Comments on: Open Discussion: Where Do You Draw the Line on Deleting Comments?

By: Lovepanky

Lovepanky — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:24:11 +0000

I think it makes complete sense to publish almost all comments received. It doesn't make any sense to block out comments that unnerve the author or make them feel uncomfortable. Publishing your views on a blog means you have a point of view, and it's only just that others are eligible to their points of view also. If the author can still win the debate and prove his or her point effectively it'll only increase their authority over their subject of interest. I believe bloggers should not delete uncomfortable comments, rather they should take a stand and prove their point!

By: James

James — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:20:52 +0000

I've just had this very dilemma on my blog, which is how I came to find your post. The person in question was quite rude towards me personally, but also made some valid and intelligent comments which I believe would add to the discussion. In the end, I let the comment stand, but also wrote a reply that made clear that personal attacks weren't welcome. If they come back, that's fine, so long as they play nice Thanks for the informative discussion, J

By: Eric C

Eric C — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:48:34 +0000

So fascinating, my blog has just had this issue come up. To me, I'm a big free speech, open debate mind-set. Unless it is illegal, or over-the-top offensive, I'll let it go up.

I'll also point out that the writer is wrong, but I won't feed the troll. My co-bloggers disagree. One finds most any crazy/out there comment bad for the website ("Do we want those people coming to our site") and the other is somewhere in the middle.

I say, it is up to what makes each person comfortable. As far as traffic goes, more comments will get more traffic, but not necessarily more monetized traffic.

By: Eric C

Eric C — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:48:34 +0000

By: remarkablogger

remarkablogger — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:19:12 +0000

Early on, it feels like a victory to have comments at all. After you get
busy, though, you just want to not only delete the spam comments, but wish
you could electrocute them on the other end when you do so.

By: remarkablogger

remarkablogger — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:16:07 +0000

Being funny in writing is way different than being funny in person. Writing
comedy to be performed is different than writing something that's funny when
you read it. I've seen quite a few comedians who are trying to be funny on
Twitter, for example, and they're just not.

Humor is always a risk, but it also means you get a more passionate and
agreeable audience.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:19:49 +0000

I know I should delete them but for the spam comments which just say “great post” or similar I leave them there but remove the link. It feels like a minor victory in the fight against spam.

By: Archan Mehta

Archan Mehta — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:42:30 +0000

Michael:

Thanks for this post. Timely, to be sure, and much needed by your readers. And cheers!

Some people who leave comments on blogs, I think, are sometimes misjudged. Sometimes, my jokes have bombed at the box office, but I was genuinely trying to be funny. I guess I lack the writing skills of a Johnny Truant/Steve Martin/ Woody Allen/take your pick.

Only a few writers can make people laugh. Sometimes, I fall short, but I try my best.
And I have had people disagree with me several times, and that's fine. I welcome both agreements and disagreements. Join the debate and tell me about your point of view. Give examples and let me know why I should believe you. I am not the gospel truth: I don't try to play God. But I am curious and I like reading blogs and guest posts are awesome too.

My personal opinion is that most of the bloggers I have come across are fair and open-minded. Michael is one of them, that's for sure. And there are so many others too: Naomi, Charlie, Ali, Johnny,...sorry, folks, I have an entire list of great bloggers. Thanks.

By: Carl Burke

Carl Burke — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:14:19 +0000

Am going to agree with Chris, I am new in blogging and welcome all comments, good or bad, think that it could be a valuable tool, feedback. Now on the other hand off color remarks or comments, is where I draw the line, not that I have had any, but am sure there will come a day that I will be face with this. But as with some one disagreeing with my standing, it is all food for thought,

By: Lin

Lin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:38:56 +0000

Thank you for mentioning that comments are content. So true. Content from comments actually contribute to search visitors finding your blog due to the words they use in searches. Sometimes for good and sometimes not so much.

I've had my share of trolls - oh boy have I ever.

I moderate comments and refuse to allow hateful, attacking comments towards me or others who have commented. Spammers arrive in droves, wasting their time and mine.

Certain kinds of spammers (shall remain nameless) from a specific site are now automatically redirected to a page informing them their spam activity won't work and what they need to do to actually participate legitimately in the comment section.

Spam comments and trackbacks are pretty easy to spot and deleted, but the ones that I shake my head at are the content thieves who steal your entire post AND send you a trackback approval request. Grrr