by Princess Spanky Pants ~ The Real, Original, Heather T
Member since:
October 13, 2006

Reposting articles- why??

October 05, 2007 11:00 AM EDT
views: 140 | comments: 40

I noticed an article just now that was posted, and thought- hey, I read that already, but it was early this morning, so why is it on top of the posts again?

Upon looking, I realized that in the past 5 days (from October 1st through just now), this person has reposted that exact article 20 times. I went back a page, and found another article (different than the first), which was also reposted at least a dozen times over the course of a few days.

It wasn't anything extroidanairy- just a way to get people to view her blog (which I'm guessing earns money through advertisement, otherwise, what's the point of redirecting so much traffic towards it??), with a short article about clothing from 2nd hand shops, and a yard sale find.

It just seems to me that a person would get further with views to their website, or points here or whatever she's after, if you posted new material and made connections, rather than spam posting the exact same article over and over again.

Yes, I realize this will draw out the people who will jump all over the fact that in their eyes, this isn't any different from the whole game/chat controversy. Been there, heard the arguments, how about a new one please? 

What are your thoughts on this tactic?

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Comments: 40

Taylor ~hopes no one forgets her!~ Blue Oct 5, 2007, 11:03am EDT
I don't think that's fair...maybe we should dig up some stuff that doesn't have many points...like my first things and repost it....

That's not cool!
Michelle W. Oct 5, 2007, 11:04am EDT
If I repost an article that I have posted before, I always let everyone know it is a repost. That way they don't have to read it again if they don't want too. Usually what I would repost would be a recipe or a craft pattern that I had put on at least a year or so ago, not something recent! I mean, come on. Just email people if you want them to read your article, don't keep posting it over and over and not tell anyone it is a repost. Common sense is apparently not a virtue for some people! LOL
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 5, 2007, 11:04am EDT
HOW TACKY!!!!

I plan to repost some things someday, but the stuff must be at least one year old, and I think I'll call it, "GATHER, BEST OF".

ha ha
Taylor ~hopes no one forgets her!~ Blue Oct 5, 2007, 11:07am EDT
lol peter!
Reposting an article once in a while- sure. Sometimes I'll read some of my older more informative articles, and I'll revamp it and repost it.

But this woman posts them back to back, over several days, so that she has 20 "new" articles that are exactly the same. Seriously, her whole first page of articles comprimises of that 1 article posted 20 times.

Going back in her article list, I see she did the last one 18 times, and some others were posted a multitude of times as well, all back to back, but not quite as "often".
Michelle W. Oct 5, 2007, 11:10am EDT
People will figure out what she is doing and quit reading them. Peter, I love your idea. Maybe you should start a group for us to repost our old articles too! LOL
Yvonne F. Oct 5, 2007, 11:10am EDT
Good idea Peter. But as to what you've said Heather, as I haven't been with Gather for very long, there seem to be strange goings on that are not fair. I haven't sussed out how the pointed are dished out yet!
Jeff- I can understand that stance. I just don't understand the theory behind just spam posting your article over and over and over again, like this person had done.

As for lack of readers, I think that a lot of people can easily slip into the out of site, out of mind thing- if they don't see you posting, they don't think to look at your articles.

Welcome back to Gather, Jeff!
Elaine B. Oct 5, 2007, 11:11am EDT
I reposted once because my game article was flagged. After it was unflagged I reposted. So it could be different reasons people repost. I don't have a problem with it because I don't have to comment on that article.
Same here, Karen!
Michael C. Oct 5, 2007, 11:16am EDT
Now THAT tactic is blatant spam by any definition of the electronic implementation of the word (SPAM).
I've seen people who have reposted articles so it would be included in a new group too. WHY? Go back and EDIT the existing article and include (or exclude) the groups you want to add to it (or subtract)...
Leah A. Oct 5, 2007, 11:17am EDT
Continuously posting the same article is annoying. It makes searching for articles a hassle, because it becomes too time consuming looking for something new to read and post to when you have to wade through repeats of the same stuff.
Matt O. Oct 5, 2007, 11:19am EDT
I'm with you Heather. If I looked at it once I'm going to be pi$$ed if I see the same thing again. If it continued I would be tempted to delete that person form my friends list.

Imagine if newspapers printed week old news again and again.
Deb J. Oct 5, 2007, 11:19am EDT
I can see reposting 2 or 3, but more than that unless for some real important reason, and never more than once...ridiculous!
Sarah (I want points) Oct 5, 2007, 11:28am EDT
I don't know... seems a little much for me. I repost occassionally, but it's usually been several days (at least) between times and then I usually only do it once and then only if I didn't get very many comments the first time... I guess to each there own.
Matt- thankfully, the person isn't ON my friends list, but I wade through the articles link regularly, and that's where I found it.

Michael- I -think- most people who repost to include it into a different group are usually people who don't realize they can go back and add a group to the article already- but for those that do, it's probably to garner more attention. A re-edited article doesn't pop to the top, where as reposting it does.

Leah- I totally agree.

After stewing about it I left a comment earlier for her about not doing that. Though, I have a feeling she still will anyway.
Mark N. Oct 5, 2007, 11:32am EDT
That's weird. I think it's SPAM too. I can see reposting an article after a few months has gone by and putting REPOST in the title, especially if it wasn't read the first time, but 18-20 a day? Wow.
Joy G. Oct 5, 2007, 11:35am EDT
I think you're right..she's trying to gather a lot of traffic for her sites.
richard h. Oct 5, 2007, 11:53am EDT
I agree that it is a bit much. The only reason I can see in reposting is if you have edited the article or added something new to it. Other than that I don't see a reason in reposting.
Sharon R. Oct 5, 2007, 12:10pm EDT
I agree with you. I have reposted/re-edited a couple of mine - but always put the words (repost) in the title, and have always changed something or added pics.
Some people can be so blatantly tacky!
Marci M. Oct 5, 2007, 12:36pm EDT
So it is ok to repost as long as you label it repost? I'm still new to all this.
Auntie M
Denise B. Oct 5, 2007, 2:13pm EDT
I think if you Title it as a repost then it is ok, otherwise no and not the same one in a few days time
Bonnie S. Oct 5, 2007, 2:19pm EDT
I know what you're talking about, When I see an article by that person I just skip it now, I tried to comment the other day but it wouldn't allow me to : ) Great idea you have also Peter.
Elaine A. Oct 5, 2007, 2:56pm EDT
Excessive really, I am suprised they are not flagged already.

I reposted once I think, but I let everyone know I reposted as I put in the article.
Nurse Nancy S. Oct 5, 2007, 5:37pm EDT
I guess that I am not bothered by such things, I click on a link and if it is something I have either read or have no interest in...I just click out. Never really gave it much thought.
Lacey K. Oct 5, 2007, 9:04pm EDT
Yes, it's rude. Yes, it's spam. If she's a connection, I'd dump her.
Sandra T. Oct 5, 2007, 10:32pm EDT
One or two reposts I don't mind... but I can't see how you could repost something back to back 20 times and get them all commented on? That doesn't make any sense!
Barb M Oct 6, 2007, 12:24am EDT
Maybe it's a test to see if everyone is paying attention (hee-hee) I just think it's plain old laziness!!!!!!!! Dust off that brain and think up someting new to write about!!!!!!!
Marie J. R. Oct 6, 2007, 5:34pm EDT
I know you're right,,, I couldn't repost that many times,,, I feel if gatherers want to read me, I happy,,, I'm not a point chaser,,, good for those who like too,,, but, some take advantage of a good thing,,, thanks for mentioning the reposts,,, I repost Once but let everyone know,,, hugs,,,
Library M. Oct 6, 2007, 11:21pm EDT
jack lanternThere is another reason... you get points for posting, Gather doesn't know if:

  • it is original (i.e. made by the poster)
  • if it is different than anything else you have posted

    I guess you could flag it, but a person could repost the word, "points" as an article
    100 times a day and I would guess that person would get more points than if s/he posted: 'good' as a comment to one hundred articles/pictures
andrew c. Oct 7, 2007, 1:53am EDT
i agree heather it does not make sense
Birdee F. Oct 7, 2007, 2:19am EDT
I actually will go into my article to edit it & I am not sure if it "reposts" the article or not...I hope not & I am sorry if it does...I wish Gather had an option to preview the post before sending it (like you would see it if it was done...) cause I find so many errors that I want to fix (I am kind of a perfectionist that way...) and I will go in & edit it over & over & then post it over & over. Let me know if I am not doing something right. I try to be good ;o).
golds g. Oct 7, 2007, 12:56pm EDT
20 times the same article are you sure I would think Gather would flag that person
El Toro Bravo de Amor Oct 7, 2007, 1:14pm EDT
It sounds like they are out of intellectual and creative ammo.
Bret- one has to wonder if they had any to begin with. ;)
Golds- I am positive. 20 times for that article, 18 times for the article before that, and several articles that had around 8-10 posts each prior to that. She just posts it, then comes back 3 hours later, copies it, pastes it, posts it again.

And I did notice that almost all of the extras are gone from view now.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Oct 8, 2007, 8:20am EDT
I see this a lot of times with photos too. I don't mind reposting, as long as I am made aware, and as long as there is a purpose to it. The regular reposting due to laziness is quite annoying.
Melissa F. Oct 8, 2007, 8:53pm EDT
Occassionally people may have reasons to repost, but I have to say I like for the reposted material to say reposted. It is a matter of courtesy.
Jae F. Oct 9, 2007, 1:15am EDT
I've noticed too. The big give-away is the title doesn't change and neither the intro. I just skip by them.
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Jan 20, 2009, 10:43am EST
i repost about Goodsearch often , maybe about once a month cuz its a great cause that most dont know about.

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