My worst insecurity had come true. My blog had gone kaput! My precious baby. My adopted child. Vanished like a puff of smoke in the wind.
To Recap: Google / Blogger uses robots to hunt for SPAMMERS and erroneously identified and shut down my blog for spamming. Really? Google recently acquired Blogger. All my previous posts for the past five years are gone, including all of my pre-posted A to Z blogs.
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| Bad Google! Evil Google!!! |
Unlike awesome Amazon or Yahoo, there are no "CONTACT US" links to Google. When I did come across a link to contact someone from Google, I would only receive a "NO REPLY email telling me my site was shut down for Spamming.
No warning. No recourse. No nothing in the way of help.
I had to scramble to write new posts new posts for A to Z, only to have Google shut me down again and again. They even blocked a couple new gmail email accounts I opened that were necessary to open a new blog. Finally, after five new and blocked blogs, this one stuck. Weird, I know.
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| Yes I Can!!! |
Anyway, that's my story. I have to start over. But like the Six Million Dollar Man, I can rebuild: Better .... Faster .... Stronger. The Phoenix has risen!
So I hope you will return to visit me here. And please update my new URL on your Blog roll. Just copy and paste.
And if you could, hit the FOLLOW Widget on my right side bar. Thanks again!
Get Healthy Blog Hop:
Alex J. Cavanaugh, L. Diane Wolfe, Michael Di Gesu, and myself have teamed up for a Blog Hop that focuses on health. This is an issue with many bloggers who have expressed gaining weight over the holidays and other negative health issues that they are dealing with.
As writers, parents, lovers of a significant other, employees, and volunteers, we find ourselves overwhelmed with daily battles from this, that, and the other thing. And regardless of how fit we were at one time, time has caught up and overwhelmed many of us in the area of health.
Here is a Blog Hop that can help us make 2013 a year that we can help turn the tides!
The Objective: Share with everyone something you have done that affected your health in a positive way. You can share an awesome low cal low fat tasty recipe. Post simple tips to lose weight. Or a testimony on what has helped like joining Weight Watchers. Recommend a routine like P90X or Insanity. Or stretches one can do while sitting in their office chair working or writing. I'm sure people have countless great tips and ideas they would love to share.
Well, that's it for now. It feels great to be back. And remember, please update your Blog Rolls with this URL. And Please hit the FOLLOW Widget too. And visit Mr. Linky below. Thanks again! You're all awesome!
It must have been a nightmare, I had a lot of trouble, I did start a new blog only to have it gone after a few days, funnily this one has also stayed.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your new blog.
Yvonne.
Oh no!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightmare but thanks for the heads up. I'll save all my work in Word on my PC as well. I'd hate to lose everything as you have done.
What's scary is that could happen to anyone. Always back up your blog on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteBut you are back! And here's hoping this one will stick.
Wow, I can't believe that happened to you! Was it because you're such a prolific writer? Note to self: back up blog...
ReplyDeleteI had both of my blogs shut down for two hours once and went into total panic mode. I did finally find a way to communicate with someone (sorry, I don't remember where) and found out it was a glitch due to the fact I'd just linked my Google+ and Blogger profiles. The blogs came back and I immediately disconnected the two profiles. And backed up both blogs!
ReplyDeleteI'm signed up for the hop. :) That's just awful about Google shutting you down with no explanation on what exactly marked you as a spammer. Even worse is that they have no customer service. I found that out when I had a problem at work. Boo!
ReplyDeleteI too signed for the hop. Also clicked the followers widget, didn't realise I hadn't done so. This Google/blogger thing is a pain. They did something similar to me about Adsense, just lopped me off the list for no apparent reason and there is basically no court of appeal.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you made it back, so glad you did.
JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Wow! I didn't realize that you had to try five times to get things fixed. That's tough. You rose to the challenge though - you are a Champion! a Phoenix! Good job!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'm signed up for that blog hop.
I'm now a follower--again! What a nightmare. There may be a way for you to get old posts--I heard about something like this. I'll let you know if I find what it is. Do you back up your blog periodically?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this one. You certainly don't deserve the hassles.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
I think you did a fabulous job getting a new blog up and running so fast. I would've been devastated if my blog was suddenly gone - especially if I wasn't actually a spammer and even more so when there was no recourse. I can't believe Google doesn't have some way to contact them in the case of such a mistake. Not good business imo.
ReplyDeleteWow Stephen I'm impressed how you managed to continue and find your way. I am sad n' sorry how much you lost-your post have shared dazzlingly brilliance!
ReplyDeleteYou should win an award-I'm serious~
Congrats on getting through it all and coming up with this bloghop idea with Michael, L.Diane and Alex!
It is a wonderful idea :D
Hi Stephen .. the Blogger problem is a right pain - and I'm so pleased you worked your way round and came back up and running again ..
ReplyDeleteA lesson to us all .. it just seems incredible there's no recourse ... Cheers Hilary
The bloghop sounds fun! Ill come back and sign up!!!
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to what you've gone through, since my old Angelfire site was taken away from me and I had to scramble to recover as many files as possible while they were still cached. Some have been lost forever, and all thanks to some mentally unhinged woman and her sycophantic friends.
ReplyDeleteWow, that stinks. I had no idea that could happen. Good for you for trying again and again until you made it work.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for stopping by and saying hello! Its great to be back up and running again!
ReplyDelete*gives Google the stink eye* I can't BELIEVE that happened! What a nightmare. Nicki Elson sent me over and I wish you much success rebuilding your followers. You have shown great persistence--a necessary trait for successful writers.
ReplyDeleteI've joined your blog hop and love the idea!
That's a real nightmare but I am glad this stayed and you were able to fix the problem before the challenge (and somehow managed to work your posts again) That's awesome of you!
ReplyDeleteThat's horrible!!! And I can't believe how many attempts you had to do to get one to stick.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I had heard about that Stephen and think it's just criminal. All that work gone, but I'm glad you've decided to rebuild (you have the technology!) and give it another go.
ReplyDeleteKeep at it and looking forward to more great posts from you.
Man, sorry to hear about the blog woes. Google is evil. Ever read "Is Google Making us Stupid?" Great article. I'm in on the health hop!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to have you back. I did the Follow thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks all foe signing up for the Get Healthy Blog Hop! This will be fun and healthy!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't going to do this and then I realized it's on a Wednesday and that's my day for "Ask Arlee". People don't usually ask me about health tips but they will on that day.
ReplyDeleteYou people and your stupid blogfests! Please stop tempting me. It's like junk food and candy for me. Can I have a glass of chocolate milk please?
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
I would be so heart broken if that happened to me. I thought I had found you a few times but then I could tell it wasn't the right place.
ReplyDeleteNext blog sounds fun and healthy.
So glad you're back. Sorry you had to go through so much trouble too. Sounds like a nightmare! I'm glad you finally woke up from it. Happy to follow your blog again:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightmare to go through Stephen. I remember my panic when I was taken off for a day when a hacker took over my site. I was able to get back on air in short order. Sounds like the rules or something have changed. I'm surprised you didn't decide to go with another host. All the best!
ReplyDeleteI thought of using WordPress but I'm so familiar with Blogger. We'll see. I'm feeling good about this site. But WordPress does offer much freedom. But at a cost that has to be paid upfront for one to three years at a time.
ReplyDeleteI kept looking for the new blog. Man, that was so not cool. I hope your blog troubles are over now. This site looks awesome, all clean and shiny new :)
ReplyDelete.....dhole
It must have been a nightmare, Stephen. Whenever I tried to comment on your blog through my dashboard, it showed me that this blog does not exist. Will have to re-follow you so that I can see your posts in my dashboard.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary to think that in a blink of an eye the powers the be can wipe out years of hard work. Glad you got a blog to stick!
ReplyDeleteSuch a BUMMER Stephen... So sorry to hear about this. It is ALL OUR WORST NIGHTMARES...
ReplyDeleteI admire that you managed the Challenge and SURVIVED! CONGRATS!!!!
ALL READY for the Hop.... SO far so good. We definitely have a good start with SIXTY people already signed up.
Have a great weekend.
All that matters, is that you're back! Phewf! I'll spread the good news and your new links.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to all who are helping spread the good word by posting link backs here. Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThis is outrageous. I'm so angry on your behalf. My blog was shut down once, and I couldn't gain access until I gave Google my phone number (something I was loathe to do). But then I got the blog back. I think they could shut any of us down for "spamming" since the whole stupid site is obviously run by a computer that can't be reasoned with. I've resisted joining Google+, but I feel like a new shut-down and blackmail to force me to join that can't be too far away.
ReplyDeleteI've followed and put your new addy in my blog roll. I'm crossing my fingers you have no more problems.
It really makes you realise how vulnerable we are. It's strange how the real spammers seem to flourish though, isn't it? Fingers crossed this blog will remain safe.
ReplyDeleteSuch a bummer. Cheers to this new blog!!
ReplyDeleteThat's ridiculous! In an attempt to get the spammers, who seem to be everywhere anyway, they run over people like you who've done nothing wrong. That's what happens when the robots rule the internet! Hopefully you don't have to go through this again!
ReplyDeleteYIKES! I didn't know that was possible or anything about backing up your blog. Thanks for sharing. Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteLesson learned. Back up your posts with whatever works for you. I lost five years worth of posts.
ReplyDeleteBut don't feel sorry for me. I love starting over from the ashes. I am a Phoenix. I can be rebuilt and arise again. Look out world. Here I come!
oh yikes!! That's awful!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI always write my posts in Word first so I guess they can be used as a back up if my blog ever fails. I probably should be doing a proper backup though.
Gosh, not only is that a nightmarish story, but what a HUGE pain in the butt! I had an email issue (hacked) through Gmail two years ago, which ultimately affected my blog. Google shut it down for 3 weeks. Daily, I sent "reports" through their help center, begging them to reinstate my blog. I never got a reply, but one day, it just reappeared, totally intact. Now I do a two-step verification thing with my phone to log into Gmail / blog. So far, so good. So glad you finally got it wrapped up and sorry for the loss of all your old posts.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're back on Blogger and looking good!
ReplyDeleteYou've built up an amazing following through hard work and perseverance. Hopefully, you can regain your lost blog as well!
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
It's the fear of this which propelled me to move from free to paid blogging. I moved from Blogger to wordpress.org last year and feel much safer. My new server stores the backup of my blog too, so if I do lose it for any reason, I just restore it and all is well. What a mare you've experienced. So sorry about that, but don't you fear it happening again with another Blogger blog? You could be in the same position again in a few months. Such a shame when you clearly work so hard at your blog.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with this new blog. Pesky Google! It's like how Amazon just removes reviews for no good reason, just in case they're dodgy. Ridiculous!?
Shah. X
http://shahwharton.com
I had just realized you disappeared from my blog roll. Then I saw your comment on someone elses blog and came here. I had your new and old address on my roll but the new disappeared. I'll try it again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightmare for you. Glad I found you again.
Now I'm busy getting the good word out and rebuilding my following. Thanks again for updating your blog rolls with my new blog URL.
ReplyDeleteHi, Stephen,
ReplyDeleteGlad this one has stuck. I keep meaning to back up my blog posts, but haven't. Need to get to that soon.
That's a bad experience - losing all that previous writing. Did you have any backups of the writing? Sheesh. I wonder how they judge that a blog is spamming? From reports or checking mail output? It's scary if it's random. . .
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with the survivor Blog!
Oh that sounds HORRIBLE! I'm so sorry. But I like your design!!
ReplyDeleteIts a real pain, I think I better back up my blog as I type. The blog hop sounds good, I think I will join in and get the kick I needed to be a bit more healthy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightmare! It's horrible how changes are made without notice and stuff's done and we have no way to voice a complaint. Anyway, I re-upped! (I'd signed up for the blog hop earlier. Umm, am I still there?)
ReplyDelete