My figures have dropped since I told Matt...

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   Kierstin Gunsbergposted 5 years ago

   Tess, I think most of us are dealing with significant traffic dips because of Coronavirus. Most of my articles are dropping with the exception of my articles related to grocery delivery. If you don't have any articles that would appeal to troubleshooting the global pandemic then that would be the answer to your traffic drop dilemma.

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      TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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         Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         My drop in views coincided with the new rule changes. Having been a private Google Adsense and Amazon affiliate before the change, getting accustomed to late reporting on the in-house programs are very frustrating.
         
         Items I normally sell this time of year seem to be missing from my sales. I don't like getting paid by impressions either. We have no way to see if the items ordered from us are actually being credited to us, or the impressions as well.
         
         Hopefully after the virus is over things will get back to normal. Can't say that about Matt's recent activity though.

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         JerryFisherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         I would have thought that given self isolation all over the place that traffic would have risen with corona, not dropped.
         On one article of mine that used to have 300 daily views consistently for perhaps a couple of years, traffic suddenly began to drop about twelve months ago. This coincided with a drop from the top three to second page on Google.
         
         I'm wondering if the takeover by Maven had anything to do with it. Maybe Maven gets penalised by Google's algorithm for poor content overall? After all there's a lot of rubbish on this site that still gets posted, likely affecting everyone.
         
         As a test though, this one article, I really went to work on it with fresh and in my view quality content. I watched the rankings daily and absolutely no change from mid second page in the last three months. I find this really odd. Google used to reward fresh content. And in the last week my daily views have tanked by 50%.

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            TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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               JerryFisherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               If I’m reading that right 36% of the traffic was from the US and a staggering 35% from India.

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                  TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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                     JerryFisherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     In the early days of affiliate marketing as you might remember Google was still learning and pretty naive. So the net was stuffed with all sorts of dodgy affiliate links. Google’s been aware of that for years now. I wonder if that’s still going on from a foreign country and dragging our content down with it. Bizarrely as you point out though the ranking has gone up.

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   Dean Traylorposted 5 years ago

   For me and a lot people, viewings have been significantly down for the last three months. There were few signs that things were getting back to normal, especially, at the beginning of the year. However, it's slipped again and has been hovering between 250  and 300 views per day. Coronavirus may well be a factor. Simply put, many of us may not have the topics that readers are looking for at this moment.

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   FatFreddysCatposted 5 years ago

   Forgive my ignorance but "Matt" who?

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      Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Matt Wells, the head moderator. I don't believe he has anything to do with our views or earnings......just our heads.

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      NateB11posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      lol Not gonna lie, I was thinking the same thing.

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         Sue Adamsposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Click on his name, he is staff.

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            NateB11posted 5 years agoin reply to this

            I'm familiar with Matt but something about the original post, I wasn't sure. But I also take FFC's comment to be tongue in cheek, I thought I'd add to the joke. I also thought there was more than one Matt.

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               FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               No tongue, no cheek. I honestly didn't know. The only staffer's name I was familiar with in the forums is Samantha.
               
               (Sorry, Matt.)

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   Solarasposted 5 years ago

   Something I noticed in the new TOS is that we get our cut of the earnings AFTER they pay all of their expenses. I don't know if that was the way it was before the change or not.  I had assumed they used their 40% to pay for their own expenses. I use my 60% to pay for my expenses in creating the content.
   
   Did anyone download the TOS from 2-3 years ago?  I would be curious if someone had a copy and could check that for me.

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      Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Good question! I have no clue as to how things work now compared to then. And probably never will....

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      melbelposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      If that's the case, then f************ck that.

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   3. STAFF

      Matt Wellsposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Hi everyone,
      
      There is a new Forum post covering the COVID-19 situation & HubPages authors.
      
      Regarding the specific Terms Of Use questions on this forum, there were a few items raised regarding the HubPages-before vs Maven-after Terms Of Use and earnings.
      
      Big picture, the authoring and earnings program that has long operated on HubPages sites is now coming into operation as part of the broader Maven platform. This means that non-HubPages use cases may be using the same platform and programs. Not every use case will earn the same, which is why it is written how it is now. 
      
      There is updated language between Terms Of Use documents, but not really a major difference at the top level on the topics you raised about expenses, etc. Some quick searching can help you find third-party archives of pages if doing a more precise comparison of a specific clause is of interest to you.
      
      All Hubbers can see traffic and earnings reports from immediately before versus after the Terms Of Use change in late January. There are always a variety of factors simultaneously impacting traffic and earnings, but (BYO program impact aside) a major change stemming from the Terms Of Use update was not of them.
      
      [Note - For those of you in the Amazon Program, we would encourage you to regularly look at the detailed Amazon report as well. As it is a good view into these types of matters as they apply to that program.]

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         melbelposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         How much do we earn? What is the breakup in earnings for HubPages?

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         Solarasposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you for responding. Can you specify which expenses are charged to the HP authors gross earnings to create the net earnings? For Example
         
         Paypal Fees
         Editors salaries
         Hosting fees
         etc...
         
         Thank you

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   paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

   My traffic and earnings are so bad, that I am considering shutting down the ads; it certainly won't cost me anything. My motive is one of curiosity as to how Google reacts.

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      paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Update. If I do try the experiment, it would only run until the end of the month.

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   Life and Luxuryposted 5 years ago

   I think this is more of a site that allows for the opinions of Trump supporters as well as his opponents. And that is good with me. I've seen some of my favorite media personalities get completely erased by larger sites. Shutting down speech only makes speech become more extreme the next time.
   
   With that said, I hope the OP's account gets its traffic back.

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   bhattucposted 5 years ago

   The dip in the traffic is there and if there is a major dip in the traffic for hubpages on a whole then individual articles would also be affected proportionally. Is that the case? I wonder.

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   PaulGoodman67posted 5 years ago

   Well, it makes a change for someone to accuse the site of being pro-Trump! More usually over the years, I think I've seen the site being accused of being part of some Californian Liberal Techno Elite! Haha!
   
   Tess, your conspiracy theory, with you at the center, either shows extremely petty behavior by the staff, or a paranoid streak in yourself. I personally suspect the latter.
   
   Matt's comment in the thread seemed measured and reasonable. Accusations of bullying and abuse are serious, but they appear unsubstantiated and your attitude towards other hubbers seems to undermine your case that you are behaving reasonably and HubPages is not.
   
   There is a deadly virus sweeping around the world. Entire cities, states, countries are closing down. Everybody's traffic is generally substantially down.

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      TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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         theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Tess, it was the fact that you even thought that Matt could be the cause of the issue.
         
         You could have ascertained that it was the third reason very quickly before making what amounted to an accusation.
         
         Just think before you press Submit. Try to work out how your words will be  read and understood.
         
         To the others that are jumping on Tess - she does have Aspergers and takes things literally.
         
         Just all take a step back.

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      Wesman Todd Shawposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I've literally had the "California liberal elite" thought before. And because I don't have much impulse control when it comes to speaking - I may have been dumb enough to say something like that at one point or another.
      
      For whatever it is worth, you always strike me as a wise and nice person. Wiser and nicer than me.
      
      I'm going to go ahead an unfollow this one, and I'm also going to try to not bother Ms. Schlesinger any further.
      
      Free speech is something I'm extremely worried about. I think it is already being limited WAY too much, especially online. So it's definitely one of my sore spots.

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   Solarasposted 5 years ago

   I am glad everyone has made up. Now, back to what I am interested in.  This is from the Maven Terms of Use.  Am I misconstruing the definition of earning here as being after all expenses are paid?
   
   For your convenience, I have copied the definition of earnings and earned balance below.  I am curious about the definition of "percentage of net revenues after deductions have been taken from gross revenues attributable to your Author Content"
   
   (c) Earnings
   
   (i) Earnings and your share of net earnings will be based on a formula selected by Maven, in its sole discretion, which formula Maven may change at any time for your Earnings Account. The formula used may include but is not limited to: (a) sharing with you a specific percentage of net revenues after deductions have been taken from gross revenues attributable to your Author Content, (b) rotating dedicated IDs (i.e. one for you and one for Maven) at a specific rotation percentage for each ID across articles (and its subcomponent pages) showing your Author Content and/or your profile page where your net earnings come solely from the activity attributable to the ID assigned to you, or (c) an alternate mechanism determined by Maven in its sole discretion.
   
   (iii) The “Earned Balance” is your share of those valid, earned, and collected (by Maven) net revenues - where such net revenue amounts are determined only after deductions are taken off-the-top and subtracted from the gross earnings. These deductions include any and all commissions, fees, bad debts, third-party deductions or fees, payment processing costs, charge-backs, partner share of earnings, amounts deemed fraudulent by either Maven or a third-party provider to the Earnings Program, and any other deductions that Maven deems necessary with respect to the provision of the Earnings Program (such deductions to be determined in Maven’s sole discretion). Your share is the amount of net revenues attributable to: (1) Earnings Page Views on your Author Content; (2) revenue generated through your Earnings Page Views from any Author Referral that has been approved by Maven; and (3) your portion of any net amounts earned by you (if any) in relation to (A) upfront amounts related to your publishing specific pieces of Author Content (as specifically agreed to by you and Maven), and (B) any other program, service or opportunity (such as Maven contests) not covered in this Addendum where Maven offers Authors (and/or other Users as applicable) the ability to earn money.

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      TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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         Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         This puts a new light on things!  Especially the lack of candor from staff.

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         theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         The staff did inform of us changes to the HP/Maven Terms of Use. They posted it here as a 'sticky'. They emailed us and they referred to it in the newsletter.
         
         It's not their fault if we couldn't be bothered to read it.
         
         https://hubpages.com/community/forum/34 … rms-of-use

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            Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            It's not our fault they were afraid to explain the changes either. Especially as they are different from the past changes in revenue.

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               theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               We're writers. We read and research. We should not require spoon-feeding. It's up to the individual to know who's paying them and how.
               
               It's all there. No point complaining that you didn't know.

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                  Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  Spoon feeding isn't required, but explanations of different changes to the TOS should be. I assume you believe it's too much to ask of staff?

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                  Solarasposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  So this is a change from how our earnings were calculated before? I was not sure.  I read the old TOU years ago, but never downloaded them.  It is interesting that is was designed to coincide with an overall change in monetization.

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            TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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               theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Read the link, Tess.

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                  TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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                     theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     We've just gone into lockdown here too. Not so severe as SA though. Restrictions on who goes out and where. My 81 yr old mother is 15 miles away

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                        Solarasposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                        Does that mean you can drive to see her?  My 91 year old mother is here with me, so we can fight whenever we want to.

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                           theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                           
                           
                           Well, I will, but we're not supposed to. I usually see her three times a week, but will reduce it to once every 10 days... or see how it goes. Things are changing so fast.
                           
                           My daughter is also waiting for surgery, so I have to be really careful with her too.

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                              Solarasposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                              Best wishes for everyone, my thoughts are with you guys.

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                                 Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                                 Me too, everyone on HP has my best wishes!

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                              TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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                                 theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                                 She has to have the right side of her thyroid removed. And she's a singer, so  there's a risk her voice will be affected. She's only 18.

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                                    Solarasposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                                    Oh no!  Best for her surgery and recovery. You will have many positive thoughts from us and the HP lurkers lol

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                                    TessSchlesingerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

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                                       theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                                       We're hoping so. I have no idea now when, or even if, it will happen. She has a large swelling on the right side of her neck. Still singing though.

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    paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

    Randy, Adsense tapped me on the shoulder today (in the good way). I'm hoping you finally got to the finish line, or do you have to wait another month?

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       Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Last time I checked it was still at 95+ dollars, Para.

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          paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

          Randy, tryed to anser; hat to stop re vision.

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    theraggededgeposted 5 years ago

    What's a 'use case'? Never heard that term before.

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    Solarasposted 5 years ago

    I tried using the Wayback Machine to find the original TOS.  I could not find it.  Maybe someone else here knows of another "Third Party Site" as Matt suggested.

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       Shesabutterflyposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       I do not know of any third party sites, but I saved an old TOS. Not sure if this link will work, but I can post the whole thing if needed. This is from Feb 5th 2017.
       
       file:///home/chronos/u-4dba684019879afffb4cbe9d2ed3630d7b4951e3/MyFiles/Downloads/HP%20User%20Agreement.mhtml

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          JerryFisherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

          Maybe this is a question for an entirely new discussion but I'll ask away anyway.
          When I got notification that Hubpages were transferring all links to Amazon to their own site, I was sure that they said, that we will still be receiving 100% commission as we would have from Amazon as we did in the past.
          
          Just checking on my stats and see that that's not correct at all. Maven/Hubpages are taking 40% of whatever my commission is on a product from Amazon.

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             DrMark1961posted 5 years agoin reply to this

             No, they did not say that.
             You used to get 100% of the commissions, 60% of the time. Now you get 60% of the commissions, 100% of the time. If someone made a large Amazon purchase, and it was during HP´s time, you did not get a commission.
             If someone makes a large purchase now you get 60% of that sale. It may or may not be better for you.

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                JerryFisherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                Thanks for the clarification

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