Saturday 4 August 2012

Blog Commenting: Down To Etiquette Or Blatant Spamming?

I've had this post in the works for a few days now, and by that I mean I've led in the bath planning out exactly what I wanted to say without actually typing it up. It's ironic how it comes at a time like this for me to post it, having experienced my first spam comment just now. It's surprised me so much that I turned word verification back on, so I'm sorry that will cause an extra inconvenience to those of you who comment decently.

I found it quite bewildering that a blogger's post the other day ended up in a comment war regarding whether it's acceptable to leave a link or URL to your blog at the end of a comment on someone else's blog. What baffled me most about this is even being up for debate is how any of the bloggers arguing against URL posting even got where they are today without a bit of self-promotion.

Nobody enjoys having to throw themselves out into the great unknown and hope others click on our links, but we've got to do it someday. Speaking from experience and I'm still a developing blog writer, I've found the only way to get my message across was through commenting on other peoples' posts and leaving a link to my blog underneath.

The way I justify those actions is so: I have never, EVER, left a dismissive comment such as 'nice!' or even dismissed that part and left my URL in the hope some bored blogger will click on my link and follow me. I have NEVER used someone else's blog to gain followers through spamming. In fact, I always aim to make my comments at least 3 lines long with constructive replies to the topics at hand in said person's blog post, referring to my own experiences and agreeing with the writer's opinions as and when. THEN, and ONLY then, would I include a link to my blog underneath, but not as some kind of enticement, letting it scream out to readers 'CLICK ME! MY BLOG HAS THE WORD ZOMBIES IN IT! YOU MUST FIND THAT INTRIGUING! READ ME AND LOVE ME AND FOLLOW ME!'.

To be perfectly honest with you, I treasure each and every one of my followers, because without you beautiful people, I wouldn't still be doing this. I would have given up writing months ago.

When I started out blogging, I didn't even contemplate commenting on other peoples' blogs linking to myself, I just wanted to share my opinion. For the first few months I had zero followers, zero self worth and zero motivation. I wrote short posts and took rubbish pictures because there was nobody to bounce off, nobody to work with, nothing to work FOR.

That is, until I started leaving my opinions in comment boxes and left my URL as a way of saying to readers, 'hey, I probably ramble in comments, but if you liked my opinion here, my blog's chock full of the stuff, if you want to have a ganders, I'm just one of you really, we all start off a bit desperate an demoralised, perhaps you could enjoy my blog?', nothing more.

Most of the time now I find myself putting comments with URLs so I can remind readers instantly who I am. I'm not just a name, I'm a blog writer, and I write this blog, so my opinion has a home on the Internet somewhere.

So often now I'm noticing people are changing their Blogger profile pictures, and in case someone's forgotten what I look like in that minuscule thumbnail, my URL reminds you. I'm not even asking you to click it. It's just there for ease of access if you're curious because you liked how openly I expressed my opinion in the comment above.

And as for comments on my posts, I actually prefer it when people leave their URLs at the bottom, for the following reasons:
1. I instantly know who you are by your blog name (I'm really bad with real names so please don't take that the wrong way)
2. I know you've put some thought into your comment rather than leaving a 'nice!' or not even commenting at all!
3. I know you're trying to make a name for yourself in the blogosphere (we've all been there and I'm still there now!) and it makes me feel all tingly that you would use my blog in the hope someone will notice you, it gives me false ideas about my blog's popularity but I love the self-pride for about 5 minutes!
4. You've actually clicked on my blog and scrolled to the comment box. That's a biggie.
5. You aren't scared to leave your URL as some other blogs have made it clear they block any URL comments, which is frankly censorship going a little far - I mean come on, haven't we all put our URLs out on the web already?

So in short, feel free to post your URLs at the end of a thoughtful comment on my posts by any means, but please, don't spam me. I'm a newbie, just like some of you. I don't think it's fair to spam anyone just to get your name out there. That's called desperation and frankly let's face it, nobody's going to click your link if you've shown no effort. Anyone can copy and paste.

Show a brain cell and I'll love you! After all, zombies love brains ;)

What's your view on ending comments with URLs? Have you been a victim of spamming?

6 comments:

  1. I'm also very big into people leaving their URL's at the bottom, I know I do it but also it links you to their blog and not their actual profile which is really nice. I'm been a very big victim (hah) of spam on blogs. I had a wordpress one last year and I would maybe go away on holiday and come back to at least 50 (or more) spam comments and it would do my head in! :c
    (I also really enjoyed reading you Award post, I think I commented on it but I'm not sure if it's there not :S)

    ellelouisee.blogspot.co.uk - xo

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    1. I totally agree! Links are so much easier than profiles especially when some people don't have their blogs visible on their profile, I've got a few followers who don't link theirs and I'd love to follow them and see what they post but I can't! God that's rubbish, I don't see why people spam me because it's not like I have 1000s of followers that would potentially click on links! I'm really sorry I think I might've deleted your comment as it was just under the spam one, but I did read it before thankfully! I'm so jealous of Jack Black's job! Ali xx

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    2. Ah well thats good to know and ok heeh ^.^ I know I don't get that either I have 10 followers I mean how can I be spammed I'm not a blog people visit all the time haha. Ell x

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  2. I love this post - it's really well written. I have to say that I really hate it when people post their URLs etc to blogs that have nothing to do with beauty or are simply spamming anything they come across with a comment's box. I welcome URLs and Links because I like to see where the comments are coming from and what else they have to offer from their own blog. I enabled comment moderation from the beginning though so if comments are published it's usually because I have an interest in what that person has said or it's relevant to my posts. Saying that I have let a couple of spammers slip through the net when I have been moderating from my iPhone!

    Helen xxx

    http://beautifullysuperfluous.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one, I see the benefits of comment moderation now but I'm not always on here to publish them as soon as possible! Moderating and Blogger in general on the iPhone is near impossible!

      Ali xx

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  3. Nice post :) I actually have no problem at all with people leaving their URL at the bottom of a comment on my blog, it helps me find them if I want to return the favour. I actually find it more annoying when people don't have their blogger profiles set up properly so that when you click their name it just takes you nowhere.. who are these people? How do you know how genuine they are without being allowed to see where they came from?

    I've been guilty of adding 'check out my giveaway' to the end of comments back when I did a huge giveaway, but never comment unless I have something that is actually worth saying when I do something like that, so I think it's ok. Also, I like it when people let me know they're giving things out for free so never saw the harm in me doing it myself ;)

    Personally I don't add my URL to the end of comments because I'm lazy, but for the purpose of this post you can find me here: charlotteswebblog.co.uk if you fancy it :)

    xx

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Thanks for reading my post, I hope you liked it! I read every comment and aim to reply as soon as possible.