Comment Policy
I just recently changed the comment policy here at b!c! to exclude keywords in the name field. I like the change and have decided I will keep that permanent.
I have been inwardly debating another policy revision that I might roll out unless I hear a really good reason not to do so. I’m thinking about putting no follow tags on all links to websites that aren’t blogs or allow comments.
I use the DoFollow plugin, which let’s face it, is generous. Everytime someone posts a comment here and inludes a website, an outbound link is generated. Most blogs don’t do this. In fact a very small number indeed have DoFollow enabled, and I’ve come across more than a few who claim to have it enabled but their source code says differently.
The benefit of DoFollow is that it’s a nice way to reward people who read your blog. It also generates a bit of a blogging community, as you post on my blog, and I post on yours and we both get links. It encourages bloggers to read other blogs and maybe find ones that they really like.
Like everything else in the internet, and life in general, some people will exploit it. I’ve been looking at the sites linked in comments and finding that all too often these are to commercial sites. I have no problem with someone advertising on their blog and having a link generated to them. I don’t see how generating a link to a shopping site that offers no discussions or comments will generate any kind of community.
These posters are also, largely speaking, one comment entities. They find b!c! on a list of DoFollow sites and strike to generate a link and move on. I don’t expect everyone to be a loyal reader by any means, but I also don’t care too much about the people who operate like this.
Essentially, if you have visited b!c! before and made comments, this policy most likely won’t affect you.
Maybe I’m just being stingy with my linking power. Especially since I don’t advertise here and page rank means nothing to me, but it’s just something that is starting to grow beyond being a pet peeve. I will probably implement this over the weekend unless, as I said, I hear a good reason not to.
*Edit: I’ve decided I don’t want to enact this across the board. I will kill links to commercial sales sites at my discretion.
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February 2nd, 2008 at 3:39 am
I’m thinking of taking the DoFollow plugin off my site alltogether because even after setting up a new comment policy I am still having to go in and delete a lot of comments that are just using the name section to put keywords.
I just noticed your *keywords not allowed* next to the name field though, I like that idea! Will have to try that first and see if that helps because I think a lot of people either don’t see my comment policy or don’t bother to read it (why would they if they’re just looking for a quick link).
Angela
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Hi Angela. I still like the DoFollow plugin, or at least the idea of it. It’s just that like so many blogging tools, it doesn’t perfectly solve all the problems. That’s why I’m trying to just make changes to my own comment policy.
I have found adding the *keywords not allowed* text next to the name field has greatly reduced people using keywords. I still occasionally get a comment with them which I now simply delete. I can’t be bothered to contact people or clean up their posts anymore if they can’t simply read that.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Do you really think that changing your policy can change the intention people have ? That would be great wouldn’t it. Even if you change back to no follow you will always find enough people spamming your blog. Very unfortunate I know… If you have a blog you will have spam, the sooner you accept that the better. I have 10 blogs and I get enough spam every day. I will not change my views just because some people miss behave. I have the option to DELETE and thats fine for me
February 4th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Hi Marc. I don’t expect to change people’s intentions, nor do I expect to change a lot of people’s behaviour. I simply put the text next to the website field explaining the policy. People who don’t comply will probably just have their comments deleted.
Having said that, I am pleasantly surprised at how few keywords I have had to edit out since saying they aren’t allowed. Most people do seem to follow requests. It’s the spammers that are scum.
I primarily made the post to get feedback. It will also serve as a reference in the unlikely chance I get an irate email from someone who’s post got deleted or link noFollowed. Then I can say, ‘the policy is on the site’.
February 5th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I guess, not all people have bad intentions in posting some comments in different blogs. And it’s your own blog, so i guess you can do whatever you want as long you think that it can bring something better for you.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:12 am
First, I have got to know about the name “El Yanqui”. Certainly out of the ordinary.
I will tell you, I found your blog because of one of those linking sites…and I am glad that I did. I have been to London several times, and it will be nice to get live updates from someone on the other side of the pond!
While I was, in fact, only looking for a link, I will be back.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I’ve edited the original post. I’m not going to kill these links just for what they link to. I reserve the right to do so at my own discretion. Or whim, depending on how you want to look at it.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:45 am
People should respect the policy of the owner of the website. And there are people who have good intentions on leaving their comments. but of course, there are some ridiculous people who just want to have some fun.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Why worry about linking out? Your site comes up as a PR 0. Bloggers should not worry about PR. Its the readership and traffic that counts!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:11 am
People should e careful in leaving their comments. whether there is a comment policy or not, you should still be gentle with what you are saying.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Its really a good policy , people must read the comment policies before leaving your comments.