Is the thrill of writing on HubPages gone?

1. 74

   pagesvoiceposted 10 years ago

   Is the thrill of writing on HubPages gone?
   
   HubPages is messing with our Hubscores and it is more frustrating now than ever before. I have been published in newspapers and a national magazine has published many of my articles that have been sold in Barnes and Noble and Book World stores across the United States and for some reason HubPages has dropped my score like a bomb. I really don't think I like it here anymore. Anyone else feeling the same about the lack of thrill on this site?

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2. 36

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   Yes and no.  The ambiguity on the scores is irritating for sure.  That being said, HP is the only site of this type that is alive and well - and the reason they are still is that they are doing what they have to do to appease the great Google deity.
   
   They've been willing to make some tough choices, and to be honest the Google rules are so ambiguous and changing; it's hard for HP's not to be as well.  It seems like they have to keep trying different things to see what sticks.  That drives my type A personality nuts, but it is what it is.
   
   Unfortunately, online writing and traditional writing are two completely different animals.  Writing online (for search engines) is more "infotainment" and quick consumption geared.   If you want to make money with your writing online; you have to give people what they want to consume and well, most people searching online are not there to "think deeply" or consume literature. They are there for pretty pictures and fast answers.  This is where the high traffic (money for HP) is.
   
   I prefer to do a bit of both types of writing.  I do the online writing, but I still keep my traditional writing skills alive.  I've been published in magazines and books as well and that writing is completely different than the writing I do online. 
   
   I find that my blogs are better places for niche subjects that are more in-depth and geared to people who have attention spans.  Diversify - perhaps put shorter, to the point, matter of fact kind of stuff here that search engines like and have that point to your more meaningful, detailed work elsewhere.
   
   I also use social media for the promotion of my work and more than half of my 1+ million views come from that - not Google.  I am not overly interested in trying to continuously please them.  I understand why HP has to though.
   
   You are a deeply thoughtful person and engaging writer, one of my favorites on HP.  Don't let HP's scores get you down, seriously.

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   1. 74

      pagesvoiceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Your kind, thoughtful and detailed response is appreciated and does make a world of sense to me. I guess it is time to step back and perhaps not take this mystical hubscore thing so personal, but deep down inside I do and it doesn't sit well.

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3. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 10 years ago

   
   
   With the update regarding HubScores, HubPages is becoming a more precarious place to write.  Despite of what is said about HubScores, such overall scores is a reflection on the writers.  Outside readers see it that way.  Hubbers with a HubScore of 85 and below aren't simply seen as proficient authors as those whose HubScores are 90 and above. These are the unadulterated facts.  Any Hubber (deemed a good-excellent writer) will be increased if his/her HubScore of 90 and above has decreased significantly.  It will deflate his/her self-esteem.  Additionally, it will be an immense demotivator.  Why write hubs at all, they reason.  Many fine Hubbers will cease to write because of this update.  Some will even vacate HubPages to start their own blog or website.  This update is totally ridiculous-it is beyond demotivational.  Why not put an S on those whose HubScores decreased, they feel marginalized at best and stupid at worst.

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   1. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Meant incensed, not increased.  Sorry for the error, typing too fast and the 10 minutes was up before I was given a chance to correct error in question.

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   2. 74

      pagesvoiceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      My HubScores were always in the 90s and then overnight it plummeted to 83. It was a sucker punch to the gut and I'm embarrassed by this score. I'm seriously thinking about pulling my articles and moving elsewhere. This is ridiculous.

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   3. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Dennis, it is beyond embarrassing.  The hubscore is an indicator to the outside reader as to what kind of writer you are.  The lower the hubscore, the more incompetent writer the outside reader believes that you are. Hubscores mean SOMETHING.

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   4. 78

      arksysposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Outsiders never know what a hub score means. When I read an article anywhere online I never check to see their score before I start reading. if the topic interests me then I will read it. Don't worry about the score. it will go back up with time.

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4. 67

   Nellieannaposted 10 years ago

   Dear Dennis, I'm less enthusiastic about it than in the past and my score is like a see-saw.  Mine have ranged from very high to rather blah and frequently are unrelated to what I do or the traffic to my hubs.  But scores don't count as much as mutual peer support, which is a major plus here.  I write for more real values than hub scores.
   I still care about the community and the fellow writers, so I'm sticking with it.  I hope you don't become discouraged.  You are one of the GOOD GUYS!  Hugs - Nellieanna

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   1. 74

      pagesvoiceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your kind words. Like you, my enthusiasm has waned and the new scoring doesn't help with my psyche.

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   2. 67

      Nellieannaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      When I quit trying to figure out what the scores are based on, it helped.  Not worth the thought!  ;-)

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