Comments on: On Sponsored Themes http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/ Weblog Tools Blogging Tools Blog Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:51:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Cody Elliot Sortore http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1232828 Cody Elliot Sortore Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:02:59 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1232828 Don't get me wrong I'm a huge open source guy, I love open source everything, and support the community. But I also make a living from what I do online. I have no other job than designing websites, in order to continue making money guess what I've got to do, advertise. Wordpress does it too, if you're banning all sponsored themes why aren't you banning the themes that have a WordPress link at the bottom? Isn't that sponsorship? Isn't that just as bad as anyone elses link? I used to keep the wordpress link at the bottom of all my sites, recently after reading this, and the follow up that all sponsored themes have been removed, all links from my 14 sites have removed their wordpress link. I'm glad that I've moved to working with mostly CakePHP, WordPress is going to be as bad as Google one day at the rate they're going. Why is it that Wordpress can be the only one to make money for what they do? Sounds more like WP is being pissy about other people making money in their community than just themselves. Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge open source guy, I love open source everything, and support the community. But I also make a living from what I do online. I have no other job than designing websites, in order to continue making money guess what I’ve got to do, advertise. Wordpress does it too, if you’re banning all sponsored themes why aren’t you banning the themes that have a WordPress link at the bottom? Isn’t that sponsorship? Isn’t that just as bad as anyone elses link? I used to keep the wordpress link at the bottom of all my sites, recently after reading this, and the follow up that all sponsored themes have been removed, all links from my 14 sites have removed their wordpress link. I’m glad that I’ve moved to working with mostly CakePHP, WordPress is going to be as bad as Google one day at the rate they’re going. Why is it that Wordpress can be the only one to make money for what they do? Sounds more like WP is being pissy about other people making money in their community than just themselves.

]]> By: outthere http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1232682 outthere Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:21:58 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1232682 I just got into the blog thing a week ago, so I'm a novice. I downloaded 30-40 different themes. They didn't all play well together in the way they handled the sidebars so I had to settle on one. I did. Then I see these foreign language revolving adds at the bottom of the page. It flys in the face of freeware. It flys in the face of the GNU. It's deceptive. I saw a blog where the theme designer went off because some changed the footer. They have a right to! If you want to keep your theme yours, SELL IT! Don't hide and sneak adds in there. WordPress.org should either, at a minimum make sure these deceptive themes are marked as such, or kick the frauds to the curb. I've also seen that the footer holds a lot of encrypted information. The GNU is about open sharing. What are they hiding? I just got into the blog thing a week ago, so I’m a novice. I downloaded 30-40 different themes. They didn’t all play well together in the way they handled the sidebars so I had to settle on one. I did. Then I see these foreign language revolving adds at the bottom of the page. It flys in the face of freeware. It flys in the face of the GNU. It’s deceptive. I saw a blog where the theme designer went off because some changed the footer. They have a right to! If you want to keep your theme yours, SELL IT! Don’t hide and sneak adds in there. WordPress.org should either, at a minimum make sure these deceptive themes are marked as such, or kick the frauds to the curb. I’ve also seen that the footer holds a lot of encrypted information. The GNU is about open sharing. What are they hiding?

]]> By: Blogi http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1228683 Blogi Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:04:23 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1228683 The main problem in my opinion is that p*rn, vi*gra, ... sites using themes to link to their suspicious content. But the success is fortunately not for a long time. The main problem in my opinion is that p*rn, vi*gra, … sites using themes to link to their suspicious content. But the success is fortunately not for a long time.

]]> By: Jayson http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1227495 Jayson Thu, 22 May 2008 07:18:08 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1227495 Once again I will state my opinion. Most of the stuff that you state about hurting your ranking, is NOT TRUE. For one, Multiple backlinks, on multiple sites is NOT considered spammy. If it was, the actual "non sponsored" wordpress theme designers sites would not have the PageRank they do. Go to themes.wordpress.com and "test run" the top downloads. Go to the bottom and grab the link to those designers sites and check their PR. I see multiple PR6 and a few PR7 sites. One wordpress theme I searched for had 19,000 backlinks in google, he has a PR7. Spammy? I would love to see you get a site to a PR7 as quick as this guy. Maybe PR doesn't mean anything as a name, but if I could have multiple backlinks to my websites on PR7 sites, I would do it all day long. At one time b2evolution blog software was ranked #1 for the keyword "web hosting", why? I don't know, but im guessing it had something to do with the linking structure that takes place with blogs. You guys can complain all you want, but these people spent time designing these themes, and alot of people download them because they like the design, you are the very few who like to bitch about the pointless shit that you truly think matters. Once again I will state my opinion. Most of the stuff that you state about hurting your ranking, is NOT TRUE.

For one, Multiple backlinks, on multiple sites is NOT considered spammy. If it was, the actual “non sponsored” wordpress theme designers sites would not have the PageRank they do. Go to themes.wordpress.com and “test run” the top downloads. Go to the bottom and grab the link to those designers sites and check their PR. I see multiple PR6 and a few PR7 sites. One wordpress theme I searched for had 19,000 backlinks in google, he has a PR7. Spammy? I would love to see you get a site to a PR7 as quick as this guy. Maybe PR doesn’t mean anything as a name, but if I could have multiple backlinks to my websites on PR7 sites, I would do it all day long.

At one time b2evolution blog software was ranked #1 for the keyword “web hosting”, why? I don’t know, but im guessing it had something to do with the linking structure that takes place with blogs.

You guys can complain all you want, but these people spent time designing these themes, and alot of people download them because they like the design, you are the very few who like to bitch about the pointless shit that you truly think matters.

]]> By: Joel Corriveau . com » Blog Archive » Free as in Mutually Advantageous http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1223331 Joel Corriveau . com » Blog Archive » Free as in Mutually Advantageous Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:34:14 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1223331 [...] I’ve been schooled on the matter by Matthew Mullenweg, that sponsored themes are not such a good idea. I would really love to make my own theme…. And in the meantime, I’ll switch it as [...] [...] I’ve been schooled on the matter by Matthew Mullenweg, that sponsored themes are not such a good idea. I would really love to make my own theme…. And in the meantime, I’ll switch it as [...]

]]> By: Photo Matt » SecurityFocus SQL Injection Bogus http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1223185 Photo Matt » SecurityFocus SQL Injection Bogus Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:30:16 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1223185 [...] drop your site if it contains links they consider spammy, you’ll remember this is one of the main reasons I came out against sponsored themes.) Google has some guidelines as well, what to do if your site is hacked. If I were to suggest [...] [...] drop your site if it contains links they consider spammy, you’ll remember this is one of the main reasons I came out against sponsored themes.) Google has some guidelines as well, what to do if your site is hacked. If I were to suggest [...]

]]> By: SiteProNews » Blog Archive » 20 Practical SEO Tips to Super-Charge Your WordPress Blog! http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1215345 SiteProNews » Blog Archive » 20 Practical SEO Tips to Super-Charge Your WordPress Blog! Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:26:22 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1215345 [...] was a debate in the WordPress community not too long ago on the topic of sponsered themes. These themes include paid links (usually in the footer) than can suck PageRank and possibly result [...] [...] was a debate in the WordPress community not too long ago on the topic of sponsered themes. These themes include paid links (usually in the footer) than can suck PageRank and possibly result [...]

]]> By: Wordpress sier nei til sponsored themes : Iskwews hjørne på www http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1215258 Wordpress sier nei til sponsored themes : Iskwews hjørne på www Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:02:13 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1215258 [...] Matt Mullenwegg (mannen bak Wordpress) i en tråd om dette på Weblog tools collection [...] [...] Matt Mullenwegg (mannen bak Wordpress) i en tråd om dette på Weblog tools collection [...]

]]> By: 7 Things to Look for in a WordPress Theme | From The WordPress Expert http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1212019 7 Things to Look for in a WordPress Theme | From The WordPress Expert Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:46:37 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1212019 [...] Sponsored themes are usually an SEO no-no. If the theme’s website says something along the lines of “don’t remove the links in the footer,” that should raise a red flag. [...] [...] Sponsored themes are usually an SEO no-no. If the theme’s website says something along the lines of “don’t remove the links in the footer,” that should raise a red flag. [...]

]]> By: ols http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1210640 ols Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:39:12 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1210640 Google seems to be going overborad with all this about the evils of paid for links. Links are more than just PR, they are also used to drive extra traffic to your site. Google seems to be going overborad with all this about the evils of paid for links. Links are more than just PR, they are also used to drive extra traffic to your site.

]]> By: Ray http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1209680 Ray Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:18:17 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1209680 Couldn't agree more with your views on adware and malware, at best it can be a real pain in the butt, at worst it is dangerous and can seriously compromise your system. As a rule I'm not big on banning things, but I could make an exception for this junk! Couldn’t agree more with your views on adware and malware, at best it can be a real pain in the butt, at worst it is dangerous and can seriously compromise your system.

As a rule I’m not big on banning things, but I could make an exception for this junk!

]]> By: 50 Things I Learnt This Year at My Life With IT http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1205005 50 Things I Learnt This Year at My Life With IT Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:18:14 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1205005 [...] Not all Wordpress themes are clean. [...] [...] Not all Wordpress themes are clean. [...]

]]> By: Billiges Angebot & Tests » Access Requested to the WordPress Theme Viewer http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1204238 Billiges Angebot & Tests » Access Requested to the WordPress Theme Viewer Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:11:15 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1204238 [...] main reason the WordPress Theme Viewer access was closed down was for a major cleaning of the Theme Viewer, removing Themes with spammy ad links, copyright violations, and duplicate [...] [...] main reason the WordPress Theme Viewer access was closed down was for a major cleaning of the Theme Viewer, removing Themes with spammy ad links, copyright violations, and duplicate [...]

]]> By: Access Requested to the WordPress Theme Viewer « Lorelle on WordPress http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1203303 Access Requested to the WordPress Theme Viewer « Lorelle on WordPress Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:33:06 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1203303 [...] main reason the WordPress Theme Viewer access was closed down was for a major cleaning of the Theme Viewer, removing Themes with spammy ad links, copyright violations, and duplicate [...] [...] main reason the WordPress Theme Viewer access was closed down was for a major cleaning of the Theme Viewer, removing Themes with spammy ad links, copyright violations, and duplicate [...]

]]> By: Sponsored themes | milo http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1203249 Sponsored themes | milo Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:47:36 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1203249 [...] themes Now this is a rant: against the bullshit that is going on the everbroken [...] [...] themes Now this is a rant: against the bullshit that is going on the everbroken [...]

]]> By: No WordPress Sponsored themes - because Google says they are spam, and skew pagerank | DWS Extra http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1201349 No WordPress Sponsored themes - because Google says they are spam, and skew pagerank | DWS Extra Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:59:23 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1201349 [...] Matt of WordPress does not like sponsored themes. Google does not like sponsored themes either. [...] [...] Matt of WordPress does not like sponsored themes. Google does not like sponsored themes either. [...]

]]> By: shawn http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1200881 shawn Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:49:32 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1200881 Sooner or later, i feel Google will ease up on the paid text links Sooner or later, i feel Google will ease up on the paid text links

]]> By: Matt http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1200607 Matt Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:57:07 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1200607 Could someone be so kind as to answer a question I have regarding this topic: When we say "Sponsored Themes", are we including web design companies (such as the one I run) that place their credit for the theme in the footer? For example: say I create a theme with the text at the very bottom of the page saying: "Professional Web Design by INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE" This is the anchor text to my web design companies website. Is there anything wrong with doing this? Will Google punish me for it? I'm not actually making a profit by including the link since it is my own companies link, so isn't it fair to say that this is legitimate? Could someone be so kind as to answer a question I have regarding this topic:

When we say “Sponsored Themes”, are we including web design companies (such as the one I run) that place their credit for the theme in the footer? For example: say I create a theme with the text at the very bottom of the page saying:

“Professional Web Design by INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE”

This is the anchor text to my web design companies website.

Is there anything wrong with doing this? Will Google punish me for it? I’m not actually making a profit by including the link since it is my own companies link, so isn’t it fair to say that this is legitimate?

]]> By: Matt’s Own Wordpress Theme Marketplace! - BlueVerse http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1187423 Matt’s Own Wordpress Theme Marketplace! - BlueVerse Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:10:27 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1187423 [...] couple months ago Matt called war on sponsored themes on the wordpress themeviewer, then there was this movement from him to bycott all sponsored themes [...] [...] couple months ago Matt called war on sponsored themes on the wordpress themeviewer, then there was this movement from him to bycott all sponsored themes [...]

]]> By: Matt: Google Penalizing Paid Links | The Dragons Den Gaming Site http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1183818 Matt: Google Penalizing Paid Links | The Dragons Den Gaming Site Sat, 10 Nov 2007 08:41:55 +0000 http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/2007/04/12/on-sponsored-themes/#comment-1183818 [...] Google Penalizing Paid Links Now that Google is officially penalizing paid links, I’m glad the WordPress community took such a strong stand against them in themes. Countless blogs could have been penalized just for the theme they were using, not related to [...] [...] Google Penalizing Paid Links Now that Google is officially penalizing paid links, I’m glad the WordPress community took such a strong stand against them in themes. Countless blogs could have been penalized just for the theme they were using, not related to [...]

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