Stopping Comment Spam

Spam is all over the web and can creep into nearly anything. In the past it was limited to email. However, if you happen to run a website or blog that permits your visitors to leave a comment you have undoubtedly faced the issue of comment spam.

Many people conclude the spammers are attempting to redirect your sites traffic to their site in order to increase search engine rankings and revenue share earnings with page views. Most search engines that rank a site will count how many other sites have linked to it. Not only do they count the number of sites, but the sites quality is also a factor. When spammers leave their comments on your site they are achieving a slightly higher search engine ranking.

The spammers will try and circumvent any type of spam blocking software in place that protects your site or blog. They will attempt to get around the security manually, but the most common forms of spam are achieved by spam bots or spam scripts. Most site owners don’t work on their websites and blogs as their day job. Therefore, fighting spam bots on a regular basis is something of an exception rather than the rule. There are some things you can do to fight spam comments on your site or blog.

Some rules of thumb

 If you discover you are a victim of spam comments you may react on a per case basis instead of reviewing your site or blog for the big picture. These are rules of thumb that may help you achieve an overall battle to stop spam comments.

Don’t take spam personally; everyone sees spam comments from time to time whenever you own a site or blog. Use these rules of thumb to stop spam comments.

1)    Don’t ban a specific IP address

Don’t bother. It’s not worth the time or effort. Although this may seem like a logical move to make, it doesn’t really combat the problem. Most comment spammers are bouncing requests and spam off of other servers and computers making it difficult to pin point one IP address.

2)    Don’t permit HTML

There is rarely a reason to permit HTML or JavaScript. This is usually obvious, but rarely there are sites that use HTML or JavaScript.

If you allow users to include links, such as back links to commenter’s sites, there are a number of ways to code to allow them to use links. You can permit the function without being vulnerable to attack.

3)    Use non descriptive form names

Good programming will require the use of non-descriptive form names, but in avoiding spam stay away from names describing a form’s field. Form element names like “comment” make it too easy for a spammer to access your system and spread spam comments.

Stop Spamming at the source

1)    Differentiate between spammers and regular users

Differentiate between spammers and a regular user involves requiring your human posters to identify them. Many site or blog owners will use CAPTCHA as part of leaving a comment process. This is the most widely used form of separating spammers from actual users leaving comments.

If you are using a web designer make certain they understand what you require in your fight against stop spam comments so they can code accordingly. If you use a free service, such as WordPress or Blogger, these platforms have several options you can elect when setting up your blog or site to fight spam comments.

 pic from bloggingpro.com

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Dealing with Spam in Your Comments

Spam used to be limited to your emails, but anyone that has a website or blog where comments can be left are dealing with spam. Many of the spammer’s comments are not directed to drive traffic to their site or blog as many people would think. Unfortunately, they are using the spam to increase their search engine rankings. By leaving comments on your site the spammer is increasing their search engine rankings.

The spammers are attempting to get around spam blockers and target the security of individual websites or blogs. Many of the spammers that leave comments are doing the process manually. However, some the most common process is electronically or with the use of spam bots or scripts. Unfortunately, many site or blog owners don’t focus on their websites as their day job which can make dealing with these spam bots difficult. However, it certainly is not impossible.

When you discover your site or blog is the victim of spam comments don’t take it personally. In almost all cases, spammers are simply selecting a site and not targeting the webmaster or blog master. Take a deep breath and dive into the process of getting rid of the spam and keeping your site at the quality level it deserves.

·         Word or character verification for comments

Having a word or character verification for leaving comments is a great way to discourage spam. This will usually help with the electronic version of spamming comments. When verification must be done it must be human intervention that confirms the verification.

·         Moderate all comments

This can sometimes be a hassle, depending on how many comments you receive. Though, it is a great way to separate the spammers from legitimate commenters. Not only can you catch spammers, but it may also help you circumvent other comments that shouldn’t be left on your site such as inappropriate comments that shouldn’t be left on your site which may be vulgar or offensive to some members of your audience.

Review my post on moderating comments

·         Don’t allow users to use JavaScript or HTML

There is no legitimate use for either of these when leaving comments.

If you allow users to include links, there are a number of ways by which you can code to accommodate this functionality and not leave your site open to attack. The most common way is to inform the user that all URLs will be converted to links automatically, and then convert any content to a link if needed

Spam will continually be a problem for website and blog owners. However, a well-designed blog or site can monitor comments and make certain you are receiving comments instead of spam.

Commenting 101

There is a right way and a wrong way to leave a comment, believe it or not. Along with commenting etiquette there is comment production. Leaving a good comment requires a skill that can be learned. The format of a comment can mean the difference in the comment moderator accepting your comment for print or rejecting your comment.

These are a few words about how a comment should be left and the process to follow;

1.       Add your personal details that should include your name (or personal brand or pen name), website and email address. All of these things should only be given if you don’t mind them being displayed. Some website or blog owners will advise if your website is needed, but won’t be displayed with your comment information.

2.       Add your comment

Comments are usually added through some sort of WYSIWYG editor. Your comment should relay your thoughts or feelings for the content or information. Don’t leave drive by comments that say things like “great post”, “you got that right”. These types of comments don’t really say anything and will more than likely not be considered as a comment by the owner of the blog or site. Comments should provide thoughtful and insightful information. You should read the information you are leaving the comment for and actually respond with content related to the material.

If you are asking a question, do so professionally. If you are making an observation, do so professionally. If you don’t agree with the position, you can do so politely. Give examples to support your stance.

3.       Review your comment and make any necessary changes

Is your comment too lengthy and could be shorter? Make the changes and read through again. Remember, your comment is not only read by the site or blog owner, but also other readers or members of an audience

4.       Post your comment

Always stay professional and don’t say anything in a comment that you wouldn’t want on the web. Keep things professional and never say anything that could be offensive to anyone reading your comment or the site or blog owner.

One thing that I have seen in comments that are a real turn off for readers that enjoy a site or blog and the webmasters are comments that are a verbal argument or disagreement between two individuals. A lot of back and forth between two people arguing through comments is not the place or the time.

It makes anyone involved look petty and small. Even more than one individual “beating up” on someone for the comment they happen to make is not a good thing. This is a good way for your comment to be moderated as spam and not printed.

For those bloggers or site owners that do print these….shame on you.

http://www.drostdesigns.com/ pic provided by


other posts related to content;
http://commentingservice.blogspot.com/2011/06/identifying-spam-comments.html

Consider Using a Blog Commenting Service

Blog commenting services is a terrific way of building backlinks to your blog or website as everyone knows. It’s been identified as the core to internet marketing strategies. Google and other search engines utilize backlinks as a way to rank your site or blog.

Blog commenting services have been recognized on the web as a service that will create comments on your behalf, written by other bloggers with an opportunity to add a link back to your website or blog. The comments that are left are typically on higher ranked sites or blogs that have a do- follow link that allows traffic to flow from one website or blog back to your site or blog. Traffic is increased and so is your page rank.

Excellent blog commenting services can be offered by these affiliates providing commenting services. Comments left are insightful and relevant to the content that is being referenced. A group of highly qualified writers take the time to read articles and allow you to rest assured the comments and links are on sites and blogs related to your same niche. By leaving comments on related niches you know that the audience or readers are interested in the same type of format or information that your site or blog pertains to.

Consider using blog commenting services for blogs that you would like to jump start. If you have a blog that you simply cannot get enough of the write traffic or you have a high bounce rate, a blog commenting service may be for you.

This particular blog offers this service for a nominal fee and if you are interested, please leave your information in the comments section or contact me with my contact link displayed on this blog page.

 blog-commenting-service.com pic courtesy of

Responsible Effective Blog Commenting

Placing comments on blogs can be effective in terms of directing folks to your own blog or website. As it is a privilege to be able to blog for business, it is prudent to be respectful and helpful to the blog and its readers. Also, it is important to find topics/posts where you really care about joining the conversation.

Here are a few guidelines to use when commenting on the blogs of others, especially those in your field:

a. If you are new to blog commenting (newbie), do not hold back from commenting, even if you think you do not know enough to comment intelligently. Go with your gut impressions or instincts if you think your spontaneous opinion is not an informed one.

b. Let the blog author know what you appreciated about their posting(s). Perhaps give reasons why you agree or disagree with something. You could let them know why you believe the topic is important in your blog comment.

c. If you are going to disagree, first check to see if someone else has already done so from your perspective. If you need to criticize, do so in a respectful manner. Do not comment in a caustic way or you will only invite a hostile retort on your own blog. You can disagree with an idea or opinion without attacking the person who holds it.

d. Let the blog owner know a topic for which you would like to see more posts.

e. Contribute something that would benefit readers. Perhaps you can help others benefit from your experiences. Perhaps you can inspire readers in some way. Do not be afraid to reveal something about yourself that lets readers know more about who you are. It is not just about blogging for business. Blogging is supposed to be like enjoyable conversation.

f. Create a profile on your own blog(s). When you set up a profile, you bring a human quality to your blog. When you post anonymously or without a name, you lose so much potential to have folks participate in your blog’s conversation.

pic is courtesy of yorkblog.com

Disaster Strikes When You Expect It!

Contribution by Odis Chan

I just spent three hours watching the movie "2012" and I think that it is my new favorite movie. I watch my new favorite movie on demand on satellite TV fromhttp://www.direct.tv/. The reason I love this movie so much is because I think that Danny Glover did a good job playing the role of Barack Obama. It was convincing to see a black president in a suit. Presidents like to wear suits and act like they are important. Danny Glover had a lot of self importance, the most I have seen since "Gone Fishin'" with Joe Pesci. It's too bad they couldn't include Joe Pesci in this movie. Joe is so funny. Especially in Lethal Weapons (which stars the anti Semitic Mel Gibson). I also liked 2012 because they included the Dalai Lama. Buddhism is such an important religion. 

When the Dalai Lama rang the giant bell, I cried. He was so brave to stay behind and die in the tsunami waters. He really did something for his people there. The scene I didn't like was when John Cusack looks at a rotted, dead moose. I found this offensive because the movie makers obviously killed a moose and gutted it to be as realistic as possible. Speaking of super realistic, the special effects really helped the movie have a good storyline. Explosions equal movie making genius.

Finding Satisfaction in My Favorite Talk Show

Written by my friend Teodoro Martin

Every housewife needs to find respite from her day-to-day duties and I find mine in watching my favorite talk show. While many people may balk at the Maury Povich show, I take great delight in it. It is true that some of the stories he features are tragic in nature. However, I believe that he provides great entertainment for his audiences and also tries to teach his guests valuable life lessons.

My favorite topics on his show include the DNA testing to find a baby's father and mothers dealing with unruly daughters. Perhaps I favor these shows because I myself am a mother. I especially sympathize with the mothers of teenage daughters who want to run away with older men or who want to become pregnant before they are married. As the mother of a teenage girl myself, I admit I would not know how to approach this kind of disobedience. I also cannot imagine the kind of heartbreak parents face in not knowing who fathered their children. I personally believe that children are a gift and to see these children treated like commodities or afterthoughts on this show really strikes a nerve in me.

But once I get my dishes done and another load of laundry started, I turn on my satellite TV(direct.tv) and watch Maury Povich. He is a very entertaining talk show host and provides a nice, albeit brief, getaway from my daily chores.