InterstateQ.com Reader Opinions Needed: Concerns on links from other websites
by Matt | May 31st, 2007 |Thanks to those who gave their opinions. Issue solved.
I need the help, advice and opinions of InterstateQ.com readers. You can comment in the comment boxes on this post.
Over the course of my blogging existence, many websites have linked to InterstateQ.com (or to my other domains MattHillNC.com and MattHillComer.com). The overwhelming majority of these other websites are blogs maintained by other activists, those writing on LGBT issues and other political issues, religious writers, or just regular members of the public who happen to have websites or blogs in which to express themselves and their opinions.
Link-sharing happens all the time. It doesn’t usually mean that one site owner or editor agrees with another, but only that they are linking to them for some purpose.
I have also noticed, however, that there are blogs with content ranging from somewhat racy or mildly mature content to extremely adult content and mature audiences only. Links to these sites and blogs have never been put on my website (meaning, you can’t access them from the website that I control or maintain).
But, my visitors are coming from these other sites. Which is why I now ask for InterstateQ.com reader opinions and advice:
Should I continue to let websites and blogs with adult and mature content link to my site? In your opinion, is there any valid concern over being associated with their site content if they link to me but I do not link to them? My site has nothing to do with adult or mature content and is in an entirely different category than sites that do have that content; however, I am well aware that there may be people who view both my site and other sites with adult content. If I request to have my links removed, would I be losing readership? If the links remain, do I somehow put myself in association with these other sites? Am I just way too over-concerned?
All opinions are welcome. I’m having a tough time figuring out what to do on this one folks. Thanks!
Again, You can comment in the comment boxes on this post. You can do so anonymously, of course, if you wish (just put in anonymous as your name).
7 Responses to “InterstateQ.com Reader Opinions Needed: Concerns on links from other websites”
i don’t think there’s any good reason to keep people from linking. i mean, if you’re not linking to THEM, then what’s the problem? i know you like seeing the numbers on your visitors page go up. . .it can’t really hurt anything.
That’s my 2 cents anyway.
And the reason i came here in the first place. i saw this, and i thought of you: http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/51/brokeback-hill
By Sarah on May 31, 2007
People are free to link to whatever site they want to link to. They don’t need anybody’s permission.
If you are somehow upset by the idea of “mature” content on other sites, maybe you should refrain from mentioning anything remotely connected with the sexual and should refrain from seeming to be in favor of free speech.
By jack on May 31, 2007
Thanks Sarah. I saw that article, the guy it is on, Mike Rogers, messaged me yesterday to show me. He was excited to see it up, to say the least.
Thanks also Jack. The mere existence of mature content on other people’s sites doesn’t upset me. I am in favor of free speech and I am not trying to restrict their right to put up the mature content. I’m just asking for advice. My main concern is, for example, someone attempting to attack my character because of the presence of the links. No malice toward the owners of the websites was intended on my part.
Here is how my fear would go:
Mr. Anti-Gay Activist puts out an email alert after I have organized a protest or some other activity and in his action alert to thousands of people he says something to the effect of “Comer’s website, which is linked to by dozens of adult websites picturing …”
Maybe I’m just “thinking” too much and over-concerned.
That is why I put up this post asking for opinions. In the end, I’m going to end up take my readers’ advice. Thanks.
By Matt on May 31, 2007
Matt, concerning your hypothetical question in your comment, I’d like to point out that the only way for such an activist to know that “mature content” sites are linking to you is for them to look to find out. Granted, it’s just a matter of doing a search of “link:www.interstatequ.com” on Google. But the point is, if they’ve done that, they’re actively looking for information to discredit you via ad hominem attacks. Even if there were no such links, they’d eventually find some way to smear you. So why worry about it?
And on a more practical note, what would you do the first time you asked a website to remove their link to your site and they refused? You can’t force them, and I see no good coming of making too big an issue out of that kind of situation.
Of course, then there’s the whole question of what consitutes “mature content.” Most people obviously mean sexually explicit images and videos, and probably stories. But what about frank discussions about sex? As someone with a site on a host that prohibits “mature content,” I’ve often found myself wondering about that.
By Jarred on May 31, 2007
I think websites with adult content will often link to other sites they find interesting: both pornongraphic and non-pornographic. (Since lots of people have interest in both). I bet we can find lots of adult sites out there with links to political parties, activist groups, etc. I don’t think you could ever be seen as responsible for/approving of all the content of those sites who link to you. It’s the links back to other sites that you yourself make that you will be guaged on.
By Joe T. on May 31, 2007
Thanks Joe.
And thanks everyone else.
Issue solved.
By Matt on May 31, 2007
Thanks Jarred… Comment appreciated greatly. It ended up in the spam filter somehow but I got it out.
By Matt on May 31, 2007