Are Sponsored Themes Blog Suicide?
August 22nd 2007
Photo by -LeeB- If my theme is sponsored, will I get banned from Google?
In short, no. However, it is entirely possible that other aspects of the theme will get you banned, and even more worryingly for some is that non-sponsored themes can get you banned just as easily.
The fact that a theme is sponsored is rarely important, and should not be allowed to put you off sponsored themes altogether. The possible dangers of downloaded themes are not a myth however. They are very real, and malicious theme owners can do any number of things which could Google will begrudge you.
A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing
Most bloggers will know that when judging how to rank a site, search engines, like Google, look at links in particular. Many bloggers also know that they don't judge your site only on the links coming in to it, but on the links going out from it. This is what has caused the commotion about sponsored themes.
The danger of the "Sponsored by..." link depends entirely on the sponsor's website. Before you use the theme, take a look at the sponsor's site. If you find it promoting the usual spam items, gambling, or any other shady online practice, then do not use the theme. This is the time when sponsored themes are bad to use.
However, if you find that the sponsor is a respectable website, selling IT consultancy or such, then the theme is fine to use. The link may not be directly related to your blog's topic, but chances are that the links to Wordpress.org and the designer's website aren't linked to your topic either. This is the time when sponsored themes are fine to use.
The Sponsored Stigma
Sponsored themes have earned themselves a negative stigma, and there is a good reason for this. A number of theme owners have engaged in immoral practices lately, hiding different codes and links from the unsuspecting user. Codes and links that could compromise security, or sink your search engine rankings. Many of these theme owners also sold sponsorship positions on their themes, which is what tarnished the name of all sponsored theme developers.
The important thing to remember is to constantly be open-minded. Do not fear all sponsored themes, but at the same time, do not trust them blindly either. No matter whether the theme is sponsored or not, the author could have hidden malicious code in the files, and tomorrow I will post about how to test for such codes.
What is your take on sponsored themes? Immoral or not? And for those who have read the hype already, do you think it was right for the official Wordpress theme directory to remove all sponsored themes? (I'll post my answer in the comments as well, once I hear what you think.)
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August 22nd at 10:31 pm GMT
Comment #1
I assumed that people always remove the sponsored links after downloading the themes since it is hard to track down people removing them.
August 22nd at 10:54 pm GMT
Comment #2
You're probably right about a good number of people doing that (One of the sites I linked to actually suggested that users be legally allowed to remove the links if they want.
)
On the other hand, I think a lot of bloggers would leave the links in due to the threat of legal action if you're caught. Legal costs/hassle would be too much for most bloggers, so a lot of us will do whatever is necessary to avoid any such problems.
August 22nd at 11:14 pm GMT
Comment #3
I don't really see much of a legal threat though. The normal first action legally would be a cease and desist. The blogger would get it and either change themes or add the silly link back and there probably wouldn't be any legal costs/hassle to worry about.
I see this too often, but I guess some people still have high ethics
August 22nd at 11:27 pm GMT
Comment #4
You're right. Most of the theme owners would stop at a C&D, but they wouldn't be forced to. Just because the infringement has been removed, doesn't mean that it was never there, and they could prosecute for that if they wished.
I agree entirely that the chances of that happening are miniscule at best, but for the paranoid blogger like me, any chance is too big a chance. It's nice to play things on the safe side.
August 23rd at 4:28 am GMT
Comment #5
I would be interested to find out from you how to detect malicious codes in the design of a theme. For non-IT fellas like me, it's totally fascinating and mind-numbing to learn about it.
Actually, I have no qualms using sponsored themes provided it gives me a good first impression and works fine.
August 23rd at 11:14 am GMT
Comment #6
Made some changes to my blog's sidebar - More expandable content... Take a look!
August 23rd at 12:58 pm GMT
Comment #7
To be honest I don't really know what you mean by sponsored themes. Obviously I haven't heard the hype. However, in terms of using themes that other people have made, I would't use a theme that has superfluous (and possibley malitious) coding and I wouldn't remove a link that gives credit to the person who designed it.
I support open source and sharing of produce, I also support giving credit where it's due. So, links back to people are important, optional donations are important.
If you pay for a theme on which the conditions were not to remove the link then I guess you should accept that before you pay for it, but I also think if people are paying money, it's not unreasonable to think they should have unrestricted usage of that material.
I used a theme from template world today that I think is sweet. Does that count as sponsored? I've been right through the template customising it for the site we needed and it's only got the link back to their site in the footer, which I think is well deserved.
I'm not sure what Nuts&Milk's comment has to do with this post, but he does indeed have epandable sidebars and I'd be interested to know how they're done.
August 23rd at 12:59 pm GMT
Comment #8
p.s. Sorry for such a long comment!
August 23rd at 12:59 pm GMT
Comment #9
pablopabla - I have a post which will be ready in about an hour or so, which lists some of what I think are the best ways to safely choose a theme. I think it's the sort of thing you'll like.
(And me neither - If the owner wants to put in another link, that's fine. So long as I still have a nice theme to use on my blog... xD )
N&M - Looks good! Have you thought about adding a title to that list?
(Just "Categories")
August 23rd at 1:06 pm GMT
Comment #10
@Michael..
Yes i wanted to.. but was confused
actually i had two things in mind:
1. Use One more non-expandable bar on top and name it something like MAIN MENU
OR
2. Use a cute little web 2.0 style icon that says - 'Click to expand', etc.
what do u suggest?
I'll even switch off adsense on top.. i guess its cluttering the overall sidebar appearance!
August 23rd at 1:07 pm GMT
Comment #11
Kristarella - Sorry, I should have explained that in the post.
A sponsored theme is one where another company is paying for some sort of advertising etc. in the theme. (There are other definitions as well, but I think this is the most common).
I agree entirely that credit links should be left in (PBD links back to Wordpress.
), but sponsored links are ones that have only been put in because someone paid the designer. (Eg. If you look at the Performancing Wordpress Themes, there are always "Produced by..." links in the footer)
I've seen how you take templates, and customise them. Your blog has made the best use of the Copyblogger theme that I've seen. Doing that with themes is perfect. It's the very best use that a theme can be put to I think.
(It's just that not everyone has that ability, and many people have been caught out by theme owners leaving nasty codes in their files... 
)
And lol - Don't be sorry. Be happy! It's always good to read nice discussions.
August 23rd at 1:10 pm GMT
Comment #12
N&M - I wouldn't add any more effects tbh. Use something simple.
For instance, leave a line of space below the Adsense ad (That will help cut the clutter), and then in a pretty normal white font (Or a cute little icon if you can pull it off.
), I would write "Categories." I'd leave the rest as it is.
How would that sound?
August 23rd at 1:21 pm GMT
Comment #13
Thanks michael
will let you know if i come up with something special!
August 23rd at 1:27 pm GMT
Comment #14
Thanks. Lookin' forward to it.
August 23rd at 2:55 pm GMT
Comment #15
Check it out now martin
do you think i should remoce the 'Get Reviewed' logo?
August 23rd at 3:21 pm GMT
Comment #16
Looks great!
And the review logo looks fine.
(Hope you don't end up missing those Google ads too much! xD )
August 23rd at 3:27 pm GMT
Comment #17
hehe nope! I guess i'm better off without adsense right now as it is a new blog and visitor experience is more important. But new layout ideas do keep popping up!
once i start getting traffic i'll soon turn to a 3-column layout! 
Thanks once again!
August 23rd at 4:04 pm GMT
Comment #18
No problem - Good luck with it!
August 24th at 7:55 am GMT
Comment #19
Oh I agree with your Michael. Kristarella did a marvelous designing job with the theme! I love it!
August 24th at 11:43 am GMT
Comment #20
lol - Clearly a guy of good taste pablopabla.
February 8th at 9:42 am GMT
Comment #21
I have been visiting this site a lot lately, so i thought it is a good idea to show my appreciation with a comment.
Thanks,
Jim Mirkalami
February 11th at 6:08 pm GMT
Comment #22
Glad you're enjoying it Jim