So, Amanda Natividad, of Spark Toro, published an interesting (and well written) article regarding “fighting” in the SEO sector <The Internet Needs Less Fighting, More Invisible Subtweets>
I, unsurprisingly, have issues with the concept.
So what’s the issue?
The basic premise is – people shouldn’t be publicly poking holes in other peoples work/posts.
That if you’ve got an issue – and feel the need – you should “quietly” post about it.
On social, you should make an “invisible sub tweet” (sadly, it appears someone misunderstands what a sub tweet is, and what they prescribe doing is actually sub tweeting, and personally, somewhat cowardly).
If you’re motivated enough, you should post an article, or write your own guide etc.
In short – “play nice“.
The problem is – SEO is over 20 years old,
and has a long (long!) history of not having solid confrontations, that has permitted spam and scam to be rife in the sector, and it’s allowed stupid myths and misconceptions to do the rounds for years.
So, what’s the alternative?
Do Better!
If you don’t want someone pointing out what you’re saying is plain old wrong;
then don’t publish incorrect things!
If you don’t want people flagging that you’ve missed out a bunch of (often important) aspects;
then don’t publish limited/shallow pieces!
If you don’t like it when someone pulls apart your fragile hypothesis, and references a bunch of resources that counter your views;
then do more research before you post!
If you can’t handle someone stating that your “new” thing … isn’t new;
again, do your research first!
And if people are able to poke great big gaping holes in your work,
in a matter of minutes, off the top of their head, without having to do research;
maybe you shouldn’t be posting about that topic,
or it’s not as great as you think it is!
In short – do better!
Grow up a bit.
I get it – honestly … it’s not nice. It’s not pleasant. You can be left feeling really bad and low,
because something you invested in … not only gets taken apart, but in public.
But – that’s what happens when you publicly post.
More importantly – it’s what should happen!
If someone in the science fields posts a load of baloney – they get pulled for it!
There are questions asked!
Evidence and proof are requested!
And if it cannot be substantiated, if they are found to be talking out their posterior,
they get slated for it.
How many bad doctors are there?
How many do you see running around giving advice that can harm people?
(Okay, depending on your views, that may not be the best example – but you get my point.)
As an adult – especially one that is stepping in to the public ring,
it’s on you to accept that there may be challenges to your work.
But, unless you’re being victimised or harassed,
the chances are, you will only face such challenges if your work is new/novel and breaks convention,
or if it’s questionable, shallow or incorrect.
Instead of viewing (honest) criticisms as some form of personal attack,
pay attention to them, review what is said, weigh it for relevance and accuracy … and if required, accept it.
Then improve.
(You don’t have to say “thank you” or that – esp. if they weren’t particularly pleasant about it)
(Note: This is completely different to being the target of concerted attacks, when/where it doesn’t matter what you say, nor how right you are, a number of people will attack and troll you. That just sucks!)
It’s not always about “you”.
Another aspect I see often missed with this topic (as it’s not a new one) …
… is the purpose of such actions.
To a certain degree, I can understand why someone may take it personally.
But from my own experience and actions – sometimes, those “tear downs” aren’t about you (either the original poster/author, or the person doing the tearing).
It’s about the users, the followers, the consumers!
The sad truth is – some people have a lot of popularity, and that equates to influence.
There they are, giving out bad advice, the incorrect information, harmful tips etc.,
and all their followers are going to see it, and many will act on it!
Corrections may be posted as a comment … so that at least some of those poor people won’t be harmed.
The “post it yourself” approach.
Sure – 100% – you might get some benefit.
But that’s typically not how it works,
especially when the offending origin is massively popular.
You can “fight the good fight”, and “do it in your own yard” … and have basically no impact, at all.
Or, you can go to the source of the problem, and try to get it corrected – fast.
(Honestly, what does it say about someone, if they not only post something wrong, but refuse to correct or acknowledge it after being shown they are wrong?)
Put the blame where it belongs!
I’m really sorry – but at the end of the day,
if you’re going to post weak, lame, shallow, inferior content,
that’s wrong, inaccurate, misleading, misinforming people,
then it’s on your head!
You’re at fault.
It’s not the person asking questions.
It’s not the person pointing to counter resources.
It’s not the person covering all the numerous bits you skipped.
It’s not the person trying to prevent you doing harm.
It’s not them making you look bad.
It’s you.
Own it!
How to avoid being “sub tweeted“…
Be it a real sub tweet, or someone openly calling out issues,
there are things you can do to avoid it.
Things you shouldn’t do:
- Block people
- Restrict comments
- Get insulting
- Declare vendetta
- Get a crony or sock puppet to do dirty plays for you
- Sub tweet (sorry, but “no”)
- Take it (overly) personally
Things you should do:
- Cover a subject/topic you actually know about
- Cover a subject/topic that you have done real research for
- Caveat – if you focus on a specific angle, aspect etc., say so, up front/early
- Hedge – using phrases such as as “including”, “not limited to”, “for example” etc. help make it clear you aren’t covering “everything”
- State Opinion or Fact – don’t go around presenting something you believe as something that’s proven
- Get it reviewed – before you face the public court, get a little peer review, and ask them to be honest!
- Accept you’re not perfect, and nor is your piece – it makes life a little more bearable
- Listen and learn – if someone has legitimate points, try not to take it as a personal insult, and take what they give you
Things you can do:
- Take inspiration – if they give you enough to work with, if they send you down a rabbit hole, do another piece.
- Give credit – if you do another piece, or make revisions/corrections to the offending piece, cite whomever “helped” with the alterations, or that inspired you (like I did, at the start of this piece)
- Ask for assistance (do not expect it for free! (you know who you are!))
- Turn it into a discussion (again, no attacking, no defensive stuff – adult discussion, active listening etc.)
- Take it down – I know, it can rankle, it can actually hurt – but if it’s that bad … should it be up?