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| I only wish spam comments were the greatest of my concerns. |
Some time ago it became apparent through comments left by readers and
through a direct email to me by a particularly concerned reader that some readers were uncomfortable with the content of comments left by a single reader. I understood their discomfiture, as I was, myself, a bit taken aback by some of what was being left here. My solution was to switch my comments to "moderated." This seemed to alleviate most of the issues surrounding inappropriate comments.
On the other hand, while the number of hits the blog receives seems from the statistical analysis provided by blogspot to be relatively constant, I find that I'm not receiving nearly so many comments as I was before. Is this a mere coincidence, or does having one's comments go through a moderation process serve as some sort of a deterrent to leaving comments?
I read blogs to which I seldom if ever leave comments. In some cases, I've stopped leaving comments on particular blogs because doing so is just like being in high school again. If one is not part of the "in" crowd, one is not truly welcome to leave comments, and both the blog author and the other more favored commenters have ways of letting one know that he or she (usually it's a she; girls are much meaner in this regard) is not welcome there. This can be true even if (especially if in most cases) one knows the blogger and many of the responders in person. I've been through high school once and am not in any hurry to re-live the experience. In those cases, I usually stop reading the blogs. In other blogs that have cauggt my fascination, I read anonymously. It's the inalienable right of a reader NOT to leave a comment if he or she so desires. Still, I liked reading the comments I received in earlier times.
I'd really like to know the answer to this. I LIKE receiving feedback from readers. If I need to manually moderate comments , as in to monitor regularly and delete anything that would seem to cause concern to anyone, I'm certainly willing to do so. If, on the other hand, people are simply too busy to leave comments, and the dearth of responses has nothing to do with the "moderated" status, that, too would be good for me to know.
Please, if you have time, leave feedback for me in regard to this matter. I'm very interested in what people think bout this.
Hi Alexis
ReplyDeleteI often don't respond as (a) I may not have anything to add (b) the topic may have been something to do with American popular culture or popular culture of your generation which is new to me (c) the topic may no longer be relevant as you have posted a later blog
(d) I would just be endorsing something somebody else has already said.
Nevertheless I read your posts regularly and like to feel that there is a connection. You do manage to educate me about matters outside of my experience and generation.
I agree it is nice to feel that there is some two-way exchange happening and great when a reply comes to validate/reward a comment.
Don't give up. It's interesting sharing your journey.
Hi Alexis, I'm one of those 'stealth' readers you speak of. When I read various blogs I typically want to comment; but, I feel like I need to have something profound to say. It does feel a bit like high school at times. There is a bit of a risk in having your remarks go unnoticed. Blogging brings little satisfaction to me in way of connection and good conversation. Regarding monitoring comments; when I see a blog that monitors comments I usually don't bother because there is not the immediate satisfaction of seeing my comment. But if I feel strongly about something or the writer directly solicits comments with a question or such then I'll post regardless.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your posts and will lurk around for as long as you keep writing. I found your blog through 'Ward Gossip' and have enjoyed it for a long while.
Cheers, and keep on blogging.
I don't get much spam, so I don't moderate. I have seen other bloggers just moderate until the issue goes away and quietly go back to non-moderated comments. Do whatever you feel you need to do for yourself.
ReplyDeleteEven though I quit writing my blog in February, I'm still getting spam. I set my blog to moderate posts that were over 2 weeks old. My loyal readers tended to comment on new posts while machines picked up the older ones. Keep writing and I'll keep reading!
ReplyDeleteDear OzDoc, Just Jill, Jono, and Donna, thanks for taking the time to respond. Thanks to others still for bothering to read. I truly appreciate anyone who takes the time to read what I have written. for know, unfortunately, I'll need to keep things moderated, but that may change in the near future if things go well.
ReplyDeleteI usually leave comments here, but not on other blogs. I don't care that you moderate. I think in your situation, it's wise to do so.
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