HostSearch.com has received a number of queries about the use of its artwork on third party websites. In a bid to avoid further confusion, the Internet’s leading web hosting directory has issued a clarification of its usage policy, and how exactly those hosts utilizing HostSearch.com artwork should add it to their sites.
HostSearch.com provides the largest database of information about web hosts currently available. The site’s pages contain details of global web hosting companies and their plans and packages, Visitors are encouraged to ‘vote’ for a host they may have experience of, a vote being the provision of a numerical value they think appropriate for the level of service they received. Visitors are also encouraged to add any pertinent comments they feel necessary.
HostSearch members are generally keen to have their customers visit their section and vote for them. As a service to members, HostSearch provides artwork they can use to encourage their customers to vote for them. “Most HostSearch.com artwork seen on third party websites is the ‘VOTE FOR US’ button,” explained John Hughes, HostSearch.com’s Web Editor. “This button is provided embedded in code available through members’ control panels. The image is drawn from the HostSearch.com server and automatically becomes a link to a host’s section on HostSearch. We do not allow members to actually have a copy of this artwork as an image their sites.”
Wording on the ‘VOTE FOR US’ button is ‘We’re rated at HostSearch’ and unless the button is used appropriately its meaning can be misinterpreted. “In most instances the button is properly linked to HostSearch in which case it is clear what the button is for,” added Mr. Hughes. Obviously, if a host is receiving bad reviews and ratings go down, this could be considered bad publicity and when it happens hosts often remove the button. Some hosts though actually copy the button and add it to their websites without linking to HostSearch. In such instances, the button can look like some form of reward. This sort of usage is misleading, and entirely against our policy. The button is intended to give visitors access to a host’s current rating – be it good or bad. It is not intended to convey any form of endorsement on our behalf.”
“Unfortunately we have had a few problems with this issue,” continued Mr. Hughes. “We currently have a situation where the management of one host asked to have all of its reviews removed but has continued to display our artwork. We have had queries as to why we are giving awards to some hosts and not others, and of course, we aren’t doing that at all.”
Recognizing HostSearch.com’s broad reaching influence within the web hosting industry, and its influence on the web hosting buying public, Mr. Hughes wished to make HostSearch.com’s policy absolutely clear. “Any web host who is using our ‘VOTE FOR US’ button without linking to the appropriate section of HostSearch where visitors can see their current rating is doing so inappropriately. We ask anyone using our artwork in such a fashion to either add the appropriate link, or remove the artwork from their website.”
