Introduction: How to Use Squidoo Modules
For example, there's modules for photo galleries, displaying a Youtube video, polls, lists of links, or Post-It ® style notes (see below).
There are four basic ways to use modules.
- Moneymaking: Amazon, eBay, and other merchant modules pay royalties (also called affiliate sales or commission) if anyone buys something through them.
- Adding content: You're trying to build a lens that's entertaining and informative about a topic you're passionate about, to attract readers looking for that topic. Squidoo modules give you several ways to share your content and and make it look great.
- Interaction: Invite your readers to discuss your topic, vote on polls, or submit books, links, images and videos! Visitors like webpages that let them get involved, and are interested to see what other people have to say.
- Including content: On Squidoo, you don't have to create everything from scratch. Modules let you pull in or link to relevant content you've found on the web.
NOTE: This lens was made in March 2008. The most popular Squidoo modules are the same, but some modules, especially the selling stuff modules, have changed or been discontinued, while there are some new modules my list doesn't have. I'm currently revising the list, but it may be a few weeks before I get the updates posted. In the meantime, this list is still useful, just remember it's out of date. Thanks!
Featured Lenses: The Most Commonly-Used Modules
Beginners, don't try too much too fast! The modules listed in the two How-to Squidoo lenses below will give you plenty of basic building blocks to make a good lens:-
The Text/Write Module for Anything!
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I love the Write module. It's really one of my very favorites... you can do anything with it. It is one of the easiest ways to make your lens stand out. It is the primary carrier of your best content, originally written information or stories, and it...
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Squidoo Modules
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This lens demonstrates a selection of some of the most used and useful Squidoo Modules. You'll see them in their natural environment, with content or product included. Accompanying each is a description of what the module does. To start with, this is...
Table of Contents
You may wish to print out the Quick Reference Sheet below, a complete index of all working modules, or click the
icon at the top of each section to get an easy-to-print table for that section only.- Content and Text Modules
- Fancy Text Modules
- Multimedia Modules
- Related Content Modules
- Interactive Modules
- News and Magazine Modules
- Blog Modules
- Product Search Tip
- MoneyMaking Modules
- Miscellaneous Widgets
- Local Content
- Entertainment and Sports Modules
- Broken Module List
- SquidU's Tutorials on Squidoo Modules
Squidoo Module Quick Reference Sheet
Here's my Index of Squidoo Modules in a table that you can save and print. Last Update: March 27, 2008.
Content and Text Modules
Vote for the Modules You Use Most!
Tell people about your topic!Note: words in parenthesis show what tab each module is filed under.
1
Text/Write Module
(Starter Package) The most versatile Squidoo module. You can just write text, but if you know HTML, you can insert images in fancy ways or tweak text styles.14 points
2
Text List
(Unique Content) Bulleted or numbered list. Can be short phrases or whole paragraphs. Great for Top Ten lists.4 points
3
Text List Voting (Plexo) or Comments Plexo (modules are identical)
(Unique Content, Interact) Visitors submit and vote on any text they feel like writing, subject to the guidelines you set. Very flexible module. Hold a poetry contest! Ask for their favorite flavors of ice cream! Create a free-form debate!1 point
4
Table of Contents
(Starter Package) Generates a linked table of contents of all your lens modules, or those you select.1 point
Fancy Text Modules
Vote for Your Favorite Special Effects Modules!
Make a blurb, sentence, or definition stand out.1
StickyNote
(Unique Content) 300-character note with headline on a square yellow note.7 points
2
Blackbox
(Unique Content) White-on-black large text, up to 500 characters. Makes a bold statement.5 points
3
Talk Bubble
(Unique Content) 100-character large-sized text in a speech balloon.2 points
4
The Most Important Thing
(Unique Content) 500 characters, large-sized text with a wide orange border.2 points
Multimedia Modules
Which of These Squidoo Modules Do You Use?
Photos, videos, even audio -- add visuals and snap to your lens!1
YouTube vids
(Starter Package, p. 2) Showcase one large playable YouTube video or link to up to nine vids through thumbnails.13 points
2
Flickr Photos
(Starter Package) Choose photos from Flickr to display in a gallery. Don't forget to "Add Items" before saving!4 points
3
Polaroid
(Unique Content) Upload and showcase a photo-sized image in its own frame.2 points
4
EveryZing
(Search A-Z) Search by keywords to find and link to audio (and sometimes video) on the web related to your topic.2 points
5
Flicker Voting (Plexo)
(Unique Content) Let users choose Flickr photos and vote on them.1 point
6
YouTube Voting (Plexo)
(Unique Content, p. 2) Visitors can submit and/or vote on their favorite videos.1 point
Related Content Modules
Vote for Your Favorite Squidoo Modules!
Recommend great web pages relevant to your topic, or link to more detailed info elswhere to keep your lens from getting too big.1
Link List
(Starter Package) A list of annoted links to websites relevant to your topic.6 points
2
Big Arrow Link
(Sell Stuff) Huge black arrows pointing to an equally ginormous link.4 points
3
Del.ici.ous Bookmarks
(Search A-Z) Show websites you or another user have bookmarked with a specific tag, or the most popular bookmarks for that tag. Great way to get keyword-targeted links.2 points
4
Featured Lenses
(Search A-Z) Feature up to five lenses. Highlights them with link, title, icon plus beginning of introduction.2 points
5
Links Voting (Plexo)
(Unique Content) Let users suggest links and/or vote on them.1 point
6
Featured Lensmasters
(Search A-Z) Feature up to five lensmasters. Icon plus name beneath.1 point
7
Wikipedia
(Search A-Z) Display first paragraph of Wikipedia article and link to the rest.1 point
Squidoo Module Tip
Modules help attract visitors in two powerful ways. Google treats words and phrases in module Titles and Subtitles as important. It also favors words and phrases in Clickable Links. Google calls important words and phrases keywords, and sends people searching for them your way.
Links on How to Use Keywords
(This is a "Link List" Module)
- Squidoo Tagging Tricks
- How to pick tags and keywords that will draw visitors interested in your topic.
- Keyword Playground Tool
- Free tool to help you brainstorm good keywords by seeing how often people search for them.
- My SEO Tips and Tools
- Search engine optimization (SEO) is the art of writing web pages so that Google and other searches will send you people looking for your topic/product. Here's good tools and tutorials I've found to help you learn SEO.
Interactive Modules
Vote for the Modules You Use Most!
Get your visitors talking -- to you, or even to each other! Fresh content not only attracts repeat visitors, it can boost search engine ranking.1
Guestbook
(Starter Package) Invite guests to leave comments, feedback, critique. Or use this module more creatively: invite people to share tips, poetry, even cookie recipes!8 points
2
Duel
(Starter Package) Pose a question with two possible answers. Visitors pick one answer and write a post about it. Good for debate.2 points
3
Plexos
There are plexos for Amazon, Text List, Link List, Comments, YouTube Videos, Flickr. In each of these you can invite submissions, or restrict them to voting only on items you've picked. Most of the modules on this page are Plexos.2 points
4
Poll Module
(Starter Package) Pose a question. Visitors vote anonymously on a set answers/options you've chosen.2 points
5
Group Discussion
(Search A-Z) Looks an awful lot like the Guestbook, except that the default blurb at the top is different. Basically has space for module title, description/instructions, and visitor comments (up to 1000 characters).0 points
News and Magazine Modules
Which Are Your Favorite News Sources?
News, editorials, magazines: an ever-changing river of content can be channeled into your lens!Each of these can be set to show headlines only or headline + excerpt.
1
Blog Posts from Google
(Search A-Z) The all-purpose news/blog module; this one harnesses Google Search to pull in blogs or news articles mentioning keywords you choose.3 points
2
Christian Science Monitor
Search (A-Z) Latest headlines from CSM.1 point
3
The Onion
(Search A-Z) Latest news headlines run through a blender and dressed up in glasses and a funny hat.1 point
4
BBC News
(Search A-Z) Frontpage headlines from the Beeb.0 points
5
Guardian Unlimited
(Search A-Z) Frontpage headlines from the UK's Guardian newspaper.0 points
6
Politics Today NBC News
(Widgets, p. 5) Latest political news, mostly U.S.0 points
7
PR Newswire Business News & Video
(Widgets, p. 5) Streaming news headlines.0 points
8
BoingBoing
(Search A-Z) Latest news headlines from BoingBoing.0 points
9
Digg Frontpage News
(Search A-Z) User-selected frontpage news on Digg.0 points
10
CNet News
(Search A-Z) Latest technology news.0 points
11
CNN Live
(Search A-Z) Latest news headlines at CNN.0 points
12
Washington Post
(Search A-Z) Latest news from Washington Post.0 points
13
Motley Fool
(Search A-Z) Magazine for smart investors.0 points
14
Salon
(Search A-Z) Latest headlines from Salon magazine.0 points
15
Scientific American
(Search A-Z) Latest articles from Scientific American.0 points
16
MAKE Blog
(Search A-Z) More like a magazine: fascinating inventions and hand-crafted items created by geeks blending a handmade approach with modern technology.0 points
Blog Modules
Which of Them Have You Used?
Call on the experts and pundits to make your lens smarter!1
Twitter Follow
(Starter Package) Display recent tweets from yourself or another Twitter user.5 points
2
RSS Feed
(Starter Package) Display excerpts of the most recent posts on a blog of your choice -- most blogs on the web have a "feed"!3 points
3
Buzz Machine
(Search A-Z) Latest posts from Jeff Jarvis, blogging on politics, pundits and media coverage.0 points
4
Dan Gillmor
(Search A-Z) Latest posts from Dan Gillmor on current events, media coverage, US politics.0 points
5
Church of the Customer
(Search A-Z) Blog on word of mouth, customer evangelists, citizen marketers, and other viral ways to promote/build business.0 points
6
Doc Searls
(Search A-Z) Posts from well-known blogger on DIY Tech.0 points
7
Engadget
(Search A-Z) Blog on new technology, gadgets.0 points
8
GapingVoid / GapingVoid Cartoon
(Search A-Z) Blogger/cartoonist shares his wit, cartoons, and wisdom on social interactions, marketing and the internet.0 points
9
Top Chef Blogs
(Widgets, p. 6) Latest blog posts from various chefs.0 points
10
Glen & Helen Show
(Search A-Z) Podcast, actually. Podcasts on wealth building and current politics.0 points
11
Seths Blog
(Search A-Z) Ideas and thoughts from the creator of Squidoo.0 points
12
Wonkette
(Search A-Z) DC Gossip blog. Outrageously true.0 points
Product Search Tip
Many Squidoo modules use a generic search tool to find items on another website. It's often easier to go to that website and use their more powerful, site-specific search tools to find items, then copy the item name 
(or one word of it) into Squidoo's simple search box.
MoneyMaking Modules
Which Moneymakers Work for YOU?
Squidoo lets you earn money for yourself and/or your favorite charities. These merchants pay you royalties for items you helped sell.I've tested all of the following modules using the tip above and found at least two products that Squidoo would display.
1
Amazon
(Starter Package) Showcase 1-5 products on Amazon and earn royalties. This is the motherlode.7 points
2
eBay
(Sell Stuff) Showcase eBay items related to your topic and earn royalties.6 points
3
Amazon Recommendations
(Interact) Pick one item to showcase, and Amazon will list five similar products your viewer "may also like..." Earn royalties.3 points
4
Amazon Spotlight
(Unique Content) Showcase one Amazon product with a larger graphic and mini-review; earn royalties.2 points
5
Orbitz!
(Sell Stuff) Earn royalties when people buy plane tickets or plan trips.1 point
6
Barbecues.com
(Search A-Z)Select and showcase patio furniture, grills, BBQs; earn royalties.1 point
7
Overstock.com
(Search A-Z) Buy/recommend just about anything at a discount.1 point
8
Amazon Voting (Plexo)
(Unique Content) Invite visitors to submit and vote on Amazon products. Earn royalties.0 points
9
Cafepress
(Sell Stuff) Showcase items being sold on Cafepress -- your own store, or someone else's -- and earn royalties.0 points
10
Netflix
(Sell Stuff) Showcase top releases, recent releases, or items in your queue or Recommended list and earn royalties.0 points
11
ArtByUs Module
(Moneymaking) Showcase paintings sold through ArtByUs. Note: I don't think these earn a royalty, but are useful to seller and/or could add graphics/relevant content to your lens.0 points
12
Beauty.com
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase beauty products; earn royalties.0 points
13
Calloway Golf
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase golf products; earn royalties.0 points
14
Camera World
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase photography products; earn royalties.0 points
15
Disney Shopping
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase Disney toys, DVDs and other gifts; earn royalties.0 points
16
Golfsmith
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase golf products; earn royalties. Note: Choose second Golfsmith module; first is broken.0 points
17
Fossil
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase clothes and accessories from Fossil; earn royalties.0 points
18
Hatworld/Lids
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase team caps and other hats; earn royalties.0 points
19
iTunes
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase songs and albums on iTunes; earn royalties.0 points
20
J&R Computer/Music World
(Search A-Z) Computers, audio and video equipment, cameras, office machines, even housewares and appliances.0 points
21
KB Toys
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase kids' toys and games; earn royalties.0 points
22
Laptops For Less
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase laptop computers; earn royalties.0 points
23
Luggage Online
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase luggage, earn royalties.0 points
24
Office Depot
(Search A-Z) Select and showcase office supplies, furniture and equipment; earn royalties.0 points
25
Panasonic Direct
(Search A-Z) Select/showcase audio-visual equipment.0 points
26
Petco
(Search A-Z) Recommend/earn royalties for pet accessories, carriers, food and more.0 points
27
Sharper Image
(Search A-Z) Recommend/earn royalties for gadgets, appliances, cool toys, and a gazillion kinds of massagers.0 points
28
Sierra Trading Post
(Search A-Z) Recommend/earn royalties for casual and outdoor clothes/gear.0 points
29
Vermont Teddy Bear
(Search A-Z) Bears for every occasion. Earn royalties.0 points
30
Wine.com
(Search A-Z) Showcase and earn royalties for wines and wine-related gifts.0 points
Miscellaneous Widgets
Which of These Do You Find Most Handy?
Widgets are a grab bag of goodies, usually pulling in tailored content from other websites.1
Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
(Widgets) Eco-friendly ideas.2 points
2
Astrology.com Lovescope
(Widgets) Horoscope and more.1 point
3
Cost of the War in Iraq
(Widgets) Counter showing current war cost. Aie.1 point
4
Countdown!
(Widgets) Name an event, pick a date, and Squidoo displays a countdown.1 point
5
Did You Know? Random Facts
(Widgets) Random trivia.0 points
6
Lyrics Libs
(Widgets, p. 2) Mad Libs using Daughtry's songs (whoever that is)0 points
7
MadMoney with Jim Kramer
(Widgets, p. 2) Money-related (mostly stock market) TV show previews and links.0 points
8
Money Magnet Quiz
(Widgets, p. 2) Flash quiz on your aptitude for gaining wealth and starting a business; partly an ad.0 points
9
US National Debt
(Widgets, p. 6) GACK!0 points
10
Washington Post Issue Tracker
(Widgets, p. 6) Opinion polls on major current events.0 points
11
Dilbert Comics
(Search A-Z) Links to (rather than images of) latest Dilbert strips.0 points
12
Homer Simpson Quotes
(Search A-Z) Homer Simpson holding forth.0 points
13
Motor Trend Photo Gallery
(Widgets) Photos and links to latest automobile reviews.0 points
Local Content
Get the Scoop on Your Neighborhood!
Print Local and Widget Modules
1
Google Maps
(Search A-Z) Map of (almost) any address.2 points
2
Discover Our Town
(Search A-Z) Input zip code, pick a category like "lodging" or "Transportation", find listings on discoverourtown.com.2 points
3
Movie Listings
(Search A-Z) Display links/names of movies now playing by zip code.0 points
4
Weather Widget
(Widgets) Graphical 3-day weather widget with national Doppler map.0 points
5
Current Weather
(Search A-Z) Text-based 4-day forecast plus more details on current weather.0 points
6
Indeed Jobs
(Search A-Z) Job search by zip code.0 points
Entertainment and Sports Modules
Games, TV, music, or news about the big game.1
Heroes Videos
(Widgets, p. 1) Behind-the-scenes info, actor interviews and more.1 point
2
Sunday Night Football Matchup
(Widgets) Video coverage of Sunday Night Football.1 point
3
Watch the Olympics
(Search A-Z) RSS Feed: Latest Olympics news from Squidoo.1 point
4
Jay Leno videos
(Widgets, p. 2) Jay Leno previews/clips.0 points
5
Lyrics Libs
(Widgets, p. 2) Mad Libs using Daughtry's songs (whoever that is).0 points
6
The Apprentice: Ice Cream Parlor Challenge
(Widgets, p. 6) Solitaire video game based on The Apprentice. Music warning.0 points
7
InStyle Look of the Day
(Widgets, p. 2) Celebrity photo + fashion tips.0 points
8
Jambase News RSS Feed
Latest concerts, live performances, and music news.0 points
9
Jambase Favorite Bands
(Search A-Z) Share your favorite bands from your Jambase Account.0 points
10
The Blender 100 Songs
(Widgets, p. 1) Graphical widget displaying the latest top-rated songs.0 points
11
The Office Videos
(Widgets) Video viewer of behind-the-scenes clips from <I>The Office</I>.0 points
12
NBA Fan Widgets
(Widgets, p. 2-5) For the serious basketball fan, a team-customized widget.0 points
13
Rotoworld.com's Fantasy Sports News
(Widgets) Latest news on teams, though right now it's set for NBA.0 points
Broken Module List
A lot of modules rely on other websites providing Squidoo with data. If those websites change the type of data they share, Squidoo can lose its place.
I've tested ALL modules. As of 4/4/08, these are the broken modules.
Here's my favorite link:
Visitors' Module
This module is for you! Comments, feedback or suggestions are always appreciated; spam ain't.
Please let me know if you find any modules listed under my "dead" file that are working, or vice versa.
Judy_Filarecki wrote...
Thanks for taking the time to lay out all this information. it certainly is a great resource for us newbies. Lots to learn.
Posted April 18, 2009
db49 wrote...
Heartfelt thanks for all the help navigating the amazing module maze. I have a feeling this lens may be my home-away-from-home for more than just a little while. Thanks again.
Posted April 13, 2009
SoyCandleLover-Maker wrote...
Great info and soon to be a much used reference. :D 5 stars Fav. Thanks
Posted April 01, 2009
LDWorld wrote...
Thank you, was looking for something like that for some time...
Posted May 22, 2008
by Greekgeek
Greetings! I'm not Greek, I just love ancient Greece.
I'm a graduate student in mythological studies -- want fries with that? -- using the web to sha...
