Why doesn't WordPress allow javascript for Rafflecopter giveaways and Inlinz link ups?

  • fnpcarole · Member ·

    If Blogger can do this, why can’t the premier platform of the world do it? I am unable to do a giveaway like other blogs, unable to show link ups like other blogs. I cannot afford $25 a month to upgrade a hobby blog. Until I can grow my readership and WordPress is denying me the two best tools to do so.

    I read the blurb about security. I’m not buying it. Google has figured this out for Blogspot and Blogger. WordPress should be able to do the same.

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • pauloeaquino · Staff ·

    Hi @fnpcarole,

    You have to understand that WordPress.com is platform that runs WordPress software, built with non-tech savvy users in mind—users who can get a website up and running with ease and without the hassle of code.

    Millions of people who depend on this platform to share their content are only able to do so because of how WordPress.com maintains its software.

    Most sites on WordPress.com use a shared environment, meaning that they all run the same software. This is great because it allows us to update millions of sites at the same time. It means we can fix bugs or offer new features very quickly, which is a win for you as users.

    Running multiple sites on the same software can also be dangerous. If we aren’t careful, one site can be used to take down the entirety of WordPress.com. This is why we limit some of the things you post on your site.
    https://en.support.wordpress.com/code/

    In this case, one of those things is Javascript. It’s not that WordPress.com can’t run Javascript, because it can. WordPress.com simply just does not permit it (on any plan that is not a Business Plan). It’s a security policy for the following reason (one which I believe you mentioned you had already read):

    Users on the Premium Plan and below are also not allowed to post JavaScript. JavaScript can be used for malicious purposes. As an example, JavaScript has taken sites such as MySpace.com and LiveJournal offline in the past. The security of all WordPress.com sites is a top priority for us, and until we can guarantee scripting languages will not be harmful, they will not be permitted.
    https://en.support.wordpress.com/code/

    While Blogspot and Blogger might have their own ways of dealing with security, this is how WordPress.com handles their security.

    If Javascript is really something you consider to be essential to your site, I would highly recommend looking into getting a self-hosted WordPress site, as you would be able to use Javascript freely—along with thousands of plugins (some which can do EXACTLY the things you want to accomplish i.e. giveaways) and themes not available on WordPress.com. Please visit WordPress.org to get started and learn more.

  • fnpcarole · Member ·

    Well that won’t work either, Bluehost will not allow javascript either, so your solution isn’t viable.

    Yes I did read all that, I just don’t believe it. If Google can do it, I believe WordPress should be able to figure it out.

  • pauloeaquino · Staff ·

    Well that won’t work either, Bluehost will not allow javascript either, so your solution isn’t viable.

    I’m not sure where you’re getting this information or if you might be jumping to conclusions, but Bluehost clearly supports Javascript. Please see for yourself:
    https://www.bluehost.com/hosting-features

    If Google can do it, I believe WordPress should be able to figure it out.

    They have and it can be done with self-hosted WordPress websites. There’s even a documentation on this:

    JavaScript will work within WordPress.
    https://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Javascript

    Additionally, you can consider WordPress.com’s Business Plan as the compromise between the two, WordPress.com (WordPress.com hosted sites) & WordPress.org (self-hosted sites).

    People who truly value both WordPress.com’s simplicity and ease of use, along with the freedom of plugin/theme/code customization of self-hosted sites, will pay the premium for a Business Plan.

    If it’s the price point that’s an issue, then unfortunately it’s really up to you as the user to choose between a free WordPress.com site or a self-hosted WordPress site, while at the same time knowing the features and limitations of both, and finally deciding which is more important to you.

  • timethief · Member ·

    There’s a post about Giveaways on WordPress.COM blogs that includes some suggestions for how to manage them in the comment thread: http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/blog-giveaways/ Does this help? You can use inlinkz.
    From http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/doing-blogging-events/

  • fnpcarole · Member ·

    I did a live chat with the Bluehost site representative. His name was Sanjay and he told me that I could not use javascript with Bluehost sites. Maybe he was wrong, but he said that he checked with someone else to verify that.

    As I already stated, the business plan is too expensive for me.

    I will just have to do the links and hope that works. The last time I did one using a link for the Inlinkz link up, people didn’t use it. So, I am not very hopeful. But it is the only solution apparently.

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