August 15, 2013
One of the most common content-related questions we hear, is how to properly name original articles, when writing new content based on it? Some of the best blog articles, actually come from ideas and opinions presented in others. There's a fine line between whitehat SEO and webspam, however, when it comes to content. Copying and pasting content, is a far cry from citing it in a manner that is both respectable and by-the-books.
For those of you who have a decent grip on the essentials of whitehat SEO, as well as those new to search engine optimization, it's important to familiarize yourself and/or staff, with the correct way to name blog articles in your original content.
In this article we're going to look at a few of the do's and don'ts of citing others' work in your original blogs, essays and online articles.
What does it mean to name an article?
Naming an article, is essentially a common way of paying editorial credit to the writer or provider of the original source article. Whether you are doing an original article rewrite in your voice/style, or writing in greater detail on a fundamental concept mentioned in a previously-published blog or website, citing sources is both a professional courtesy and a way to further your credibility. Online plagiarism is harshly frowned upon by the search engines, and may affect your page score or position rank.
Should I list the link or mention it directly?
Whether to cite a source article or blog as a link, with a direct mention, or even a footnote is completely up to you. Some content writers and bloggers link to get creative in how they give credit to their editorial peers, while others enjoy the professionalism and simplicity of reference links and footnotes. It's really not a matter of how you reference the article that inspired your work, but rather that you're clear in naming it for others to acknowledge.
Below is a video from Google's Matt Cutts on linking the source.
Is it OK to Copy & Paste Article Content?
Not only is it not alright, but copying and pasting content can be outright dangerous these days. Google and others who strive to provide users the best search experience, are cracking down on those who blatantly copy/paste content onto their own websites. This includes long and short copy & paste blocks, repeat pasting on multiple pages, sentence scrambling, and other crafty, but bad, forms of filling content gaps. You can always use copyscape to check to see if your content has been stolen anywhere on the internet.
The days of meager penalties are gone. Today, directly copying and pasting content which you did not write or obtain with permission, can absolutely get you blacklisted. It's simply not worth the risk, especially when you consider how many talented copywriters are available.
If You Want Professional Articles, Hire a Professional Writer
It doesn't matter if you're new to writing blog articles, or if you dread the process of writing, there's no need to worry. You do need to get in touch with an experienced SEO content writers, preferably with ample experience in your industry. Not only will it save you time and frustration, it will also ensure that your articles have the real potential to attract new customers, while increasing the stream of visitors to your website.
Our team of professional writers are among the most talented in their field, with backgrounds in journalism, book writing, SEO content specialists, and others. Call Evolution Marketing today to discuss your online article needs, or e-mail us through our confidential contact form.
