ARTICLE marketing is becoming harder and harder. Ezine why do this?

[alexanderberson]

Submitted my own article to ezinearticles only to get a FAIL returned with a msg , stating that article needs to be longer??

This is the third time. First 270 words, then 300, then 350.

Well, my article had 350 words and to my understanding-- according to their policy-- 250 was the minimum amount of words. So how in the world is it too short?

Why do they contredict their own rules and policy?

Is there a reason why they are becoming more picky?

Anyone else having same issues?

[TristanPerry]

This is probably why:

Our War With Affiliate Marketers

They're actively clamping down on it I guess. Remember, eZineArticles isn't the only article directory. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, etc.

[dave147]

For EZA the ideal article size is from 400 to 750 words.
I think you should make all your articles 500 words to be in compliance with all article directories

[alexanderberson]

Originally Posted by TristanPerry

This is probably why:

Our War With Affiliate Marketers

They're actively clamping down on it I guess. Remember, eZineArticles isn't the only article directory. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, etc.

OH MY......

wow..

really?

Well, i do not have direct affiliated link, instead, i have a blog with links--but anyone does, who doesnt?

I think they might be at war with direct links to affiliated sites....to them , they are NON informative..

I am still upset about the whole 250 limit contradiction. Can't even submit my artlices now, i have to make them look like a poems..800 words.

[Pat Jackson]

Originally Posted by dave147

For EZA the ideal article size is from 400 to 750 words.

Based on what? I rarely write anything longer than 300 words. I certainly never write an article as long as 750 words.

[alexanderberson]

Originally Posted by dave147

For EZA the ideal article size is from 400 to 750 words.
I think you should make all your articles 500 words to be in compliance with all article directories

Well, i don't like this, but i have no choice.
Gonna have to skip my extra morning donut i eat

[Michelle Strait]

They are making a lot of changes. The rules will probably be updated soon.

[Liam Hamer]

I submitted 8 250-300 word articles a few days ago, and all were approved within 36 hours The only problem I've had with EZA was a few weeks ago when they were having a few server issues, and they were backed up with submissions/approvals - a couple of my articles came back saying they didn't deliver what the title promised. I just put it down to them being under extra stress, or I just got fussy editors.

[dave147]

Originally Posted by Pat Jackson

Based on what? I rarely write anything longer than 300 words. I certainly never write an article as long as 750 words.

Based on what EZA themselves prefer. Go to EzineArticles Submission - Submit Your Best Quality Original Articles For Massive Exposure, Ezine Publishers Get 25 Free Article Reprints and read about it

[Steven Wagenheim]

Here's a novel concept.

How about writing articles that actually HELP your readers and then you
won't have to worry about them being rejected.

Just saying.

[edmltw]

That definitely works.

But for those who are lazy, but yet still wanna get your articles accepted..

Make sure the re-writes are at least 70% dupecop proven unique

At least that works for me comfortably.

Edmund

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Here's a novel concept.

How about writing articles that actually HELP your readers and then you
won't have to worry about them being rejected.

Just saying.

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

How about writing articles that actually HELP your readers and then you won't have to worry about them being rejected.

You're also much more likely to get them re-used on other people's blogs/sites and get the extra traffic and backlinks that way, too. Quality will tell, in the long run.

anything under 500 words is a blog post, not an article.... If you want to write an article then write an article not some small post just to get backlinks...

James

[Jill Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Here's a novel concept.

How about writing articles that actually HELP your readers and then you
won't have to worry about them being rejected.

Just saying.

Get out of here. Really? You want me to help someone other than myself?

I might get a reputation as a helpful person if I do this, and next thing you know people will be banging down my door, looking for help, and some might even offer me money to help them.

This sounds like work.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Alexa Smith

You're also much more likely to get them re-used on other people's blogs/sites and get the extra traffic and backlinks that way, too. Quality will tell, in the long run.

So far I have had over 7,500 articles used on other people's sites.

Hell, if you just plug my name into Google I think you'll find like 100,000 sites.

I wonder why?

[Ian Jackson]

Originally Posted by alexanderberson

Submitted my own article to ezinearticles only to get a FAIL returned with a msg , stating that article needs to be longer??

This is the third time. First 270 words, then 300, then 350.

Well, my article had 350 words and to my understanding-- according to their policy-- 250 was the minimum amount of words. So how in the world is it too short?

Why do they contredict their own rules and policy?

Is there a reason why they are becoming more picky?

Anyone else having same issues?

You maybe just got unlucky with a newbie/junior mod at EZA? they often reject articles that are well with the EZA rules.

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

anything under 500 words is a blog post, not an article.... If you want to write an article then write an article not some small post just to get backlinks...

The more of this I do, the more I find myself coming round to this perspective.

[12holger34]

Hi, I submitted about 100 articles last week and Ezine reject only a few, which had a broken link at the end or the grammar was not correct. After I have done my homework, all articles were published.
I cannot say, that they are not doing a good job at Ezine.

[newBum76]

Originally Posted by Ian Jackson

You maybe just got unlucky with a newbie/junior mod at EZA? they often reject articles that are well with the EZA rules.

I agree.

I just checked out some recently submitted articles in several categories and there were plenty of articles under 300 words, so I don't think they're raising their minimum word count.

[Mark Dulisse]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim
Here's a novel concept.

How about writing articles that actually HELP your readers and then you
won't have to worry about them being rejected.

Just saying.

I think the issue he raised was on length, not on helpfulness. Hence, no need to go on offensive.

I'm sure his short articles that got rejected are very helpful.

[Liam Hamer]

Originally Posted by Ian Jackson

You maybe just got unlucky with a newbie/junior mod at EZA? they often reject articles that are well with the EZA rules.

I'd say this was most probably the case.

[Cash37]

lol at the misinformation in here

[dv8]

Originally Posted by edmltw

Make sure the re-writes are at least 70% dupecop proven unique

It's actually more like 67.54784niner3564720%

[RebeccaL]

Havent had this happen to me yet but if it does - no way I will EVER be submitting long articles to ezinearticles. They should be grateful that people are literally throwing free, unique content at their site and they profit from it. If I want to direct link (and I do it alot) then I will, if they don't like it then I hope they enjoy the mass exodus when we replace them with another directory.
They have got extremely cocky this year, but what they don't realize is that all empires fall eventually. They won't be at the top forever and we affiliates don't need them, but they certainly need our submissions.

[taylordstuff]

I hope that you get everything straightened out with EZA. I don't know why other people had to be so rude in their comments.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by Mark Dulisse

I think the issue he raised was on length, not on helpfulness. Hence, no need to go on offensive.

I'm sure his short articles that got rejected are very helpful.

How do you know? Did you read them?

How much help can a 250 word article REALLY be when you think about it?

Anyway, I'm not going to get into a pissing match over this. I see what's
out there, I think it stinks and I'm not surprised when people tell me that
their articles are rejected.

It's funny, the only time I ever get an article rejected is when I know it's
going to be before I even write it, usually because it's on some very
controversial subject or I'm calling people out...which EZA doesn't want
the liability for. Those I just end up putting on my own blog.

Hey, doesn't matter to me. The fewer people who write the kind of
articles I know get accepted and actually help people and build
reputations, the better for me.

Or...folks can learn that the more you give, the more you get back.

It's up to them.

[gravtex]

Here's one thing you can try if you're article is getting rejected and it's within their guidelines - just contact them. I've had it happen a few times where it was simply a mistake on their part... everybody makes mistakes.

Gary

[Kevin Williams]

Sorry to disagree with so many people, but I do prefer 250 word articles and I can plug helpful information in them. But I am an internet marketer and I have been getting over 80% click through with my articles recently so I'm not going to change them

[TristanPerry]

Originally Posted by RebeccaL

Havent had this happen to me yet but if it does - no way I will EVER be submitting long articles to ezinearticles. They should be grateful that people are literally throwing free, unique content at their site and they profit from it. If I want to direct link (and I do it alot) then I will, if they don't like it then I hope they enjoy the mass exodus when we replace them with another directory.
They have got extremely cocky this year, but what they don't realize is that all empires fall eventually. They won't be at the top forever and we affiliates don't need them, but they certainly need our submissions.

At first I sort of agreed with that blog post (although it was a bit snobby), but reading some of their employee's responses to the comments have me worried. They are either OTT, or in-fact unprofessionally attacking other people/article directories:

"Thankfully 99% of our members articles are not affiliate link pushers. Then we’d be just as crappy as many competitor sites that auto-publish everything." - okay, that's unprofessional. I know they aren't naming names, but do they think they're divine or something?

"One guy had a great suggestion of not allowing .info domains in any articles. I like that one alot. I know of NO GOOD websites on this planet that end with a .info TLD." - a massive generalisation. I just Googled "inurl:.info" and found 5 websites with PR 5 or higher, in less than 30 seconds. Including some charities. But according to EZA, these charities are "NO GOOD"? Hmm...

They can argue semantics all they like, but they just said that no good can come from .info TLDs. Well sorry, but they just said that a bunch of charities are no good. A little diplomacy wouldn't have gone amiss. "Some .info TLD sites are no good..." etc would have been acceptable I, but 'none on this planet'?

"Why don’t you just go look at ANY PLR article as an example of what sucks." - again, a massive generalisation. They seem to think they are Gods, from the sounds of it. Of course, re-hashing PLR articles doesn't really help EZA. But they are still making unfounded claims since they are speaking on behalf of every PLR article out there.

"We’ve even been called “Nazi’s” in one of the Internet marketing forums. Sheesh… call us what you want I guess… we’re going to protect this ship against evil for the benefit of our million daily visitors and all those who refer traffic to us." - calling them Nazis is a little much, granted, but now they are talking about a "war" against "evil", and making massive sweeping statements. They are sounding very silly, or at least their employee who's replying is.

So whilst I do agree with the original blog post, the comments by their employees on that blog post did become a bit of a farce. Even saying that some charities (on .info domains) are "NO GOOD". Well done EZA...

[lklein]

I submit a lot of articles and haven't had any rejected in a long time.

Today I had one rejected by EZ because the keyword density was 2.1.

So I would have to change this

Artificial sweeteners are not healthy

to

This substance is not healthy

And maybe do that a few times?

Before anyone says anything.. I write for the reader. I don't even think about keyword density.

I''m not going to change that article and de-value my article. Maybe confuse the reader.

It's on other article directories anyways.

Lambert

[tremayne]

Originally Posted by alexanderberson

Submitted my own article to ezinearticles only to get a FAIL returned with a msg , stating that article needs to be longer??

This is the third time. First 270 words, then 300, then 350.

Well, my article had 350 words and to my understanding-- according to their policy-- 250 was the minimum amount of words. So how in the world is it too short?

Why do they contredict their own rules and policy?

Is there a reason why they are becoming more picky?

Anyone else having same issues?

You are right: Article marketing *is* getting harder. More and more people have discovered it and see it as an easy way to get publicity.

But there is nothing worthwhile that is free. I just finished last night submitted an original spun article to about 350 directories, most of which now want at least 500 words. (I have another 24 ready to be released over the next month or so; I have had to lengthen most of them.) Two directories I did not submit to wanted 700 (which I had in only the first article) and 1,000 minimum.

It's like sausages! All must have a certain size. I think that is ridiculous; readers (the few there are these days) want information not length. But I guess the explanation is that some people have abused the system with trash just to get a link out there and some fixed number of words greater than three is supposed to mean that useful content goes with the link.

I don't necessarily agree; trash can come in any length. But it erects the first hurdle authors now have to navigate. Those who don't clear that hurdle reduce the overall tidal wave of articles and make it easier on editors.

That's my take, for what it's worth.

Sydney

[Troy_Phillips]

I have some 300 word articles published but have noticed that the shorter articles do not rank as well for me .

This could be just a unique situation as I have not tested anyone's articles but my own .

I am finding the more I get into writing articles the harder it is to stop around the 300 word mark.

This is especially true in the niches I am getting more comfortable with.

I started writing shorter articles because I thought it would improve ctr but when I started crunching the numbers I see that my best ctr is actually coming from articles between 500 and 700 words .

Once again .. this is just what I find to work in my chosen niches and for my articles . This could be completely the opposite for you .

[Nick Brighton]

I think it's great that article directories are getting tougher (well, at least the important ones). It means the people who are lazy and looking to shortcut the system, providing no value along the way, will be weeded out...making it easier for genuine, hard working folks to leverage such a resource more effectively.

In fact, I predict article directories with big authority like EZA to become more inline with magazine article submissions...

...where the submission guidelines would be based on WAAAYYY more than article directories are right now (such as quality of article, proper research, cross checking citations, literacy, flow, relevance...)

In fact, look at the guidelines for most magazine or authority site publications, and you'll quickly see that right now, article directories are still VERY lenient on what makes the grade.

I think as IMer's, we're VERY spoiled when it comes to ease of exposure, and specifically, the rules and regulations (or lack thereof) surrounding services we use.

[tremayne]

Originally Posted by Nick Brighton

I think it's great that article directories are getting tougher

Agreed! Even WF has a minimum word count to ensure content rather than merely increasing a person's number of quotes and exposure.

[RebeccaL]

I agree they need to get rid of alot of the duplicate posts that basically rehash the same thing over and over.

But they definitely have a holier than thou attitude, and that doesn't usually work for long (unless you're Google). By constantly degrading affiliates they are biting the hand that feeds. I for one look forward to another article directory taking over the top spot at some point.

[FriendlyRob]

I frequently read a lot of negative things about Ezinearticles.com

Any issues with getting articles accepted is because they are simply trying to please google.

As long as they are pleasing Google, then our articles will continue to get views and clicks, that is why they will continue to be number one and why I will continue to tolerate them as long as they continue to publish my articles.

[derrickp]

Did you ever read the articles under your pen names on Ezine Steven, I wouldn't talk. How many times did you repeat the same information over and over.

***Clarification***

Steven is an article marketer and I am not, I was trying to give some advice on my opinion of his articles like he was for the OP. He interpreted this as me being negative and attacking him. For that I have apologized(further down in this thread). Not my intent.

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Here's a novel concept.

How about writing articles that actually HELP your readers and then you
won't have to worry about them being rejected.

Just saying.

[RebeccaL]

What really gets me above all else is that EZA continually bashes affiliate and 'made for adsense' sites - yet ezinearticles.com is nothing more than a glorified MFA site itself. Oh the irony..

[Kevin Williams]

Originally Posted by RebeccaL

What really gets me above all else is that EZA continually bashes affiliate and 'made for adsense' sites - yet ezinearticles.com is nothing more than a glorified MFA site itself. Oh the irony..

Agreed, but they only do it to try and look good to the big boys like Google. They're basically the teachers pet of the internet - a very hypocritical one.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Originally Posted by derrickp

Did you ever read the articles under your pen names on Ezine Steven, I wouldn't talk. How many times did you repeat the same information over and over.

I suggest you read rule # 1 of this forum. If you have an issue with another
warrior or God, take it up with them privately...not here.

I stand behind every article I have ever written as being informative and
helpful to the reader. If you feel otherwise, that's YOUR opinion and
doesn't make it fact.

[Allen Graves]

Originally Posted by Kevin Williams

Sorry to disagree with so many people, but I do prefer 250 word articles and I can plug helpful information in them. But I am an internet marketer and I have been getting over 80% click through with my articles recently so I'm not going to change them

Really? That's awesome. I'll bet the PLR articles in your sig also get 80% CTRs. LOL

I'm looking for ghostwriters to promote.

Why don't you send me a few of them, I'll publish them and if they get anywhere NEAR 80% CTRs, I will personally promote your service. That's a heck of a deal!

I'll even publish them with no ads on the page and I'll place stat tracking code on each one of them so we can watch together.

Allen

[Kevin Williams]

Originally Posted by Allen Graves

Really? That's awesome. I'll bet the PLR articles in your sig also get 80% CTRs. LOL

I'm looking for ghostwriters to promote.

Why don't you send me a few of them, I'll publish them and if they get anywhere NEAR 80% CTRs, I will personally promote your service.

Allen

PLR articles have a natural tendency to get lower - but you never know. I might hit you up with some to try out later, busy for a while and don't have any unique articles today I haven't already submitted

EDIT: Hey now, no editing yours when I'm replying. Seriously though, maybe within a day or two. Maybe Ezine Articles is just screwin with me and inflating my clicks. lol

[Allen Graves]

Dang - nobody ever takes me up on that. I wonder why.

Yes, I'm calling bluffs, but I am also serious at the same time!

Allen

[iplusgold]

I've had no problems getting articles accepted and published at Ezine Articles of late (except the timeframe it takes for them to approve). I suspect Steven is right...I see a lot of short, low wordcount articles, that obviously provide little or no value to the reader and it appears as if they are starting to crackdown on those.

Personally, I'd rather publish 1 article of high quality that gets syndicated all over the place and brings in 10,000 views rather than 100 spammy ones.

just my 2 cents

[Kevin Williams]

Originally Posted by Allen Graves

Dang - nobody ever takes me up on that. I wonder why.

Yes, I'm calling bluffs, but I am also serious at the same time!

Allen

I can imagine why, but meh. I won't even say the way I write my articles is ethical, I basically tell them they have to click my link or they'll never find what they're looking for ... lol. Will PM you sometime

Back to the topic at hand - I wish other high PR article directories would work as well as EZA. The only other one I have success with is eHow. And editing wikiHow pages to point at my articles lol

[Troy_Phillips]

Originally Posted by Allen Graves

Dang - nobody ever takes me up on that. I wonder why.

Yes, I'm calling bluffs, but I am also serious at the same time!

Allen

I am getting 93% ctr and will gladly take you up on your offer .

That is if this is not another da%$ dream.

Will let you know one way or the other when I wake up :-)

[Jeremy Kelsall]

Article Marketing is only getting harder for those that have tunnel vision. With every change that happens - every new rule that is implemented there is gold there for the ones that can see the big picture.

[Kevin Williams]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall

Article Marketing is only getting harder for those that have tunnel vision. With every change that happens - every new rule that is implemented there is gold there for the ones that can see the big picture.

Agreed. By the way, I was just looking at your WSO and switched over to here and saw your avatar and got really confused. Ugh, nap time.

[Black Hat Cat]

Originally Posted by dave147

Based on what EZA themselves prefer. Go to EzineArticles Submission - Submit Your Best Quality Original Articles For Massive Exposure, Ezine Publishers Get 25 Free Article Reprints and read about it

Maybe they should read their own rules:

ARTICLE BODY:

1. Must be a minimum of 250 words and no more than 5,000 words.

[Black Hat Cat]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

So far I have had over 7,500 articles used on other people's sites.

Hell, if you just plug my name into Google I think you'll find like 100,000 sites.

I wonder why?

Because of tools that pull content from article directories automatically?