I love comments. I crave comments. The little ding my e-mail makes when I have a new one has me dashing to the computer to see who said what. It’s flattering to have people react to the words you’ve written or parts of you that you share. Any blogger who claims not to care about comments is lying. Comments are what make a blog a blog, rather than just a diary.
Through comments, I’ve learned valuable sleeping tips and tonsillectomy recovery ideas and potty training tricks. I’ve learned where to buy things I couldn’t find myself and how to make the perfect ballerina bun. I’ve laughed really hard, and often thought that someones spur of the moment comment far rivaled my well planned out post.
Commenting is also a great way to gain readers– when you say something witty and entertaining on someone else’s blog, chances are people will want to follow you to your blog. But there are also some comments that ensure that they (or at least, I) won’t. And I seem to be getting quite a few lately. So, I present you with the top commenters I’d rather be without:
1. The Cut & Pasters: The most irritating commenter is the one who leaves a million comments such as “great post!” or “love it here!” clearly without having ever read a single word. It’s as if they’re trying to gain credit by hitting as many blogs as possible, except nobody is keeping score but them. While there are times when a simple word says it all, it’s obvious when the commenter has actually read the post or not. And that’s kind of the point.
2. The Shameless Pluggers: If you have something relevant to link, go ahead, but just posting “I have a great giveaway, be sure to visit!” pisses the hell out of me. Maybe add it at the end of a relevant comment. Maybe, but at least make an effort to say something else first. And what about the people who insist on leaving their url everywhere they visit? If your comment is worth following, I’ll click on your avatar and be brought to your blog. Typing it out won’t help you gain any readers.
3. The Inappropriate Commenters: Comments should be relevant to the post they accompany. This isn’t my Facebook wall, so don’t use the comment space for random thoughts or messages. See that mailbox icon above? Use that to e-mail me. Please.
4. The Spammers: It’s bad enough that my inbox is filled with girls from Russia who want to marry me and illegal drug suggestions, but my blog gets inundated too? That’s not cool. {The Akismet plug-in kills 99% of these, but before I installed it I was getting 100 or so a day.}
5. The Anonymous Pricks: Some of my favorite comments ever have had opposing views to mine. Well, that’s not true– my favorite tell me how witty and pretty I am, but I do very much appreciate when someone takes the time to present me with a differing point of view. But, only if that person has the balls to use their name. Otherwise, they’re just asking to be deleted. And I’m not afraid to do that.
6. The Un-Reachables: When I was on Blogger, nothing drove me crazier than someone asking me a question in a comment and finding “no-reply-comment@blogger. com” as the return address. Then, I am forced to respond to the question on their blog which isn’t appropriate or not respond at all which is even ruder. And fake e-mail addresses? Oy. Get a life.
7. The Paybackers: The “thanks for visiting my blog today” folks are not only rude, but insulting. While it is much appreciated when a blogger pays you a return visit, by simply thanking you for visiting them, they are making your little corner of the web about their blog. Same with “visiting from xyz!” You can’t find anything else to say along with that? Then don’t.
Did I miss any of your pet peeves? What drives you crazy? Or are you all too afraid to comment?
Previous post: A Matter of Interpretation
Next post: My Husband Drives Me Crazy IV
{ 247 comments }
← Previous Comments
I have to agree, I can not stand when commentors add more urls (that have nothing to do with the original post) with in the comments. All bloggers should know that there comment will link to there blog, as they have to put it in to even comment!
Tiffany recently posted..Wordless Wednesday Wyatt Wrestle Mania
I respond to every comment left on my blog. I have threaded comments on WP and they send an email automatically with my reply to the author of the original comment. I figure they took the time to read what I wrote and leave a comment, the *very least* I can do is respond, with something relevant to their comment, not just “Thanks for stopping by”.
I’ve noticed around the blogosphere that not everyone holds the same belief as me.
Becky recently posted..Sex- Drugs- and Rock & Roll
In theory, I agree and would love to be able to do that, but it’s not manageable. But, I think it’s great that you do!
I read through EACH and EVERY comment everyone else made here… aren’t we all a bunch of smart alecks, huh. LOL! I just don’t have a big enough readership on my blog to have gotten a crazy or irritating comment yet, but I’m sure the day will come. Well, I guess I could turn off Akismet for a day just to see what pops up… um, on second thought.. no. Ha! :)
Diana… in the heart of {kansas} recently posted..i’m a messy gramma
I read your comment and was reminded of something that happened today. I moderate all my comments. I am still small time and am still working on building my readership. Anyways, I have this person who keeps trying to post what is obvious spam. It is a bit irritating.
lesa recently posted..Honestly-
Well hell, I was completely unaware there were “do’s” and “don’t's” to commenting. Come to think of it, that has been a problem all my life. Stuff just falls out of my face, bypassing my brain entirely usually. First, scarymommy, your language doesn’t offend me, don’t these people know that the F-Bomb still means that thing you do to get kids to begin with? And being one of those people who has face-farts (for lack of a better term–if anyone can think of a better one, let me know), I am liable to offend someone at any given moment. In fact, I’ll bet someone out there reading this is already offended, and I haven’t even said what I wanted to yet! What was I going to say….? OH YEAH! My pet peeve is these people who abbreviate EVERYTHING, thinking they sound so cool, and me, I’m just stumped most of the time. What the hell are they saying? I have learned a few of them, but some are beyond my ken. I’m 50 and self-taught on the computer, and I know how to spell, too! So take that PWAEANBKEWTHTAS! LMAO (and no, hubby, that doesn’t mean let’s make another one) anyone curious about the abbreviation, check out my blog, as soon as I figure out how to start one…..
ooooh, I hate the “thanks for visiting” comments, too! This is a good list with some very interesting points about commenting.
Now I feel such pressure to write a good comment! This was really helpful. Thanks. I’m just discovering you now and I really admire how you’ve built your blog and platform. It’s all starting to click for me now and blogs like this help.
Sorry, but I really do love it here, and these were great tips. Thanks for the post!!! -Denise
I really hate it when people comment on a post and all they do is compare you/your kid to them/theirs. I.E., (Post): Gotta love teething babies! (respond): Oh, she’s just barely teething? so-and-so has been teething for x amount of months already!
It just seriously annoys me.
I have only had like 11 comments total. So, at this point I would be happy with “great post”
I get so excited when I get any comment. But, I have only had a blog for about a month.
One day I dream of having a pet peeve list too.
myevil3yearold recently posted..Hooters- Trains and The Real Deal
I guess we all do it for the comments … sometimes I just want to reach out and show what I did and am proud of … sometimes I honestly want an opinion, like with my last try to teach my son something. I am unsure about it and would love the insight of other Moms.
I do only have a few comments as I have just started my blog a few weeks ago, but I completely agree with everything. There is only one thing I hate even more: The Spam comments, translated into German with a cheap translator that only make sense if you are able to translate it back into english … these made me appreciate Askimet a lot!
Thank you for a post that keeps being true and up to date for such a long time!
Varotica recently posted..Birthday Place Mats and Goodie Bags
I guess I haven’t been blogging long enough to have a list of pet peeves (except maybe spammers, I agree, that one is annoying).I disagree with your # 7 and here is why…If someone visits my blog for whatever reason and they leave a comment (YAY),I try to return the visit. I leave a comment that includes my blog address and I Thank them for visiting. I do this for one reason and one reason only ~ to say thank you! And, if someone says thank you to me, I always say…You’re Welcome. Maybe I have pet peeves after all.
Amy @ http://mommetime.com/
PS…I’m a bit of a rebel! Your blog rocks and I enjoy following you on twitter…
mommetime recently posted..Happy New Year!
Thanks for these tips! I’m new to the blogging world, and I really don’t like to piss people off. I think this will help me avoid that!
Wow, I thought I was doing it right… now I think I was doing it wrong. It’s okay, I’ll spank myself and go to bed without any dinner tonight. That’ll teach me =)
marie recently posted..Embrace the spit bubble
You have a solid point there. I also love getting comments, but it’s always annoying when it’s something empty and “hi, just dropped by to say hi”-like.
Of course, there are also people who are well-intended and just want to say they really enjoyed what you said in your post (like I’m doing here) and don’t have the inspiration to say more than “great post”.
Well, I wish you many well-intended and witty readers :)
Lavi recently posted..Everyday is Valentines day for Aschiuta
I don’t mind receiving opposing views on my blog, but it is when someone gives an opposing view without having read my entire entry that irritates me. Sometimes there is a twist at the end and my message is clear to those who read the whole post. Also, I don’t mind if you chose not to read the whole post, but please don’t comment!
Ahhh, I suddenly feel much better just getting that off my chest! Thank you so much for asking!
I am new on your blog, but I sure like the posts I have read thus far. I am all about “keeping it real.” Parenting is too hard not to keep it real! Thank you!
Thanks for the info. As a new “blogger” I need all the advise I can get, and don’t want to be an annoyance to anyone. I believe I have a great blog and I am just researching how other great bloggers (like yourself) get a great following:) Thanks again for the info, I really enjoy reading your blog, it hits home ALOT! Take Care, Angie
Angie Harris recently posted..Queen Nipple
I’ve been blogging for about 6 months now. My first couple months: no comments on any posts. The next couple months: friends and family started to comment. I’m finally starting to get a few (very few) comments from people I don’t actually know in real life. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that I get a little tingle of excitement every time! I haven’t yet experienced the anonymous prick – perhaps that will mark the day that my blog can be considered a success!
Oh, I also wanted to mention that I recently attended a class on the topic of how to handle comments on your blog. It was very informative and made me feel a bit less afraid of potentially receiving mean and nasty comments. If anyone is interested in reading about that class, here is the shameless plug, er… I mean, the link: http://mytemperedtantrum.com/2011/01/go-ahead-insult-me/
Christi recently posted..If You Give a Mom a Margarita…
Will someone pleeeeaaaassse comment on my blog? ;-) JK…sort of.
Cat recently posted..Who needs Lent
Anonymous askers and half readers piss me off very much, but it is only second to people that spell so horribly, and use such incorrect grammar that it takes me five minutes to decode one sentence.
Stephenie recently posted..Stephiliey- RT @charliesheen- Adios2&aHalfwithout me its like Zeppelin without Plant The Doors without JimC Lorre just elected into the Trol
I’m new to blogging so probably guilty of a lot of the crimes listed above…I’m trying to improve though and hopefully this article will help me to mend my ways ;)
Geoff Rogers recently posted..Google’s Android now has more free apps than Apple’s iPhone – TechSpot
Hearing that “ding” in my inbox from a new comment is a little like having the cute guy in high school smile at you in the hallway. Not that that ever happened to me.
At least now I can take my angst to the blog….
Ryan (The Woven Moments) recently posted..Stuff I Dig – Honesty
Hmmmm…I kind of feel like I should quit blogging! I’ve had my blog for a while though I don’t post on a regular basis. I have heard that it is polite to thank visitors but HAVE found, as you mention, that I can’t respond to their comments. This leads me to their blogs where I have actually left comments thanking them for the visit. BUT, this is after I’ve explored their blog a bit, read a bit, laughed a bit, etc. Maybe even become a follower. I would like to know who comes up with the rules? I try to be sensitive in my commenting, I want to participate, but I obviously don’t want to come across as insincere or artificial. Can’t say I’m perfect, I have my days, but I try to be friendly in general. Guess I’ll just have to be more careful, and when in doubt, not comment. (Is that right? I mean, I think I might have offended a few bloggers with my comments in the past…unknowingly.) Maybe some of the comments that you receive that are the annoying ones are from people who may still be relatively new to blogging??
Oh, and thank you by the way…for giving me pause, making me think…
ah. blogging is yet another area in which I will not fail to demonstrate my poor manners. thank you so much for sharing all this. joking aside, this is a world without a rulebook for the most part. thanks for the clue! :)
wendy recently posted..Bizarre Parenting Scenarios
So glad to see I’m not the only one confused about this! And Christi, not the only one totally over the moon excited when a TOTAL STRANGER comments on something I’ve posted! anonymous..eh, don’t love it, but spam/non-reading fools I like even LESS! Thanks for the pointers/reminders!
Crafty recently posted..Quote-a-riffic
This was great.
#7 The paybackers drive me crazy, and I am glad I am not the only one who finds it insulting.
Haven’t had an anonymous comment yet…
Carolyn recently posted..Salmon & Vegetables w- Creamy Dill Sauce For Baby and Me
I delight in, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
← Previous Comments
Comments on this entry are closed.