Google announced that by March 23, 2015, users of its blogging service, called Blogger, can no longer publicly share sexually explicit content and graphic nudity. Google is not banning the said content outright, but it can no longer be shared or viewed by others unless the search giant deems “the content offers a substantial public benefit, for example in artistic, educational, documentary, or scientific contexts.”
Furthermore, Google advised Blogger users that if they want their blogs to be publicly viewed, they must remove sexually explicit material before the specified deadline. If bloggers are not happy with this new policy, they can export the content of their blog via Google Takeout or XML.
Google has yet to clarify why it suddenly changed its Blogger policy, whether it’s a result of a newfound moral compass or if it has something to do with making its services more kid friendly (check out its new kid-friendly YouTube app).
Aside from sexually explicit content, there are other things that are not allowed on Blogger that many people are not aware of. If you are thinking of using Blogger, be sure you know what content is allowed and what can get you booted off the service.
Blogger Content Policy
According to the Blogger Content Policy, users of the service are free to use it for self-expression and freedom of speech, but it does have some boundaries regarding the type of content that can be hosted on it. Though some may see these boundaries as a form of curtailing freedom of speech, Blogger explains that they must comply with legal requirements and they want to enhance the service as a whole.
Boundaries
Adult Content: This includes sexually explicit content or graphic nudity, as well was content that drives traffic to commercial porn sites. If the blog post has non-sexually explicit content but is adult in nature, Blogger advises that the blog post be marked as “adult” in the setting. Posts marked as “adult” will be placed behind an “adult content” warning.
Child Safety: These posts include child sexual abuse imagery and pedophilia. Blogger accounts that distribute images of child sexual abuse and encourage or promote sexual attraction toward children will be terminated.
Hate Speech: Though Bloggers promotes freedom of expression, it does not support content that promotes violence against individuals or groups based on ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, nationality, veteran status, or sexual orientation/gender identity.
Crude Content: Posting of graphic images, such as dismembered body parts without an explanation, context or commentary, is not allowed.
Violence: The use of Blogger to threaten other people is not allowed, as it could encourage other people to enact your threats to a person or group of people your comments pertain to.
Harassment: Online harassment is illegal in many places, and it could lead to serious offline consequences for anyone who posts content on Blogger that aims to harass or bully other people. Also, it could lead to the removal of the said post or the user may be permanently blocked from using the service.
Copyright: If you are posting content you found on another site, make sure that you give due credit to the original author or creator of the content and not claim it as your own. Also, posting links to sites where people can illegally download copyrighted content is prohibited on Blogger.
Personal and Confidential Information: If you wish to post your home address, complete name, Social Security Number on Blogger, no one is stopping you, but you cannot do the same for anyone else’s personal information. But if the information is available elsewhere on the Internet or in public records, Blogger does not consider it as private information.
Impersonating Others: Pretending you’re someone else or pretending to be a part of an organization when you are not for the purpose of misleading your readers is not allowed on Blogger.
Illegal Activities: You are not allowed to post content that promotes illegal activities, such as drinking and driving, promote illegal drugs, and other illegal or harmful activities. This could lead to the deletion of the content and even being reported to the proper authorities.
Regulated Goods and Services: Blogger is not an online marketplace where you sell or facilitate the sale of regulated goods and services, such as pharmaceuticals, alcohol, gambling, unapproved supplements, tobacco, fireworks, weapons and even medical devices.
Spam: Blogs that are designed to create traffic to your site or help move your site up search listings are not allowed on Blogger, as this is a form of spam. Spam also includes using content from other sources to drive traffic to your post and generate revenue.
Malware and Viruses: Blogs that transmit viruses and malware to its visitors are not allowed on Blogger. This also includes posts that open pop-ups, install software without the reader’s consent and deliver malicious codes to visitors.
Report Blogger violators
If you come across blog posts on Blogger that violates any of the above-mentioned policies, Blogger encourage you to report the said blog post. Readers can do this by using the “Report Abuse” link located at the top of each blog under “More,” or click here.
Flagged blog posts are reviewed by the Blogger team, and if no violation is found, the content will not be taken down. If a blog post does violate its policy, Blogger can take one or more actions depending on the severity of the violation.
Actions include putting the blog behind an “adult content” interstitial; putting the blog behind an interstitial where only the blog author can access the content; deleting the offending content, blog post or blog; disabling the author’s access to his/her Blogger account; disabling the author’s access to his/her Google account; or reporting the user to law enforcement.