Sharing stories, respecting voices. A guide to ethical collaboration
When it is ok to republish Buffalo's Fire content and how to use bylines, both for the readers and for search engines with canonical links
We value collaborative journalism and our mission is to amplify Indigenous voices as far and as deeply as possible. However, there's a correct way to share content and on this page we explain how.
Content from Buffalo's Fire can be freely reproduced only when you see the "Share & Care" button on the page. If that is not the case, we invite you to not republish the content without permission from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance. Please refer to the guidelines below.
How to use canonical links
When republishing content, it's essential to use canonical links correctly.
If you've never heard of them, they're like a digital signal that tells search engines (like Google and Bing) and social platforms (like Facebook) which version of a piece of content is the original and which is the copy.
Even though they are not visible when browsing a web page, canonical were created to prevent confusion when the same content appears on multiple sites, telling search engines which URL they should show in search results.
The rel="canonical" link appears at the top of the source code of an HTML page, in the<head>section. They look like this:
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.buffalosfire.com/article-original-url/" />
When Site B republishes content from Site A and includes <link rel="canonical" href="URL_on_Site_A"> in the <head> of the page, it tells search engines: "This content originates from Site A. Please attribute ranking signals, indexing priority, etc., to that original URL."
If you publish content from Buffalo's Fire, the canonical link on your page must point back to the original article on Buffalo's Fire. No exceptions!
If you are using WordPress, here's how to manage canonical links:
- Yoast SEO: In the post editor, go to the Yoast SEO meta box, click "Advanced," and enter the original article's URL in the "Canonical URL" field. Save or update.
- Rank Math: In the post editor, find the Rank Math meta box, go to the "Advanced" or "Schema" section, and paste the original article's URL in the "Canonical URL" field. Save or update.
- Other SEO Plugins: Most reputable plugins offer a "Canonical URL" field. Consult your plugin's documentation if needed.
We do our best to add canonical links for all the stories we publish as part of a media share agreement, and we are going through our archive to make sure that we add canonical links to each and every one we have published in the past. If you notice that something is missing, please let us know, and we will fix it right away.
How to share content in the right way
When referencing another publication's work (including ours!), the most effective approach combines a concise summary with clear attribution. Start by briefly summarizing the original piece, highlighting key findings or arguments relevant to your readers. This enhances your own reporting and provides context.
Then you should give clear accreditation, including:
- Author's name: (If available)
- Publication name
- A clear hyperlink to the original source. Do not use generic phrases like "click here," "read more," or "check this." The anchor text should be concise but informative, providing context for your readers, and be respectful to the original source.
For example: As reported by Jane Doe in The Awesome Times, a recent study found that [brief summary of the key point, with a phrase describing the study's findings as the hyperlinked anchor text].
Why proper attribution matters
Sharing content ethically and legally is very important, in general, not only to us. Proper attribution isn't just good practice; it builds trust with your audience and protects the rights of all journalists.
- Respecting Authors: Journalists invest significant time and effort. Using their work without credit is like taking credit for their accomplishments.
- Legal Considerations: Copyright law protects original content. Unauthorized use can have legal consequences.
- Building Credibility: Transparency and honesty enhance a publication's credibility. Proper attribution demonstrates integrity.
- Enhancing User Experience: Clear attribution provides context and adds to the trustworthiness of the information.
By following these guidelines, publications share content ethically and legally, creating a more informative and trustworthy experience for all.