HP snipped my summary module and rating module. Why?

1. 79

   CallMetalManposted 15 months ago

   I just published my first article in this new account. I received a message that it would be featured, but they snipped out my opening summary module and the rating module at the bottom, both of which are good for seo.
   
   Is this a policy? I have a hugely popular article from another account, 1000 views per day, with a rating module. and it has an opening summary, I believe. Can anybody shed some light on this?
   
   Btw, not sure if I posted this in the right area.
   
   Thanks.

   replyreport
   1. 97

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Generally when they snip things it is to keep articles in line with  their guidelines for acceptable writing.  They have been hugely successful since implementing these rules, so you'd be wise to pay attention to what they're telling you.  I believe those rating modules are for specific types of articles, not just any article. Furthermore there must have been something they found in your summary that was not acceptable.  While your article may have done well elsewhere, that may not be the case here simply because of HP's strict guidelines.
      
      One more thing.  Self promotion is not permitted here.  I noticed in your profile that you promote your business.  If you did the same thing in your summary, that's probably why it got snipped.  Not totally a good idea to do so on your profile page either.  HP is a site for writers.  It is not a site to help you make money for your business.

      replyreport
   2. STAFF

      Robinposted 15 months agoin reply to this

      First, thanks for writing on HubPages!  I took a look at your account and it looks like your article was snipped by one of our moderators. I don’t see a summary snipped, but we did snip a ratings capsule and we did a minor update to your title. At this time, we don’t allow ratings capsules for “rate my article”. Ratings capsules are used for recipes and goods and services reviews. 
      
      One more note, it’s fine to show your expertise in your article. We love this!  However, there’s a line between self-promotion and expertise. You seem fine in this area. One way to build trust with readers is to add a real name on your profile page.  I would recommend you do this and that you don’t bold keywords throughout your profile and article. This is an old SEO practice that we would like avoided. Thanks!

      replyreport
      1. 79

         CallMetalManposted 15 months agoin reply to this

         Thanks for weighing in, Robin. Your authoritative input is appreciated. The bolding would be a misguided attempt at gaming google, but it's strictly to improve reader experience. Since most online readers skim for key details, myself included, the bold helps them find those portions easily.

         replyreport
2. 91

   NessMovieReviewsposted 15 months ago

   While I agree with the bit about self promotional excerpts being snipped to cover guidelines. His profession still affords the ability to share his knowledge in a subject covered in menu topics on HP.
   
   Any professional can still write valuable pieces within this site that are not simply under the guise of being a writer.
   
   I have a background in Human Resources and could easily have that translate into an invaluable piece of content which fits in a topic stream.
   I could easily mention my LinkedIn will take someone to see my credentials should they wish to use my expertise.
   
   Is it not a little the same as promoting a website and personal background in knitting or tent making and where they can buy it while creating pieces covering that topic?
   
   In any case, don’t we all want to make money? They haven’t snipped his bio.

   replyreport
   1. 97

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

      I didn't say that they did.  I said it's never a good idea to self promote your business in a profile bio.  Furthermore, while I agree that professionals can write about their area of expertise, naming their business, etc. within the confines of hub text is not acceptable.  People who write about "knitting", etc. are not self promoting.  They are sharing knowledge only.  They are not selling anything of theirs specifically.  The article is good.  The content is good.  Let it stand on its own merit rather than using it to make money outside of HP.

      replyreport
3. 97

   DrMark1961posted 15 months ago

   Rating modules are for recipes. Since the article was about gold, and not food, a rating module is not appropriate.
   Hp has NEVER deleted one of my summary capsules. If they snipped something, it was probably a way you were trying to promote your business. They could also have snipped your bio for the same reason.
   No, Nessmoviereviews, we are not all in this for the same thing. Instead of worrying about making money some of us are interested in producing articles that help our readers.

   replyreport
   1. 97

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

      +1

      replyreport
4. 91

   NessMovieReviewsposted 15 months ago

   I didn’t say solely for money. I love writing, that’s why I’m here but plenty of people make cash and that would be nice, no?

   replyreport
5. 91

   NessMovieReviewsposted 15 months ago

   And besides, his article is good. It sounds as though he may have put something in the excerpt that was self promotional. There is nothing in the article which is why it’s featured. Stars ratings can be for movies too.

   replyreport
6. 79

   CallMetalManposted 15 months ago

   Thanks for some of the answers, but there's no reason to jump to conclusions about my summary. It mentioned absolutely nothing about my business or me. I'm thinking that the summary module must be a meta description box that they use for meta stuff.
   
   Thanks especially for the support @nessmoviereviews

   replyreport
   1. 97

      DrMark1961posted 15 months agoin reply to this

      That is why the word "probably" was used in the sentence. No one who took the time to try and help you jumped to a conclusion.

      replyreport
7. 83

   BEAGOLDBUYERdotposted 15 months ago

   With all due respect, "probably" relies on assumption.
   
   "I think this thing is true, probably."
   
   You saw a mention in my profile. That doesn't mean it can now be safely assumed that a snip to my article is due to spam.
   
   Anyway, thanks for informing me about the rating module.

   replyreport
   1. 97

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 15 months agoin reply to this

      Since you self promoted in your bio, it would be natural to assume that since your summary was "snipped" it might have been for the same reason.  Also, when you come onto the forums to ask for help, it's a good idea to accept it graciously rather than trying to defend yourself.  Doing this makes other writers not want to help you in the future.

      replyreport
8. 91

   NessMovieReviewsposted 15 months ago

   Good luck to you MetalMan, hope to see more articles in the future. It’s cumbersome to work out the snips in the beginning. I just go with it. Mostly mine were snipped just for better sounding sentences but now hardly ever.

   replyreport
9. 79

   CallMetalManposted 15 months ago

   Are we making further assumptions now? I don't need to be schooled in forum etiquette or how to communicate with people.
   
   You may have 10 or 10k posts here, but I've already thanked everybody multiple times, for participating. There's no need to take offense or drag this out.
   
   
   

   replyreport
10. STAFF

    Robinposted 15 months ago

    I understand that bolding can be helpful, but it should be uniform in its use, e.g., the first word or few words of a bulleted list. As your article is now, we likely wouldn’t allow the bolding on a Network site. While your intention may not be an SEO benefit, it can read a bit like one. I would recommend removing the bolding on your profile and your article.

    replyreport