AM I BANNED FROM CONNECT?

Google Maps tips & tricks
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I am sharing this post to ensure you never have to ask; “Am I Banned on Connect?”

CHEERS TO THE GOOD TIMES

Before I begin this post, I want you to pick a Glass, because I am going to make a toast;

"Here is to all the wonderful times we have had on Connect and the wonderful times we will have in future;

Cheers!

BANNED FOR SPAMMING ON CONNECT?

Sometime last week, I was preparing for the day when I received a message from Austine; “Was one of your messages marked as Spam?”

I was very confused because I wasn’t aware. The other time, I posted a topic that was ‘removed from the site’, I was notified. Another time, I posted a ‘gif’ and and image from the internet, I was notified too.

So, I told Austine that; I believe they will notify me.

Then, Austine went; "my friend that was banned was never notified! He can’t even take his content off Connect!

SPAM CONTENT IS A VIOLATION OF CONNECT’S ORIGINAL CONTENT POLICY

At this point, I rushed to Connect to clear my doubts.

? It was my #bestactor Challenge Post; “Share a movie clip of your favorite actor who you believe will make a great Local Guide”. I started off the thread by posting a movie clip from YOUTUBE!

How naive?!

I became really frightened! So, I returned to my chat with Austine and asked; “Am I?”

Banned?
Banned?720×1039 101 KB

He answered; “not really” and gave me this timely piece of advice;

“If the video is not yours, insert the link… using the link option. period”

On that day, I made up my mind not to post anything I did not create myself or wasn’t directly sent to me by the owner and only to share links of posts that come from Connect. Better safe than sorry ??

TIP ON "How to Prevent being banned on Connect

In addition to these rules; “avoid Posting Content that is not yours. That is; ‘anything’ you did not create using your intellect, time, talent, wit, money, influence or whatsoever.”

Google encourages creativity and originality.

I think; all Google is saying is;

if this thing has already being posted to the ‘world wide web’, it has been seen by at least one person who may be the first to see your post and who may be the ‘owner of the content’ and who may feel that his/her rights have been violated by ‘retelling his story’ without his permission". ?

Because the person knows you do not have money, he slams Google with a copyright violation ??

To prevent this scenario from playing out, even though Google knows that your contribution to the community is invaluable, Google needs to let all these kind of things go and in extreme circumstances and as a measure of last resort, to let you go.??

Please kindly read and digest the Guidelines and where in doubt, refer to the helpdesk topics.

All the best.

Cheers to a more Positive-minded and vibrant community… :clinking_glasses: :hugs:

Champage Waterfall at the Piazza of the Grand Ruby Princess
Champage Waterfall at the Piazza of the Grand Ruby Princess417×312 35.4 KB

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@Ewaade_3A As you are able to post here with your account, then you are not banned from Connect.

When we write posts, sometimes, although rarely, the system may accidentally flag a post as “spam” even though it may not be. When that happens, the post will not be accessible publicly, and can be found in our rejected post folder. When that happens, you may want to write a post in “how-to” topic and tag a Google Moderator to help release the post.

A good post to read also will be Why was my Connect post marked as spam?

The below post is with regards to a guide on writing original content and how to give credit for contributions of other people we may choose to share (with permission)

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Help-Desk/How-do-I-follow-the-original-content-guidelines-on-Connect/ba-p/1213174

Hope this helps.

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Thank you very much @StephenAbraham

I will be sure to peruse the links you have shared.

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Nice post @Ewaade_3A , but please edit your title, to avoid any misunderstanding :wink:

You are touching one interesting point: copyright, and the use of copyrighted material.

I want to offer you a couple of different views:

  • Times ago, a friend of mine took a photo of an event. He posted the photo on his social media. The next year, walking on the street, he saw his photo used on a promotional poster for the same event. Nobody asked for the permission, nor he was mentioned as the author. What I want to say is: it is very common for many to say: “it is publicly available on internet, so it is free”, but if you think about a content produced by you, it will be easy to understand why you need to protect copyright.
  • According to the copyright protection law, the responsibility of the copyright violation is the owner of the platform, not the one who posted the photo. Think about what you will do, if you are the the owner. Personally, I will remove the content, to avoid any legal issue. Don’t you?

This said, I don’t think that a single, unconscious violation, will end in a suspension. BTW, I have seen Local Guides doing this several times, in connect and in Maps, even after being warned. In this case, the removal from the program is for me the logical consequences.

This said, thank you for warning the Community about the respect of the copyright rules

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@ErmesT Quick question - are we allowed to use gif from Giphy.com? I confess I did use it a couple of times. Thank you!

The advice I found is for fair use and none commercial.

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I believe a Google Moderator, like @Ivi_Ge , can give you a more detailed answers, @OliverKIWI

Our reference about copyright is: How do I follow the original content guidelines on Connect?

Where you can read: Do not download and post photos from Google Search, Google Maps, social media, stock photo websites, or elsewhere on the internet without receiving permission from the owner of that photo

Some place offer products (photo and gif) for free, but make sure about the license, because normally I mention is required by them

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Thank you @ErmesT ! @Ivi_Ge

All the photos I posted are taken by me. I did spot a few times people used other’s photos which is not good. If I need to take down the gifs, please let me know.

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Waiting for a reply to your question, I want to add a note , @OliverKIWI , @Ewaade_3A

Several questions about our contribution in Connect, and mostly in Google Maps, can be self answered if we reverse the point of view, from user to author, in the case of this post, or from author to user, in case of a contribution in Google Maps.

That’s why I wanted to write a post for a meditation about the subject: Local Guides in The Mirror - How useful are our contributions?

I really believe that to “enter on the shoes of another” can help. What do you think?

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Beautiful writeup @Ewaade_3A

Please do follow connect policies in other to evade ban.

Nevertheless, I will like to share and may be you should visit Your guide to Connect to get yourself familiarized with this beautiful platform.

Best regards.

Austin.

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@ErmesT as ‘big’ as my head is, I have been searching for a title, please can you help me? What should I call it?:face_with_hand_over_mouth:

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Thank you so much @ErmesT

Can you imagine that those people used your friend’s photo?! and for a commercial event? that is so wrong!

Thank you so much for the way you take time out to teach me, I feel like; “more than correcting me, you want to bring me up to your status and install your knowledge base in me! I love it!”

I will read through comments and bring questions for you.

your appreciation is received with gratitude. Thank you.

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@Austinelewex

Thanks I have ‘dusted’ all the topics concerning this already.

I appreciate

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What is important for me is tho make it clear that you don’t think to be banned, @Ewaade_3A , because some fast reader, just referring to your title, can give you a wrong answer.

You can just add something to your title, like “What if…” or, “a meditation about …”

This is just my opinion of course, may be it can be funny to see who really read your post :wink:

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As long as I know you will read @ErmesT

I am thinking that it will help others who are looking for answers for the same issue.

Some people may not type in the search bar; “Original Content policy” or "Copyright " but they will surely check for “spam and ban”

I want to change the heading, too