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I have a confession. I am a blog comment addict. I enjoy the whole interactive piece to blogging, networking with other bloggers, and impacting the blog’s existing comment community. I love it!
If you rarely leave comments on other blogs, you don’t know what you are missing!..(Besides truly failing to promote your “brand” and failing to gain authority in your given industry?)
When I have visited your blog, read your article(s) and left without leaving a comment – most of the time, there was something wrong. MOST of the time.
Let’s Take A Look At The 10 Painfully Honest Reasons I Visited Your Blog And Refused To Leave A Comment!
1) ‘Do-Follow’ Blogs
I hate to break it to you, but the concept means absolutely nothing to me as a commentator. I’m “moved” by content, not opportunity.
So, all of the CommentLuv, KeyWordLuv, “Rel=NoFollow tag-removing people,” it has no bearing or influence on why and where I comment. As a matter of fact, sites where bloggers are on a “back link strategy campaign” to seek out these type of blogs in order to leave their poorly-conceived comments seriously deteriorates the “interactive environment” of your blog, particularly in the comment quality.
This discourages me from leaving a comment.
p.s. – I am not really interested in being your blog’s top commentator either. So, that sidebar widget for that very purpose…why do you have it again?
2) “Thank You For Taking the Time To Comment” “Thanks!” “Appreciate It”
Wait, I just spend 10 minutes drafting a comment that was discussing key points in your article; I even asked you a question. And that was your response?
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a blogger is discounting the importance of engaging readers in the comments section.
Leaving comments is a natural part of the blogging equation – I appreciate your politeness…but no need to thank me. Just simply read my comment thoroughly and respond accordingly.
I see that you are active in other social media outlets and blog communities – so why not bring the communication back to your own blog?!
3) Your Alexa Rank And Google PageRank Are Incredibly Awesome and Cool!
You would expect me to say that I am selective in choosing which blogs I comment on; that I have Dosh Dosh, Copy Blogger, Daily Blogging Tips, and ProBlogger on “speed dial” so I could be one of the first to leave a comment.
In theory, leaving a comment on a blog with this type of circulation and exposure makes sense…until you realize there were 276 comments on the last article they published. Therefore, the likelihood of your comment being noticed is like playing the lottery. Good luck with that! Plus, the whole “herd mentality” / groupie concept is unappealing. Isn’t it?
Why am I waiting in this line anyway when there are thousands of other blogs with content equally as good, if not better, that would be more appreciative of my comment?
4) I’m a Nobody…or Not In Your Immediate Clique.
If I examine the trends in your comment responses and see that you only interact with the same small clique of friends, why would I want to leave a comment?
In addition, you were M.I.A. (Missing In Action) for days while others left thoughtful, prepared comments. It wasn’t until your buddy commented that you suddenly appeared – like magic! Umm, hello? What about us? Were we not worthy?
But, in all fairness, how many times are you going to e-mail, tweet, and “comment bomb” Darren Rowse before it finally sinks in that he is not going to respond to you?
5) To Unlock The Comment Feature On Your Blog, I Have To Register?
Oh my goodness, as if we need another log-in ID and password to remember. This may be the only and last time I visit your blog. Why go through all this trouble?
6) Your Alexa Rank And Google PageRank Are Incredibly Awesome and Cool!
(Scrolls Up) Err, wait. Didn’t I say this already? OK, make this a Part II.
Google recently updated its PageRank valuation or you just topped the 70,000 mark in Alexa…so you decided to devote a w-h-o-l-e article about it!! Wow! Amazing!
Dude, no one cares….. But you! Trust me!
And that applies to how much money you made last month. There’s no need for pie charts and tables. Bring on the real content.
7) You Ranted And Raved – Were Extremely Negative And Insulting – And Used Foul Language
Every blogger has his/her own style that works for them, but I don’t want my name attached to a comment on a blog where professionalism and tact are in short supply. It does something to your reputation.
8] Blogspot.com / WordPress.com / Tumblr.com Users
This may be painful for some of you bloggers who have your blog platform within your site’s URL (meaning your blog is hosted as opposed to a self-hosted blog)… but I rarely, if ever, visit these blogs – never mind comment on them!
Why? Because these blogs are far more likely to disappear in the next month or so than a self-hosted, 250-600 article count, WordPress.ORG blog.
What good will my excellent comment be 2 months from now when you realized blogging was not for you and the blog is deleted? At least try and fool me by giving your site its own, unique domain.
9) I Am Unable To Subscribe To Comments
Why is this important? Because I don’t to wish to “blow off” either your reply, the response of another random visitor, or someone prominent in your blog’s community. I would look like a real jackass for just commenting irresponsibly. Wouldn’t I?
This is a very important feature. Did you even know that?
WordPress Users: Double-check you have a plugin for “subscribing to comments” and that it is enabled and functioning properly.
10) “Blogging Is A Journey” “Are You On The Path?” “The Road To Blogging Success”
(Gosh, some bloggers are going to cringe when they read this. Oh well. )
Over the past few months, I am starting to see this trend in article content…and it kinda sucks. It sort of makes it appear that you were at a loss for an original idea and had to really “reach” to meet your deadline.
I am all for intellectual thought. But, this subject matter is too spiritual, too philosophical, and has religious overtones. Most of the culprits are bloggers who come from either Malaysia, India, Or Indonesia.
By now, many of us have taken World Religion in college, with particular emphasis on Buddhism and Hinduism, and it is obvious that you are using similar ideals of a “path” to “self-enlightment” and “blogging nirvana”.
No one is telling you that you cannot make this connection, but it sure keeps the commentators away – like me.
What are some of the reasons you typically decline to comment on a blog? Would you ever be the first to respond to an article? Is your blog ‘Do-Follow’ enabled? Have you compared what your comment section was like before and after you made the switch to ‘Do-Follow?” Was there a difference in the amount and quality? Was there a reason mentioned for me not commenting that you disagree with?
I just thought of my #11! Failing to close articles effectively and/or failing to draw the reader in by asking him/her questions…or not demonstrating a genuine interest in his/her reply. In other words, not “calling to action”.
44 Comments
Well, I’m a blogspot user, so it’s hosted not self-hosted. I guess you’re prejudice with your comments about hosted blogs vanishing just after a short period of time. Are you making blogspot user a “public ridicule”?
Are you also having a prejudiced views about bloggers from Malaysia? It is really insulting!
Also I suggest you better find a better hosting service. It failed the first time I wanted to post my comments!
Jimmy Ng recently posted..Healthy Walking Exercise – September 2010
To answer your question about top commenter I have the plugin to award those that do take time to comment on my blog as I appreciate comments.
“I don’t want my name attached to a comment on a blog where professionalism and tact are in short supply.”
Amen to that!
Rose recently posted..Secure your Twitter Name
Great list!!
Thanks for this!
Melissy recently posted..Last goodbye
Wow I am a newbie blogger so have duly taken note of all the reasons for not getting comments on my blog (if you visit)! I get your newsletter and I am a member of bloggerluv so know you speak your mind and this post is no exception. I like your frank and honest post cos leaves me in no doubt what you find acceptable or not in commenting.
I don’t have your experience as only been blogging a few months but I have made my own observations. I started by commenting on dofollow blogs but now still do but also if I find a blog that I learn from and/or they engage me I will revisit.
I tend not to revisit sites that don’t answer my questions or only say thanks when I contribute to a discussion.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia recently posted..Lavender Products- Why Choose Organic Lavender
ooooooooo brutal, but I loved it. many great points and lots to consider.
found you from Blogger LUV and Do Follow LUV rss feed.
You found me from: Blogger LUV and Do Follow LUV rss feed…
A blogger always like to know how he’s (or she’s) reaching their audience.
Yeah, looking back on it, it was brutal! But, comes from a good place.
Thanks!
Jeffrey Baril – Source Blogger
Its always interesting to read why other people don’t leave comments. My only reason for not leaving a comment is that I didn’t have anything to say.
Having CommentLuv etc on your blog won’t encourage me to write a response but it will give you bonus points when I am inspired enough to write one.
MsKatrina recently posted..Social Services Suck
I hate the tone of this article.
#12 people have already commented i don’t wish to be associated with.. (obviously didn’t apply to this blog.. but i do love #5.. disqus.. etc.. if i just allowed OAuth to connect, what on earth do you need my email address for?
paisley recently posted..Why Marketers Shouldnt Always Blame the Media
Wow, I’ve never even thought about installing the ‘subscribe to comments’ plugin and you’re right, I really ought to! OK – that’s one more thing added to my ‘to do’ list.
What stops me commenting on a blog? A few other things too:
> If the author rushes the article – I won’t stick around to comment on posts with obvious mistakes and that sound as if they were written in ten minutes without being checked or edited.
> If the content is boring – hello, I’ve seen this same article repacked ten thousands times elsewhere!
> If they author has used a misleading title – A fabulous title would hook me in, but if it over-promises and under-delivers, it’s not worthy of my attention.
Carly recently posted..How to write awesome articles when you haven’t a clue what you’re writing about
Dude, I’m guilty – at least for some of the sins you’ve outlined. Thanks.
Sebastian recently posted..WTF have Google- Bing- and Yahoo cooking
Sweet! LOL love it man. I’ve been ticked off a time or two by a few of them as well.
As for the luv buttons, nuthin wrong there as long as you don’t slack on the moderation. I offer them all, but no crap gettin’ through.
Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing recently posted..UPDATE- Blog SEO Found New Articles Coming ASAP!
“In theory, leaving a comment on a blog with this type of circulation and exposure makes sense…until you realize there were 276 comments on the last article they published. ”
I do find if I’m one of the first to leave a comment on a high-traffic blog I do get the exposure and the click-thrus. If I’m #4 – 276, then forget it. I use TrafficSponge to notify me when one of the blogs I’ve specified gets a new post so I can be a first commentor. It makes a difference.
Otherwise, one reason I won’t leave a comment on a blog is if the the post is really loooong and it didn’t hold my interest sufficiently. If there are no bullet points, numbered lists, or lots of whitespace, then I tend to skim, and if I skim that means my passion about the post is lukewarm at best and not comment-worthy.
So…. thanks for your numbered list post. I read it all.
Peggy
Peggy Baron recently posted..Finding An Article Idea
I agree with you. I’m a person who enjoy leaving comments on blog posts who make me think about some issues or provide great value to me. In there, I really say out loud what I think.
Found your blog on MMOSocialnetwork, you just got one more subscriber to your blog, it’s me lol
Mike recently posted..Is Bloggersbase a really good way to promote your blog post
Mike, thanks for subscribing. That’s awesome.
An article may have the leisure of many days of preparation.
Replying to content from other sites is more spontaneous and gives you greater insight inside the blogger’s mindset. Sometimes we need to evaluate him/her outside of the safe environment of their own blog.
It’s just… less… rehearsed!
Thanks again, Mike!
Jeffrey Baril – Source Blogger
Source Blogger recently posted..How Can A Site Rank For Keywords That Do Not Exist Anywhere On Its Pages
I do agree with most if not all of your reasons, however I have come to realize that many people are not going to comment back when someone comments on a post and really it’s their call if they choose to. The awesome thing about having a blog is that we have the ability to have our own platform where the only rules are the ones that we create. If someone wished to drop the f-bomb, but I see that their content is good, I probably will go ahead and comment.
I use commentluv, but honestly it’s simply for my benefit. I want to see what the last post someone wrote was because I like finding new blogs to read. If the title catches my attention then I’ll be visiting/reading.
Like the honesty of this post.
It doesn’t matter to me whether a blog is nofollow or not, has a high PR and really couldn’t care less what Alexa ranking you have. It’s the article that gets me to comment. Some people are sooo obsessed with this that they miss the potential traffic that could happen from the readers of a well written blog.
Having to register to leave a comment certainly is a deterant for me.
How many people actually subscribe to the comments of a post? I did it once just to try it out. Found it annoying that the link didn’t go to the comment that prompted the notice so I could read from that one down the more recent comments since my last visit. I’m going to try it again with this one.
BTW: One thing that gets me to come back or subscribe via RSS feed is that your blog is cross-browser compatible. Your comments avatars need adjusting so they don’t overlap the date the comment was posted in IE.
Quoting Will Turner: A craftsman is always proud to hear his work is appreciated.
Great post, thank you for your insight.
Okay – you just made me go and check that my “subscribe to comments” was working – and I hadn’t activated the plugin – duh! Thanks for the reminder….
Claire Jarrett recently posted..Is a higher Click Through Rate always better in AdWords
Reason number 11
Your post is inane and just repeats what many other inane bloggers have already written. Feeding off each other is self-defeating and is a time suck for me. Get a job, cause as a blogger you are a bottom feeder and will never make it the way you’ve been going.
I don’t leave comments on sites where a good portion of the comments is filled with spam.
I try to leave as many comments as possible, but honestly, sometimes, I can’t think of anything valuable to add to the discussion.
I don’t comment when the post is boring or if there are too many comments already. Oh yeah and if you have Pop up Domination (unless you are Hesham, DragonBlogger on JohnPaul). But it looks like I might have to add Kristi Hines to that exception list soon.
Darn I hate that plugin.
Once I left a comment on a blog (after being asked my opinion) and the blogger misunderstood my response and tried to turn it into a big deal. I ignored them and eventually they apologized for the whole incident. But trust me, I will never leave a comment on that blog again. Scouts honor.
I’ll always leave comments for you though (fyi – this is not a green light for you to go out and get the awful plugin – you know the one I mean) LOL!
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Hi Ileane,
Source Blogger has an opt-in form for their newsletter that is located prominently for the visitors here. I do believe there is an element of “blindness” when it comes to certain advertisements and features on a blog, but the pop-up is very intrusive of the user’s experience.
But, who knows? Perhaps more and more bloggers will migrate to it, and NOT having would appear… odd? You know how trends in blogging can be.
I’m starting to really get my taste of “drama” in the last week between other bloggers and site owners. You want to network and interact with bloggers – it’s just you sometimes end up regretting it.
My allegiance is to the community here at Source Blogger, not to any one blogging community, social media/bookmarking site, or article marketing venue – and I don’t care how competitive the site’s owner(s) are or how “exclusive” they want me to be… As a blogger, my job first and foremost is to market & promote my site to as much of the blogosphere as I can.
Nor do I show favoritism to any clique or crew of bloggers. I don’t pick sides –
Because I truly love everyone…honestly! And I don’t want to be misunderstood just because I am vocal and honest on certain issues.
Give John Paul, Justin, Hesham, and Kristi a big hug from me! And you too!
Source Blogger recently posted..Moving From Blogger to WordPress- I Discovered Something Truly Terrifying! Help!
I found this article on Sphinn and I must say that I like your style. I’m pretty snobby about my blog commenting and I have many of the same criteria as you do. One particularly important peeve is the need to register to comment. Another is blogs that don’t have a comment policy and allow their comments to run amok with spammers. Finally, the biggest detractor for my leaving a comment (actually, for reading a blog period) is when the blog has a pop-up asking me to join some mailing list. It is an incredibly annoying tactic, though effective, but is simply a turn off for me.
I don’t necessarily think blogs that are do-follow always suffer from lower quality comments in Order to get a backlink. However like you I don’t let wither or not a blog is do-follow influence my decision to or not to leave a comment. There are far better and more constructive ways to build links.
My biggest commenting pet peeve is when someone requires registration in order to comment. Not sure what they hell they are thinking. They must be high to think I’m gong to go through all of that trouble to comment.
Gerald Weber recently posted..Announcing the Bad Ass SEO Guest Blogging Contest Winners!
One of my blogs is pretty new. If write about blogging I get comments. If I write about other aspects of business or marketing, I don’t.
I have another much older blog where I never get comments. Ever. But half my traffic is for my product, and the other half are foreigners using Google Translate to read my content.
Much depends on your audience and your topic(s), and visitor expectations. Step outside the box and they lose interest fast.
I made the decision to write what I believe is important to my topic and not cater to lower expectations simply to get comments in order to make my site look more popular. Probably a bad Marketing decision, lol. But in the longer run I want a backlog of quality content to be there as popularity increases naturally.
Rick
Rick LaPoint recently posted..Telemarketing- Outside Sales’ Right Hand
Well, I have a photo blog at rwsphoto blogspot, and I have been maintaining it since 2007. Not much content but lots of unique and interesting photos (95% original). Have a look, comment not required.
But I do agree that there is no point leaving comment to a newly established sites (blogspot or otherwise).
Blog Tactic recently posted..Rainforest Destruction Price – 5 Trillion
OK for starters I host all my own blogs. So this is not about me. But if a blog has been on blogger for five years and has 250 articles I can respect it.
Colleen recently posted..Motivation
Having to register to receive comments back is irritating as sin, and I won’t do it. If I get those notices I often won’t go back. And if I visit a blog a few times and comment and don’t hear back, I’m often done as well.
Mitch recently posted..I’m Supposed To Ask You To…
Wow another aggressive post from the Source Blogger!
… don’t I always comment about how you love to bring the controversy. But this time I must disagree on a number of points, although I like your flair the flat out truth is that a lot of people DO want to see their face on a little ‘top commentators’ widget, if that makes them feel good, who am I to deny them the opportunity? It creates a tiny atmosphere of competition and encourages some level of commenting. Why not?
Every writer has a style – they need the freedom to have that style… if that means turning ‘blogging into a journey’ or what not, then that’s fine with me. That style won’t appeal to everyone and that’s fine too. But you can’t cut it black and white and tell that person not to blog that way, it’s their prerogative.
The other points however I agree with completely. Good stuff!
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@daniel snyder
i’d rather people commented when they have something to say rather than motivated by a top commentator widget, there’d be less bumpf and more quality.
but you do it your way.
@craig mclaughlan
I certainly would be concerned if I felt the quality of my comments were suffering as a result of people being motivated by dofollow, comment luv or a commentator widget and that is the only reason they comment. I’m all about engaging and sparking conversation, so weak comments certainly frustrate me. If I noticed the quality of comments on my blog sliding, I’d have to rethink my methods. Right now however I’m satisfied with the way things are going. In addition the quality of comments is directly related to the quality of the post.
Daniel Snyder recently posted..How To Use Facebook Lists to Control Your Privacy
Thanks for the WordPress user heads up. I have actually been thinking of getting my own URL so when I give out my address I dont have to use the full blahblah.wordpress.com. Do you know if that will affect the links I have already left on others sites? Will they still be directed to the same place I guess is what im asking using either.
I had a great laugh reading this post. In a good way, I mean. Loved it.
I am guilty of some of those reasons but not many – probably because my blog is new.
You have great reasons for not commenting
I don’t search for do-follow blogs because I comment on blogs I like, blogs written by people I like and blogs I learn from.
I do answer comments on my blog and I love that way of communication, much more than Twitter and other social media.
My blog is a no-follow (at least I am told WP blog is by default a no-follow). Why is my blog a no-follow — because I have no idea how to change this and didn’t think it was all that important.
I do plan to put those top commenter widgets but still trying to figure out how to do it properly
Anyway, I loved this post and although I am guilty on some of these charges I completely agree with your list!
Brankica recently posted..Drink refills for Europeans in USA
Late to the party, this one will be getting a few trackbacks someday. I agree with so much of this:
My biggest peeve for not just blogs but almost any site, #5 making me register when there are other ways, easier ways to 1) log in and 2) still block spam. Your #10, that’s filler – posts about blogging for the sake of blogging – little goes a long way. I’ve made the CTA argument, #11 but not all posts make me want to reach to keyboard.
Another peeve is the lack of comments by the host: #2 and #4: I don’t mind the basic TY if the comment wasn’t anything more than “good post, enjoyed it,” but yes if that’s all the writer ever leaves on good comments it’s a no-no. So too is replying to only a handful of comments. Yes it’s work but I’d happily take the time to read and reply to as many good comments as I got. To add to #4, bloggers who don’t reply to comments.. until weeks later or ever. Why have comments?
A few disagreements: I like CommentLuv but don’t use it as a “do-follow,” yet I understand how it could be a turn off. I will drop the occasional four-letter word in my posts, but know there are limits to my creativity. I won’t discount a blog or blog post just b/c of the host; some very good bloggers have sites hosted elsewhere. And even if the blog may fade, if that post is good enough right there, right then.. I still may be compelled to comment. FWIW.
Davina K. Brewer recently posted..That which we call a rose- What’s in a brand
Oops, forgot the obvious .. I didn’t think the post was all that.
Davina K. Brewer recently posted..That which we call a rose- What’s in a brand
Everything you said is true! And you just made me search for a “subscribe to comments” plugin for my blog!
S3bY recently posted..Ertac Altinoz Part 3
well i have my blog on …… blogger..but still i will say that the list you prepare is really a considerable one should keep in mind…….
seo service india recently posted..ON-PAGE OPTIMIZATION
I totally agree, especially about the part with the free hosted blogs. If you are a serious blogger you could afford to host your own blog with you own domain name.
-Josh
Even worse than having to register in order to comment is having to lay yourself bare to the world through Yahoo or Google, or worse, by joining Facebook. I suppose privacy lovers have nothing of value to contribute.
Another thing that keeps me from commenting is trash talk going on for over a hundred comments. The sentence fragment “Asshole” is not thoughtful commentary by any standard. Some blogs attract that sort of verbiage; I don’t know why.
I’d love to receive more comments on my blog..but I rarely do – however I don’t think its for most of the reasons given above. Perhaps it comes from being in a very nihce market.
Rice Cooker Recipes recently posted..Japanese Rice Cookers
The biggest reason for me not commenting on blogs is the lack of quality in the website itself. Lousy hosting is another big no-no, or when you have to sign up join a few pages, join up to their email list, do this do that.
And then they dont even give a good reply, there is hardly any communication these days, the comment box is just there to “look good”
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Hello; For me its registration and captchas. I don’t need any additional log in names and passwords either. Also, I’m a visually impaired blogger and will pass on any site that doesn’t offer an audio or nonvisual security method. This isn’t as much of a problem with blog posts as it is with search engines and directories, but it does still happen. And since I’m never sure if I’m doing it right, I love to get replies to my comments. Thanks for the great article, Max the midway marketplace’s blog
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The 10 Painfully Honest Reasons I Visited Your Blog And Refused To Comment! | Source Blogger…
I am going to share the 10 painfully honest reasons I visited your blog and failed to comment…and you’re not going to like them!…
The 10 Painfully Honest Reasons I Visited Your Blog And Refused To Comment! | Source Blogger…
I am going to share the 10 painfully honest reasons I visited your blog and failed to comment…and you’re not going to like them!…