Hari's Corner

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blogspot.com now becomes blogspot.in

Filed under: Internet and Blogging by Hari
Posted on Sun, Feb 19, 2012 at 21:40 IST (last updated: Sun, Feb 19, 2012 @ 21:44 IST)

I've noticed that recently, blogspot.com blogs automatically redirect to blogspot.in (for Indian users obviously). I have a feeling that this is partly in order to adhere to country-specific requirements for "selective content filtering to adhere to local laws" or to put it bluntly, censorship as dictated by Governments.

I've never been a big fan of those websites that redirect users to specific domains based on location, unless they offer specialized services for specific locations or otherwise are multinational company sites with country-specific information and products. I also detest websites that filter content or block me based on location or IP address-based information - either deceptively or directly.

I am glad I don't use blogspot.com at all. I request my blogging friends to at least consider alternatives. Yes, there are ways to set up a free blog without blogspot.com and stay in control of the domain as well. Owning a proper domain name costs very little (relatively speaking) and is well worth the price. Even if google don't censor as actively, you are still better off staying in full control of your precious copyrighted work.

2 comment(s)

  1. Well, I have yet to find a blogspot URL'ed blog with content worth reading anyway. Anybody serious about getting out a message runs their own solution.

    Having spent some time in China where blogspot is blocked completely, I can't say I missed that much :)

    Comment by Dion Moult (visitor) on Mon, Mar 5, 2012 @ 18:56 IST #
  2. Hi, Dion. That's true in general. But there are still some good bloggers who insist on using blogspot.com addresses which I find bemusing to say the least.

    As you say, blogspot is one of the easiest targets for online censorship. People who worry about their content integrity should never use such third party services.

    Comment by Hari (blog owner) on Mon, Mar 5, 2012 @ 20:49 IST #

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