Hub Pages: Beware of Those Who Will Try to Sabotage Your Hub
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To Fellow Hubbers
Recently, one of my hubs has drawn a lot of traffic and a bit of controversy with some. Traffic is good for a hub even if the reader does not agree with what you are saying. Commenting on the hub is good, too, even if the commenter is proselytizing – or so I thought. Not too long ago I told a fellow hubber that I did not “deny” comments that disagreed with my hub, and at the time I stood by that believing a little controversy and mature “agreeing to disagree” is good. We should all be willing to stand behind our hubs, but I had one person who was insisting I “agree” to something I didn’t feel comfortable saying. I refused and stood by my hub and accepted accountability. My Polly-Annish approach to giving the benefit of the doubt and not expecting anything beyond "agreeing to disagree" has taught me it might be okay to deny a comment. Instead, I tried to reason and back up what I was saying in my hub.
What Happened Next?
I noticed the traffic on the hub was going up. Seemed like a good thing, right? Then, I noticed the hub score for that particular hub was dropping fast. I was curious, but I did not want to jump to conclusions. Today, I was checking my Google Analytics. When I went to the traffic sources, I saw the hubber’s username who disagreed with me. Not only had the hubber directly sent traffic to my hub, but the hubber started to use the personal referral tracking number so a percentage of the impressions would go to this hubber’s account (I am new, so please correct me if this is wrong). I couldn’t believe it. I knew the hubber disagreed with me on one main point in my hub and seemed angry and frustrated that I would not say what the hubber wanted me to say, but I never suspected malicious intent. My only logical conclusion is the hubber was recommending my hub so others could vote it down. I say this is wrong and hateful.
Final Thoughts
I have read many good hubs and I have voted them up and rated them as “useful,” “awesome,” “funny,” or “beautiful.” The hubs I don’t like, I might leave a short comment disagreeing or say nothing at all. As of yet I have not voted anyone’s hub down. It is up to each individual to comment or vote as they please, but I would never dream of maliciously inviting my followers or friends who I know would side with me to go to a particular hub and hope they would vote it down as this hubber has done to me. Being mean-natured when we do not get our way or the answers we want to hear/see is wrong. Please do not do this to other hubbers. We are hubbing for different reasons: loving to share, loving to write, hoping to inspire or move, trying to help with “how to’s” and lessons learned, and/or hoping to make some money. We should practice professional courtesy when dealing with other hubbers. Please “agree to disagree,” and even vote down if you do not like the hub. Don’t maliciously send out recommendations because of anger. That defeats the cause of the Hub Community.
© sholland10 2011. All rights reserved.
Here is the hub that created the controversy:
- Christians' Reactions to Gays
When young gays come out, how should Christians react? Can gays be Christians? Does God love them unconditionally? Christians need to look at Jesus' teachings before judging.
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- Useful (21)
- Funny
- Awesome (5)
- Beautiful (2)
- Interesting (10)
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Hi Stump,
You and I are a perfect example of agreeing to disagree civilly. For instance, I do agree that some people Christian and non-Christian go too far, but I do think they know how to think because sometimes they really cook up something to throw at you. I am more prepared to duck, now. EEGADS!!
Thanks for your comment!
I didn't realize there were problems like that here. Thanks for the heads up, so I know to travel with caution.
The only time I've voted a hub down is when I should have flagged it instead.
Barbara,
I do not think it is a typical action taken by the majority of hubbers. Hub Pages has proven to be a great place to write and share. I guess I just ran into a difficult situation where the person could not just agree to disagree with me.
Thanks for commenting! :-)
Hi sholland10, thank you for sharing your experience with us. I didn't know things like this do happen in Hubpages. How sad.. There is nothing wrong standing by your beliefs. It's fine to disagree, but what this hubber did is wrong.
I can't figure out what kind of childish pleasure someone could get from sabotaging a hub from hiding. I guess the lack the gumption to claim their victory. They sit and chuckle to themselves, lol.
I've noticed the same thing about most problems we face in this country, it's usually the fault of both sides of the issue. Not equally at times but both sides of any issue can help the situation to some extent.
Clicks on your hub are yours, no other hubber can insert their tracking number or attach it to your work unless its downright copied. As far as the comments/votes, yes this happens. Please let the HP staff know
Thanks Seriousnuts, Stump, and Luis for all your comments. I didn't think it would happen either, but my Google Analytics showed it. It is the first time a hubber's name had shown up as a blue link in my traffic sources. I did report it to the HP staff.
Luis, the reason I think the hubber used the referral tracker is because the username was a link, and when I clicked on them (there were two), it took me to the profile page - one of them had a referral number in it and the other did not as if the hubber had just shared it without linking it. Like I said, I am new, so it may not be the way I explained.
You can be assured that I may disagree with you, but I will never turn on you behind your back. Still cannot believe it happened.
Thanks, again!! HUBBERS ARE GREAT!! I am not going to let one bad apple spoil the barrel. :-)
Hi Susan-I must be very naive (and am) about the votes down. I just never think of that arrow. I vote up/rate it one of the selections or leave it alone.
I have denied certain comments though-not b/c they disagreed but b/c of what I felt was spam. I won't accept a comment that just does not seem to fit in with the subject.
Sorry this was such a nasty experience. Keep your courage, girl and fight back when the nasties come visiting.
Thanks for sharing this experience-look how beneficial it has been already for some of us. :)
Denise,
I have never voted down anyone's hub. I feel like hubbers should stick together. I guess if there were something vile and horrible, I would report it. I won't vote it down because I disagree or think it is substandard. Life is about learning.
I definitely learned from this situation. I should have denied some of the comments that promoted this other person who had gone off topic with the hub. Live and learn. :-)
Thanks for commenting! :-)
I feel bad for someone who has to resort to such bullying tactics. And I feel for you, who has pretty much been the victim of a bully's game.
I personally have yet to deny a comment, (I'm pretty new too) but the method I use is: does it give quality feedback - even if critical? Does it further the discussion?
It doesn't have to agree with me, but if it does not contribute to the discussion or the benifit of everyone, than it doesn't belong on my hubs. After all, this isn't some editorial website... It's a social network and online community.
Bubblegum, yes, I agree with you. I didn't want to deny anyonee, even if the a person disagrees with me. I want there to be different opinions. I will deny someone if it does not contribute to the hub from now on. Just have to live and learn. :-) Thanks for dropping by!!
I have been here over a year and very very rarely have to deny a comment. I think I've only ever done that once. My motto is everyone has a right to an opinion, even if I don't like it. But I hate that someone was trying to attack your beliefs in an underhanded way like that.
Thanks Rachael. I agree with you, and it has been a learning experience. Thanks for dropping by!! :-)
I think that kind of behavior should be left to websites that promote arguing. I am thinking of one website in particular but do not want to name it. I had to leave that site years ago because it only created negative feelings in me.
Hi Sing Song,
I am happy for comments on my hubs whether they agree or disagree. I just don't want it to veer away from the main idea in the hub. I think I know which site you are talking about. I didn't mind the argument as long as people tried to be fair. LOL Thanks for dropping by!! :-)
Wow, I can't believe somebody would do this to you. How childish! Good luck in your hubs and thanks for the heads up:)
Hopefully, it was just an isolated incident. HubPages is a great community, and there are so many positives to counter any negatives. Thanks for dropping by! :-)
Hmmm...sorry to hear you experienced that. It doesn't seem right. Don't know what the big deal is - facts are facts, opinions are opinions. Agree to disagree. I'm glad to have the heads up on that.
Hi Art Girl,
Some just don't know how to agree to disagree. I don't think it is a common occurrence, but I do make sure comments are on topic if the discussion turns negative. I can handle negative but not proselytizing for the sake of being right.
Hub Pages has a great community, so I hope most don't have to worry about it.
Thanks for dropping by!
Hi Susan,
There should be a way to see if these persons can be accountable for voting down on so many articles, like axing our work. I've seen my score go down after being a little controversial...I don't mind like JT Walters, but Hubbing is a unique experience and we all are here to have fun, not to put our work done. If that person is not happy with our style, just stop following us and move on. Like FloraBreenRobinson does, If you are here to caus harm, you shouldn't be allowed to be in here. Thanks for this awesome hub S. Holland
LORD
Oh you have opened my eyes Sholland! Wow! I still consider myself new as I've never done Internet writing before - but wow!
I'm in your park - I do not ever cause malicious harm to others. I don't care if I don't like or agree with a persons hub (who am I to think my opinion is the only right one?) lol. I rarely - leave a comment. The only times I have were on sleep related hubs and the info was wrong...I politely (I hope) corrected them just so they could change it and make it right. I think that is nice because I wouldn't want to author a hub that had obvious wrong info other professionals in my field could see! Anyway...if it's just opinion I've been wrong lots of times - in fact I'm pretty good at that! Lol
Well awesome - super double awesome - hub here! You're very clever to have checked that!
100% agreement, Lord de Cross. Just move on if you don't like it. Creating chaos and negativity is not necessary.
RealHousewife, I don't understand malicious attacks. I don't understand wanting to purposely hurt another hubber. The guy who kept following me obviously looked for anything that dealt with gays and Christianity. Months later, he found another's hub, commented on my hub to get me to say he was right, and I e-mailed him a warning stating I would turn him in for harassment. He just wanted to be right. It sounds like the person harassing you, too. The person just wants to be right. I am more than willing to admit to being wrong or apologizing, but I won't be pushed to say something against my grain. Good luck and watch your hub metrics. :-)
Hey Sholland, some people will do whatever it is that they choose to do, either from ignorance or just be cruel because they didn't get their way. One thing you shouldn't worry about is the hubscore of a hub. It makes no difference. If the hub is getting great traffic and someone who disagrees with the hub is bringing traffic to the hub from outside sources....then be appreciative and don't worry about them voting it down. It would take thousands upon thousands, upon thousands before the hub would ever be effected. Thank you for sharing your experience. :)
Yeah, Cagsil, you are right. The hub score is what alerted me to something being wrong because it was going down while traffic was up. I understand the hub score doesn't matter, but when you are new, you do not know that. Thanks for dropping by and adding to the information. For me it was just the idea of the hypocrisy that was involved. The person wrote a hub against my hub, which is fine. I read it and left it. I didn't vote or comment. I guess the impression went to the hubber. LOL
I'm still cognizant of some of the names of ...various profiles used by just one of the clique of conservative fascist that went to someone or another's "church" ...the same that Stump is referring to.
...but I was also involved in an exceedingly atheist group on the same website...that manipulated the ranking systems on that site (Myspace) ...with studied manipulations and tests, diversions, and the so very many seemingly unrelated profiles by just one user.
None of that matters though...no one on Hubpages can run you out of Hubpages other than staff.
I brought one friend here from Myspace...well, several...but the one got banned here....just as he'd done at least weekly on that other site.
1. You just can't title a hub "lesbo's and faggots wanna kill ragheads too."....but at least he gave it a try....
2. One very fine historical essay type content provider or "hubber" on this site was banned due to....what I'm told were multiple abusive emails towards team@hubpages.com. In other words....it's not a good idea to be outright mean or deliberately rude towards someone...obviously, but ...being an ass and sending hateful or...I dunno what he'd sent or said - but don't do as I've done a few times...and be buzzed and rather pissed ..and then send off a message to staff about that hub they'd unpublished.
LOL!
There isn't anyone who can steal from you here on Hubpages.com...unless someone on staff decides to go rogue or something.
This is probably one of the most secure websites that anyone can join...the people that run software at Hubpages.com are VERY VERY GOOD at what they do.
But someone could surely solicit downvotes for your hub...lowering the score. I don't know..but I'm literally positive that the rules of Hubpages.com...are against someone doing such a thing. I'd imagine that staff would consider that activity..the soliciting of downvoting a hub..manipulating their ranking algorithm, would be against...several rules or TOS agreements.
Thanks, Wesman. I just sent him an e-mail through HP's because I did not want him to have my e-mail address. I told him I would report him and c/p'ed the rule for harassment. He just wanted me to say he was right. I went to him, rather than HP's. He just wrote a hub against my theme in the one he disagreed with. I can live with that. I was not out to get him banned unless he kept sending me comments to harass me into saying he was right... Didn't happen. I am sure it is clear between us now. Thanks for dropping by and reading and sharing! :-)
I just can't believe that someone out there would do that. I mean - we are all here for different reasons... and like you, I prefer the "agree to disagree" motto. I believe the only time I have ever voted a hub down was if I have come across one that is spammy type and not of quality that should be here at hubpages. Otherwise... all is for the love of writing. I leave a comment almost every single time I stop by but I am never negative or telling someone they were wrong. I wish more people could be like this, but unfortunatley, it seems that the negative people are easily strenghtened when hiding behind the computer screen... I voted this up! I voted it awesome. I wish more people would extend the professional courtesy based off the guts it takes just to get your writing out there for others to read! Great job and well said!
Thanks, Barbergirl! I know what you mean. I am not against someone expressing disagreement with me, but I do not believe in being mean-natured.
Thanks for dropping by and reading!! :-)
I'd never ever tolerate someone demanding that I agree that they are "right" about anything.
Sholland...you're awfully kind towards such a person. I've no idea what hub of yours that you're referring to, I think I've read a few of yours in the past besides this one. I'm going to guess that it concerned either religion or politics?
Listen - the forums here sometimes draw some VERY intelligent or thought provoking discussions from ...all sorts of persons that use this site.
Since you are desiring to be a peace maker...why not tell "that person" to start a forum discussion thread concerning whether or not you or they are "right" about whatever the matter is?
that's the problem if people stop to think...stop to think for others other than themselves...we must always deal others with tact and respect each others thoughts and opinions...
a friend who introduced me Hubpages was kicked out...he could no longer access his account...so sad, but this is happening to people who are being a victim for those individuals who only focused on themselves...
Hi Wesman! It was not really a demand. More like a "Look at this, now do you see that I am right and your way of believing is wrong?" The hub concerned unconditional love from Christ. I would have to go look, but I do think you commented on it. Some agreed with me and some did not. I am fine with that. I stand strong in the what I believe and was not swayed. As far as contacting this person to join the forums, I will not do that. The person has been respectful by not contacting me after I emailed, and I am not going to poke that tiger to wake it up. I am sure the person is probably in or has been in the forums. I guess I do come down on the side of the peace maker, but I am not going to be walked on in the process. The person wrote a hub about about whether Christians should give unconditional love. It has been a while since I read it, so I do not want to give incorrect information as to what the actual theme was. I am pretty sure that was it, though. Thanks for commenting and for the ideas. :-)
Goodness! I had no idea this kind of thing was going on! Good to know! I've been a little leery about posting anything that people might maliciously attack, but it's good to know how they work (allowing for ways to fight it in the future)
Hi Raci! I think we should be respectful, too. We don't have to agree, but we can discuss our disagreements and not become overzealous with our comments. Did your friend get banned for his comments? As Wesman said above, the forums are a great place for a good ole fashion heated discussion. My mistake was that I was new, I wanted to show people that I stood by my beliefs, but I kept accepting the comments that clearly were saying I needed to change my ways rather than staying on the topic of the hub. We should at least try to stay on the topic of the hub. Now, granted, we have discussions on the comments that veer, but not by much and they are usually quite fun and friendly when that happens. Regardless, I felt the person had sabotaged my hub by sending people to vote it down. If it were poorly written or nonsensical, I could accept that.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting! :-)
Hi Earl! Please don't think this is the way things are on HP's. It was one person and one incident. We just need to make sure comments are on topic when we accept them in sensitive situations. That was my responsibility, and I failed to do so. HP is a wonderful writing community and you will receive wonderful support from the best group of people online. :-)
Thanks for dropping by and commenting! :-)
No problem! :) So far, my experience with Hubpages has been an excellent one! :)
YAY, Earl! I don't want anyone to think this is the norm. I just read your bio, and you have a lot to offer and have been here a lot longer than I have! :-) I am still learning, and this situation was a "learning experience" for me. Thanks, again, for commenting! :-)
Anytime! Keep up the good work, my new friend! :)
I'm still learning here while following comments! Now that's a great hub...
Yeah...I don't get it when people can't just agree to disagree and go on with their day. Those people will get their misery back ten fold. It always works that way.
Thanks, Earl! :-)
RealHousewife, I am still learning too, and hubbers are the best with good advice. :-) I don't get it either. What comes around goes around. I just hope that people realize the harm they are doing before it comes to that, though. In your situation, I think that person was just off the wall and needed to be denied without the satisfaction having the comment accepted. It was just uncalled for and totally unacceptable.
he really doesn't know...it happened to him once but he made an appeal...the next time...he could not sign up...up to this moment...he's still one of my followers but his page doesn't exist anymore...
yeah, i agree that negative comments are times helpful to help us develop our way of writing...but leaving negative comments for your own benefit is gross...
Raci, that is weird that your friend doesn't know what happened. Usually the Hub Team responds to any request with a clear answer.
Negative comments or constructive criticism that make us aware of differing opinions is good for us, and you are so right about it helping us as writers. :-)
Literally, I spend half of my waking hours online debating the universe, science, and theology with...mostly atheist.
I salute you for your thoughts about Jesus...I tend to ...mostly dispute the falsehoods that I most often see online concerning Christianity...
I like to think that I've got...a mission of some sort from my maker - but I think that everyone does.
If I've not "followed " you here already, then I'll rectify that.
I love talking to people with different beliefs because I know I am sound in mine. Unfortunately, the person I am referring to is also a Christian, but the type who takes Christianity in a different direction than I do. As you said, we each have a mission/purpose. I believe that of every single person. This other person thought I was wrong, so much so that it seemed to turn into a contest. Neither of us will ever convince each other. Thanks for the follow! I reciprocated, and happy to do so! :-)
Yes, it can be malicious out there. sholland I've actually had hubs voted down multiple times under a topic before, they just go from one to the other and ping down. You see on some computer brand monitors the last vote stays color depressed. And with Google Analytics, well, not a good idea for them if they don't want to be caught. Haven't gotten HP staff involved yet but probably will next time. I'm the same way as you about voting down. Except with hub hopping the spam and such I just don't leave anything if I can't vote up and/or give feedback clicks.
Alastar, I am sorry this is happening to you. I did not realize that some computers actually show the color depressed. I did know that Google Analytics shows who has visited if they use a tracker. That is what gets me. If people want to vote down, fine, but don't ask all your friends to go vote down with your tracker so you can get the impressions. Just not right.
Thanks for dropping by and reading!! :-)
Wow! I had no idea this sort of thing went on. We are here to write our hubs and support one another. To this end, this is where our energy should be directed. It's really quite simple. Voted up and thanks.
vocalcoach
VC, I think it is rare, but it can happen. I agree with you about supporting each other. I would rather spend positive time and engery on someone's hub than negative, malicious intent. It just is not in me to do it.
Thanks for dropping by, reading, and voting!! :-)
i agree with you, Susan. I'm sorry that happened. I generally, if I don't like or agree with a hub, will say nothing. One time I voted a hub down, but not only because I disagreed with it, but also because it was poorly written. I didn't pass it on though.
Hey PDX, I haven't voted anyone down yet. I may start if I keep seeing poor quality hubs, though. That would be my only reason to vote down though. There is a lot of good writing and/or literature out there that I don't agree with, but I can admit to not agreeing with it and move on.
Thanks for dropping by and reading! :-)
i agree. voting down should only occur for the excessively crude or the poorly written.
Absolutely, Justin. We should support each other. When we disagree, either stand up and say so or walk away, but we shouldn't be malicious.
THANKS FOR SHARING!! :-)
some people just get upset that their own work is doing well or well received so the attack or steal from others
Hey Justin, that is just wrong to vote someone down because of jealousy!! Wow, I never even thought of that - to attack or steal from others. That would be so low...
ya, but when you can't write quality material like we do, what can you do?
PDX, I am not really putting those people in that would be flagged for simply putting up some sloppy work in order to try to earn online. I am referring to people being mean-spirited and voting down good writing because they disagree or don't like us. That is wrong.
Sue,
Writing political articles most of the time like i do, I surely get my number of those who disagree. But every now and then a loser with too much time on his hand comes along and is outright nasty. I try myself to always agree to disagree, we ll have our views and opinions and I respect them. But the real nasty name calling ones do travel the HP in pacts and will gang up on you and vote you down. Now I ammnot worried about the HP score, never was. But those who tell you it takes thousand to make it go down are wrong. One by itself will make no difference. But when a number of them do it, the score will go down. I can always tell when they resurface. I will see the score suddenly take a nose dive. I check the comment section and there it is, one of them will leave a comment. Just forget them, I like you do not dump comments, I believe in free speech. As long as they do not threaten, cuss all over the place or act racist, I leave the comments up. I fell let everyone see how others feel and act. Good hub, voted up
Hi American View! I know it is the views that count, but I can't understand why people cannot civilly agree to disagree. It isn't in me to be malicious, and I don't get it.
My hub was on Christianity and Gays - linked below. Politics and religion will bring the best and worst out of people.
Thanks for dropping by!! I appreciate the vote! :-)
I am so glad that you're getting a good response on this hub!
I haven't yet read the hub "in question", but will shortly. Regardless of how someone feels, acting out is childish and just plain awful. Why would someone willfully waste time sabotaging someone else!? I just don't get it!
I am so glad that the majority of the people here on HP are supportive and encouraging! As others said - if I have something negative to say about a hub, I typically keep my mouth shut and move on. It's not my place to judge. You wrote what you did because of your own feelings and beliefs, right? Then, who is to say that that is wrong?
Grr!
Okay... I'm off to read the "controversial" hub! =]
I know, Veronica! I just don't get it either. I would rather leave it alone than to try to pull someone down.
Thanks for dropping by! :-)
As I've stated in other hubs, I don't believe hubscore correlates with earnings. And even if negative people vote down your hub, their visits count for your earnings, so the more visits, the better. I had one person disagree with one of my hubs, to the point of name-calling, and I told him while I welcomed disagreement, there's no need for insults. He expressed apology and continued to express his point of view, more civilly, in a couple of visits, which was great. He also became a follower.
Having said all that, I visited your hub and voted it up, because it's worth that vote.
I now think twice before accepting a comment that is rude or isn't up for a discussion. Some just can´t accept that others can see things differently than them. I wish that they would use their energy to write an article themselves instead of trying to drag another writer down. It would probably do their cause much more good if they did!
Just like you did here, you used your energy to write a really good hub with many great comments!
Tina
I agree, Alocsin. It was just disheartening to read some of those comments then see this one person on my Google analytic's page and the number of people who came to either vote it down and/or make another unrelated comment. I am glad you were able to work it out with the one hubber. I tried to be graceful, but it didn't work. I finally said I appreciated the comments and stopped accepting the rants. If they had been on topic, I would have had no problem with accepting them.
Thanks for dropping by! :-)
This was a useful and interesting Hub. I have never nor would I ever vote another Hub down, Flag yes I've done that occasionally like most of us. Even though I may not agree with what was written in a hub, or how it was put together, grammar, etc etc.
I feel it is my duty to either vote it up, leave a comment or simply turn the page and exit without a comment. However I have deleted the odd comment from one of my hubs, simply because I don't want to fuel their scorn or whatever may be bothering them.
I'm certain though that my Ex has entered the hubs under a Bot name and voted my hubs down. When I see a nasty comment left that I delete and then see blue arrows pointing my poems down, then I immediately guess it's her. I may be wrong and I hope so:-))
I don't expect everyone to enjoy my work, but to be nasty and leave an insulting comment, I simply don't tolerate and quickly hit my Delete button as quickly as jack snap. I hope he has left you alone now and all is well. BTW I've commented and voted this Hub Up, interesting and useful. LoL so there:-)
Thanks, Tina! I think the guy who harassed me did go write a hub on why Christians should love unconditionally. He has a right to his opinion. I would rather just move on than go off topic just so someone would say I was right, which is what he wanted.
Thanks for dropping by! :-)
Thanks, Vincent! You showed him! I have a feeling several will "show" him. I am in full agreement with you. I hope your ex doesn't do that to you. Good grief!! I do not understand malicious intent.
Thanks for dropping by! :-)
susan, that's what I figured :-)
I just saw the link in Google+ and had to come read. I can't believe some of he things that go on her on HP, a site where writers should come together and work together for the greater good, so that we can all prosper. What is wrong with people? I keep asking myself. Is there some malicious evil to working online?
I know that some people sabotage others. I have seen even answers that are relevant to questions being voted down. I think that having someone make money from our hubs should be optional. The could have also sabotaged your Adsense account in the process. Thank God, that didn't happen.
I know, Cardisa! It turns into a real mess. I just had to ask another person to stop posting to that hub. I am fine with agree to disagree, but I don't vote if I don't like someone's content. I know people are going to criticize, which is fine, just stay on topic.
If the person just can't put two words together, I might vote it down because that type of person isn't trying to write - more likely they are trying to abuse HP's. I don't understand people who are here with no hubs either. They just want to harass. That is wrong! Good Grief!!
Thanks for dropping by!! :-)
I started moderating my hubs to deal with trolls. I will approve comments that disagree with me but don't keep repeating the same wording. If you want to be nasty, forget it. If you want to say you are wrong because of this reason and then just leave it there, that is fine.
Some people have time to be petty and vote things down. But IP address can always be determined by HP staff - and other methods for email and Facebook. Always. I don't bother with that silliness. If I have a disagreement that I want to discuss in length, I write my own hub on the subject under my own name. I don't do things anonymously and I don't argue back and forth on the same hub. You make your statement, then you stop following the hub.
I agree, Flora! Thanks for dropping by!:-)
Have you contacted Hubpages support? I believe this is manipulating with the hubscore and should not be allowed...
Hi MoneyTopList, I threatened I would go to HubPages if he did not stop harrassing me. Things eventually calmed down. It is just part of being a writer: we are going to have some people who like what we have written and some who do not. I just do not believe in voting someone down simply because I don't like what they have to say, especially if it is well-written. Comment all you want, but don't mess with the voting and don't realize a topic is controversial and try to capitalize on it by putting your referral tracker on it so you can benefit from something that you have vehemently disagreed with just so you can get a portion of the views. Thanks for your concern.
I appreciate you reading! :-)
I think you should contact the HubPages team so that they can be aware of the situation. Who knows, this might be happening to other Hubbers as well. Unless the hub's score goes under 45, this should not affect your earnings - by using a referral link, they are getting a share of HP's earnings, not yours.
I do have a hub that fluctuates greatly with its score, and I think it is because I am reporting bad news, and some people are voting down the news instead of the quality of the hub.
Great hub! I know some of this sort of thing happens because it has happened to me even though I do not think many of my hubs are all that controversial I also have friends to whom this has happened and viciously.
Glad you're bringing this issue to light and I would hope that HP monitors would take note and find a way to put a stop to it.
Voting you UP and interesting! Thanks for SHARING!
I can't believe something like this can happen! I am in a state of shock. Hubpages is a loving cooperative society which dwells on the comradery between fellow hubbers
It should not be compromised! Did you report this to the authorities? What dis the say?
Thanks for the information :)
Very interesting hub, voted up and interesting.
I have never voted any hubs down, either. It isn't fair that people can get someone kicked out of something like myspace just because they don't agree with them. That's not fair. Some people are malicious like the one who did that to you with the tracking number.
Thanks for your comments. I did not contact HP's because my writing was controversial for some. I did e-mail the person months later after receiving a comment on the same hub directing me to go to another hub to see how wrong I was... He only wanted me to say he was right. I told him his comments were off topic, and I sent him the HP's quote about harassment and warned that I would contact HP's if he continued. He stopped, so I did not have to go to those lengths. I felt that he had a right to disagree. I just wanted him to stay on topic.
Later, there was an incident where some hubbers were angry with others and many were getting views but they had the blue arrow indicating there were down votes. It was reported, but HP's said people do have a right to vote down. They are right, but it was malicious and meant to intentionally hurt scores. HP's couldn't do anything about that, even though Google Analytics was showing where the down votes were coming from geographically.
As writers, we will have people who disagree with us. My mistake with the incident explained in the hub was that I did not deny his comments when they were off-topic. I am here to say it is okay to do that when someone is trying to use your hub for a personal agenda.
The good news is that the page views still count. :-)
Thanks for all your comments! Happy Hubbing and if you don't like something that is quality writing, just leave the page. ;-)
Huh, that's so interesting. There sure is a lot to learn about the world of hubbing. I do with people could just agree to disagree and not get so angry and personal. At least you got the page views, though, so that's a good thing.
Hi Chris! Yes, there is a lot to learn about hubbing, and I am still learning. It is a great place to learn, though. We will always run into people who disagree with us, but I am with you: agree to disagree rather than turning it into a personal attack. You are right, the views are what matter. I am pleased to say I have not had much trouble other than this incident.
Thanks so much for dropping by! :-)
Stump Parrish Level 2 Commenter 11 months ago
This is the reason I stopped posting to myspace. A large group of christian conservatives were working together to get anyone they disagreed with kicked off of the site.
These people can't stand the thought of someone not agreeing with them and will use any means available to keep from allowing others from making their own minds up about anything.
I would ask them why they thought this was a good idea but it would be wated breath. They dont know how to think in the first place. Be note that I am not accusing christians in the matter you mentioned. I am simply using the actions of some of them, to make my point.
I don't have a problem voting hubs down as quickly as I vote them up. If I disagree with, or have knowledge that contradicts the claims, I won't hestitate to vote it down. To do otherwise would be giving the Faux News Network's stlye of reporting news, a vote of confidience. I can't make myself do that, sorry. I am just too weak of a liberal I suppose.