Time to leave Hubpages

1. 61

   canadawest99posted 13 years ago

   I like writing at hubpages but seriously the site has 2 large disadvantages now.
   
   First is the SERP slap by google.  This is one of the 50 top sites and it got a nasty slap with traffic down nearly 50%.  Who knows where it will come back to if it ever does.
   
   The second disadvantage is hubpages policy on backlinking.  I have done some moderate bookmarking of my hubs only to have them flagged and removed by the admins.  If I can't backlink, how can I promote anything?
   
   I was able to live without backlinking because Hubpages still had lots of organic traffic, but now that its lost some of that and backlinking is not allowed, the result could be terrible.

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   1. 92

      Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think you must fib.
      
      "Moderate" backlinking would not cause any action by admins.

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   2. 59

      Bronson_Hubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      If you go, can I have your stuff?

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   3. 59

      Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You've got over 600 hubs, been here 2 years, and have yet to surpass 100,000 views?  I don't think the new changes will make much difference in your views. 

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   4. 74

      Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Save your hubs and good luck in your offline endeavours

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   5. 60

      worldblackstarposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i hate the hubpages because of its score system.  Also they blocked my hubs eventhough it is unique.  As you said, there is no way to promote my site also.

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2. 89

   Len Cannonposted 13 years ago

   L
   a
   t
   e
   r
   s

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3. 0

   ryankettposted 13 years ago

   I don't suspect that we will see you again if the SERPS position improves again then?

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   1. 61

      canadawest99posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      As far as I am concerned, my 5000 articles on 5 sites can do what they want now.  If they earn, great, if not doesn't matter.   I don't need another fight on my hands trying to please companies that control everything.   I've got a real bricks and mortar business that should demand more attention anyway.   At least its in the free market without someone like google setting the agenda.

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      1. 0

         ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Concentrating on your bricks and mortar business sounds like a good policy to me.

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4. 60

   Pandoras Boxposted 13 years ago

   Give it a bit more time. Maybe start rewriting your best stuff for publication elsewhere, but if you unpublish now and lose everything you've put in, that's irreversible and you may regret it later.

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5. 68

   ThomasEposted 13 years ago

   I wouldn't do anything too rash. Wait and see how it all pans out.

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6. 77

   skyfireposted 13 years ago

   matane

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7. 62

   ns1209posted 13 years ago

   Go if you want to - but you might as well leave your content up, you will still earn a little and deleting will not do any good and would be more effort than doing nothing!

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8. 57

   TheOneWhoKnowsposted 13 years ago

   You are 2 years on Hubpages,I'm sure that you have some income?
   Don't let it disappear, think about it again.

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9. 71

   Ultimate Hubberposted 13 years ago

   Good bye!

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10. 83

    CMHypnoposted 13 years ago

    I wish you well whatever your decision, but just hope that this isn't the start of a lot of dramatic flouncing off threads

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    1. 92

       Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nobody HAS to flounce.
       
       You could walk off, shaking your head ruefully or staring back longingly..  though I really would suggest the type of exit that leaves you with your head still inside the door, hanging on to the edge with one hand so that you can pop right back if the weather changes tomorrow (which it probably will).

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       1. 68

          ThomasEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I have absolutely not flounced away from ezinearticles.com, but won't be posting there again until the weather turns.
          
          Hubpages.com is a different matter. I quite like the site. So I am likely to hang around and try to make it better.
          
          It's not perfect but it has potential.

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       2. 83

          CMHypnoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I agree that nobody has to flounce, but plenty do it.
          
          I can't see any need to go anywhere, if someone chooses not to write anymore hubs that may prove to benefit them in the long run, but unless you know that you can move your hubs somewhere else where they will outperform being on HubPages, what is the point of taking them down?

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    2. 59

       Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Ah, a new Hub idea!  " Best and Most Proper Methods of Flouncing Off a Content Site." 

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       1. 92

          Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Illustrated, I hope.

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          1. 59

             Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             I have personally never flounced from a site.   I was once booted and given no chance of experiencing the feeling of a well exhibited flounce.  I certainly wouldn't want to flounce improperly! 

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             1. 92

                Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                I think you need to be wearing a dress (or very loose pants) to perform a proper flounce..

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                1. 65

                   2uesdayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   I think you would need to be cautious of flouncing if you are wearing both at the same time.

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                   1. 92

                      Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      Loose shoelaces can also turn a flounce into a tragedy.  This is one of the reasons I recommend slippers (the other is that the noise from shoes can interfere with the audience hearing your whimpering).

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                      1. 65

                         2uesdayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                         Also one should be aware of trap doors being left open on stage as this can turn a dramatic scene into a pantomime.
                         
                         
                         BTW This comment is not about the OP it is just my sense of humour about the word flounce.

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                         1. 92

                            Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                            Trap doors?
                            
                            I totally forgot about those..

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                            1. 60

                               Julie2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                               Make sure to have panties, knickers, underwear whatever you want to call your undergarment on when flouncing love because you don't want your privacy 'tween the knees exposed to the world. Then you'll be on that site with Fire crotch, Britney and Lindsay - EXPOSED like me! Ahhhhhh
                               
                               Just kidding!

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                2. 59

                   Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Wow PC, perhaps you'd be better at publishing that hub.  It is obvious to me I am not experienced enough to write about flouncing.  Nor do I have the wardrobe for it!. 

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11. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 13 years ago

    Much ado about nothing! Yes, things are down, but they always go down when this happens. I see this as the opportunity for Hubpages to make some drastic changes to content that really is of low quality. I for one am staying and going to continue to publish hubs. I finally have some other things in place and will be getting back to this full-time. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.

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12. 87

    Paragliderposted 13 years ago

    Of my 124 hubs, three account for half of my page views. The other 121 for the other half. The Google revision has boosted my top three and randomized the rest. Overall views are up, by about 10%.  They probably know what they're doing. But I don't care much. 95% of my income comes from the real job

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13. 62

    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    i'm not going anywhere until I get my first Adsense payout!
    
    I've waited 20 months for it.. what's 20 more years?

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14. 71

    tonymac04posted 13 years ago

    Ek dak nie, ek polla hier!
    Ask another South African!

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    1. 62

       Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I can;t marry you.. but thanks for the compliment! 

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15. 0

    EmpressFelicityposted 13 years ago

    I've flounced off a site before, but it was seven years ago - a whole lifetime in Internet terms

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16. 62

    emdiposted 13 years ago

    Patience is a virtue my dear friends.

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17. 62

    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    i used to flounce all the time during puberty, but I don't have to anymore since I got married

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    1. 0

       Linda Myshrallposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You put that away right now!

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       1. 62

          Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          but my socks are too tight for it to fit

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          1. 0

             Linda Myshrallposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             uhhhhh....  (blush)  I got nothing...  good grief...
             
             To the OP, hang around a bit.  It'll probably pick up.

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             1. 62

                Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                "hang around a bit.  It'll probably pick up"...
                
                I used to use that line when I was in puberty too

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                1. 0

                   Linda Myshrallposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   A.  At what stage of the flouncing did that phrase come in handy?
                   
                   and
                   
                   B.  Am I now subject to copyright infringements?
                   
                   

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                   1. 62

                      Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      A) oh i used that line just before the flouncing.. as soon as they got fed up and left the room..
                      
                      B) EVERYTHING is ALWAYS subject to copyright infringements!

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    2. 83

       CMHypnoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You are not too old to try Pcunix's flouncing in a frock with loose knickers technique?

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18. 79

    accofrancoposted 13 years ago

    Goodbye is the saddest word i ever hear, you were among the best hubbers...now you want to say goodbye...it hurts me to hear you system good......bye!!!!!

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19. 70

    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    If you're leaving because of Google, then you're being a bit hasty. If you're leaving because you're not earning, then it's obvious your 600 hubs have only proven that quantity doesn't beat quality, with regards to earnings.
    
    But, I think if you can manage the time, to review and edit your hubs, learn a little bit more about SEO and such. Plus, putting other things into action, might actually turn you a profit in the end.
    
    Just my thoughts. Good luck either way.

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    1. 92

       Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       A bit?

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       1. 70

          Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          You call it what you want and I will their action what I want. WOW!

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             Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             I'm just joking about your calm  understatement

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20. 76

    Penteposted 13 years ago

    I love watching some of the extreme overreactions. I have been slapped hard by google usa. But is it time to quit HB?
    
    Absolutely not! It has only been a couple days and I have already noticed that some of my traffic has returned. Even if all my traffic drops by 50% or 80%, that is still not reason to quit.
    
    The HubPage staff make a living from this site and it is strongly in their best interest to start fixing some of the problems and keep the cash flowing. Google could make some adjustment a month or even a year later that suddenly boosts HP.
    
    If you really think things have gotten bad, just do something else for a few months and put HP on the back burner for a while. It certainly can't hurt. I spent a few hours today registering a new domain and setting it up. Diversity is good.
    
    The one thing that is certain working online is constant change.

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21. 74

    Reality Bytesposted 13 years ago

    I have had a strange phenomonon. My google US traffic has dropped but my adsense has improved over the past week.  I have never received the adsense numbers equal to what I have received through this week.

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22. 65

    wingedcentaurposted 13 years ago

    There is something that I know is well known to all, but nevertheless bears repeating, I think. We must understand that "this," being the Internet, has billions of people on it. There's a lot of stuff to wade through.
    
    An Internet writing site such as this has innumerable other venues to compete with to grab the public's attention both online and offline. There's the innumerable online video games, even some that are virtual worlds, I understand. There's news, sports, and public affairs sites. There's innumerable social networking sites. There's YouTube! And so on and so forth.
    
    There are innumerable so ons and so forths on the Internet as well. One can try getting the best "tags," promoting his hubs on Facebook, or something like that. You can do moderate backlinking and so on. But the underlying structural reality is that this is the Internet. There's only so much you can do.
    
    I understand that I'm not very technically savvy but I don't see how leaving HubPages for another site would alter the reality of the Internet. Now, I understand Google has done something with the SERP, whatever that is, and HP has done some technical adjustment that most of the posters on this thread seem satisfied with; the idea seems to be that "it all balances out in the end," and so forth.
    
    And I'm sure it is well understood that HP or any other Internet cannot be depended upon for a regular, livable income, largely due to the very nature of the Internet.
    
    
    One thing: I remember "hearing" a long time ago that the thing you want to do is write "evergreen" content, that will be of interest over a long period of time, perhaps "indefinitely" (as indefinitely as anything is in cyberspace. Traffic might be lagging now but if you're writing evergreen content, you may be "down" but never "out," as it were.
    
    Good Luck, whatever you decide!

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23. 68

    Flightkeeperposted 13 years ago

    If you're going to make an exit make a real one instead of going on and on about it and then popping back in a month later as if nothing happened.  But don't delete your hubs.

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    1. 0

       ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hal Licino has set the benchmark for best way to leave the site. Publish your 2500th hubpage, walk away, never come back, not even to approve comments. He now does something else, but has a probably substantial revenue stream.

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       1. 92

          Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I wondered about that. On one of his hubs, he said he wasn't making any money from HP, which seems almost impossible..

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       2. 58

          Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I doubt it. One of the reasons Hal left was he was not making enough money. His hubs were (are) awesome, but unprofitable. He hung around for a while and banged out some commercial stuff but was unhappy at how hard it was to monetize passionate, quality content.
          
          As we all are.

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             ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Oh right
             
             Having said that, I can remember seeing his 1000th hub, which showed that he was making less than $10 per day... which I remember thinking "I make that from my first 100".
             
             I suspect that he will still see maturity though, even with this algo change, so he will probably make a decent enough amount at some stage?

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             1. 58

                Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Well - your faith is touching, but I have been here a while and just seen my "mature" hubs tank along with my newer ones.
                
                I am hoping - as all I see in the search results as a searcher is garbage - that this change will be refined some what and this is not the new reality.

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          2. 62

             Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Which certainly confirms that good content finds it way up all by itself, during author lifespan. And Hals content is hands down one of the best on this site.

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             1. 58

                Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                True enough - he had enormous amounts of page views on some of his stuff. But - making money on it is another question.

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                1. 62

                   Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Ah, most talented writers died poor... I guess this is how things work...

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                2. 92

                   Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   I've only read a small percentage of his hubs, but some of them should do well.
                   
                   If he had tremendous page views, that is contrary to Misha's implied assertion that good content needs artificial backlinking. 
                   
                   Making money is a different issue, but honestly I'm surprised that he hasn't done better - and maybe he has - he had only been here about a year and had half the hubs when he wrote http://hubpages.com/hub/Hals-40-Best-Go … e-Earnings
                   
                   I wonder what he'd show if he wrote the same subject today.

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24. 40

    Ritsosposted 13 years ago

    I'm planning for the future .. I'm going to write obituaries for people who haven't died yet :-) .. actually I bet someone already has done lol

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    1. 0

       ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I actually have the autographs of several very old famous people, they will be appearing on eBay with seconds of death. I know that sounds bad, but hell that's business sense!

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25. 52

    Diggin4Truthposted 13 years ago

    Three thoughts...
    
    1. Watch for google to come out with a competing service to hubpages. Otherwise they would be going after other sites like ehow which apparently was not google slapped.
    
    2. The hubpages management should add additional affiliate programs we can sign up with.
    Can they work out a deal with say... clickbank? Or some of the other pay for click services?
    
    3. Maybe hubpages would want to start advertising itself as it's own search engine. It could start it's own pay-per-click program.
    
    Unfortunately, when you put all your eggs in one basket with a constantly moving target, you lose.

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    1. 92

       Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       What do you think Blogger is?

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       1. 77

          skyfireposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Hubpages is not a blog. You can compare Google Knol with hubpages.

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             Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             I don't even think Google knows what Knol is

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26. 72

    relacheposted 13 years ago

    To all who have chosen this past week to flounce, I toss rose petals at you as you depart.
    
    I'm quite contented to stay and keep doing what I've been doing, especially with the new, in-house ad program. (disclosure:  yes, I was/am part of the initial test group)

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27. 41

    wirulposted 13 years ago

    I'd checked that hubpages currently have more traffic than ezine articles, does it means that hubpages rank in google well?

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