Zemanta — resource integration for bloggers on Blog24

Zemanta — resource integration for bloggers

Posted by Chris
On July 16, 2009
Categories: Blogging

: Image via CrunchBase

Imagine having a dymanic resource of related images, links and even tags that changes as you are typing a post for your blog. Enter Zemanta which seamlessly intergrates with your blogging platform whether you use WordPress, Tumblr, MySpace, Blogger, Ning to name a few.

There are a few ways to take advantage of what Zemanta offers. There are plugins for WordPress, MovableType and Drupal or it can be added to your web browser by way of an extention/plugin or even a bookmarklet.

To test Zemanta I installed the FireFox Extention. All the links within the text so far were added instantly with a single click. The Zemanta logo was also suggested by the service (along with the logos of the previously mentioned blogging platforms) and it was a simple case of dragging and dropping it in. Below are 3 web pages that were also recommended by Zemanta and added within seconds. Lots of resources added to a post very quickly.

The only minor downside is the additional (sometimes superfluous) HTML, that is added to your post, especially when you use one of the suggested images. In the example above there is even a ‘div’ tag that serves absolutely no purpose, it has no ‘id’ or ‘class’ attributes. You could edit and delete any HTML that you deem to be superfluous, but doing that would be counterproductive.

However, many elements do have ‘class’ attributes that would allow Zemanta content to be styled via CSS. If you were to use Zemanta on a regular basis it would be worth taking the time to create a style sheet so elements that you add using the service are in keeping with your blog’s design.

If related articles have been added with Zemanta, a link that reads, “5 more fresh articles…” is added. Unfortunately (at the time of writing) clicking this link reports an error, however, when working I’m sure that this simply loads and displays more related articles as suggested by Zemanta. (Indeed it does. Five additional links were neatly added to the list of related links.)

Finally a ‘reBlog’ button is automatically added at the bottom of your post. This makes it easy for readers to blog about your post by providing a quote and, “full attribution and a backlink.” At the time of writing I can’t test this feature but try it for yourself. The best way to see how this feature works is to try it. You’ll be presented with the Zemanta editor where you can easily select a paragraph to quote and a link back to this post will be generated. Once you have finished your reBlog entry you have the option to publish directly or copy the HTML. On the Zemanta website it says, “it’s like reTweet (RT) on Twitter, but for Blogs,” which seems like a fair description.

My only complaint about the reBlog feature is that the title of the post you are reblogging is not presented within the post. Secondly the title generated if you use the publish option rather than copying the HTML is less than satisfactory. (For example, “reBlog from co.uk: Blog24″ is the title provided if decide to reBlog and publish this post.)

Overall I do think that many blog writers will find Zemanta useful. The suggested links alone is a great timesaver, especially if your post mentions a number of people or companies.

Give it a go and let me know what you think.