Negative Organic Comment. Would You Approve It?

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I have a ton of comments on my sites but the vast majority of them are from WA members. I don't know exactly how many are organic but it is pretty small. I am always super excited to see a comment that I think is organic since that means my site is getting exposure!!! Yay!!!

I got a comment today that I am almost certain came from a searcher on Google. I happened to be looking at the Real Time results on Analytics when someone was on that particular post and then the comment popped up.

It is just a couple sentances and starts with "I have to call BS". Not a good start! It goes on to say I said borax didn't contain chemicals and that borax is a chemical. Well I guess I should have said "man made" chemical. Borax is a naturally occuring mineral compound. I also believe it is much safer than most man made chemicals used in cleaning solutions (the topic of the post was cleaning cat urine in carpet).

I have 994 approved comments on that site right now so it isn't as if I need every comment! I didn't realize I had so many!!

I could delete the comment and it will never be published on my site, or I could approve it and reply honestly that borax is not a "man made" chemical and is naturally occuring. On the one hand it is negative and someone who only saw the first sentance of the comment and did not read my response might think I indeed have a BS filled website. On the other hand, a negative comment that I can refute migth show I am honest and publish less than flattering comments but still show that I know what I am talking about.

Would you approve the comment or delete it?

Onward and upward,

Jessica

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Recent Comments

118

I'd approve it and explain more about what exactly borax is and how/why you think it's safer, etc. and the reason you've included it in your post... since it seems they don't know the facts, then tell them what they are. I'd think it a good opportunity to prove you know what you're talking about without a doubt!

It'll only show other visitors that you're an open and honest person by including their negative comment as well, at least in my opinion.

Best wishes :) ~Sherry

I like your point Sherry. Yes, including more information should help show what I am trying to say. Thanks.

I would approve the comment. It gives you an opportunity to clarify your website statement and engage the commentator. A discussion on the subject is always beneficial.
I question why you would want 900 comments on your site.Nobody is going to read them.I would keep only the 50 most recent ,or most interesting comments.
I remember reading in a post here at WA that comments help you with Google. I am not sure about that.
Maybe someone who knows may tell us if this is true.I think that so many comments clutter your site, unless they are filed away in the archives.

Comments do help our Google rankings. They show Google that there is activity on our site so comments coming in over time shows Google that the post is still relevant. They also add length to our posts which is also rewarded in the rankings. I have watched my post ranking improve overnight with comments. Comments and answers to them show that we are interacting on our site as well.

Experienced members here seem to suggest the more comments the better but I would be curious to hear more of your thoughts on the matter.

Thanks

Showing activity on the website is a good thing.I am sure that it is beneficial as far as rankings are concerned.I just question if the number of comments is excessive.I do not know the most recent Google algorithm but I would not be surprised if they would consider 900 comments as spam. It actually may lower the rankings, unless the comments have been offered over a number of years.Common sense question: How many comments do you read when you visit a website? I may only look at 3 or 4. Would 900 comments lower the speed at which yoour website loads?You may actually loose some visitors who do not like to wait for your website to show.

Those are good points. The big guys here talk about having thousands of comments on their sites...I would love to hear their answers to this.My site is almost 3 years old. As fare as I know only 1 page or post loads at a time so I think only the comments on that page or post could affect the load time.

I would like to hear more opinions on the subject.I am skeptic about having too many comments.That is just me.

I would approve it, replying that it was your mistake, you meant to include man-made...and just be gracious about it. IF he responds back and is negative, then maybe remove it. Or let it stay so people can see that he's a grouch, and you're a gracious human being. JMO =) Laura

Thanks Laura. You are in the vast majority here!

Hi Jessica, tough question.

My recommendation...leave it as it is. But, when you answer be respectful and honest, by accepting the correction, but mentioning like you did above in this blog that you actually meant to put man made in the blog.

To me, it shows your appreciation for the comment and at the same time shows how real you are and it'll build trust. If not, from the negative commenter, but any other organic visitor you may have later.

I wish you the best in whatever way you may go with this.
Bob

Thank you! It interesting that most everyone is on the same page here!

We are all trying to honest business owners...😜

Jessica, I would approve it and answer honestly. It will not hurt you or your rating it just shows that you are flexible. It is always good to have some not so good comments on the website as this makes it a real site. My experience don't change the comment if the person come back then that will be an issue. I approve my bad comments and tell them I respect their opinion. I answer in a nice diplomatic way.
Cheers Sylvia

Thank you Sylvia. I don't like changing them either.

Hi Jessica,

I received several negative comments on one of my more popular posts and I approved them all. There's even one commenter who refuted every paragraph of my entire post, I mean every paragraph, and I approved it.

In response, I explained why I said the things I said in the post and stood by them.

And yes, you can edit the offensive part then approve it.

Alice

Thank you Alice. Good for you.

Hi Jessica, that's a hard decision. I agree if people read the first line they may think your sight is no good. However having only positive comments can also make people think it is too good to be true! Giving it a bit of diversity can challenge people to read more. I would answer the comment, show the people that you do know what you are talking about. Like Marion said, you can edit the comment somewhat if there is something you really don't want on your site. Ultimately do what you are comfortable with.
Jenny

Yes, that is what I am thinking. Thanks.

My few "real" comments have been pretty reasonable, though short. The ones from people here on WA are often very poorly written with little thought given and evidently with only the quickest scanning of the content. Many of them I rewrite completely. For some, I add a bit to make more credible. Probably 85% need to be corrected for gross spelling, grammar or capitalization errors. Unfortunately, someone reading the comments will know that they are staged and written by people who are not interested in the niche.

I have had some very good comments from WA members but many are more trouble than they are worth since they don't look authentic. I agree.

I think that you need to approve it and give an opinion what do you think about this issue. It is nothing wrong having different views. In this way, people communicate, find truth or start a war( just joking). It can be the beginning of the whole new post:)
Be healthy and wealthy:)

Thanks Nemira!

You are welcome, any time:)

Hi Jessica, I think receiving organic comments are great. In my opinion I think you should approve it and respond professionally. It shows that you are accepting of other people’s opinion, and that you know how to handle a debate, and know what you are talking about. If you were in a face to face situation with a customer, you would have to deal with anything that comes your way, negative or not. Anyway, that’s what I think, and it’s up to you. Congrats on getting an organic comment though, still exciting even though it was negative.
😊 Jenny.

Yes. Thank you Jenny!

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