Site Comments: Stop the Faking

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Hi, fellow affiliates! This may end up turning into a sort of rant, and I apologize beforehand if it does.

My niche is community cats, which include strays and ferals, and of course, barn cats, which is where my name comes in. My target audience is mostly the US. And other English-speaking countries that have similar progress in regard to animal welfare that the US does. At least for right now.

No offense to non-English speakers, but I know that some countries deal with things a lot differently than we do here in the United States. Some countries don't even HAVE animal welfare laws. I also know the resources and more about the laws regarding this stuff here. Maybe eventually I'll branch out worldwide, but for now, I'm focused on the US.

It's my cause. To open people's eyes to this huge issue and save kitties. Right now, that's focused mainly in the US.

Okay, so my target audience, who is also about 80% female BTW, and more than half are between 35-45 years old, who live in the US. It is to these people I'm talking to.

This does not mean other countries or men or teenagers can't get something out of my website, they absolutely CAN! But I'm NOT going to dumb down my posts to include the 2 people from say, Brazil that may read my post and not have great English. Not a lot of what I'm writing about is going to be useful in Brazil regarding feral cats, so why would I annoy the OTHER 99% of my readers by dumbing down very common terms everyone who owns a TV or spends time on FB knows in the US?

Especially as you can HIGHLIGHT a word, and do a google search (In your language) to get it defined if you're iffy on the term. That's what I do when something comes up I'm unsure about!

My Issue

I requested 3 comments on an article about why spay and neuter is important. I received 4 comments. Cool. Until I read them. Two comments I had to disapprove because they made no sense regarding my article or niche, and one I had to edit for grammar and spelling pretty heavily. The other was kind of iffy, because they used an inaccurate term for something and that drives me crazy, but since only dog owners would know to use that wrong term, I let it slide.

The two I disapproved, totally tried, but they were faking. Faking EVERYTHING because they had no clue what spay and neuter was. Someone referred to aggression after he stopped his dog's spay and neuter 'treatments'. One mentioned going back to the store where they got their cat to see the "ways they were spaying and neutering her."

Apparently, even common terms that I wouldn't think to define regarding pets (IE Spay and Neuter) got commented on in Site Comments from someone who has NO IDEA WHAT IT IS.

Say you have NO clue what something is in a post because that's a term you haven't run across much in English.

You have TWO options.

1) Google is your friend! SEARCH THE TERM! Would have taken one second to hear the translation in your language defined. Maybe they don't do it in your country, or call it castration instead, or whatever? How am I going to know?

or

2) Why the ever-loving-heck wouldn't you just ASK in that comment, instead of pretending (IE LYING) in hopes I'll just approve it because you wrote what I wanted to hear, you think.

Seriously, folks.

Stop LYING in Site Comments!

It is seriously obvious when someone is 'faking' interest in something they have no interest in. This is why I have a HUGE issue with people trying to control their Site Comments so freaking much that people are forced to pretend interest just to get approved. If you pretend interest in buying a product, website owners think other visitors will buy that product. I really, really hate that.

I hate fake comments.

HATE them, people.

I'd much rather have someone be honest and HATE the product, or just skip the comment if they can't come up with anything to say at all. I'm not that picky. If you can write a decent sentence, you ask a relevant question about my niche in general, or make a good comment about why you aren't into whatever, I'd approve that.

I'm going to start disapproving the obvious fake comments, guys. I was approving those that were done okay and at least made sense, even if I know they're fake, simply because I know some people are so freaking picky about what comments say that they've been forced into doing that so their stats don't suffer.

Fake comments are getting disapproved now. I want reality folks. Some members of WA might be decent at faking it, but most of y'all are not. It's kind of hard to fake an interest in a product that you have NO clue about. Just like people faking the spay and neuter thing.

You don't HAVE to be that interested in something to make a decent comment! Ask a random question. Tell a story about your friend who likes it. Tell them why you DON'T like these things, usually, but you had fun learning about barometer pressure or the best way to fold a napkin. Who cares.

Stop pretending to care about something you don't care about.

It's lying. I don't want fake nonsense on my site. I have ethics. I want reality. I'm only asking for a comment.

I am NOT asking for lying, pretending, or faking. You don't care about the niche? That's okay, maybe I confused you at one point? Ask. You don't know why cat people do something? Ask? Heck, you don't know why people like cats? Ask!

Or even, tell me how feral cats are treated in your country. I honestly do not care what the comment says. Just be REAL.

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Recent Comments

38

Awesome post, because it brings up a great point about site comments - faking it for the sake of credits.

It is quite evident that you are a blogger who wants the best for her blog, and rightfully so. Every WordPress blogger is given the rights to accept or reject comments, as also the Site Comments feature on WA.

Fake comments do not have a place on any blog. In fact, you will be helping those who erroneously create those type of comments however inadvertently, by making them do something that they might have missed doing earlier - thinking before making a comment.

Good point. Maybe it will help them think. Plus people can't make money on comments if they end up below 80% approval rating!

I'm not even that picky. I will accept ANY legitimate comment. I don't want people to say what I want to hear or say specific things. I'm not trying to manipulate my website through comments. I want my website ranked because of content, NOT random answers in comments. They aren't even that dang important. But don't try to fake it.

Even people who don't write English THAT well I will approve, with minor corrections for spelling and clarification, as long as it's real.

One small suggestion is to not ask for 3 comments at the same time. Instead, ask for one comment one day, another one on another day at a different time, etc. Then you will pool different people, and your chances of getting several comments from just one request will be great.

Another tiny suggestion is to ask people to ask you a question, as the only option. Unfortunately, very few people actually follow the instructions, but you might find that the ones who do will leave you better comments.

I don't want to influence my comments that way. I prefer spontaneous real comments as close as I would normally get from visitors.

I can't tell my visitors what to do in my comments, other than asking a question in my content they can answer in my comments, or tell them to let me know if they have questions to make a comment. Other than that, I prefer to pick all four options so that the reader, even if they are WA members, can choose what they want to say about the subject. And I'll approve any legitimate comment.

I'm not picky. I'm not looking to gain anything but a tiny bit of engagement on my site. Comments aren't even that important. Helpful, but not that important. I just refuse to have FAKE crap. Asking for specific things I've found ENCOURAGES fake comments because they are trying to tell people what they WANT, not what they actually want to say.

In fact, my two best comments were people who disagreed about pets being spayed and neutered and asked what I thought of their reasoning.

I personally hate trying to be forced to come up with a question for a website in comments when I don't actually HAVE a question, but I DO have an opinion. That encourages people to fake questions they wouldn't normally ask just to pretend interest in a product they have no interest in. I don't want that.

Plus few people follow directions anyway.

It's good that you have a working strategy for comments. I guess different niches require different strategies. Since nearly everyone has an opinion about cats, your niche allows you to be more discerning of comments.

I don't really have a strategy with my comments at all, no matter my niche, even on my e-reader site. I just want real. I've had some WEIRD questions on my e-reader site by people who really had no interest in them, simply because they felt like they should ask questions.

It's bizarre how many people expect serious, lengthy blog-content worthy comments when most organic comments online are things like "Hey, I like this post" Or "Dude, you suck" or whatever. Most organic comments are NOT that helpful except that they exist.

Also, I'm of the opinion that comment sections are not as important now that social media sites are so prevalent. No big site has a huge amount of comments on their posts anymore. All my favorite sites MIGHT get a little more than a dozen comments. Only one website still gets up to 70 comments per post, and that's just because they are very active there answering everyone so everyone comments on their blog. But by answering everyone, their comment section doubles, definitely. So they probably get 40-80 comments depending on the post.

It used to be hundreds on all types of websites. Heck, the Penny Hoarder which started off as a blog and has made its creator a millionaire, has NO comment section. It made $37 million in 2017!! It started in 2010. Still, no comment section at all. They used to have a FB group for stuff, but that moved to an online community at their site. They still have a TON of fans on social media though.

Most business engagement happens on social media now more often, I believe. Comment sections aren't for instant communication and in today's world, people want instant replies or as fast as possible, which is why social media is really popular for that.

So the importance people place on comments is kind of misplaced, I believe. They aren't that important, whatever the comment itself says. Most organic comments are not really that great. They're helpful though in creating the impression of engagement, but what they SAY isn't that important.

Which is why I don't care what the comment says, as long as it's real. It's nice when I get a really good one of course, but most people online put no thought into anything.

Plus it looks much more authentic if there are some good comments, some mediocre ones, and some not so great ones. It completely looks like a website is writing its own comments if there are hundreds and ALL of them are 'good and long'. Or they think the site is censoring the bad comments, which kind of ruins trust. So either way, it's fishy to a regular visitor with any common sense.

Of course, I'm a website visitor often and I never check out the comment section of any website, unless I am worried about something being scammy. Then I might. So it would be suspicious to me.

That said, people can do what they want online on their own website. I just chose to emulate the successful blogs online I really like by not censoring my comments, except for the fake ones, obviously. I also rarely ask for more than 10 on one post.

I learn the basics here at WA, definitely, but I learn by examples and researching other successful blogs in my niches. ^_^

Sounds to me like you’ve got a good understanding of the trends with social media, of your visitors’ demographics and habits, and of your competition, so that’s great!

Sock it to them! Totally agree. And kudos to you for your work on cats. We have an autistic friend who goes to our animal shelter and plays his wooden flute to the cats.

Thank you!

Awww, I have heard that animals are really good for autistic people as they can get affection safely from cats and dogs without stressing them out when people can't hug them. I find it beautiful that he goes to the shelter to play his flute!

Well said!

Edwin

Thank you!

I'd just be happy to be able to give a comment. That lonely man on the bike keeps appearing for me. Jim

The past few days, it's been the same way for me. I've given TWO comments in two days. Normally I try to do 4 or 5 a day.

Hi Rochelle,

I have to agree. I've received comments that just make no sense at all or simply repeat what I just said in the article. Those are of no use.

Site Comments is a great tool if folks use it correctly.

So folks, please note that there is a "Settings" button at the top of Site Comments, and under that, you'll find your "Interests". Please check only those topics that truly interest you. DON'T check everything and try to leave comments on topics that don't interest you or you don't care about. We all like to earn credits by leaving comments, but please do it the right way.

As members of this community, we all have a responsibility to use the tools as they are intended to be used. Misuse or abuse hurts everyone.

Kind Regards,

Michael

Even with those filters set I keep getting matched with sites I have no interest in whatsoever.

I guess that's something the WA team should look into.

Regards,

Michael

I agree!

That said, even people not looking to abuse the system make fake comments pretending interest in some product when that isn't what I want because they simply think people WANT that kind of thing.

But yes, the abuse of the system is annoying. I have all the categories checked because I like reading anything, but if it happens to be one that isn't interesting to me (or it is really bad), I skip it.

If I read an article that I do not feel I can give a good comment on, I will choose to skip it instead. It would be better (in my opinion) if someone did not find my post interesting, if they skipped it rather than pretend they enjoyed it. This is very frustrating when it happens and it seems to be happening quite often lately.
Michelle

I do the exact same thing. I have found instances of fake comments happening more and more lately too. I used to get mostly good ones with one or two bad ones. But when 50% are so fake... Sigh. It's not even pretending that they read it. I want people to stop pretending they have a cat when they don't. Or pretending interest in the product when they do NOT. Or other such nonsense. It's really easy to tell when someone is trying to fake it or pretend something.

Why people feel like they have to pretend is beyond me. You don't have to pretend. You can comment on your honest opinion on something. Or if you're confused, asked a question. If you got absolutely nothing to say or you're struggling, skip it! Not everyone will be happy with the honesty, but I've got a 100% approval rating so it works!

Oh my! That is annoying and frustrating? Why are they faking a comment? Is that so they get a better score is WA? Just curious. I don’t comment, even here, if something doesn’t interest me or I don’t have the time to read the whole blog post.

Thanks for sharing!

There are two reasons why they fake. One, they didn't read it and aren't bothering to think of good responses and just trying to earn money fast.

Or two, they think people WANT them to fake interest in products or tell them their review is awesome, or agree with their opinions on a product, or whatever. If I read one more person pretending to have a cat or pretending interest in a book or an ereader when they don't read? I might scream. They can still make a comment. What if their best friend loves cats? What if their son reads a ton of books?

That said, a LOT of people want to manipulate their comments to say specific things or ask questions or whatever, so they can answer and influence their readers or Google that way. I personally feel your content should stand alone and you should NEED comments except that it helps prove engagement. You shouldn't need 80 comments on one post either. No website has 80 comments on one post anymore from organic visitors. Social Media is taking over the engagement platform there.

I make comments like I would when I find a website online that I really want to comment on. I'm honest and share what I really think. I might omit things like being from WA or not telling people that I don't own a garden, but I don't pretend to be a newbie looking for WA OR a person looking for reviews on that specific plant either. I've had people PRETEND to be searching for information and finding my website that way. Like seriously? You don't have to TELL me crap like that. Just tell me what you feel about my niche in general and I'd probably approve that more than this fake BS.

Hi Rochelle, it is extremely frustrating when someone comments on something they have no clue about.
Unfortunately regulating site comments is pretty much a impossible task. The best way to respond is to mark it as spam where it will get the necessary attention in most cases.
These people, if they are doing it on a regular basis will be banned from the site comment opportunity.

Best wishes,
Michael

The comments aren't spam though. Spam marking would only happen if they were trying to promote themselves or something in a comment. By rejecting their comments and putting why you did in it, already WA is getting reports on how many of their comments are getting rejected and why. IF they are gaming the system, then they get their privileges revoked or banned, whatever.

They have already made Site Comments better than it used to be. It used to have REALLY bad commenters there just to earn money. I'm not even talking about them so much as everyone who fakes interest in something, or people who pretend to find my site while searching online, or whatever. I don't want anything fake.

My two best comments were people who though spay and neuter was not natural or is harmful for animals or is against God.

I want real. If more people just rejected fakery, and stop trying to influence their comments on their own websites, people might stop faking. It isn't difficult to come up with a decent enough comment.

I agree with this, actually. If I get a site that I have no interest in I skip it. If I get on a page and I can't maintain enough interest in the content to keep reading it, I skip it. If I feel I cannot comment intelligently on the subject matter, I ask questions or I skip it.

I appreciate anyone that does the same for/to me and my content.

Be real people, or just don't.

Gwendolyn J

That's exactly what I do! But even some niches that I have no interest in, if the content is written well enough, I can usually comment on without faking it. I don't care about Keto, but I knew a FB friend who shared her experience of FB. So I share that instead of commenting on something I really don't care about.

If it's about something like bicycles. I do think I SHOULD be biking and it's crossed my mind, even though I know I'm never, ever going to, but I can ask an intelligent question, like "Which one would you recommend for casual riding around, but not mountain biking or long-range?"

If it's a making money online website? Those I can comment on but after a while, you get sick of WA reviews. I did run across someone promoting an "MLM" that was fishy. What I did, is say, I had heard of that one (after a Google search to see what other people are saying) and said but I didn't want to go into it because I read reviews that says it is similar to a pyramid scheme. Is there a reason you believe this one is better than that?" I got approved.

I don't like MLMs, but I can still comment and say I don't like MLMs, even when they're promoting one, and ask questions. I've NEVER been disapproved for that either. In fact, I have 100% approval rating. ^_^

All I do is make a random comment that might come from anyone visiting. That's the extent of my pretending. I don't SAY I'm from WA of course in WA reviews, but omitting facts isn't lying. I don't pretend to be a newbie or anything, but I just don't mention where I'm from.

But if it's really bad, I don't believe in the site at all, or can't think of anything to write, I do skip it.

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