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Let me say this first. I’m not a fan of feeds or blogs that are truncated. I’ve been blogging for years, and I’ve always fought the “truncate train” that blows through every once in a while. However, some standards among blogging have changed since I started blogging, and many of my posts are being stolen. Basically, my hand is being forced.
Beginning on Wednesday, my feed will be truncated—meaning you will have to click through in order to see the whole post on my site. It will only affect those of you who read Just a Girl through a reader. I apologize to those of you who don’t like it (I’m one of them!), but having my content stolen is kind of a big deal for me. 
Thanks so much for understanding!
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Ugh that stinks – you gotta’ do what you gotta’ do!! Just curious for my own knowledge — how does truncating help against having content taken?
-Kelsey
There are a couple of things thieves can do, but the most popular involves stealing blogger’s feeds and publishing them as their own blog essentially. I tried the watermark on photos, but they will remove them. The full feed is an easy way for them to steal content. Hoping the truncating will work. Again–thank you!
That is aweful.
I usually don’t click over to read , but I think I can make an exception
You are a saint!! Thank you.
What happened and how does truncating change things?? I am sorry you are dealing with that… people are crazy!
But seriously, can you explain the difference and is it something all bloggers should consider doing?
Ah just read your response above… so basically people are stealing your blog feeds and pretending they wrote them?? what the….
It’s been happening for a while now, and I kept trying to ignore it. Last week, however, I Googled something of mine and another blogger’s site came up with my stolen feed! It’s bad when a stolen site is showing up on Google before the original writer. Gees!
I have the same question as several of you in that how does truncating stop the thief? And also wonder just how you find out that someone has taken your content? This is all very disturbing to me as a blogger. I don’t really feel anyone would want to take my content…but you really never know, do you?
It’s called blog scraping or just content theft. You can look it up on Google for more info. There’s an actual Wordpress plugin that people will use that will steal reader feeds. Obviously, this can’t be done once it’s truncated. It’s the only option at this point.
Dayum…What’s a girl to do??
Yeah…don’t love the truncated either. But I hear ya! I better go google something of mine. Naw…I don’t want to deal with it. sigh.
I love your comments! Thank you, Linda!
What?! The content stealing is awful! I’m so sorry, but we will all just click over:)
Such a relief, Megan. Thank you!
That is terrible! I am so sorry someone (ones?) have been doing that! How low can you go, right? I really really dislike clicking through because I am lazy and it takes an extra, um, 2 seconds. But for you, I will sacrifice and do it!
Same here–equally lazy. And you don’t have a choice. You’re Gayle. You HAVE to click over or you’ll get hate mail!
Sorry this is happening….have read this on several of my favorite blogs today. Not being a blogger…just a reader…I’m not sure I understand truncating…hope I can still find all the blogs I read tomorrow! Good luck…hope this slows the theivery!
Thank you, Judi. There are a number of us that will be going to it. Safety in numbers.
I don’t mind truncated blog posts and never could understand why it’s a big deal. Since you’re not a fan — and others seem to also dislike it — I’m sorry this is the only way you can prevent those jackballs from stealing your stuff. ::shakes head in disgust::
xo
Favorite word–jackballs! Thank you, Cindy!
Thank you for explaining why you’re doing it – I don’t blame you one bit.
Thank you so much, Heather! I was nervous to do it!
I don’t mind clicking as long as each post is in order, and it’s easy to scan. The best example I can think of is The Lettered Cottage. Easy and simple and clear! There are others that just look jumbled, lots of small square posts…usually when I see that I just skip it.
Agreed, Susan! But this will just be for my reader–my blog will not have truncated posts until you get to older ones. Should be ok! Thanks!
Oh good! I love your blog Chris!
Thank you, Susan!! I really appreciate it.
I don’t know why people have to be thieves! I hope this solves your problems. Good luck, I enjoy your blog.
Thanks so much, Myna. I really appreciate it.
Clicking doesn’t bother me, so no problem if that helps, but I am concerned that I could be reading blogs with stolen content. I guess there’s no way of knowing.
Do they actually post the whole thing, word for word, or just the general idea? Not that one is better than the other, just curious.
The ones we’re concerned with are those that steal word for word. It literally looks like my blog on someone else’s. Sad really. Ruins the convenience for everyone else, but I guess we just have to change with the times…errr thieves. Thank you, Hazel!
made it back today…not a problem at all!
i cannot get over that people actually can muster up the nerve to steal someone’s posts, etc. It just blows my mind. how can someone feel good about that knowing it’s not theirs?!
you are one of my definite reads and i usually click over from reader anyhow so no big deal. i always wondered why some feeds came through like that. now i know.
also, are you able to somehow shut down the clown stealing your stuff???
I know, right? You’d be amazed how much it happens! Unfortunately, it’s many clowns stealing. It’s too hard to get a handle on.
Thank you for sticking around though!
And that should be a BIG DEAL to you. I think it is just horrid that people steal content. Good for you – taking whatever steps you can to keep it from happening.
Thank you, Jill! Nervous about it, but it was a no-brainer.
Ugh! I’m so lazy I hate having to move the mouse and click over, but I’ll make an exception for you
But in all seriousness, that totally sucks! I don’t blame you for trying to protect your content. As bloggers, we spend a lot of time, money, and energy on our blogs – it’s such a shame that people try to steal your hardwork.
You need to do what you must to protect your hard work.
Good luck!
Marie
I never minded truncated posts, but I also didn’t understand why people did it. Now I get it. It really grates me raw when people steal another person’s work. I don’t blame you one bit, and I will happily click through to continue reading. Thank you for your blog and not letting the thieves stop you!
I get why you’re doing it, but I won’t be clicking over. There’s a reason why I use a reader. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog – good luck, hope you don’t lose too many readers over this.
That makes me sad Erika, but I completely understand! Maybe the teaser picture will help you decide if you want to click over or not. I appreciate your understanding!
That sinks that people can be so lazy and so low! I don’t know much about all the terminology…what is truncating, I follow you by email is that the same as a reader?
It’s just an abbreviated way of showing my post. Your e-mail MIGHT be more brief and you may have to click over to read the full post. I’m still not quite sure how that works yet! Thanks for your support Jo Ann!
I had this problem several months back for a client of mine (I’m a web developer). We used Tenblogger’s Wordpress plugin (Add RSS Footer) to add in a link back to his website. That’s a great way to combat it.
So annoying! I’m so sorry – how aggravating.
Just a tip for your readers with iPads or similar: I use an RSS feed app called FeedlerPro. I’m able to set it to automatically view the post on your site when I click on your new item in my feeds list. Voila! In fact, that’s what I’m using now! And no, not selling this app. Lol. Just wanting to help. I follow a ton of blogs and am not going to suffer one bit from the truncation revolution.
I really appreciate your comment, Missy! I’m pretty dumb at this stuff, so I’ll take any help I can get! Thanks again!
I heard so much about that this week! How do you know if your content is being stolen? and I don’t use a reader, so i didn’t realize the truncating thing was a big deal. I’m not a fan (ie hate it) when bloggers use the ‘read more’ on every post…so I’m assuming it’s similar to that? You work hard for your fab content, good for you for protecting it. Have you seen any changes in your readership since changing your feed?
Beth (Home Stories) just wrote an AWESOME post on all of it. You really should read it! You wouldn’t believe how rampant it is. It is similar to the “read more” on blogs (which I HATE), but it only affects reader readers (make sense?). No changes yet–but I’m always a little nervous. I’ll let ya know!
I appreciate all the information and respect your position. I’ve seen some other websites (e.g. http://ronisweigh.com) deal with this issue by including embedded code that only appears in the rss feed and clarifies that if you are not reading it on ronisweigh.com then it is stolen content in large letters. The dilemma for me is that I typically sync the content from home using the reeder app and read it on the commuter train where I don’t have wi-fi access. If the content can’t be synced then I don’t have the opportunity to read it since most of my other time is accounted for. As you are the author I completely respect your right to choose how you publish your content and simply wanted to share that it does present a logistical challenge for readers beyond just preferring not to click on a link.
If I love a blog enough, I will read the post regardless if I have to make an extra click to read the entire post. Your blog is definitely one of my favorites, so I won’t be going anywhere.
And for people that steal other people’s stuff…really?, how low and why would someone do that? ugh! Shame on them! Sorry you have to deal with it!
Love, love, love your blog!!
Gosh, Michelle. Thank you so much!! I’ve got some pretty awesome readers! Thanks for making this an easy transition for me!
Im so sorry this is happening to you! I can somewhat relate except I keep getting hacked and someone is writing post and publishing them on my blog, doing it during the night so when I wake up they are there. I had 16 yesterday morning.
I feel so violated!
I’ll keep reading, don’t worry
Oh my word, Amanda! That’s horrible!! You need to come up with a 22 letter password with arabic numbers or something. Poor thing! Thank you SO much for understanding and good luck!
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