All recent articles rejected

1. 91

   Abhi Gaurposted 8 months ago

   Recently, my articles have been rejected for moving to a niche site. The site I am submitting the articles to is ‘LevelSkip’. They always give the same generic response, saying that the issue is Experience Based Content. Experience Based Content is very problematic because it is unclear what it means. It seems they are trying to say that the content is not unique, informative, or displays original research.
   I disagree that my content is not meeting any of these parameters. Honestly, it is taxing to write and submit articles when they don't even want to allow my articles to shine.
   Even though I have written every word, they still aren't satisfied. It is unclear what they want, even though I have been here for more than 5 years.
   Now it seems that anything I write is not good enough for them. I wonder why clients still pay me to write content if I am not good enough. Perhaps, it is HubPages that is confused and not really sure about its guidelines. I hope they give me a proper reason next time they reject my article.

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   1. 91

      WriterJanisposted 8 months agoin reply to this

      HI,
      I glanced over a few of your articles and I see where a couple of problems exist. You have way too much bold print in your articles. I suggest removing the bold and just use the regular type. In addition, you need to credit your photos and make sure they are properly licensed.
      Good luck!

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   2. 92

      Kenna McHughposted 8 months agoin reply to this

      Hello, I have felt the same way several times. I tell myself, "These are form letters." With that, I write to the team or editors and ask for clarification. Sometimes HP's reply is helpful, and sometimes it's not. I have to email them again for clarification. The theory is squeak and squeak again, and you shall get the feedback you need.

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      1. 91

         Abhi Gaurposted 8 months agoin reply to this

         Thank you for the advice, Kenna. Still, I think they should be straightforward and write the real reason why a article has been rejected instead of giving the same copy paste response every time. It is demeaning and not helpful at all.

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         1. 92

            Kenna McHughposted 8 months agoin reply to this

            It is refreshing when editors are straightforward.

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         2. 94

            OldRosesposted 8 months agoin reply to this

            The editors are dealing with hundreds of articles every day and don't have the time to write individual rejection notices.  That's what the forums are for.  Experienced HP authors can take a look at your articles and make suggestions to improve them based on our knowledge of what works and what doesn't work here.
            
            I took a look at a couple of your articles.  As already suggested, you need to eliminate the bold type and note the source and licensing or your photos.
            
            I think I know what the editors are saying when they write about "experiential."  You write about video games, but not once do you mention your own experience with them.  You just offer generic advice and information.  What is your own personal advice on the games you review based on your own experience playing them?  What is your personal experience transferring info from one console to another?
            
            That is the kind of information that makes HP articles unique.  We offer insight and advice based on our experience with topics.
            
            Try it and see if that helps your articles to be accepted.

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            1. 91

               Abhi Gaurposted 8 months agoin reply to this

               Well, I never had an issue getting an article accepted earlier, and they moved my articles on network sites on their own. The problem with pushing content that is only based on personal experience is that it limits the writers and doesn't make HubPages very competitive in this age of tough competition.
               
               It is also not usual for sites on video games or similar topics to detail personal experiences simply because users want accurate information quickly. You can barely find an article that ranks well that focuses on personal experience. The focus is always on why a game or something else like a product is useful and worth it. It seems their direction has changed, and now, they want to become like a personal blog for writers, and it doesn't seem to be working out as the traffic is at an all time low. I think it will get even worse as AI content starts to rise. So if they want something like a personal blog or want to limit me to writing about only things I have personal experience in, then I am not going to do that.
               
               I have been playing video games for a long time and have written about games that I have played here too. But, the requirement to only write about games I have played is too much. Also, I have written an entire article based on my personal experience with CSGO gambling sites and didn't even include a single affiliate link, but it was still rejected. So I am not even sure what is the reason behind all this. Sorry for the long post, and please don't mind any errors because there is no way I will check this one.

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               1. 94

                  OldRosesposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                  As long as you continue to reject the wisdom of experienced HP authors and resist making changes to your articles, they will continue to be rejected.

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                  1. 91

                     Abhi Gaurposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                     Since it is unclear what changes should be made as they haven't specified and I am unwilling to make the changes you suggested, I don't think this is going to work out. I simply refuse to restrict myself as a writer. The reason I started writing on HubPages was because they didn't have strict guidelines and allowed me to write about anything I wanted. Now, that they have changed their guidelines and approach, I think it is best to stop writing on this platform. Maybe, I can use it to showcase my work to any potential clients (for my Freelance Writing gigs) and that's it.

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               2. 95

                  theraggededgeposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                  "The problem with pushing content that is only based on personal experience is that it limits the writers..."
                  
                  That's not what was suggested. No one said 'only', just that it makes it more interesting and compelling if you include your own experience. That's why people watch streamers on Twitch and Youtube... to see how someone else approaches the game.
                  
                  You can't write about gambling sites at all... it is explicitly prohibited, as detailed in the FAQs and Terms of Use.

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               3. 94

                  AliciaCposted 8 months agoin reply to this

                  You say that you have never played some of the games that you recommend. How could you recommend them, then? A quick and personal recommendation won’t turn your article into a blog post. It should offer a unique point that differentiates your article from all the other articles about the game.

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2. 96

   Glenn Stokposted 8 months ago

   Abhi,
   
   The point you’re missing is that when writing about anything involving the author's experience, HubPages requires following the E-E-A-T guidelines to satisfy Google. Based upon Google’s requirements you need to display first-hand experience in the subject to show authority and trust.
   
   This article clarifies why it’s so important now:
   
   https://ahrefs.com/blog/eeat-seo/

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