My opinion and commitment to Quality comments
So I spent 4 hours cleaning up my comments today. Was it a waste of time, I don't think so, I hope not. I asked a question a few weeks ago, "Why exactly are poor quality comments bad for my site?" and I received quite a few responses.
One that really helped me decide to take the time to do this was a post called "Drive-By Comments: Avoid Them!" written by Daniel Euergetes. It definitely helped me realize that those drive by comments were taking advantage of my hard work to promote their own site.
The only thing I never found the "perfect" answer too is in regards to comments like "Great site", "Awesome info keep it up" or any of those cut and paste comments. So I gave this a lot of thought and came to this conclusion.
I don't believe these "cut and paste" comments hurt my site but they definitely don't do it any good either. I took the time to create some content and spent hours doing so, I feel like those cut and paste comments we're left by someone who didn't bother reading my content and just wanted to get their back link or it was left by someone who didn't know any better.
Am I guilty of doing this, yes I am. I never realized this was an issue until I started seeing people in the give and take area leave a comment asking for "relevant comments only". What the heck does that mean. It didn't take me long to realize I should look into this.
Will I do it again, nope. If I really don't know what to write, I won't write anything at all. I'll simply share your post but will spare you the trouble of not having to unapproved my pointless comment.The good news is I have the gift of gab so I'll always find something decent to say.
Something I see that does bother me are those that ask for quality comments but instill a sense of resent to those that do leave pointless comments. It's not that I don't agree with what they say but I feel it's the wrong attitude to take to someone who may not know any better.
My commitment:
I believe in this community as the key to success in this type of business, especially for those of us that are new and very inexperienced. I won't punish anyone for leaving such a comment on my site.
I won't approve your comment, because I want to grow my site. But I WILL LEAVE YOU A HIGH QUALITY comment on your site in hopes to help you realize and understand the importance of it. We are here to learn and we will make mistakes. I want to be the person that helped you and not discouraged you. I'm not successful YET but I haven't given up either. And this is the attitude I want to contribute to OUR community. Kyle and Carson created this site and did an amazing job but WE make the community and It is what we make it, so let's make it a good one.
Recent Comments
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Great attitude about this, Dan. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's been a topic in a number of blog posts the past month. I really haven't gotten too many cut and paste type comments, so I'm thankful for that. Like you, if I don't have anything to say, I don't comment.
Hey Allyn, I'm glad you guys don't mind reading what's on my mind. You're right, it is a topic that's come up quite a bit in the last month and that's the reason why I started thinking about it. As much as I knew it was important, didn't realize doing it with quality made such a huge difference. A difference not just with search engines but with the writers confidence and encouragements. I knew just how much I appreciated the good comments and realized that others do to. I'm hear to give and take and I'll deliver with quality. Cheers
Hey David, not only will it help the integrity of WA but it will help all of us in the long run. We may not get as many comments but the ones we would get will have a better chance of helping your content rank. Better ranking content leads to a more successful site.
Hi Dan.
Here is Neil,s post that resonates a similar feeling about what you have touched upon here.
STOP Leaving "Poor Quality" Blog Post Comments! .
Hey Pete, thanks for the link to Neils blog post. I can totally relate to what he's saying in this post. The more this subject is talked about the more people will come across it and the better all our comments will become. If everyone does their part, we can start a trend that encourages others, even those that aren't WA to want to be included in some of the discussions that take place in our comments.
I think many will agree with you Dan. Quality comments definitely make a difference.
Thanks for keeping the subject alive and continuing to educate and remind us all of the importance and value quality comments make...not only to our websites but to the authors self-esteem as well.
You're right Andy, when I get a great comment, I feel encouraged like I actually helped somebody with something. If I keep getting these types of comments, I have to be demonstrating that people are generally interested in my site. This has too lead to success cause that what success is, people wanting what you have to offer. Another reason I chose to talk about this is because I figure the more this topic is out there, the more beginners are bound to come across it and learn it's importance a lot sooner.
Well said Dan.
When I first started I wasn't aware of how comments could help your site, just that it was good to leave them for others and get some on your own site.
Now I try and leave comments relevant to the post, also try and include keyword. :)
Hello Kathy, you try to include keyword! I have to think about that next time I write a comment.
Hey Kathy, I was in the same place as you were for a long time. I knew comments were good but never gave it much more thought than that for a long time. Not until peoples comments on the "give and take" thread got me thinking about it. Yes it's importance was explained in the course but it didn't stick the way it should have. Once I got to thinking and did some research and read some posts I understood how good comments can improve your site. It can make your post rank better from the use of keywords, I'm glad you just pointed that out btw. A great comment can generate a great conversation, people read comments on posts and can help build credibility for you and your and it will encourage others to do the same on your site as well. I'm sure there are many more benefits that I'm forgetting to mention.
Hey Kathy, Hilda makes a great point in number 4 of this post. We are visiting as a VISITOR not a WA member. I get a lot of those comments as well and as good as this advice can be, it's not the place for it. As WA members we have a place for this kind of feedback and we need to take advantage of those tools that we have here.. that's what they are there for.
Well said, and I am of the same mind and practice. Have something of substance to say, or don't say anything. If you liked what you read, share it, that's good karma. Just because you can't think of a worthy comment is no reason to not help the author of worthy content out.
Hey Marvin, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only thinking this way. Like any blogger, I love great comments but even if your reader doesn't have anything to say but liked what you wrote, they can still help by clicking on the social buttons. It takes very little effort and can actually be a huge help in the success of a person's website. I love your comment about Karma, because I have seen it first hand. When I help I get help and I appreciate all of it.
I try to give good comments - sometimes it is hard since I can't express myself the way I do in Swedish; but I try.
Sometimes a member of WA askes for comments on a post or on their site and I like the post but don't know how to express myself in English I might give a short comment. But I always try to write something to show I have read the article and I never write anything about my own page. I try to ask myself: Is this comment a comment I would like to have on my own website?
Hey Marie, I have nothing against a short comment or question so long as it's relevant to the post. I'd love such a comment any day of the week. If I write about cleaning your kitchen for example and someone's comment is simple like "How do you sanitize your counter without bleach?" It's one short line but to me it's relevant. It's a question that can definitely carry a conversation. I would approve this. If the comment is something like: "Good job" or "Great info, I really like your post. I love the color of your site and the categories are perfect." I probably wouldn't approve this one. This is something I expect in WA website feedback section and not on a post about cleaning my kitchen. As for difficulty expressing yourself in English, just write it the best that you can, most bloggers will fix spelling mistakes or fix a sentence to get the message across more clearly. That doesn't bother me at all because you took the time to leave me something relevant. Don't ever hesitate to leave me a comment just because you have difficulty expressing it. If you ever do need a hand with anything, whether it benefits me or not, just let me know. That's what this community is all about.
Good to know that most bloggers will fix what I write to get the message across more clearly. I want everything to be perfect so I can read something over and over again trying to find misstakes.
Thanks for the offer to help! I think WA is a very special place where everyone tries to help eachother.
Great point - we are all on a learning curve when it comes to engaging with our comments, it's so tempting to be 'nice' and inadvertently end up like all those other flatterers trying to leave backlinks - thanks for that offer too!
Hey Moz you got it. We seem to have been doing this for a similar amount of time so I can relate to "the learning curve". Just when I feel like I'm finally doing it right I will realize something new and think to myself "Oh shoot, I never thought of that." A lot of these things,such as keywords in titles and first paragraphs, placing your posts in categories and even leaving good comments seems to be common sense now but before I learned these things I knew nothing of it. As long as we learn from our mistakes, things can only get better.
:D yes, we are evolving, it is almost embarrassing looking back sometimes, but the future is bright, especially when experienced members bring the newbies along ;)
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HI Dan
Thanks for taking a look at Neil's post.
One of the most overlooked things are comments on our pages/posts,When people comment it's good for SEO, as it shows activity and engagement from our readers.
This is why blogs work best, since they already have a visual commenting structure.
If someone writes "Nice post,Bookmarked your site" it's not adding any value to your post or on account of scanty wording on what you spent hours hen-pecking on the keyboard.(that's me!)
We should all write in a few relevant words to someones post comments about the subject at the very least.
Anyway, Great Posts from both You & Neil.
lets keep this discussion going,
Pete.