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FAQs - Getting Started

Written by SquareOffs Support

Where do SquareOffs live?

SquareOffs can be placed on any website, just like a Youtube video. This makes it a great tool to embed within article content, or as a standalone page, creating user generated content.

Who can use SquareOffs?

SquareOffs is great for digital publishers. From boutique bloggers to high traffic news websites, SquareOffs works with any topic, on any website. SquareOffs is also great for brands and agencies to use as a tool in their toolkit to increase brand engagement and loyalty.

Where should publishers place SquareOffs on a website?

This depends on your website, and how your readers interact on your page. Small SquareOffs work great embedded in-line articles or right on your homepage. Polls Pages are a great to create a new landing page on your site that had not previously existed.

Why use SquareOffs?

SquareOffs is designed for digital publishers to create user-generated debate on any topic, on any website. From small bloggers to high traffic news sites, SquareOffs is a simple tool to increase engagement, revenue, traffic, and insight.

Who can vote on a SquareOff?

Anyone can vote on a SquareOff! The more votes the merrier, but each user will only be allowed to vote one time.

Who can comment on a SquareOff?

Readers are required to sign in via Facebook or Twitter to comment. This puts a real name to person who is sharing their opinion. Helping cure ‘comment chaos’ as people are less likely to make unwanted comments when their name and image is displayed with their commentary.

Do readers have to comment?

No, once you vote you are given the option to comment, but can choose no comment if desired. Just remember, no one will hear your voice without a comment!

How is this different than any other poll?

Traditional polls ask people to vote, give them a percentage, maybe announce a winner, and move on. That’s all fine and dandy in a world where it’s always one side against the other, but what about the gray area? SquareOffs’ marriage of votes and comments lets people really share their opinions, and tell WHY they voted for a specific side. They can also explain if they’re somewhere in the middle.

Can SquareOffs drive more traffic to my website?

SquareOffs is a shareable tool that people love to interact with. Create the right SquareOffs, and promote them in the right places and you’ll be gaining new readers and keep the old ones coming back. SquareOffs’ simple sharing capability drives new users directly back to your site, and keeps them there longer.

Can I integrate SquareOffs with my current CMS system?

Coming soon! SquareOffs Wordpress Plugin is currently in development, which will allow Wordpress users to insert SquareOffs into articles directly from the Wordpress post editor. Plugins for additional CMS systems will be developed over time. If your website is built on a custom CMS, you may be able to use the SquareOffs API, or have us build a custom plug-in at additional costs.

Do you have to be a developer to use SquareOffs?

No! SquareOffs is incredibly easy to use for every member of your team. The only technical aspect of SquareOffs is embedding a short piece of code to your website, if you can copy and paste, you can use SquareOffs! Our team will be happy to assist with any technical issues.

What plans are available?

Every publisher is different, which is why we have a many plans for many needs. From free plans for niche bloggers, to enterprise level licensing agreements, we have you covered. See our Plans Page or contact us to find your best fit.

How long does it take to create a SquareOff and get it on your website?

A few minutes! Creation and distribution is simple and quick. It will probably take you longer to find an image for your post. Using a SquareOff "as the article", will actually save you time when compared to creating a typical article post. If you're on Wordpress, use the SquareOffs Wordpress Plugin to make the process even more simple with an "Add SquareOff" button in the post creation area.

What does it mean to “Own the Conversation”?

We sometimes use the term "Own the Conversation." 

For participants in a SquareOff, this jokingly means to win the debate.

For publishers, this refers to keeping conversation on your site or channel with SquareOffs embeds, instead of it driving users to have conversation out on social media or sites other than you own.

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