Calling All Readers: “Mature Blogs” IT GETS WORSE!!!

I would like to start this post with a retraction. In yesterday’s post I suggested that once your blog is placed on the “mature” list surfers wouldn’t be able to find your blog via search engines. I was incorrect. They will still be able to find your blog with search engines, it just won’t be near as easy as it used to be. In fact they will almost have to be looking for your blog specifically in order to find it. If they aren’t looking for you specifically, their chances of finding your blog are slim to none.

The next issue that I would like to address is my/your WordPress name that shows up when you leave comments on someone’s blog. If you have your blog set up to do so, your name is a link back to your blog. If your blog is put on the “mature” list, your name ceases to be a link back to your site.

Now I can understand the reasons behind such a repercussion on WordPress’ part, but it would be nice to know about these things in advance. Heck, it would be nice to know about all of the effects of being on the “mature” list are ahead of time. At the very least it would be nice to know you’ve been put on the “mature” list, and then given a list of the repercussions, but that’s not how it works.

As it stands now, you have to look for the signs, and then wonder if it’s a “bug” in the system, or if you’ve been put on the “mature” list. The only way to know for sure is to ask. “Pardon me, but have I been placed on the “mature” blog list?” and then wait for an answer.

The first time these symptoms started happening to me it actually turned out to be a “bug”. The second time I wasn’t so lucky. It’s not a porn site, but it’s not exactly kid friendly either. I’d rate it PG-13, but I labeled it “NC-17, XXX, Adults Only” for CYA purposes (and it looks cool). You can’t judge a book by its cover, even if the book is titled “NC-17, XXX, Adults Only” but that’s what happened.

At first I dreaded the “mature” dark cloud over my blog, but I’ve come to embrace it. Maybe I’ll add a little “Porn Corner” (??? Hmmm… Live up the accusations). What I don’t like is the lack of cooperation from WordPress on the subject. I don’t want my blog being ostracized because of its label. There has to be a simple fix that will make the community here at WordPress friendlier to all of its bloggers and readers alike.

Currently WordPress is being judge, jury, and executioner all in one. You the accused don’t even get to know there were charges to begin with until after you’ve already been punished. Even then you aren’t told. You just have to figure it out for yourself. How fair is that? Not fair at all in my book.

As a reader, it’s no one’s business what I read, as long as I’m not breaking the law. As a blogger it’s no one’s business to judge what I write about, as long as I’m not breaking the law. Sure, protect those that need protecting, but not at the expense of the rest of us (bloggers and readers).

As always, if you’d like to chime in on this discussion, have suggestions, or issues of your own with WordPress, you can contact WordPress via this link (scroll to the bottom, fill in your topic, fill in the body, list relevant tags at the bottom, and submit. It’s where you go to make suggestions.

Again, thank you for your time, and I’m hoping your cooperation. Knowledge is power, help spread the word.

Peter Parkour