User Guide

How to edit your articles using Leapfrog

On Helium, we don’t allow users to delete or edit their articles because it would invalidate the ratings for that article. If the rating process has determined an article to be at position 3 and the article is then edited, it should have a chance to compete again for the top spot. While we cannot allow members to delete articles, we have instituted a process that allows for editing an already-published article. To accommodate that, we’ve created the Leapfrog process, where writers can initiate a change or a replacement to an existing article.

OK, so there’s a catch — your Leapfrog must be approved through the site’s rating process. The good news is that while some constraints exist, if the proper steps are taken, you should be able to succeed with your effort to improve your article. Currently 80% of all Leapfrogs are successful.

How Leapfrog works

When you submit your Leapfrog article, it competes with your existing article in the rating process through a succession of three ratings on the site.

When your Leapfrog articles are presented to raters, text clearly states that these two articles are being compared for Leapfrog purposes.

In other words, you’re competing with yourself, with the Helium community as the referee.

The Leapfrog process is geared toward your success. And why not? After all, you’re not going to replace an article with one that’s worse, are you? With Leapfrogs, a new article receives at least three ratings, comparing it to the article you want it to replace. If the new article wins at least three ratings, it will replace the old article.

How to Leapfrog an article

• Click on “My Helium” in the red horizontal navigation bar. From there, navigate to “My Articles” in the left-hand navigation.
• Now find the article you wish to edit or replace using Leapfrog. You can use “Search” or “Sort by” to find it more easily.
• Click on Show Article Options

• If your article is eligible for Leapfrog, the word “Leap Frog” will appear under the Featured Article check box. Click “Leap Frog.”

• Your article will appear in the “Write” screen.
  1. To work with the current article, simply edit the copy in the screen.
  2. To start fresh with a new article, click “Clear Body Text” at the upper right-hand side of the screen.

1. To bring the original copy back, click “Revert to Original Article.”

• Use the spell-check feature by clicking on “Spell check now.”
• Once you are satisfied with your new article, check the box that states that the article is your own creation, then click the “Submit” button. (Plagiarism, or unauthorized copying, may result in your account being terminated.)
• Your Leapfrog now enters the rating process for its final phase. Three raters compare your original article and the new one — the community determines the outcome.
• You can track this process through your “My Articles” page. Articles in the Leapfrog process appear as “Leapfrog pending.” Successful Leapfrogs (meaning your new article has replaced the original) appear as “Replaced by Leapfrog.” Those that fail appear as “Leapfrog Rejected.”

Leapfrog rules

• After a failed Leapfrog, you must wait seven days before you can attempt to Leapfrog that article again.
• You may have up to 20% of your articles in Leapfrog status, with a maximum set at 20 articles at any given time.
• If a Leapfrog is given a rating of “Same” in the rating process, the tie goes to the new article.
• You cannot Leapfrog a rejected article.

How to fix a few typos (without Leapfrog)

Just have a few typos? We can fix that.

There’s nothing more horrifying than spotting your own typos — after you’ve published your article. Doh! You spent so long writing that almost flawless article. We feel your pain. That’s why we launched our Typo Fix program.

You may fix a maximum of 3 typos per article.

• Compose an email to content@helium.com.
• Write “Typo Fix” in the subject line.
• In your email body, provide the URL to your article, and set up edits like this:
  • Paragraph begins with “insert text here,” 11th line: forth should be fourth
  • Paragraph begins with “insert text here,” 34th line: they’re should be their
• Send the email. Feel relieved.