What is HubPages? - a Guide to a User-Generated Content Site

Knowledge isn't something only available to the esteemed and elite. No longer do experts hoard their data. Today, the Internet is all about passing it on.

This sharing of information from one regular Joe to another is seen through endeavors like Yahoo! Answers, Amazon's Askville and a long-time web favorite, About.com. The difference between the Q&A sites and About.com is that About.com offers extensive guides to virtually every topic imaginable, but each subpage is edited by a specific content manager/editor. At the Q&A sites, any member can ask or answer.

There are a few sites that could very well be a happy medium between the two aforementioned formats of information sharing; Squidoo and HubPages come to mind. This article will focus on the latter, HubPages.

What is HubPages.com?

HubPages.com is an internet community where users can publish content, gain information about a specific topic or both. The site signed on in January 2006.

What are Hubs?

Hubs are essentially articles on virtually anything. Users can write articles about anything they are knowledgeable about, have an interest in or perhaps even want to promote, such as businesses, websites or links to other content sites.

Hubs are broken down into smaller sections called capsules. Capsules can be filled with text, a photo, links, RSS feeds or even money-making options, which will be discussed below.

Visitors to the site can search for hubs on a specific topic, of they can visit the main page to see what is hot, what is new and what is the best rated. From the "Topics" tab, users can browse through popular categories and subcategories.

Who are Hubbers?

Simply put, hubbers are users that create hubs. Like any social networking or content sharing site, there are recognizable members who have popular hubs, high scores and basically a larger presence.

How Can Money Be Earned on HubPages?

For those with Google AdSense accounts or who are members of Amazon.com's and Ebay's affiliate programs, capsules are available to offer ads and items geared to the hub topic. If ads are clicked on or items are purchased, hubbers can earn a percentage. Additionally, HubPages has an affiliate program. So, if Hubbers sign up a new member, they can also earn off those clicks.

How Does HubPages Help Hubbers?

HubPages.com is an extremely user-friendly site, as it offers hubbers a "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" creating and editing experience. Also, HubPages offers an Idea Bank to help stuck hubbers brainstorm. Additionally, there is a member forum and like most websites, a help page.

How are 'Hubbers' Rewarded?

One of the most unique things about HubPages is its ranking system. First of all, each hub is scored from 0-100. At the publication of each new hub, a score of 50 is given. From there, it can fluctuate up or down. Then, hub scores and total number of hubs created are collectively taken into account to give each hubber a ranking.

Hubbers start off as novices. They can then move through the ranks. Some examples are 'Average', meaning they have a few hubs with average scores. A 'Prodigy' is a hubber with only a few hubs, but all of which achieved high scores. If a hubber has a very low scores on a large amount of hubs, they cleverly are at the "Stop" status. The status of a hubber can change at any time, perhaps encouraging hubbers to stay active, add new hubs, update hubs, etc.