I’ve been noticing a lot of comments with links to various commercial websites. The comments are not the same as spam. They’re actually legitimate comments that add to the conversation and/or relate to your blog posts. However, the name left by the commenter isn’t real and that the URL left leads to a commercial website or product.
Normally, I delete spam and any kind of irrelevant comment left on my blogs. However, I’m in a bit of a quandary with these types of comments as they appear to be genuine comments. So, it seems strange to delete them.
What about you? What do you think of these paid comments? Do you know any services that offer pay-to-comment deals?
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It may be someone trying to build backlinks in a related topic. Usually I leave them if the comment is valid, and provides useful information. If it is just an I agree with your opinion post then, I usually delete them.
If the url is a referral link, I’ll usually delete them regardless of the comment. Mainly because I don’t want referral links in comments period .
I don’t have that much of a problem about spam comments yet, but then again my site is relatively new. So I guess it is a good sign that you’re getting a lot of visitors or becoming an authority on the subject. I would say if it is really iffy leave the comment, but remove the url from the name so it doesn’t link back.
I haven’t come across places that actually do paid comments. I see requests for comments in webmaster forums such as Digital Point so that their comments section doesn’t look too empty when starting up a new site.
You have read my mind. I am composing a post on this very thing.
I agree with Mitch, too.
Here’s a service http://www.buyblogcomments.com/
(never used, it, only heard of it through another blog)
Sean
Hi Shai
Long time RSS, first time commenter (well, first that I can remember.)
My opinion is that if the person has taken the time to leave a comment and add to your community, it isn’t asking much to let them have their anchor text. You scratch my back, I scratch yours….. etc.
I agree with Mitch on referral links though, I don’t accept them on my (personal) blog either.
I always delete the URL if the “name” they leave is an obvious attempt to rank for a certain keyword. I don’t delete the comment, simply because they are indeed usually worthwhile, but comments are supposed to be a free conversation between people, not forced conversation purely for the sake of improving someone’s reputation.
I think I’m going to go make that clear in my comment form, though.
I’ve ran into a few obvious paid comments recently, particularly on my software development blog. If the comment is good, I leave it but clear the URL, otherwise I’ll mark it as spam.
Mitch: Thanks for weighing your thoughts on this. I can understand the reasoning behind it but not quite sure how the paid comments thing can actually work for some. Requesting for comments in forums, etc, I guess is different and quite valid. But yeah, I understand what you mean. And that’s a good point on the referral links.
Busy Mom: Do let me know if you ever get to write that post!
Sean: Thanks for telling me about the site. Will explore further later on.
Jonk: Thank you for finally de-lurking. Hope this won’t be the last! On removing affiliate links, I guess I can understand that. I haven’t encountered it yet but I think I won’t be accepting those either.
Shane: True. It’s interesting to know how many people actually have a publicly available comments policy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Frank: Yeah. Pretty much how I’m doing things at the moment too. But sometimes, it gets a bit ‘gray’. Anyway, thanks for joining in the conversation!