WTF? "I would like to block search engines, but allow normal visitors"
 

Make sure you don't have that checked in your Wordpress installs. It's checked by default.

What dumb muppet at Wordpress thought that would be a good idea? :1orglaugh

This is the Privacy (Settings -> Privacy) settings relating to the ping feature when posting new content.... it doesn't mean "Block visitors coming from Google". I don't believe it is enabled by default after install, but always worth a check.

you get to pick it when you install wp

Not on a one click Fantastico. How dumb is that though, seriously.

That's the first time I've touched Wordpress in years, largely it's a massive improvement, but that's just plain fricken dumb.

And yes, it's set to be checked by default (on a fantastico install anyway). :Oh crap

:mad::mad:

I thought it might be helpful to a few who've missed it.

Apparently they did it a few years ago. Opps.