1 of 31

Write now Article Tools

Helium's exclusive rating system creates a unique writing site. People come to read, most frequently, fact-based, informative topics. A search of approximately 100,000 titles leads them to view the top-rated five articles under each title. Those five appear there because they were "voted" the most deserving by thousands of writing peers.

We all love to see ourselves as "# 1," but many writers complain about using their time to do ratings. Our stars are earned by doing a certain number of quality rates during a 90-day rollover period.

As always, Helium came up with carrots rather than sticks to get people motivated to do "community service." Writers without any rating stars cannot earn a share of the revenues, but anyone can now earn up to an extra $3/month for rating. New calculations for Upfront Payments started Nov. 1, 2008. (See www.helium.com/announcements/ for full details of star earnings.)

In its sample page for how to do ratings, Helium asks that we base our rating decision on the "quality of the writing and how informative it is for its topic." (www.helium.com/rating/overvie w)

Of course, there will be individual differences, so Helium uses objective "equalizers" (mathematics, AI programs and fabulous algorithms) to create a consensus. Once an article earns its final rank, it tends to anchor there. That should speak to the value of the system, no matter how much quibbling people do about the "mysterious process."

What should ratings be based on? Helium is a broad-minded writing community, but it does have Writing Standards (www.helium.com/user-guide/hel iums-writing-standards/) and a User Guide of what's not allowed on Helium (www.helium.com/user-guide/wha ts-not-allowed-on-helium/).

Hel ium's guidelines are almost self-evident for a family-friendly site for users 13 years and older. "What's not allowed on Helium" includes:

1. Plagiarism

2. Self-promotion

3. Limited content

4. Adult content, hate or profanity

5. Duplicate articles

6. Off-topic articles and spamming

7. Articles written in all caps.

Helium's Writing Standards are equally obvious. Since Helium is a U.S.-based site, (1) all articles must be written in English with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. (2) Articles must remain anonymous for rating purposes-for fairness and objectivity-so they cannot include any identifying information. (3) Articles should contain standardized formatting: Left-aligned margins for paragraphs, single-spaced, with a blank line between paragraphs.

Those guidelines cover

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to rate a Helium article?
We want to hear your view. Write now!