Can I Quote Other Sources In My Blog Posts?
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Question: Hi, I’m interested in starting a news blog on fitness and nutrition. I am under the impression that I can cite other sources on my blog as long as I put it into my own words and give them credit for their findings. It this true? What are some other legal rules that I can or cannot do?
Yes, you can quote other sources like blogs or websites or anything else in your blogs posts. In fact, doing so is one of the most popular forms of blog content out there today.
Is it legal? Yes, as long as you’re not copying the content over and repurposing it or reposting it as your own original content. That’s just wrong. The correct way to do it is to grab bits and pieces of content and blockquote it like this.
This is the content from someone else’s blog.
Then, make sure you attribute that content with a link to the blog or website. This is common blog courtesy. It all comes down to courtesy and intent. If you’re intent is to pass someone else’s copy off as your own, you’re in for trouble.
Always attribute and never, ever, duplicate someone else’s content. Not only could you get in hot water from someone’s legal team, but Google will surely have a thing to say about it as well.
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Most sites will actually be happy if you copy down 1-3 sentences as a quote and provide a back link. An alternative will be to summarize a paragraph or two in your own words and provide the source with a link. Not only does it speak well of their content but also provides some traffic.
Some people go as far as copying an entire post and placing a link back to the original site, but that’s pushing it and I wouldn’t recommend as it looks illegal to me.
If you’re doing a fitness/health blog, you may be interested in submitting your blog to medheadlines