Site Comments, comments vs. feedback!
Yes, this is yet another post on the proverbial subject of comments vs. feedback!
I don't know if it is just that I am using Site Comments more now, or if there is a change with the new popularity of Site Comments. There are a lot of people leaving feedback instead of comments and it seems to have increased.
Let me clarify. I have used Site Comments for years now but I had drifted to the comment thread since it took forever to get comments on the Site Comments platform this last year. I got many people on the give and take thread that left feedback instead of comments but when I used Site Comments, I didn't have that problem. Now I am getting feedback instead of comments multiple times per day!
I wonder if the popularity of Site Comments and the ability to earn money for comments is drawing a large new pool of commenters that still don't know the difference between comments and feedback?
How can we deal with this? I really wish there was a tutorial you had to pass in order to leave comments that made sure you understand the difference between the two! I have seen this suggested multiple times by other members.
It wastes everybody's time when we have to deal with feedback instead of comments. I feel TERRIBLE dissaproving someone. I really don't want to do that. I know you can edit. I don't like doing that but I have a few times if it means the difference between approving and dissaproving.
For any new member here who may be wondering what the difference is between feedback and comments, here is the short answer:
Comments are on the content of the post. So, if my post is on a nutritional supplement, the comment should be about the supplement or a question related to the supplement or experiences with similar supplements, the conditions they help etc. Comments are seen by the whole world so it is not appropriate to critique the website there.
Feedback is about the site or the post itself. Feedback would be about the font, color, images, layout etc. Feedback is only seen by the site owner and not published on the site.
I understand new members just don't know the difference. Do we need to find a way to educate new members better or are they just not paying attention?
Jessica
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Maybe they could have a filter along the lines of only those who have completed a certain level of courses can comment.
I have stopped using the new section for this very reason as well as the low quality of comments I was getting.
It will work out eventually I guess and then I might venture back
I would like to see something whether it is a filter, warning, quiz etc. I think there just needs to be something on the Site Comments platform explaining the difference since someone could start trying to leave comments before they do any training. I would prefer it to be a quiz or something that they have to read explaining the difference and click to say "Yes, I have read this".
As a new member, I just was not paying attention when I did my comments. I thought I had clicked on the Site Feedback and not Site Comment. When the average webpage I have to visit on the internet is packed, I tend to skim through their content because there are a million other pages I'm multi-tasking on and I'm really stretched for time.
Maybe all that's needed is a large signpost that's in my face to say e.g. REMINDER: you are submitting a SiteComment; not a SiteFeedback. If unsure, please refer to ...(link to relevant training page).
... and vice versa for SiteFeedback reminder.
Luckily, the first time I did it erroneously, the website owner was kind enough to educate me and it gave her an opportunity to have me visit one of her training blog posts (whereby I then checked out her other posts).
Plus, WA admin sent me an email to also educate (admonish) me! hehe ... so ... err ... umm ... think WA has done enough on this subject ... except maybe have bigger signposts for those with short attention span like me.
Yes, some sort of reminder would help but many people don't understand the difference between the two so just reminding them which platform they are on might not be enough.
Thanks Vicki, but I can't write it. It would need to be integrated into the Site Comments platform like a quiz. If they don't pass the quiz, they can't leave a comment.
There are many, many posts here and even trainings about comments vs. feedback...I guess I could do a new training though!!
Thanks for the encouragement. I have never done a training!
Of course- I never thought of that- That would be excellent- Have you mentioned this to Kyle as I'm sure he and Carson would be really responsive to this idea
Keep us posted Jessica as this is great
Vicki
It was other members whom have suggested this in the past. I have seen this referenced many times. I have not discussed it with Kyle and Carson recently. I was hoping to get some responses here to see what people thought.
Hi Jessica as a newbie I actually found it a bit confusing because of the way the message at the bottom pops up and asks for you to to be more relevant , sorry cant think of the exact words right now its been a long day. But it kind of throws you a bit and tends to turn the thinking around back into feed back mode. It may be the same with others too.
Yes, I understand it is confusing. I think there should be an explanation right on the Site Comments platform so everyone reads it before they leave a comment.
Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
I think this will always be a problem and not easy to resolve. A lot of new members don't know the difference. It is good to post about it from time to time to remind everyone. I think they should include a terms of use button where people have to read the conditions first before they can proceed with feedback and comments.
I am lucky. I have requested a lot of comments and no one left me feedback instead of a comment. I am happy about this.
I had three just today! I think you might have been the one that suggested this quiz sort of thing on Site Comments originally. If they don't pass the quiz they can't leave a comment.
Thanks
Try and locate the persons here on WA and ask them to change it to a comment. I know this is not always possible because the gravatar and WA profile could be different.
Worst case scenario you disapprove and lose the comment and make someone unhappy. I don't think most people leave feedback on purpose. I try to educate first.
BUT, if you cannot locate them on WA, I suggest you disapprove otherwise they will keep doing it. When you disapprove a comment you have a section where you explain why you disapproved the comment. This way the person will definitely see it.
Yes, that is what I do. I try to approve it if possible. If I can't find the person and there is nothing usable to edit, I will disapprove and explain why.
I learned the hard way but I also get a few who will just attack you and say things.. which has nothing to do with comments.
I think I will also start disapproving these comments.. Thank you for this article.
I really feel bad disapproving but if there is nothing at all about the topic of my post then I can't really edit it.
Sorry you have had problems too.
My 2 cents,yes I believe a lot of newbies do not understand the difference between the two..this is somewhat acceptable to me if I know they are new it presents a chance to educate or teach, this is fine. However there as been a few recently and like you I think it is because of the new incentive on site comments...they are either not paying attention or worse not really caring as long as they are getting closer to that incentive.
OK just my two cents is all
I am not at 3 months yet I don't think - maybe could put together a training explaining the difference between the 2
I think this has been covered multiple places in training so it seems redundant but I do wish there was a way to put something right on the Site Comments platform so everyone has to see it.
Thanks!
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I think it'll be great if instead of disapproving there is a "redo request" button to click with a number of options stating why the comment wasn't good enough, such as "A. site feedback, not a comment, B. low quality) then the commenter can choose to redo it and not get penalized
Nice idea.
It does mean WA has to add yet another checkpoint in the system when this could be avoided if people read the instructions
That is an interesting idea. Thanks.