A NOTE FROM WILLIAM, THE ADMIN/CREATOR OF BOISE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:

I take pride in providing the most up-to-date, accurate database of Christmas light displays in the Treasure Valley. A big part of this is done by homeowners/decorators submitting their homes to BCL to be included on the map each year. I also verify some home displays personally as well. I do all this because I don't want to send people on a wild goose chase just to find homes that aren't lit anymore due to people taking the year off, moving away, etc. because they found a list on an old website or something like that. I also try to make it so you don't have to juggle between multiple websites or forums.

Recently, I have noticed that some websites, apps, and some social media influencers (emphasis on some, most influencers are really good!), etc. are taking the listings from my website and copy/pasting them onto their own websites or pages. Here's the problem with that.

First - what happens if a display changes their radio station? What if they want to be removed from the map? Or what happens when a I add a new batch of homes from the submission form? These things DO happen, and I get that updated on my end. That info won't get reflected on the other website. The homeowners get upset because it's not updated or removed on a website I have no control over, and display visitors lose in the end.

Second - this is just straight plagiarism. That's a crappy thing to do. Didn't you learn that in school? 🤨

Third - I spend way too much time and effort on this website and project just for people to copy/paste it to try and gain traffic to their sites. How do you think that makes me feel? I'm a local dude running this, not some mega-corp or media conglomerate.

I'm not blind to the fact that posts about Christmas light displays drive a TON of traffic to websites and social media. I know some people and companies are all about the clicks, the SEO, the algorithm, and the clout. I get it.

So, if you're wanting to highlight some of the best and brightest displays in Boise from this site, I would ask that you at the very least link back to this website, or tag me on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. But please don't scrape or copy/paste the actual listings from my site onto yours, or remove watermarks. You're causing more trouble than it's worth.

Influencers and momfluencers - if you create a good quality Reel on Instagram, add me as a Collaborator! I will likely accept it, and it will be mutually beneficial. You create great stuff and I want to help share it!

But lifting content, removing watermarks, and not tagging or linking back to the Boise Christmas Lights Project?

Well, to put it nicely, I'll tell Santa to put a lump of coal in your stocking.

Sincerely, William with the Boise Christmas Lights Project

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