Blogging offers a platform for expressing your unique opinions and perspectives. While most opinions won’t stir up much controversy, one area where you can land in trouble is by using other people’s work without permission. It’s tempting to borrow a great idea, but it’s important to do so ethically. As Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Here’s how to repurpose others’ content responsibly, contributing to the conversation rather than merely copying.
Your Point of View
Your unique perspective is what makes your blog stand out. Readers return for your fresh take on topics, so use your voice to add value rather than repeating what’s already been said.
Continue the Conversation, Don’t Repeat It
When you find a post that does a great job covering a topic, link back to it instead of rehashing the same content. This applies to articles, tweets, comments and discussions happening elsewhere on the web. Citing the original post shows respect for the creator and helps build a stronger blogging community.
Aggregate the Best of the Best
Instead of writing an entire blog post focused on one excellent tutorial you found, consider creating a collection of the best tutorials or resources. If you do highlight one specific tutorial, be sure to link back to the original source and give proper credit.
How to Properly Cite Other People’s Work on Your Blog
Blogs
Always provide a link back to the original blog post. Most blogging platforms, like WordPress, will automatically generate a “pingback,” notifying the original author and linking their content to your post.
Social Media
Social media platforms make it easy to share and credit original content. For example, on X (formerly Twitter), you can embed tweets directly into your post. For comments or posts on platforms like Facebook, click the timestamp to get a direct link.
Images
If you’re not sure whether you can use an image, it’s safer to assume it’s copyrighted and avoid using it without permission. Stick to using your own images or those with a Creative Commons license. Learn more about finding usable images with resources like Creative Commons Search.
Still Not Sure How to Curate Other People’s Content?
If you’re unsure about how to curate or share others’ content ethically, follow these simple rules:
- If you didn’t create it, link back to the original source.
- It’s always safer to link to content than to copy it.
Beyond avoiding plagiarism, consider following a set of ethical guidelines, like those adapted from the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, to ensure your blog maintains credibility and trust.
Conclusion
In most cases, you don’t need to worry too much about using others’ content on your blog as long as you’re respectful and give proper credit. If you accidentally overstep, the original source will likely reach out. Many creators appreciate when their content is shared with attribution—this collaborative spirit is what makes the web such a powerful resource for knowledge and creativity.