Someone asked me whether he could put my content on his site

For a back-link? I think its impossible.

[sven1977]

I just got an email from someone with a similar website to mine asking me, whether he could use my content on his website in return for a backlink to my website. In my opinion, I think it's pretty bold and impossible from him to ask me for this favour.

I mean, who is that guy? If he had just asked for one particular page or paragraph. Yes of course. But he asked literally whether he could use all my content. Is he nuts?

It really upsets me. What should I do? Just ignore his email or reply to him?

[LifeinAsia]

Tell him no. Besides the boldness, remind him that it's an issue of duplicate content and that you do not want to be penalized.

If you're willing, counter-offer with suggesting a paragraph and a link back to your site.

[hunderdown]

Be diplomatic. You never know when someone, even a competitor, might be in a position to do you a favor....

[sven1977]

Why would any competitor ever do me a favour?

Other than a link-exchange (which is a mutual favour) I could not imagine any other situations, where direct competitors of mine have helped me.

Anyway, I don't want my content being scraped and duplicated in any form. I'm really repugnant to this idea.

[crescenta]

This has happened to me several times. I always say no. I cite the duplicate content penalty as my reason (and it is a good reason).

But I also think it's just selfishness on their part—they want free content for their site, that's all. They think they can get it for a measly link. Pooh on that.

[Syzygy]

Why would any competitor ever do me a favour?

Other than a link-exchange (which is a mutual favour) I could not imagine any other situations, where direct competitors of mine have helped me.

Just because you cannot think of a reason now does not mean that one may not exist in the future...

It really upsets me. What should I do?

Oh dear. What if you were to...

...I don't want my content being scraped and duplicated in any form. I'm really repugnant to this idea.

Ah, okay; that's that sorted then. :)

Syzygy

[larryhatch]

The guy may have asked the same thing of several webmasters,
hoping one or two would be stupid enough to agree. -Larry

[sven1977]

But I also think it's just selfishness on their part—they want free content for their site, that's all. They think they can get it for a measly link.

Agree, I wrote him back stating the duplicate content reason and I said no.

The guy may have asked the same thing of several webmasters, hoping one or two would be stupid enough to agree.

Agree, too. One really has to be stupid to give away content for a stupid link (from a website with PR=0 that is by the way!)
Thanks for your replies!

[kevinpate]

merely curious - suppose for the grins and giggles of it all the request came from an operator with a PR8 home page who wanted your content to flesh out a PR6 internal page, with a fully functional link to you .... is it still a repugnant request or are you all over that email before some other content provider responds?

[sven1977]

I did not say I would do it for a backlink from PR=6. But, if we talk about PR=8 or higher: In that case maybe I would consider giving him a single article in return for a backlink or something like that.

[Lorel]

Tell him no. Besides the boldness, remind him that it's an issue of duplicate content and that you do not want to be penalized.

I wouldn't even mention the duplicate content issue. Why give a potential crook ideas?

Just plain tell them no thanks.

Anyone who doesn't know this can cause a person's site harm doesn't deserve to be pretending to be a web designer.

The plethora of WYSIWYG programs today is why we have so much trouble with people copying content.

[bwnbwn]

If the content has been indexed and you are one that first published the article it won't hurt you as duplicate content as it was indexed first on your site. This is really the whole reason for the bigdaddy deal anyway.

I wouldn't want him to copy all my content but I sure will allow our articles to get ripped for a backlink.

Heck this is why fresh content is good for you it's still all about backlinks

[malachite]

Make sure you keep copies of the correspondence in case he decides to ignore your "no" and go ahead anyway.

[JerryOdom]

At least he asked. I can't tell you how often my pages have shown up on someone else's website.

RSS it out to him?

[Matt Probert]

I can't tell you how often my pages have shown up on someone else's website.

You and me both. Like I have the money to pursue international copyright cases through the courts!

Matt