Frequently Asked Questions

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.

How do I contact Topix?

The fastest, most efficient way to contact Topix.com is through our Feedback system.

All feedback is reviewed by a member of Topix staff. To do this, click the Feedback link at the bottom of any Topix page.

Who can edit news pages on Topix?

While existing Topix Editors retain their tools, we are no longer accepting applications for new Topix Editors.

How do I post a story?

First, you have to be logged in. If you have been approved for editor permissions, 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 your 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 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.

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 story 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 send us a direct link to the content through the Feedback system by clicking "Feedback" at the bottom of Topix page where the comment appears.

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 send us a direct link to the content through the Feedback system.

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, as well as the ability to send Personal Messages to other registered users. 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 like 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.

This could also be a browser issue. Please make sure you have third party cookies enabled in your browser, or the registration or posting process will not function properly.

If you need help, you can read directions at this 3rd Party Knowledge Base.

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, and you can choose to make your Recent Posts public or private on your Profile page. Your photo, profile questions, and Favorites are all public, and there's no way to make those items private at this time.

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?

We do not delete Topix accounts, but 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 become inactive. You will be able to log back in and start posting again if you change your mind in the future.

Please note that your forum posts are not removed, as it is too disruptive to the remaining content.

How do I change my username or email address?

We can change your username or email address for you. To do this, make sure that you are logged into your account, and send us a request to change your username or email address through the Feedback system.

If you are requesting a username change, send us 3 suggestions and we will select the username that is available.

How do I send a Topix Personal Message?

Personal Messages are available to registered users only. You can access your Personal Messages from your Profile, or send a message right from the forums by simply clicking the Message icon on any registered user's mini profile.

Can I send a Personal Message to a group of users?

No. Personal Messages are limited to one recipient at a time.

Can I disable Personal Messages?

Yes. Just click on the Settings link on your Profile page to disable messaging.

Can I block a user from sending me Personal Messages?

Yes. If you have received a message from a user and you wish to block him/her from sending you further messages, you can click the Block link at the bottom of the message. This will also block you from sending Personal Messages to that user. You will still see that user's forum posts. You can manage your list of Blocked users from your Profile Settings.

Can I disable email alerts for Personal Messages?

Yes. Just click on the Settings link on your Profile page to disable email alerts.

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.

This could also be a browser issue. Please make sure you have third party cookies enabled in your browser, or the registration or posting process will not function properly.

If you need help, you can read directions at this 3rd Party Knowledge Base.

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.

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.

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 thread or post?

The best way to contact us and have us review content on the site for violations of our Terms of Service is by sending us a direct link through our Feedback system.

To do this, click Feedback at the bottom of any Topix page (preferably the page the content is located on), and select "Report abuse in the forums". Please make sure that you follow the instructions to copy and paste a properly formatted permalink so that we can locate the content and review it.

What are Topix forum alerts?

Topix forum alerts are a great way to track forum discussions that you are interested in. Instead of having to constantly check the thread for updates, you can sign up to receive email notification when new comments have been posted.

How do I sign up for a forum alert?

At the bottom of every forum thread, after the last comment on the page, you will find a link to sign up for alerts on that thread. Just click the link, let us know the email address you'd like to use, and you're good to go!

Do I need to be registered on Topix to sign up for forum alerts?

No. All we need is the email address where you'd like to receive the alerts.

How often will I receive alert emails?

As often as once every few hours, if there have been new comments in the thread. We try to alert you periodically, so you might not receive a separate notification mail for every new post.

I received an email alert for my thread, but it doesn't look like there are any new responses. Why?

Posts that violate the Topix Terms of Service may be removed by a moderator. Occasionally, a new comment will be reviewed and removed from the site after we've already sent out your alert email.

How do I unsubscribe?

If you'd like to stop receiving alert emails for a particular forum thread, just click the "unsubscribe" link included in every alert email.

How will my email address be used?

Topix will only use your email address to send you email alerts that you've subscribed to. You can unsubscribe from any alert at any time. We will never sell or give out your email address.

Can I edit or delete my own posts?

Unfortunately, no you may not.

How can I change my city?

The location that appears with your forum posts on Topix is the location of your internet service provider (ISP) and may or may not match your actual location.

Can I get posts removed from the site?

The best way to have content reviewed for removal is by sending us a direct link to the content through our Feedback system, and our moderators will review the content for violations of our Terms of Service. To do this, click "Feedback" at the bottom of any Topix page and follow directions to send us a Feedback request.

How can I submit a press release or news story?

Topix does not accept press releases directly, however you can submit your story to Prweb.com and it should end up on Topix when we crawl their site.

Can I become a moderator for the forums?

Unfortunately, no you may not. Topix has several moderators for our forums, and all moderators are paid, full-time Topix employees. To most easily have content reviewed, send us a direct link through to the content through the Feedback system.

What is this?

Your forum has been chosen to test something new! We want to encourage and reward you for participating, exploring, and making Topix the place for local civic discussion.

Whether you're a Resident (a registered member) or just a Tourist (an anonymous visitor), you can earn points by completing tasks to establish yourself as a member of your community, and compete for the top of the weekly leaderboard. Eventually, you'll also be able to earn achivements and super cool badges.

How do I earn points?

• View Threads - Be informed! Check out the discussions in your town and earn 1 point for each forum thread you view.
• Share a Link - Tell the world! When you see a great news story or discussion about your town, use the Share link for Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites to earn 25 points.
• Explore Sidebar - Movie times, coupons, job listings, we've got 'em. Visit the links on the left to earn points as you find helpful information and services for your town.
• Post Comments - Participate! Talk with other Residents and Tourists in forum threads and the points add up quickly!
• Bonus - It's a Topix scavenger hunt! Look through threads marked with a star to find bonus bubbles. Pop them to collect letters. Spell TOPIX to earn 50 points.
• Visit Forum (Registered users) - Be part of the community! Simply visit the forum, and if you're a Resident (a registered user), you get 10 points each day. Not registered? You're just a Tourist; no points for you. Sign up now!

Do I need to be registered to collect points?

You can still collect weekly points if you're not a Resident (a registered user). However, you won't appear on any leaderboards, and you can't accrue lifetime points as long as you're just a Tourist. Residents also get extra opportunities to earn points, as well as exclusive access to certain privileges (such as the ability to give out props).

How can I see how many lifetime points I've earned, how many points I've earned this week, or how many more I can earn today?

All these stats and more are available in your Point Tracker, found either at the bottom of the leaderboard, or in the dropdown menu at the top of the forum.

How many points can I earn per day?

This number may change from time to time, but you can always see the current daily max by accessing your Point Tracker either at the bottom of the leaderboard, or in the dropdown menu at the top of the forum.

What's the deal with the "thumbs up" on all the forum posts?

As a Resident, you decide whose comments are worthy of recognition. If you see a post you like, show your approval by clicking the "thumbs up" to give the author props. It's a win-win situation: they'll get points for making a great post, and you'll get points for complimenting them. You'll have a certain number of props to give out each day, and it's "use it or lose it", so there's no need to hoard. But choose your recipients wisely: once you hit your daily limit, you'll have to wait until the next day to give out more. And remember that you're giving public acknowledgment, so everyone will be able to see if you've given props on a post.

There's a post I really like, but the "thumbs up" is grayed out. What's going on?

First of all, only Residents have the privilege of giving out props. (If you're a Tourist, you can still receive props: you just can't give them out.) Residents also have a daily cap on the number of props they're allowed to give. Every registered user starts with at least 1 prop each day. Level 3 Residents start with 2 props, and Level 5 Residents start with 3. You earn an additional prop to give for every 100 points you rack up. If you've exhausted your limit for the day, you'll have to wait until the next day to give more props. And by the way, you're not allowed to give yourself props... so if you're the author of that post you happen to like, you'll need to find someone else to compliment you!

Hey, someone gave me props! What's that mean?

Congratulations! Someone liked your post enough to give you a public pat on the back. Not only have you earned 5 points for a job well done, but you get to bask in the approval of your peers as well. Don't forget that it's a two-way street, so if you're a Resident, feel free to compliment others on their posts too.

Can I play in more than forum? What if I want to be on a different forum's leaderboard?

Your points will only count toward one forum's leaderboard, regardless of where you earn the points. Because this is a beta feature, we are only offering this in select test forums at this time. However, if you earn more points in a day in one test forum than in any other test forum, you will see a link to "Switch to [forum name]" in your Point Tracker.

How often does the leaderboard reset?

The leaderboard resets weekly. You will still continue to accrue lifetime points from week to week, but only the current week's score counts toward your leaderboard ranking. Only Residents can accrue lifetime points, so if you're a Tourist, sign up for a profile.

Hey, my score disappeared! What's up with that?

Oh, you must be a Tourist. If you are unregistered, your lifetime score will reset at the beginning of each week. If you want to accumulate a lifetime score week after week, you will need to become a Resident by signing up for a Topix account. But don't go on any long holidays, because Residents that haven't scored any points in 6 months will have their lifetime score reset to zero.

What are levels? How do I level up? What happens if I level up?

Leveling up occurs as you build your lifetime score. Leveling up gets you some extra colorful pizzazz on your profile in the forums, giving you the social cred to sit at the cool kids' table.

I am reigning champ. What does that mean, and how long does it last?

Congratulations! This means you ended the week with more points than anyone else in your forum. You'll be featured at the top of the current leaderboard, and you get a fancy crown on your profile photo as well as bragging rights until the next champs are crowned.

Hey, why does this jerk have my crown?

If there is a tie for top score, there will be multiple reigning champs. Sharing is caring.

I unlocked a badge! Um, how did I do that?

We'll never tell! Ok, we will. Badges are unlocked by completing various tasks or fulfilling goals on the site. Some are pretty self-explanatory, like the Royal Family badge, which you unlock the first time you become Reigning Champ of a forum. As for some of the others, you'll just have to figure those out on your own. We'll be adding new badges from time to time just to keep you on your toes. Muahahahaha!

Can I play from my smartphone?

At this time, you cannot earn points via the iPhone app, or via the mobile version of Topix. Depending on your phone's browser capabilities, you may be able to earn points viewing the full version of Topix.com.

I want to earn points! How can I get this in my town's forum?

We will be adding this feature to more forums over time.
Tell us which forum you would like to see it in using this form.

How can I report a bug or issue?

Send us a note here.