Observations on Using the Commenting System
I have recently started using SiteComments again and I have to say that I am quite impressed with the quality of the comments I have been getting on my posts. I had used the system previously (I moved my site away from WA, but am back now), and I found that I was rejecting almost more than I was approving, but this time around in about 12 comments I only had to reject one - and it was only because it was feedback rather than a comment.
One thing I would like to mention though to those of you out there who are commenting on other people's posts - DO NOT address the person using their WA username. Many of us have different usernames here than what we are using on our websites, and it makes no sense to others that come along later and read the comments.
Have a great day everyone! And keep up with those excellent comments!
Cheers!
Nancy
Recent Comments
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I think as WA obviously continues to add new members daily, a higher percentage of them now understand what would be considered as meaningful, engaging and relevant comments that would be found as acceptable by the individual who created the article.
I have the feeling, and especially when the SiteComments of the WA portal was first created back a few years ago, (SiteFeedback available long before) that members just went at it without reading the training that was provided by Kyle. Many of them were probably hoping to quickly get something back themselves on their sites as far as comments and part of WA's give-and-take philosophy. The results were that many SiteComments were disapproved by members who originally wrote the articles.
And as you correctly stated, Nancy, a large percentage of those disapproved comments were due to members erroneously leaving feedback about the layout, design, color scheme, and etc on an entire website that was completely out of place in the SiteComments portion of the portal. I had to reject quite a few myself originally as members just did not seem to "get it" as far as knowing the difference between the two.
I even suggested to Kyle that he re-name the SiteComments to something else in order to prevent the great amount of confusion that seemed to be taking place many times daily between the two.
However, with no change ever being made by Kyle, he obviously felt that it was not necessary and that members needed to pay strict attention, (as well as actually read the training that had been provided) in what they were doing at the portal.
It's much better now and I credit all members here at WA with not only going through the training, but also taking this entire SiteComments/Site Feedback portal much more seriously.
Very insightful post, Nancy!
Yes, the Comment/Feedback thing seemed to have confused folks for a while, but I think most people have it figured out now.
I'm getting a lot of great comments now!
Thanks Nancy. You make a good point and I may catch heck for what I'm about to recommend, but I never reject a comment that I get from a WA member.
We have members of all skill levels here. Many of our members are not native English speakers. Some newbies don't know what they are doing and that's okay. We specialize in helping newbies.
When someone comments on my site, I know they are putting themselves out there and trying to help me. I'm grateful. Even if they get it wrong.
As the webmaster, I have the power to edit every comment. If it doesn't measure up, I edit it so it does.
Interesting point. I'm not sure that I would want to edit a received comment too much as to change the intention. I certainly don't mind comments where you can tell they are not native speakers.
The commenting system here is a great tool that should not be overlooked as part of your SEO strategy, that's for sure.
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Yup, always good to follow the golden rule when commenting. Would you want someone to leave a similar comment on your site? If no, rethink! My comments tend to be a couple paragraphs if I can muster it lol
It's always good to leave thoughtful and insightful comments, I know it's appreciated