Forum Topics On Google Options

[LoveThem]

We sign in here and I just assume a forum was private especially one like this where people talk about a lot of pain and grieving. Can you tell me how this gets on Google for anyone to see? I have been on the Internet for many years and normally don't get involved personally cause there are questionable people out there. I really don't want others outside the forum reading private thoughts.

I told Joanne in the Pet Loss Section...Rassy & Howard page 2 that I was looking to help her get a cat to eat and googled cat "stinky food" Whiskas pouches

and came up with her thread. Now if a sentence recommending these items were posted that would not bother me but it looks like anyone can read about the sadness and pain we go through and our private thoughts regarding our lost ones.

I know Joanne was talking about getting the word out about her "killer vet" and she mentioned Google..which puzzled me.

Can we be private here or is it private unless one wants to link their thread only..to Google. That way I could still help ones that are private.

[Simba's Daddy]

For one thing you should never post anything on a public forum that you would not want the general public to view. There is the private message feature if you want to talk to exchange messages in private.

This site needs to be be indexed in Google. That is how myself and many others here found this site which has helped us all so much. I found a thread in Google about someone else losing their cat and was going through grief like I was. I then realized I was not alone, joined this forum, and now a regular here.

Google spiders sites and indexes sites on their search engine to bring up in the results people search for. That is how the internet pretty much works. A site can block the search engine bots and not be indexed in Google but that would not be a good idea at all.

So really, if you do not want your posts being seen by the public then you should really not post them since this is not a private forum (nor should it be). I suggest using the PMing feature if you want to send someone a private message.

[LS Support]

nothing to add here, that was well said. apologies to LoveThem, as well.

i strive to publicize the site as much as i can on the search sites (search engine indexing is part of my profession actually). websites/forums like this rely on indexing in order to help as many people as possible who need our help.

[LoveThem]

Reply to Simba's Daddy who said not to post what I want private and send a private message instead. Sorry but my dead cat can't read and answer a private message so following your advice I will not write to him when I am sad.

It is not that I mind other animal lovers reading things. I have a problem with animal haters whose advice is things like "Kill them", etc. Those are the people I do not want to share my grief with. (They would probably just lecture me....)

I didn't think of this as so public because to participate one has to be okayed by the administrator and given a message okaying to join in. That sounded somewhat private to me. I never joined one before; now I am learning my hesitation was apparently trying to warn me that maybe things should not be taken a face value. I always trusted too much and forgot the idea is to trust no one and nothing.
At least I now know. I apologize to anyone that I gave advice that may have been too personal cause I thought it would help them.

Thanks, Simba's Daddy for setting me straight! Thanks, LS for your words.

[Simba's Daddy]

Thanks, Simba's Daddy for setting me straight!

No problem, glad I can help

[LS Support]

It is not that I mind other animal lovers reading things. I have a problem with animal haters whose advice is things like "Kill them", etc. Those are the people I do not want to share my grief with. (They would probably just lecture me....)

if it is of any consolation, people like who you mention above would be banned in a new york minute. not trying to sound superior, but i have complete control over content and who can post here. it is my forum, and i will not let anyone come in here and insult, belittle, or harass other members. some butheds do slip through, of course. it is after all the internet. but, with the help of my moderators, we catch them quick, erase their posts, and ban them for life. typically, when i am not on business travel, i check the board more times each day than i care to admit

i've had some issues here with 'trolls' in the past, but not in the last couple of years (knock on wood). i also have the forums completely locked up and must manually approve each signup. so far my intuition record over the past couple of years has been pretty good...ive only let one or two spammers or misfits in here, and they promptly get the broom. after running this site for nearly 12 years, my skin is pretty thick

rest assured my friends, googling posts here is not anything to worry about. it is how others are drawn to your support. if you ever see anything amiss, please private message me or email me at supportATlightning-strike.com and i will deal with it objectively and swiftly.

[LoveThem]

LS Support: I do appreciate your last message. I'm glad you posted your thoughts there. I have found out I am not the only one here that didn't realize how public this all could be. I have read threads on other forums that do limit some reading and then say to do more you have to register. I don't know if limiting is possible but maybe it could be considered..I'm not sure how. PMs are the answer for some items but I do encourage others to also keep their threads going so people who do care and are checking on them to offer encouragement can still do so....only just be aware what you say is public not private and don't say it if it makes one feel uncomfortable to do so.