What is Topix.com?

Topix is the world’s largest community news website. You can read, talk about -- and even edit -- the news on over 360,000 of our news pages. Whatever your interests are, we have a news page for you!

Topix is also a place for you to post your own news stories, as well as comment about stories you've seen on the Topix site. Each story and every Topix page comes with the ability to add your voice to the conversation.

Here are just a few of the types of news pages on Topix:

• All US cities and towns
• Publicly traded companies
• Sports and Professional Athletes
• Celebrities
• Industry news
• Health and Drug

How is Topix different from other news sites?

Topix has …

• …over 360,000 edited news pages consisting of over 50,000 sources, including newspapers, blogs, radio & TV stations, government, magazines, and corporate information sites.
• …a high-powered news search engine, with a three-year index of results.
• …editing tools that enable Topix users to help edit the news that matters to their communities.
• …forums for posting comments about stories on Topix, or in general
• a Top-Blogs page that monitors the activity of 25,000 blogs and ranks the stories that bloggers are writing about.
• a Most Popular page, ranked by number of unique commenters over a 24-hr period.

How do I find the news I’m looking for?

Topix has both a comprehensive news search, as well as separate edited pages devoted to each of the 30,000 cities and towns in the US, individual pages for every company, industry, health condition, sports team, university, celebrity and thousands of other subjects.

Combining our unique approach to presenting topical news and the intuitive navigation tools available for moving from page to page, Topix offers the quickest and most comprehensive way to find the news that matters to you.

On each of our news pages, you’ll find several tools to help you find what you’re looking for:

• Search within: To find a specific story that happened in your area, try the “Search within” box to refine results. (Example: If you’re on the Detroit news page, you can search on police to find Detroit-based articles that involved the police.)
• Find a Topic Found just below the “Search Within” box, this link will help find a specific Topix page (Example: Use this if you’re on the Los Angeles news page and would instead like to read news about NASCAR)
• Change Location: Will change the location of your local news search. (Example: If you’re on the Baltimore, MD news page, and would like to read edited news about Annapolis, MD.)
• Search all Topics: For searching all the news articles on Topix (Example: You’re trying to find *all* news articles that mention the search terms “political scandal” and “Sacramento”)

How does Topix use personal info, such as my email?

Topix does not divulge any personal information to 3rd parties. Please read our Terms of Service page for a full description of our policies, and a link to our privacy policy.

How do I get my site or blog added to Topix?

The feedback page has information about suggesting a source to Topix.

Why did I find a mis-categorized story?

Sometimes Topix's artificial-intelligence (RoboBlogger) is confused by ambiguous names and references. We're always making improvements to the system, but RoboBlogger isn’t perfect -- the best possible editor for a news page is someone that has an interest in the category.

That’s why we created Editor tools for each and every news page on our site – so that you and others in your community can build the best possible news. For more details about editing, see below.

What does a Topix Editor do?

Topix Editors find interesting and relevant news to share with their communities. Editors have access to special tools to find and promote stories that are read by millions of users. Editors can even post their own original articles and photos!. Please note that Topix Editors do not moderate the forums and cannot remove posts from the forums.

Who can edit news pages on Topix?

Anyone with a passionate interest for news in their community is encouraged to apply.

What if a page already has an editor? Can I still apply?

Absolutely! Topix pages are built to accommodate multiple editors.

How do I post a story?

First, you have to be logged in. Then you will notice the red Editor tab in the upper left corner of the page.

There are up to 4 ways to post stories on a news page:

• Wire pages: The easiest way to add a story is to visit our News Wire pages. There, you can browse through stories that Topix technology has pre-filtered to help you find the best news. Once you find an article you'd like to promote, all you have to do is click the "Post A Story" link and you'll be taken to the Edit page that allows you to add a photo, check formatting, add a summary, or modify the text, and preview your story before posting.
• The Web: Saw a great story that's not on Topix? Click the "The Web" link in the editor's tools, and then copy & paste a link to the story you'd like to post on the “Post A Story” page.
• Scratch: Have you witnessed some breaking news in your area? Want to post a story that you local news isn't covering? Here's your chance. Follow the "from scratch" link in the editor's tools to access our custom entry tool and follow the instructions in the yellow box. You can use this method to post an article that is not your original work, but make sure to give credit to the original source and link to it!
• Forum pages: Is there a newsworthy comment from the forums discussion that you'd like to see on the news page? Just click the "Post to News" link above the comment and you'll be taken to the Edit page, where you can give it a headline and a summary.

What types of stories can I post?

Using the Topix Editor Tools, you can promote your own original content and editorial, or you can promote stories from other news sites. Though we encourage you to quote up to 50 words from an off-site story, please do not copy and paste copyrighted material wholesale into the summary of your entry.

What types of photos can I upload?

Please upload photos that you have taken yourself or that fall under the Creative Commons - "Attribution" level licensing. For more info about photo uploading, please review our Terms of Service. For more information about Creative Commons, please visit their site.

Who is RoboBlogger™ ?

RoboBlogger is an editor's best friend. RoboBlogger checks in every once-in-a-while to make sure your page is up to date with recent news. If the stories are getting old, RoboBlogger will add articles to make sure the news is up to date.

How do I remove a RoboBlogger story?

Sometimes RoboBlogger adds a story to the page that just doesn't belong. These are easy to remove. Click on the "Kill Story" link located underneath the post and choose one of these reasons for removing:

1. Off-topic: If you believe that the story doesn't match the topic of the news page.
2. Spam: If the story points to a site that is not news, but obviously commercial in nature.
3. Bad Link: If the link to the story is broken. You can also fix the link if you click "Edit" the story.
4. Bad Summary: If the story summary is problematic. You can also correct the summary if you click "Edit" the story.
5. Duplicate: If the story is already on the page.
6. Boring: If it is so boring that you think no one would be interested in reading it.
7. Other: For a reason not covered by cases above. Note that you will be required to describe the reason before you can submit the change as "other."

How do I remove another editor's story?

Only Topix staff can remove stories posted by an editor. If you would like an editor's story reviewed, send us a note via our feedback form. Be sure to include the name of the editor, what news page and the title of the story or send us a link to the story.

What makes a good post?

The definition of a good post is broad, but here are some basic questions that every editor should ask themselves before posting:

1. Is it news worthy? Does your article cover something that readers in your community will find interesting?
2. Is it on topic? Your post may be news-worthy, but does it belong on a different page? Make sure that the story would be relevant to your readers.
3. Is it well formatted? Be sure to double-check the formatting for such things as like line breaks, summary issues and quotes using the "Preview" functionality on the edit page.

You can always find helpful and interesting information on the Editor Blog. You can ask other editors yourself by visiting the Editor Forum also!

What makes a good news page?

A good news page is comprised of articles that:

1. Are recent and on-topic
2. Would interest others in your community
3. Come from a variety of sources, and might not be found easily in your local paper

Can I write reviews?

Yes. Provided there is no conflict of interest (e.g. you are the owner of the restaurant you are reviewing) then we encourage you to write reviews of events and establishments in your local area.

How soon after my post will my story be visible to users?

It may take up to 15 minutes for your story to appear on the news page but it usually happens before that time.

Can I edit my post after it is live on the site?

Yes. Just click on the "Edit" link associated with the article and you'll be able to update it as needed.

How can I suggest a news source to Topix?

You can send us a link to the source on our feedback form.

I want a comment removed from one of my stories. How do I do this?

If the comment violates the Topix terms of service, you should flag the post for review.

Are Topix editors paid?

No.

Can Topix editors receive 3rd party payment for placement of an article?

No. The Topix Terms of Service strictly prohibit the posting of material on Topix for profit. If you believe that an editor is posting with a personal or fiduciary motivation, please visit the editor's profile page and "flag" the editor for review.

Where can I sign up to edit?

Right here.

Why should I sign up on Topix?

By signing up, you're becoming a bigger part of the Topix Community. You get a profile where you can tell your friends about yourself and personalize your Topix experience with bookmarks to your favorite topics and forums. Signing up also makes you a more influential member of the Topix community. A mini-profile will distinguish your posts in the forums.

Can I post in the forums anonymously?

Absolutely. Whether you sign up for a Topix profile or not, you can talk as much as you want in the forums.

Why aren't my comments appearing on the forum?

It's possible that the Topix system may be under heavy load. Please check back after 10 minutes or so to see if it has appeared. Also, please be sure to follow the posting guidelines in our Terms of Service. Violations of these guidelines, such as profanity or threatening language may result in an immediate suspension of your posts.

Do I have to answer the profile questions?

No—they're completely optional. But if you have something to say, by all means, share it. Topix Forums are a place for talking about what's happening in the news—anywhere from your neighborhood in your hometown to a city halfway around the world. We designed the profile questions so that you can tell the Topix Community about yourself, creating a better experience for you and everyone you talk to.

How do I upload a photo?

On your profile page, simply click on the "Upload Your Profile Image" button. You'll be prompted to upload an image, which you can browse for on your computer.

If you decide to change it, click on the "Change My Profile Image" button underneath your photo. Select an image to upload by clicking on the "Browse" button and choosing an image from your computer.

You can delete your profile photo by clicking on the small "Remove" link right below your photo.

I forgot my password.

Simply click the "Sign In" link in the upper right corner of any page. You'll find a "Forgot your password?" link there. Click this link and follow the instructions shown to reset your password.

How do I change my password?

You can change your password using the "Forgot Password" link on the Sign In page. After entering your email address and clicking Submit, you'll receive an email from us with a link to reset your password.

Why do you want to know my birth date?

We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires that you be 13 or older to use Topix. We use your birth date to verify that you meet this age requirement.

What do you do with my personal information?

Topix values your privacy. We will never sell your email address, and we only require your birth date to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires that you be 13 or older to use the site.

Who can see my profile?

Anyone visiting the Topix site can see your profile page, so consider anything there public information.

Can I make part of my profile private?

Your recent news and forum pages are private, but your photo, profile questions, and Favorites are all public. At the present time, there's no way to make the publicly viewable items private.

What are Favorites?

Favorites are your personal bookmarks for the Topix and forums you love - anything from your hometown to your favorite hobby.

Why should I add Favorites?

Favorites allow you to personalize your Topix experience with bookmarks for the news pages and forums you love. By personalizing your Topix page with your Favorites, you'll always have the news and forums that are important to you at your fingertips.

Who can see my Favorites?

Everybody who comes to Topix can see your Favorites, so only add topix and forums that you don't mind people seeing.

How do I delete my account?

If you really don't want to be part of the Topix community anymore, simply delete your profile photo, the answers to your profile questions, and your Favorites. Log out, and your account will be de-activated.

If, however, for legal reasons, you need us to delete someone's Topix profile (e.g. the person is under 13), contact us. Note that there is no way to reactivate a deleted account. Please do not ask us to delete your Topix profile unless you're really, really sure it needs to be deleted.

Why aren't my comments appearing on the forum?

It's possible that the Topix system may be under heavy load. Please check back after 10 minutes or so to see if it has appeared. Also, please be sure to follow the posting guidelines in our Terms of Service. Violations of these guidelines, such as profanity or threatening language may result in an immediate suspension of your posts.

I can't upload my Profile photo.

First, take a short break and try again in a few minutes. It's possible that you tried to upload your photo at a time when your connection to Topix was not very strong.

Next, check the file. If you're not uploading a .gif, .jpg, .png, .bmp, or .tif file, you're going to run into trouble, since we do not support other file types.

Still having problems? Contact us.

Why haven't I received a confirmation email yet?

Most likely, your email provider has routed Topix's confirmation email into your Junk Mail or SPAM folder. Please check there first. Are you an AOL User? To receive emails from Topix, add regreply@topix to your Address Book.

1. In the Mail menu on the AOL toolbar, click Address Book.
2. In the Address Book window, click Add to add a new contact and enter regreply@topix.
3. When you have finished, click Save.

If you still can't find the email, we can resend it. Click here for help.

Still having problems? Contact us.

I forgot my password.

Simply click the "Sign In" link in the upper right corner of any page. You'll find a "Forgot your password?" link there. Click this link and follow the instructions shown to reset your password.

How do I report a problem Editor?

If you've seen evidence of offensive posts, lewd images, spam or PR-laden articles on your news page, we want to know about it. Please send us a note via our feedback form. Be sure to include the name of the editor and the news page