Blog Privacy Settings
It's easy to keep some or all of your blog entries private. Follow the steps below to make sure no one reads your secrets.
Step 1: Create and organize your Buddy List
Use the Buddy Manager to create and organize lists and groups of Angelfire friends. Your Buddy List is private: only you will be able to see and update your Buddy List. You can get to your Buddy List from the Blog Settings page. Add your friends to your buddy list by clicking Add Buddy and typing in their usernames. Only other Angelfire users can be added as buddies. Make sure to spell your friend's usernames correctly!
Next you'll need to organize your buddies into groups. Click Add Group to create a new group of buddies. You can call your group whatever you'd like. Click Proceed to create your group. Check off the usernames you wish to add to your group, and click Save Changes. You're all ready to start creating private content!
Step 2: Make each post as public or as private as you want
When creating a new blog entry, you can choose to make your entry public (viewable by everyone who visits your blog) shared with friends (viewable by groups you select) or private (viewable only by you). Just select one of the options under Make this post, then submit your blog post as usual.
You can change the privacy settings for existing blog entries any time. Click Edit Posted Entries to change the privacy settings on any posted entry. Want to keep your blog entries private by default? Check off Make posts viewable only to buddies by default on the Settings page. You'll still be able to make entries viewable to everyone if you want.
Other Privacy Suggestions
Don't want to set privacy options, but still don't want your mom or cubemates reading your blog? There's a few simple things you can do to help keep your blogging life secret:
- Use a pseudonym. Make up something entertaining that fits your blog's theme. Have fun posting as musiclovernyc or redsoxfan.
- Don't include your blog in the Angelfire directory. f you don't want people to come to your blog, make sure to leave the Directory Inclusion box unchecked on your blog settings page.
- Turn off RSS feeds. RSS feeds allow viewers to read your blog through special readers and syndicate, or re-publish, blog content elsewhere. While this can be a great promotional tool it's best to turn it off if you want your blog private.
- Don't be too specific. Try to avoid referring to friends, family, or coworkers by their real or full names. Don't put your street address or home telephone number on your blog. It's not just a good way to keep things private — it's safer!