What is (or should be) the etiquette for image use with blog memes?
I’m talking about the sort of weekly memes (features) that encourage other bloggers to participate and share their links—like the Sunday Post, Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday, and the like.
Up until now, I have always used the logo or image created by the host blogger. But recently I’ve noticed that some bloggers have personalized their meme images even when they’re participating in someone else’s meme. And it got me wondering: Is that OK? Or is it rude or unfair to the host blogger? I honestly don’t know.
Some bloggers come up with their own logo or image because they’re linking to several blog memes at once. The Sunday Post, The Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, and It’s Monday! What Are You Reading are just a few of the weekly wrap-up memes in the book-blogging world. I know and follow bloggers who link to two or three of those memes from their weekend wrap-up post every week. For them, it probably makes sense to design their own logo rather than try to put two or three images at once at the top of their post (though I’ve seen other bloggers do that that, too.)
But what if you’re only linking to a single meme? For instance, Top Ten Tuesday is the only “top ten list” meme in the book-blogosphere, or at least I’ve never come across a similar meme. Some bloggers, including me, use the current Top Ten Tuesday logo. Others use one they’ve made up to fit their blog design. OK? Not OK?
So I’m asking: What do you think?
If you host a meme, how do you feel if other bloggers participate in the meme but use their own image? If you’re a blogger who participates in memes hosted by other bloggers, do you use the meme’s logo or your own image, and why?
I think we can all agree that you should always credit the meme host and link to them if you’re participating in their meme. That’s just basic blogging courtesy. But what’s fair and courteous when it comes to the meme logo?
I’m not sure.
Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
I have a personalized one for Waiting on Wednesday, back in the day I didn’t know diddly about blogging so I thought I had to make my own up (I’d seen some folks do that already) and I always link it back to Jill at Breaking the Spine. I just wanted to personalize it to be a bit different I suppose.
Toady
One of these memes is actually using an image which was taken, I’m sure not intentionally, and now that pic is floating around the blogosphere with the watermark still on the image. In that case I don’t think there is a choice to do anything but make ones own.
I think that it’s nice to use the image where one can. It creates unity and recognition for the host. I think that the most important thing is to give the host credit, even on the new image, and a link back.
There have been times when I have already been doing the feature when when the meme officially comes along, so I continue to use the image that I have always used, and give the host credit and a link.
I hope that this community is as laid back and forgiving as I believe it is, and I am safe in saying that you should do what you want and give credit as you would do anyway.
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Lola
I only participate in two memes at the moment and I always think it’s nice to use their picture. Then again I wouldn’t be able to design my own image, but even if I could I think I would go with the standard meme image. Ofcourse I also link to the meme, but I think using their picture is another way of having it look similar and easily recognizable. On the other hand I can also see why people like to design their own image to have it consistent with their branding. So I think both options are good.
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kimbacaffeinate
Since I host a meme, The Sunday Post, I feel somewhat qualified to answer this. I see nothing wrong with creating your own button/image header for your post. While I prefer they keep the name, I also realize a lot of folks link up to more than just the SP and therefore name their’s Weekly updates, etc. The important thing is to link to the hosts in a clear way preferably at the top of the post with an actual link.
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anna @ herding cats & burning soup
As long as a “hosted by” is included I think it’s fine. I make up ones for the ones I joined in on because I like a certain look on my blog and some of the graphics are just iffy. I don’t care if someone uses a different graphic for ones I host as long as they don’t act like they came up with the meme. Include a hosted by and a little link to the original post/recap of the meme and we’re good to go.
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Stormi Johnson
I don’t see a problem with making it match your blog as long as you still have a hosted by either on the image or in a sentence below the button like I do on my Week In Review.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I used to use the meme button before, but since I changed my blog around a bit, and paid someone to unify it, I use my own. Even on the meme button, though, I have written ‘hosted by’ so that it is clear that the meme is not my invention (apart from the one that ismine). One of the reasons is just so I can have everything in my own color scheme – I think that’s much nicer than having all different ones 🙂
I also link to the bloggers who are the official hosts at the top of my post, because they are the ones who came up with the idea, and other bloggers should be able to find them easily if they want to participate as well.
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Jan @ Notes from a Readerholic
I think the most important thing is to link back to the original meme and give credit to them. I use the original images from the meme except for Top Ten Tuesday. I created my own a year ago when I was in the mood for different images on my blog all the time! I have to admit I didn’t think about whether it was alright to do so. Now I’m wondering whether I should rethink that! Good post, Lark.
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A Voracious Reader
I personalized my Sunday Post but have Kim’s info and link back to her blog. I wanted something that fit in with my new blog look. I don’t see anything wrong with making it fit in with your blog as long as credit is given and a link provided. I did incorporate Kim’s image into my own so it would be easier to identify as her meme.
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Rita @ View From My Books
I only participate in 2 or 3 of weekly memes/features anymore, but I always use their own logo nowadays, though with “It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?” I changed the color from purple to orange to fit in better on my blog (and I know Kathryn wouldn’t mind).
I have my own blog logo I used in addition to the 2 weekend ones I link to, but lately I’m not bothering so much. I think if you link back in a clear location to the original meme it’s okay, but if you change the logo completely, maybe it’s nice form to ask the host if it’s cool to do. Just my take.
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Wendy @ Falconer's Library
Another vote for personalizing if it helps your blog look nice, but ALWAYS naming and linking to the originator of the meme. I have some that I use as is, and some that I’ve created my own image for.
As a side note, I like it when bloggers specify their preference, along the lines of “Feel free to use my images!” or “Borrow my images or design your own!” It relieves any anxiety about inadvertently offending someone.
Alysia @Mocha Girls Read
I love seeing what unique feature a blog has and one of those things is the post headers and the meme logos. I think it helps keep the blog looking cohesive and gives the post a bit of personality.
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Lark_Bookwyrm
I agree that I really enjoy a blog with a cohesive design.
Laurel-Rain Snow
When I first started blogging, I always used the host’s logo, but as time when by, I saw others creating their own, something that fits with their “brand.” I think that’s okay, and that’s what I do now, too. But I always link to the host’s site.
Interesting topic!
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Lark_Bookwyrm
Oh, absolutely — I wouldn’t dream of not linking to the host’s website! The consensus seems to be that it’s OK to personalize the logo, so I just made my own logo for The Sunday Post. I really like it, and it fits my blog’s design perfectly.
Roberta
Although I don’t host a meme, I do have a challenge going. I created an image logo to use for the challenge, but I wouldn’t mind if others made their own. In fact, I think the impact is lessened when a logo is used too much.
That said, I use the host’s logo for memes.
Great question.
Lark_Bookwyrm
Thank you for your input! I hadn’t thought about possibly losing impact with too much sharing. Interesting — I’ll have to think about that.