub Weekly email about deleting unnecessary comments, and I don't have the time as I have over 16,500 of them. Your situation sounds different, though. It says you have 41 comments on the hub but they are all black. Never seen that before. Hope it is just a glitch that is fixed soon.

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   1. 89

      Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Me too John and hope someone from HP fixes it. I know it could have not been anything offensive and if it was surely they could have removed it or unfeature the hub which is what they usually do if it offends them or Google.
      If HP does away with comments I don't know how many hubbers they can hang onto! It will be a quiet lonely place!
      Now I need to go see what trouble I may be in at other locations online! hahaha

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6. 47

   erorantesposted 8 years ago

   I had many problems commenting at the beginning with hub pages. Then, I learned to give the correct comment. It is true about people whanted to see a productive comment on their hub. It is better to be nice and spend time before given a comment. Also, the words we use are important to make the author feel good. He already spended a lot of hours thinking and writing a hub. A good comment is a reward from all the work he or she does. Have a great day.

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   1. 89

      Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      There are a few of us here at HP that do not try to make money but do this for fun and if they do away with communications here I don't think we would have much left to want us to be here. I mean our pages are still used for ads so looks like we would be the real benefits not asking for anything in return for our hard work.

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      1. 86

         Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         But the thing is Jackie - if there are Hubs on HubPages which don't make money for their authors, they're not making money for HubPages either.  You can work out how much HP has earned from your Hubs:  it takes 1,000 views to earn around $2. 
         
         I'm not saying amateur writers shouldn't be on HubPages - just that you can't expect the site to be designed to suit you. HP is a business, it hasn't been doing well and it desperately needs to start making a profit - so it has to set its priorities accordingly.

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         1. 89

            Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            If they are only making $2 on every 1000 views with all the ads on there then they have bigger problems than amateur writers being here. Even at that though I have well over 200,000 views (and probably half that again on hubs I have had and deleted) in the two names I have used here so I guess I earn my keep.

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            1. 87

               Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               I'm glad to know how much they make per views. Yes, I am close to 100,000 and, like you, I've deleted some hubs of my own choosing, so I would have been well over that amount.  Interesting.

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               1. 82

                  Venkatachari Mposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  I hope they will be paying 50% to the writers out of their earnings. That should calculate how much we earn from HubPages Adprogram.

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            2. 86

               Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               What do you base that view on? What would you say other websites earn per thousand views?
               
               Most ads earn a tiny fraction of a penny per view. That's the case on most websites, and that's why it takes so many views to earn a dollar.
               
               Your Hubs have earned $400 - in how many months? But what do you imagine HubPages salary bill was for that period? or their hosting charges?

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               1. 89

                  Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Just a good thing they are in charge and not you Marissa. Must be something about me they can tolerate. They have put at least two of my hubs in special categories.

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                  1. 86

                     Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     I'm not sure why that's relevant? I'm talking about why HubPages must make its rules primarily to favour Hubbers that make money if it's to survive, and that sometimes those rules won't suit those who don't.

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                     1. 89

                        Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        I am just saying if they are not complaining about me then why does it put a burr in your bonnet? I agreed with their rules, I said it makes sense. They have taken two of my free hubs for their special project now and I imagine because they are stellar or so they said. They know what they are doing and I really don't care what you think about it. You are hateful and always have been and seem to always pick me out when you can to bad mouth...so I guess I must be doing something right. You have always been so bossy I use to think you were somebody but discovered you weren't and the real HP people don't act like you or I wouldn't still be around. I have nothing more to say to you, go pick on someone else awhile.

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               2. 74

                  Wesman Todd Shawposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Stop talking to this person. We all know you know your business, and this person seems to be here trying only to get a rile out of you, or anyone else who will bite.
                  
                  You've done all you could to talk sense to someone, and so now we see it isn't taking. I kinda wish I could block a few people here, but the site couldn't really work were we able to block people.
                  
                  I do think I should be able to keep certain people's posts from coming up in my feed, but I'm not complaining.
                  
                  I'll toast this glass of wine to your health and happiness, Marisa

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7. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 8 years ago

   Jackie, I suggest you read my Hub on HubPages etiquette. Different types of Hubber have different attitudes to comments, and that's how it should be.
   
   The bottom line is that the very best way to say thank you for a comment is to go and leave a meaningful comment on one of THEIR Hubs. Anything less is not a fair exchange.

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   1. 89

      Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Marisa, I think that is what most of us are saying above. Common courtesies apply everywhere in life and for support to fellow hubbers, especially at HubPages. I always repay visits when these do a new hub or on an old one if it is someone I have not already commented on.
      I use to go back to ones I had already commented on to repay but that does just take up space and not necessary I don't think.
      I think any hubber buddies and I understand this exchange very well and are more than happy to do it to support each other.
      I only read hubbers I enjoy talking to and the subjects they write about. Also I only read friendly hubbers who do not attack other hubbers for no reason. What a waste there and I am surprised HP allows it. I certainly would not support anyone like that much less visit their hubs.

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8. 52

   major singhposted 8 years ago

   I'm not sure why that's relevant? I'm talking about why HubPages must make its rules primarily to favour Hubbers that make money if it's to survive, and that sometimes those rules won't suit those who don't.

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9. 52

   major singhposted 8 years ago

   I'm not sure why that's relevant? I'm talking about why HubPages must make its rules primarily to favour Hubbers that make money if it's to survive, and that sometimes those rules won't suit those who do

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