Site Comments - Imperfect System
First, let me start out by saying that I really like the new system. It definitely helps the "pay it forward" ideal and I really agree with it. Also, no system will ever be perfect, so this post is not a complaint, just pointing out a few flaws.
We've all learned that comments are great for our websites. They help build trust with the search engines which improves our rankings. The problem with this is that we're not marketing to the search engines. I suppose in a way we are, but we need to remember that we aim to have real people reading our content. People who are interested and involved in our selected niche for one reason or another, and honestly I've found that the comments I've received are turning people off.
I'm getting kind and courteous comments, and I appreciate all of them, but with most of them it is quite clear that the commentors have no experience or involvement with my niche, and that makes my real viewers nervous.
My niche is related to horses, so when almost all of my comments say something along the lines of "I don't have horses but..." it raises a serious red flag with real horse owners because it then begs the question "then why are you even here? If you don't have horses, what brought you to this site and why are you leaving a comment?"
I don't know how this problem could ever be remedied, as I don't want people to lie, and I know a lot of people would suffer if they only had comments from people involved in their niche.
Still, I believe it is a problem, because what's the point in building trust with the search engines if you can't build trust with your visitors?
Recent Comments
3
This site comment is driving me mad!!! I'm more than happy to help others by leaving comments, but the interests section does not work. No matter how many times I tick certain boxes, I will get websites that have nothing to do with my interests, and have no idea how to even comment. This has been going on for 3 days, and it takes 1 hour to leave 4 comments. That is not a productive use of my time. Is there any way to actually get this thing to provide me with websites I'm interested in? If I get one more gaming site, or music site I'm going to scream!!! Thanks all.
Unfortunately I've never come across your site in the comment section, I could leave a good reply.
I know another member who has the same problem, she has a very narrow specific niche. As Donnie says, I don't think there's really a solution for this and no system is perfect. Let's just hope you some horsey people your way soon. :)
You can edit those comments that aren't quite relevant. I'm not suggesting a complete rewrite but you can delete the "I don't have horses" bit and slightly amend the rest of the wording to suit. As I see it if we're 'able' to do it then we must therefore be 'allowed' to. I'll admit I'm doing it more and more often these days. Needs must.... :)