Tips on Avoiding Blogging Bad Blood

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Blogging is all about building relationships, connecting with others, and sharing ideas. Throughout this whole process, however, it’s not uncommon for bloggers to stubbornly disagree, insult others, and create a blogging catastrophe with tempers flared and feelings hurt.

Take Matt Cutts for example – the head of the Google Spam team. Last week he threatened to lash out on Aaron Wall, a prominent SEO who has recently been expressing and spreading his anti-Google sentiment. Matt took a poll of his readers’ opinions on whether or not he should publicly feud with Aaron and what he’s been doing. Things even got personal as Matt stated that he “did some extra work to help Aaron last year.”

Fortunately, Matt decided against taking any action, but it was still a very tense situation that could have easily led to a lot of bad blood. It almost reminded me of those Western films where 2 cowboys are faced off in a duel, slowly walking around each other in circles and ready to draw their guns and fire.

I admit that watching this sort of battle would have been entertaining, maybe even enlightening, but in the end it isn’t good for Google and it isn’t good for SEO. I’m going to offer some tips on avoiding blogging bad blood. Feel free to add to the list below.

How to avoid blogging bad blood

• Never single anyone out with your negative thoughts
  If you have a negative view about a certain company, concept, or ideal, refrain from singling anyone out and transposing or blaming an individual for all of the problems. This is unrealistic and can really cause an unnecessary commotion. Believe it or not, Matt Cutts is not responsible for all of the “evil” that comes from Google.
• Don’t get personal
  Similar to the tip above, don’t bring personal matters into the public blogosphere. If someone told you something in private, don’t bring it up against someone for everyone to see. That’s just plain wrong and shouldn’t be done.
• Don’t take it personally
  If someone is expressing their honest opinions and views, don’t take it personally. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and values. Although it’s easy to be offended if someone disagrees, it’s important to realize that in most situations, they are against your idea and not necessarily against you as a person.
• Keep an open mind
  If you want to avoid bad blood, keep an open mind. Be open to new ideas and be open to constructive criticism that others may give you. Don’t insult others or be stubborn in your own beliefs. At least give others the opportunity to share what they have to say.

So that’s a short list to avoid bad blood in blogging. Can you think of any others?