Don't You Put Your Articles Through Copyscape?

[acrasial]

I really feel like hitting my head against the wall sometimes, when I see this:

Pretend you are a writer for a minute. Someone is going to hire you to write articles for them. You have already specified they will be unique, as you are spending the time to research and write these articles.

Then suddenly this person stresses that the articles should be copyscape passed...and even sometimes a few times.

Isn't that just obvious?!?!!??!!

I mean, isn't it obvious that the articles should pass copyscape, especially if the buyer is paying for original content? I am not sure, still, why this should even have to be specified,
as it really should just be expected especially when listed in the original post by the writer that they will have 100% unique content etc...

So just wondering, do you pass YOUR articles through copy scape?

[abby creenshaw]

nope..i never thinking bout that, when i finished wrote an article. i am 100% sure that article is unique.

[acrasial]

Do people seriously expect us to put our own articles through copyscape? I mean I know they will (or should) when they receive articles anyways.

I still find it amusing the way they say this, as if they are literally expecting me to put my own articles through copyscape. It can be insulting at times, and sometimes just plain silly, as obviously that is just expected to have them not be plagiarized.

I know what modified content means as well. but the point of getting articles written, is to literally have the person research the topic and write on it in a new perspective...

otherwise the buyer would just give articles and say "hey, here, rewrite this"

Am I missing something? Are article writers really that thick? Or are the buyers that silly? I am not sure which is worse here!

[dmarze]

Originally Posted by abby creenshaw

nope..i never thinking bout that, when i finished wrote an article. i am 100% sure that article is unique.

I agree with you Abby... If you write your articles they are 100% unique.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by dmarze

I agree with you Abby... If you write your articles they are 100% unique.

This is exactly what I mean. But I get people asking me to pass them through copyscape, even though I have just sat there writing them!!!

I am not sure what is going on here, that there are writers cheating people and are extremely lazy, and buyers who are asking for the above.

[Nonny]

Advertising articles as "copyscape passed" is a big red flag to me - I assume it means copied content that has been "spun" just enough to pass the copyscape test. If I'm looking for original articles just "copyscaped passed" isn't good enough for me.

But I have seen a lot of (usually low-cost) article writers with just that statement in their sales copy, and maybe they do it because some buyers ask for it or because so many article writer wannabees just copy their content.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by MrPinn

Well, some people are just what they are. I do the best can and ignore anyone who makes things difficult for me.

You could lose a lot of business that way, as some of the best things in life are often challenging or difficult. When you work for others you don't have as much say as you would if you just worked for yourself, and it works the same way when you sell things to others, they are the one's buying it, so they have ALL of the say.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by Nonny

Advertising articles as "copyscape passed" is a big red flag to me - I assume it means copied content that has been "spun" just enough to pass the copyscape test. If I'm looking for original articles just "copyscaped passed" isn't good enough for me.

But I have seen a lot of (usually low-cost) article writers with just that statement in their sales copy, and maybe they do it because some buyers ask for it or because so many article writer wannabees just copy their content.

I feel the same way. I had a thread going and I really feel it unnecessary to throw in a bunch of testimonials BEFORE any of my service has even been tried for real (as in taking new people on in the thread here on WF), and also that people saying it sure do have something suspicuous about them, because as I said it's just common sense.

DUH anyone wanting an article wants it to be original!!! It's like they are treating the buyers like total retards.

I guess I can get buyers asking for it, but as I said it is to be EXPECTED, as in original content should be expected.

If ANYONE THINKS otherwise then they are playing with fire.


I guess my main message here is this:

To Writers: Write original content, DUH. If you cannot, you are not a writer..but rather someone who plagiarizes.

To Buyers: Regardless of what anyone says, pass your articles through copyscape and other article checkers anyways, DUH.

[THY]

The problem lies in the issue whereby some article writers can be dishonest or deceiving. Some articles are completely rewritten but some just have the commas being moved around. But really, the buyer don't really have to ask as he/she has to conduct own test before paying unless of course, there's already a mutual trust.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by MrPinn

If a client keeps returning articles to you for rewrites, what would you do? I mean you sit down, and you write straight from your head, and someone thinks you copied.

I have to please the client, but there is an extent. That's all I'm saying.

Hello Sir,

HAHHAHA. If that is the case then either of the following occurred:

1. They did not specify exactly what they wanted so that it was clear to you.

BUT: it's your job to make sure everything is clear, and to be more precise you can ask them for examples of the kinds of articles they would like to have or examples of articles which would suit their needs.

More often than not they would kindly show you exactly what they are looking for, and would appreciate the fact that you are asking for 100% clarification to meet ALL of their needs. Your failure to do such cannot be blamed on the client, but rather on your lack of foresight.

Some clients assume you are mature enough to understand their requests, but then afterward realize you did not understand it, and that is when they bring them back to you for re-writes as they are not satisfied with the misunderstanding nor the articles as they are.

2. Your spelling, grammar, and other components of the article are simply lacking.

If this was the case, then they could have just not paid you, but they have asked for a re-write to fix the error. Perhaps they did not clarify that these were specifically the issues in the article, however if they were, maybe they did not clarify to save you from embarrassment.

3. You have plagiarized, or some of the content is copied or too similar to other content already existing online.

If this is the case, then this buyer really has alot of patience to even return the article to be re-written, or perhaps they had paid already and didn't want their money wasted.

Either way, if it's not #2-3, then it's your own fault, because YOU took this client on. If you are not able to handle the kind of responsibilities and challenges that some clients may present, then perhaps you should rethink what it is you are doing and why.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

That is really what I would suggest in this kind of a scenario. If they are continuously asking for re-writes again, why don't you just stop them and try #1, say "Hey, excuse me sir, but I noticed that my articles were not suiting your needs. Since you are asking me to rewrite them, could I also ask for some samples for the future reference of articles which suit your needs as examples, so I can serve you better?"

[Asher]

Hi acrasial,

I write my own articles and the thing is, I don't check it
through Copyscape at all. Reason being, I'm just lazy to
do an extra step.

If the article directory says "Hey, you have an article that's
way to similar to another one", then I'll run it through
Copyscape. I use the "Ready-Fire-Aim" methodology.

I think the people who do it just want to make sure they're
paying for something they don't have to rewrite due to a
possible Copyscape flag. Can't blame them, they're paying
for work done... they just might not want any headaches
that come with having to rewrite it since some of them
can't form a paragraph to save their lives.

Asher

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by Asher

I think the people who do it just want to make sure they're
paying for something they don't have to rewrite due to a
possible Copyscape flag. Can't blame them, they're paying
for work done... they just might not want any headaches
that come with having to rewrite it since some of them
can't form a paragraph to save their lives.

Asher

But that's just to be expected, why do people even have to specify it! EVERYONE WHO BUYS ARTICLES SHOULD BE DOING THIS. Regardless.

My mentor has hired writers in the past, and these writers sometimes got sneaky by sending him/her the same articles again. (as in when they ordered bulk article packages, once in a while one or two articles would be the same articles that were sent in the past).

These writers have also tried getting even more sneaky by directly copying articles that are already approved from my mentor's account on article directories, thinking that he/she wouldn't notice either.

Then some writers got even more sneaky by taking plagiarized paragraphs from different articles and melding them together.

Other writers got even MORE sneaky by trying to find rare sources to get articles from and copying the entire thing or some excerpts.

Of course there are many ways one can be sneaky, but it's the BUYERS job to ensure that each and every article is really not plagiarized, because I do understand how low some writers can get.

Since that is the case, why does it even have to be said that articles should be original, as it's OBVIOUS buyers want original articles, and also it should be obvious to the buyers to check each and EVERY ARTICLE for plagiarism.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by MrPinn

Thanks for pointing that out. I've had a rare situation where none of the above was true. I practically had to go through the work with the client before we could reach a mutual understanding.

I almost walked out on the deal. But as you said, the client is always right.

In the future just ask them for samples on the kinds of work they would like to see. I have done this, and haven't had anyone say no to me for this. If they do say no, then perhaps you can consider politely declining if you really do not think you are the right person for the job, by telling them:

"I would love to do this project, however I do not think that I can complete it to suit all of your needs. I hope that you can find the right person for this job, and really appreciate the offer."

[Asher]

Originally Posted by acrasial

Of course there are many ways one can be sneaky, but it's the BUYERS job to ensure that each and every article is really not plagiarized, because I do understand how low some writers can get.

Since that is the case, why does it even have to be said that articles should be original, as it's OBVIOUS buyers want original articles, and also it should be obvious to the buyers to check each and EVERY ARTICLE for plagiarism.

Unfortunately, people can be very lazy or just plain
don't have the time to run every article through a
Copyscape check. It takes some time and effort.

While it can be done for 1-10 articles, imagine a
business owner who bought 50 articles and running
the whole thing through a check manually.

It's going to be a big waste of time for him/her when
he could have used the time for submission and let
the editors tell him whether his articles got passed
or rejected.

Of course, that's my preferred way of doing it
(Ready-FIRE-Aim).

So, while it can get annoying to have them say
"Make sure it's copyscape passed" a gajillion times,
sometimes, it's better to do some selective reading
and choose to carry on with your business than to
let something trivial bother you, right?

Asher

[Karen Connell]

Hi,

Although I have put 'Guaranteed to Pass Copyscape' on my 'For Hire' page, that is to avoid the question that I was asked so many times in the beginning.

Of course original articles will pass Copyscape - that goes without saying but a lot of potential clients feel the need to ask and I don't mind reassuring them.

However, I have just run a PLR article that I wrote through Copyscape and it came back with 1 result. Ezine Articles. Now, I put that article on ezine articles but I also have the very same article on my blog but it didn't show up on Copyscape.

The article was published to both places over three weeks ago.

So, it begs the question - 'How reliable is Copyscape anyway'?

Or am I missing something here?

Karen

[BIG Mike]

You might be misunderstanding the context here - if I hire you with the condition that they must pass CopyScape, I'm not suggesting that you run the articles you just wrote through it. I am suggesting that when I do it (and I do), if CopyScape shows me a substantial match, I'm not going to pay you for them.

It's simply a term of the "Contract" for the work made for hire - and something you can ignore if you're not trying to game whomever hired you. It's no different than adding terms like it must be 500 to 600 words in length, uses good grammar and has no spelling mistakes.

In other words it's a warning to those thinking about it copying others work and passing it off on their own.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by MrPinn

I can't seem to find the "Thanks" button.

After the incident, I adopted that approach. Although most of my clients were very reasonable, there's just a few of them I couldn't stand. Being polite in this case makes me redder. lol

Look, if they can get to you like that, then YOU are allowing them to. They literally control you, the moment that you are emotional and worked up over something related to them. They take your time and energy, and you are allowing that to happen, and once again this is something that would be your fault.

There is a guy on here named Steven Wagenheim who I will quote as saying "Take everything with a grain of salt", and what he means by that is to not really take everything so seriously that you are getting worked up over it and it's eating your time, especially when it's other people's behavior.

Be polite for your own good, if they are really jerk clients, it will show them that you are not what they expected. Maybe they are trying to make you crack under the pressure, god knows what their motive is.

Some people test you and your services out first, and some hand you the most ridiculous and annoying things just to see if you are worth while to take on as a future client.

But of course not all buyers have this motive in mind, and maybe they are perfectionists.

Originally Posted by BIG Mike

I am suggesting that when I do it (and I do), if CopyScape shows me a substantial match, I'm not going to pay you for them.

Ok, I get that, but isn't that just obvious, as I have said? I mean come on!!! I am still amazed at some of the douche writers there are out there who do some of the above things you have mentioned. I can understand a grammatical error or spelling error once in a while, as we all have those; but too many errors, plagiarized content etc... that's just retarded.

I wonder how that person sleeps at night?!

Originally Posted by Karen Connell

So, it begs the question - 'How reliable is Copyscape anyway'?

Or am I missing something here?

Karen

I don't use copyscape, and there are various other programs out there which can catch it.

I would suggest then running it through a few programs actually which can check content not only from google but elsewhere as well. If you do your research right, you should be able to come up with some of these sources.

As mentioned, my mentor had so many run ins with retarded writers trying to con him/her, that they too had to find methods to catch all of these sneaky ways, and obviously did, and none of them were through copyscape, as the writers became so effective at cheating buyers, that their writing would pass copy scape, even though it was plagiarized.

[BIG Mike]

Originally Posted by acrasial

Ok, I get that, but isn't that just obvious, as I have said? I mean come on!!! I am still amazed at some of the douche writers there are out there who do some of the above things you have mentioned. I can understand a grammatical error or spelling error once in a while, as we all have those; but too many errors, plagiarized content etc... that's just retarded.

I wonder how that person sleeps at night?!

Not to the "Douche" writers out there it isn't - you'd be surprised how many will start out writing great content, get greedy and start copying and pasting. Stupid but true...

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by MrPinn

I agree. I nearly fell for that if not for my conscience. Imagine getting big thumbs up from clients, more orders, and realizing an easy to get more jobs done in less time. People still fall for that. Unbelievable, but true.

Oh cheez. You can charge more when you really have more to offer from YOURSELF. Imagine getting $5-12 per article that YOU write, and getting a bulk order for these articles, and the articles are only 300-500 words.

Now that would be something even better to look forward to than cheating and losing clients, respect, dignity etc...

[JayXtreme]

Imagine if you accepted this as the customers requirement?...

imho, It is the choice of the customer to say or not say this when hiring you for work. If they want to tell you this, then they are well within their right to do so..

Essentially, they are just making sure that you know what they expect. It's not over the top of them to do so, either.

I never put my content through CopyScape.. because the 2 girls who write my content are always producing excellent work for me and I only use those two...

BUT

If I was to use outside writers, I may need to specify some criteria for the content.

Peace

Jay

[Bev Clement]

If a client asks you to use copyscape and you have guaranteed they will pass copyscape in your ad, then what's the problem.

Why do people ask writers to copyscape? Because too many have been burnt with copied articles. Even some who claim their articles are unique are really only spun articles, and it is easy to see that when you look at a batch of articles.

I've never had a client asking me to copyscape any articles for them. They get unique articles, and they would all pass.

If you look at the standard being given now it is go to EZA or Google and find the top article in the niche. Maybe 2 or 3 articles in the niche, and then rewrite it so it becomes unique. That isn't how to write an article, and why article writers are getting a bad name.

If writers were to learn how to research and write, then there wouldn't be a problem.

[Alexa Smith]

The word "Copyscape" has never been mentioned by either party in any conversation between a client and myself, and it's a web site I've never looked at. (I do understand its potential relevance for people dealing with possible plagiarists).

[Frank Tocco]

I am not sure what is going on here, that there are writers cheating people and are extremely lazy, and buyers who are asking for the above.

That´s exactly what´s going on. I once outsourced some articles , paid for them , then posted them on EzineArticles and got banned on EZ because the articles were 100% plagerized. I wrote Christopher Knight the owner of EZ and explained and he was good enough to give me a second chance because all my prior work was all original. Had it not been for the track record of original content, he said he would not have re-instated me.

Now I always write them myself or check them with copyscape.
I´m sure it´s hard for an honest person like yourself to understand but not everyone is as genuine as you are. Of course once I knew a write to be on the up and up, I probably would stop checking up on their work.

[Karen Connell]

I don't really see why there is a problem with clients stipulating that their article must pass copyscape. It is probably because they have been cheated before.

It's no problem to me to reassure them.

After all they are paying me to do a job and I want to give the best customer service that I can.

It is harder and more costly to get a new customer than it is to keep an existing one.

I have never had a client send work back to me because of duplicate content but, as I said before, I do all my own work.

Karen

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by Karen Connell

It's no problem to me to reassure them.

After all they are paying me to do a job and I want to give the best customer service that I can.

Karen

It should just be automatically expected from all writers that the content is going to be original, and automatically expected that unoriginal content wouldn't be paid for (I.E. plagiarized content).

I find that extremely obvious, and if they need that much re-assurance what good is one's word going to do? The real assurance is the actual product they will receive, which in turn would be 100% original... right?

[Karen Connell]

Originally Posted by acrasial

It should just be automatically expected from all writers that the content is going to be original, and automatically expected that unoriginal content wouldn't be paid for (I.E. plagiarized content).

I find that extremely obvious, and if they need that much re-assurance what good is one's word going to do? The real assurance is the actual product they will receive, which in turn would be 100% original... right?

Yes, I agree.

But, in my opinion, getting upset about anyone asking me to make sure that the articles will pass Copyscape is counterproductive.

I am not big on confrontation, so if a simple 'Yes, I guarantee it will pass Copyscape' is all that is needed to put my clients mind at ease, then that's what I will continue to do.

It costs me nothing to be nice to my clients and good customer service (and good articles) helps me retain that client.

Karen

[DianneC]

I hired a writer from Guru.com and he was given great reviews from others that he had written for. I ran his articles through Copyscape and some were plagerized. I am so glad I checked.

Dianne

[Bev Clement]

Originally Posted by acrasial

It should just be automatically expected from all writers that the content is going to be original, and automatically expected that unoriginal content wouldn't be paid for (I.E. plagiarized content).

I find that extremely obvious, and if they need that much re-assurance what good is one's word going to do? The real assurance is the actual product they will receive, which in turn would be 100% original... right?

Why should it be automatically expected? You are missing the point that many people claim to be writers and don't have a clue how to write. They rewrite articles from EZA and other sites. They are doing what marketers here on the WF have told them to do. The advice is wrong, but still the advice is given.

If a new person is told all they need to do is rewrite an article and pass it as unique, why shouldn't the client be upset and ask for articles to pass copyscape.

Too many clients have been burnt by cheap writers. And before anyone gets into a slanging match about prices, most of the people who copy work are cheap writers. There are some good cheap writers around, but just read the threads on the ones who are not.

If you're clients are asking for reassurance, you shouldn't take the high road of what might be obvious to you, but ask why they need to ask you to copyscape your work. Maybe the articles are too much alike each other, maybe the client isn't convinced the work is original.

There is only way to solve the problem ask the client, and then give them what they want.

[Tina Golden]

Copyscape doesn't guarantee original content anyway, only unique wording. I recently had to replace a writer whose articles passed Copyscape with flying colors but I came across some of her "work" on EZA. She had re-written them to pass Copyscape but they were clearly derivative.

Most buyers don't realize that they could still be getting ripped off even when the content passes Copyscape. Then again, many of them don't care.

Tina

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

Most buyers don't realize that they could still be getting ripped off even when the content passes Copyscape. Then again, many of them don't care.

Indeed so. Dare I mention that some clients are unaware (very reasonably, simply through never having had to think about it) of the difference between "content" and "wording" in the first place?

[Michael Oksa]

Hi arcasial,

Please take this right way.

I used to be just like you. I knew the way everything was supposed to be, and when someone strayed from MY understanding, they were either stupid, dishonest, or mislead.

Using words and phrases like...

ALL

EVERY

100%

EXPECTED

If ANYONE THINKS otherwise...

Those words are how I know. My best advice is to understand that there is no such thing as what EVERYONE will do - ever! Relax. The only thing more disheartening than a righteous crusade is a one-person crusade.

I see your point, I really do, but you will be much less stressed if you just let it go. If it bothers you that much, don't write for them. Or, if you know it's original tell them it passes Copyscape.

One more thing...

DUH anyone wanting an article wants it to be original!!!

Sadly, I've learned that's not true either. Some people really do want bulk articles, and don't care how well they are written. The ONLY thing they want is to not get penalized for duplicate content.

Guess what? I don't write for them either.

So, take a deep breath, let it go, and understand I am trying to be helpful, not condescending.

Unfortunately, it took me having a heart attack to start changing my ways. Even now, I sometimes slip back into knowing what's best for all the idiots of the world.



All the best,
Michael

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

Copyscape doesn't guarantee original content anyway, only unique wording. I recently had to replace a writer whose articles passed Copyscape with flying colors but I came across some of her "work" on EZA. She had re-written them to pass Copyscape but they were clearly derivative.

Most buyers don't realize that they could still be getting ripped off even when the content passes Copyscape. Then again, many of them don't care.

Tina

Yup, I would suggest that buyers use many methods to actually check the articles. I was just made aware of another method which buyers can use to check the quality of the actual content, in terms of being derivative, by comparing them together.

Here is an excerpt of an email I received from someone using this, and I think it's a great idea:

Hi,

I use Content Composer with this tool I can load multiple files and it will report as a % how similar they are.
CC reported that some articles were 1.76 - 5.6% similar. Less that 8% is considered unique.

That is an option available, and I didn't even know about this until today, but then again I am sure there are plenty of ways to check such things, if buyers really want to know.

I understand that some writers are sneaky and have their ways of getting around copyscape, and that's exactly why I also mentioned in a post above that buyers should also have other ways to check their articles outside of copyscape, because some writers can get content from very rare sources, but it's still plagiarized, or as you have mentioned, simply derivative.


I may be wrong here, but I also believe it was mentioned in this thread (if not here, then somewhere else on the forum), as well about how some writers are taught to write the articles, wherein the may just pull up the first 3 articles on google for any given keyword, and then produce another article from this.

In turn this can and would be considered derivative content. I also believe that professional buyers, such as the ones here on this forum, actually do care both about derivative content as well as unique content, as they are using this content to help boost rankings and get sales etc...

And every little bit helps the buyer in the long run to be successful.

[acrasial]

Michael, I just PM'd my response to you.

[Tina Golden]

I would love to find a site or software that could tell me if something is derivative but the only ones I know of, you must already have both pieces. That doesn't suit the purpose that I'd like to see. I would never have known about the writer I mentioned above if I hadn't happened across the original article. I didn't need to use software once I found it because it was obvious.

Tina

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

I would love to find a site or software that could tell me if something is derivative but the only ones I know of, you must already have both pieces. That doesn't suit the purpose that I'd like to see. I would never have known about the writer I mentioned above if I hadn't happened across the original article. I didn't need to use software once I found it because it was obvious.

Tina

Have you tried the software mentioned in the post which someone emailed me about?

I haven't used it, but they found the following statistics on my own articles which I had written for them (using this program):

CC reported that some articles were 1.76 - 5.6% similar.

As well as in total being less than 3% similar when put all together. It's interesting to see, and it could be a great tool for both writers and buyers, and especially for writers, such as myself, so I can see where I stand and make sure that my articles are not falling into the derivative zone.

Apparently anything around 8% or higher would be derivative.

Originally Posted by Asher

Hi acrasial,

I write my own articles and the thing is, I don't check it
through Copyscape at all. Reason being, I'm just lazy to
do an extra step.

If the article directory says "Hey, you have an article that's
way to similar to another one", then I'll run it through
Copyscape. I use the "Ready-Fire-Aim" methodology.

I think the people who do it just want to make sure they're
paying for something they don't have to rewrite due to a
possible Copyscape flag. Can't blame them, they're paying
for work done... they just might not want any headaches
that come with having to rewrite it since some of them
can't form a paragraph to save their lives.

Asher

I agree with Asher here... I write my own articles also so I do not have to worry about it. Sometime I may hire Lynn (LinWrites.com - Ghostwriting Services and Content Writing) to do some work for me but I do not worry about running them through anything as I know they are original..

James

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

I agree with Asher here... I write my own articles also so I do not have to worry about it. Sometime I may hire Lynn (LinWrites.com - Ghostwriting Services and Content Writing) to do some work for me but I do not worry about running them through anything as I know they are original..

James

Yes, you know they are original, as does anyone who actually sits down to write their own articles. As mentioned, my articles were passed through a program and were found to be 3% similar to each other with that program.

I wouldn't really have any way of telling or knowing that otherwise, but it sure does shed a new light on things, at least for me.

[Tina Golden]

Have you tried the software mentioned in the post which someone emailed me about?

I use DupeFree Pro which does the same thing. However, neither program can find derivatives for you on the web. You have to put the two pieces in the software to compare them.

I'd love to have someone figure out a way to check the web for derivative content but I'm not sure that is possible.

Tina

[Frank Tocco]

It should just be automatically expected from all writers that the content is going to be original, and automatically expected that unoriginal content wouldn't be paid for (I.E. plagiarized content).

I find that extremely obvious, and if they need that much re-assurance what good is one's word going to do? The real assurance is the actual product they will receive, which in turn would be 100% original... right?

What seems obvious to me is that you´ve never been burned before. I have and it almost got me banned from EzineArticles. I wrote Chris Knight ( nowner of EZ ) and explained the situation (that I paid someone that sold me plagerized material) and for that reason I would ask anyone who I have never hired before to copyscape their work.

So anyone that has been burned does in fact need reassurance and as you say

what good is one's word going to do?

Well, NONE. Hence why they need to be sure, and that´s why they ask it to be copyscaped. Seems obvious to me. If you ever do get burned, and I hope you Never do, you´ll find it easier to understand. It´s nothing personal. Just re-assuring people are getting what they paid for. Original content.

If your work is indeed original, and I´m sure it is, what´s the big deal? No need to get all offended. Look at it as a seal of your authenticity. 100% ORIGINAL, Grade-A, Choice Cut, Hand-Picked Content. It´s a selling point, not a stab at your integrity.

Once your client knows that 100% ,like you do, then I´m sure not only will they stop asking, they´ll recommend you.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by Frank Tocco

What seems obvious to me is that you´ve never been burned before. I have and it almost got me banned from EzineArticles. I wrote Chris Knight and explained the situation (that I paid someone that sold me plagerized material) and for that reason I would ask anyone who I have never hired before to copyscape their work.

Isn't that YOUR job to check it? At the end of the day, some writers are sneaky and do get lazy, and there is really no one to blame but yourself it that has happened.

Sure you could point fingers are the writer(s), but people do lie. I know that buyers may ask for that, but as I've said 10000 times, that's simply expected if you take the content you are going to be buying seriously, which you obviously do.

Originally Posted by Frank Tocco

If your work is indeed original, and I´m sure it is, what´s the big deal? No need to get all offended. Look at it as a seal of your authenticity. 100% ORIGINAL, Grade-A, Choice Cut, Hand-Picked Content. It´s a selling point, not a stab at your integrity.

There is no deal at all, but make it as big or as small as YOU want to. Sure it can be a selling point, but I still believe that the work itself would speak for itself, not my own words saying "oh yeh, it's real, it's copyscape passed!".

I would PERSONALLY presume that even though I have said this, that the person purchasing from me would STILL check regardless, and I WOULD NOT even take that as a stab at my work or anything, but would rather appreciate the fact that they are looking out for their own well being to begin with.

One last time. I AM NOT OFFENDED, THIS IS A topic.

Originally Posted by Frank Tocco

Once your client knows that 100% ,like you do, then I´m sure not only will they stop asking, they´ll recommend you.

I still say that no matter what run them through programs, although it won't catch derivative content, at least it will catch any writers who try to get sneaky in the future. There was a discussion on this forum about that where one writer had admitted they were tempted to just cheat and send in some copied content, because it gets the job done faster, and can get bulk orders done more quickly.

It can also be hidden better in bulk orders, a few articles here and there that aren't original, which has happened to various buyers, and I know of some people who it's happened to as well.

I am simply saying that it should be a protocol really of anyone who is serious about the work they are paying for, to check these kinds of things, always...

Originally Posted by acrasial

Yes, you know they are original, as does anyone who actually sits down to write their own articles. As mentioned, my articles were passed through a program and were found to be 3% similar to each other with that program.

I wouldn't really have any way of telling or knowing that otherwise, but it sure does shed a new light on things, at least for me.

There is no program that can catch full dups online and I will explain why. Even copyscape, if someone is paying for that service then I feel sorry for you.. Any one of these pograms can be blocked from a server with ease. So when they go out to search for this content and they are denied access then what they will return is no dups found.

But that may not be 100% true as the site it is checking could have them blocked from access to the server. This is something people need to keep in mind.

Bottom line though, write your own stuff or deal with someone you trust and you have no problems..

James

[DogScout]

being original doesn't mean they will pass copyscape or not be viewed as derivative. There are only so many words on the language and only a tenth of those are in common use. Being under 10% original seems like a handsome feat in itself.

Sit 1,000,000,000 monkeys in front of 1,000,000,000 computers and one will eventually write the complete works of Dickens.

At some point, it is madness to require 100% 'original. That would require never having two words in a row that have ever been used in that order next to each other?

sheesh

[DogScout]

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

I use DupeFree Pro which does the same thing. However, neither program can find derivatives for you on the web. You have to put the two pieces in the software to compare them.

I'd love to have someone figure out a way to check the web for derivative content but I'm not sure that is possible.

Tina

With cloud computing and LSI, seems it wouldn't be a good thing to be too original anyway. That would certainly rule out the optimization of long tail keywords.

[acrasial]

Originally Posted by DogScout

There are only so many words on the language and only a tenth of those are in common use. Being under 10% original seems like a handsome feat in itself.
At some point, it is madness to require 100% 'original. That would require never having two words in a row that have ever been used in that order next to each other?

sheesh

Thanks so much for saying this! I have had this in my mind the entire time, but was afraid to be chewed out for saying it. Most words we know was/were taught to us originally by our parents, family members, friends etc... and then of course any words after we learned through reading, in school, via dictionaries etc... But still these words came from other people, and some of the same words need to be used by many people everyday as a means to communicate.

I would believe then that the only thing we can do is choose how to arrange the words, which can be unique depending on our educational upbringing and understanding of each of these words.

My mentor has said that there is only so many ways you can say the same thing over and over, and it's like people want writers to re-invent the wheel.