What if your content gets attacked

Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 9:33 am

What if your content gets attacked [ 3:06 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Yesterday’s post on using articles brought in this question. It seems to be a great topic for conversation so let me know what you think about it by commenting. Brian asked…

Here is a question, What should you do if another blogger attacks your content or a specific Post?

Now there was another comment about the comment so lets address that portion of it first. Joe said..

Brian raises a good point and it has happened on one occasion with me on one of my sites using a republished article from an article directory. I took the article down.

In a case where I got a similar complaint I would do the same thing. Even if I was using it exactly as allowed by the directory and had not violated the usage terms. Why get involved in a spitting match when there is lots of other content available or I would cover the topic in my own words.

Now that may have been what Brian was talking about but and here comes that horrendous word again, I cannot assume that is what he was asking. This is primarily because I ask for questions all the time and his question may or may not have been just about that post.

So doing the bad thing and assuming that is not what Brian was asking here are a few more more things to consider.

1. Your blog post had an error in fact in it. Then you apologize and correct it. Easy answer.

2. The person complaining is totally off the wall and looking to cause trouble. Now it will depend on how they attacked you.

If it was totally unwarranted and it was done through a comment it would never make the blog. I would never approve the comment.

If it was done on their site and I picked up from a trackback or a Google Alert the response gets harder.

I would look and see if this is something that they consistently do to create controversy for the sake of controversy. If that was the case unless it was really libelous I would ignore it. If it was bad enough it becomes time to call your lawyer but understand the costs that will be involved and decide if it is worth it.

3.The person has a different view point and may be misinformed. This is the type of complaint that can actually end up being a win – win for both of you.

If it was done in a comment I would answer it and explain my stance and why I feel like I do. Notice this comment would definitely be approved. Even though I don’t like being told I am wrong there is nothing wrong with a polite healthy debate. It is a good traffic generator as long as it stays polite.

Now if it was done via a post I would either comment back on it or write a response on my blog and trackback to it. Interblog discussions are another way to generate traffic for both sites.

So that is what I would do in a variety of situations now I would love to know what you would do? Let me know in the comments below.

About the author

Mike Paetzold got started blogging in 2003 and has become an expert on using WordPress. He has become known as The WordPress Guy.

After being an under ground niche marketer using his blogs he has surfaced to share some of the ways he uses blogs to enter various niches profitably.

If you would like help in building your business check out my coaching offer.