What is the Correct Way to Write Comments
No doubt, this post applies to newbies. However, I consider what I am saying needs to be said.
I received a comment on my Wealthy Affiliate Review this morning which I sent immediately to Trash.
The comment was an exact copy of an existing comment on the Review. The only difference was the last sentence of the existing comment was not included.
I understand that writing original comments is sometimes difficult. However, copying comments already online is not acceptable.
The correct way to write a comment is to be original. Not to copy the work of others.
Recent Comments
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So true, some comments seem like feedback.
Thank you for speaking out.
Have a super weekend!!
Valerie, sometimes bot-generated content spam can also look like meaningless duplication. Is there a chance that this is what you found posted to your page?
No Ivy, this was not bot-generated. It was done by somebody who has yet to learn how to leave comments. Hopefully that person will see this post, and learn from it.
Thanks very much for your comment.
Thanks Val. Ok. I've seen such 'learners' about as well.
In my first week here at WA, while responding to a 'tell us about yourself' thread: A new WA user had just posted an introduction, when another user copy-pasted him in toto. He was incredulous! Did you just copy my introduction, he asked?
It's a curious behaviour. The same kind of user also posts copied content into the WA boards.
It's not always obvious why people do this. You may just have a confused learner on your hands.
But just for your awareness and everyone else's, there are certain elements of the SEO community (black hat) who make a practice of 'testing' how well-managed a site is before earmarking it for spam.
They do this by posting spam or other nonsense and waiting to see how actively managed it is. A delay, or no response, signifies the site or forum is good for spamming and malware links. Some WA members may find themselves visited by such scouts at some point. Good to be aware such practices exist.
What is the right way to write a comment? I had my comment recently denied because I did not word it the way he wanted. I think sometimes people are a little too picky up here. However, I can understand your plight if it was duplicate content posted on your post.
Josephine, I assure you I would never deny or delete a comment for any other reason than straight out copying, causing duplication.
I feel for you that you comment was denied. I know that comments can be a little difficult to write, but I'm always grateful to people who take the time to write an original comment, even though it may not perfect. As website owners, we have the option of correcting comments we receive. But, there is no option with duplication, other than deletion.
Thank you very much for your comment, Josephine. And best wishes to you :)
I have only ever declined one comment, although have had some weird ones. I take liberties and just reword some of the really bad ones. Maybe this is cheating a bit.
Well, it would have been nice if he just reworded it to fit what he wanted to say. It was only like a few words basically saying I had never heard of the product till I read his review, but I learned a lot and it was a very good review. His complaint was if someone was searching for the product they wouldn't say that... go figure.
Honestly Josephine, some people are just hard to understand. All we can do is be thankful that those people are few and far between. Of course he should have reworded your comment.
I'm pleased you learned something from reading the review.
All the best :)
Never before have I declined a comment, other than pure spam which I received literally hundreds of when I first started online years ago. But, with this particular copied comment there was no way it could be reworded. It was an extremely unique comment and included reference to one of Jay's webinars not long after I joined WA. Anyway, I just hope that 'new to working online' members gain benefit from my post.
Thanks so much Michel for leaving your comment :)
Youbhave to be careful.. Even if you make changes I'm learning they must be more substantive!
Michael, I don't have to accept duplicate content. The original comment that was copied was unique in that it quoted something that Jay said in one of his webinars, about secret sauce. Had I left the copied comment on my site, it would not have been a good look to anyone visiting my site.
I would never ever trash a valuable comment on my site. It is yet another possibility to get you to have an extra comment on your site.
Instead I would edit the comment of the sender and add some nice question to it that you answer yourself.
Nevertheless, your blog title: "What is the correct way to write comments" is not answered. You've just only told us what not to do.
Perhaps you have some more tips for newbies what to write and how to come to that point (I am no newbie, but can always use tips).
Steven
Steven, the comment was straight out copy. It was duplicate content which is not acceptable, as you would know. There was nothing valuable about the comment, and there was no way it could be edited.
Anyway, I don't have time to argue the point. There are already plenty of tips on WA for newbies on a wide range of subjects. I'm sure you are aware that tips can be found by using the search bar at the top of this page.
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Well said
hopefully it will not happen again.
I thought that duplication of comments would show up on the algorithm that they have at WA
In the early days here at WA, I had a comment rejected by the system here at WA....they stated that my comment was'nt original and were going to dissapprove it, unless I changed it.
It's a fail safe system that they have in place to prevent exactly just what you experienced
I guess one slipped through the net.
Cheers PB
Phil, it wasn't through site comments.
It was made directly to the website.
I had requested comments in the Classrooms, so maybe it came through that source.
The copied comment was particularly unique and had been made a long time ago. It is a nice comment I had never forgotten. When I saw it again yesterday, waiting to be approved, I thought I was 'seeing things'. Well, I was. I was seeing copied content.
Thanks so much for commenting :)