How do you use comments?

33 Replies Christopher Roberts

How do you use comments? That’s my question. How do use comments on Technology Bloggers and other blogs, and are you getting the most out of your commenting experience?

In the past Kaushal has written about how to make the most out of blog commenting, and now I am going to do something similar, but in my soft of way.

So let’s focus on comments here first.

When you comment, do you ever take notice of others comments? Well if not you should! Comments often contain the most valuable content of the whole article (as I think I have said before) so it would be wise to read them.

Furthermore, making good use of the ‘Reply’ button is never a bad thing either. Not only does it show that you read others comments, but it also helps to spark conversation and ultimately relationships within the community.

The next thing to remember is that I don’t like to leave useless stuff lying around cluttering the place up. Hopefully this shows in the design of the blog, especially the comment field. This brings me onto my next point, make use of the information the blogger has given you.

Technology Bloggers Comment Form

Technology Bloggers comment form - found at the bottom of every article, and where you go to leave your contribution

Take a look at it, and you should see that it is busy, but not cluttered. Everything there is essential and telling you something.

The “we are a dofollow blog” bit tells you that you get ‘extra rewards’ for commenting here if you have a URL; the “check out the comment policy” bit lets you know that we have rules and values, and they are on show for all to see; each of the comment fields has its name and a brief description, to help you put the right thing in each box; below the post comment button is an anti-spam box, showing that we must care about your comments, and finally the CommentLuv box is there to help you squeeze the most out of your contribution.

Make use of this information, it is there to help you write the best possible comment!

What you can now do is apply this when you comment on other blogs. Okay, they may have slightly different systems and ways of doing things, but at the end of the day, they are all just helping you add your contribution.

Comment are very important, and that’s probably why I keep writing about them! Why not add a contribution now, either as a new comment or in reply so someone else’s below and demonstrate your knowledge of how to use comments?

Categories: Blogging WordPress
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Written by Christopher Roberts
Founder and editor of Technology Bloggers, Christopher is passionate about sustainable technology and environmental initiatives. He wants to popularise critical thinking, promote responsible innovation, and excite you about the world around us.

33 thoughts on “How do you use comments?”

  1. David@theOnlyCog

    I like to comment on blog postings — in fact I have done a few on here in the past 🙂

    I always view the comments section as the area for the reader to have their say; after all the author has had their two minutes!

    What I do not like is people who leave almost irrelevant posts simply to get a link to their own site. Comments like ‘loved that post’, ‘great post’ don’t really bring anything to the party (in my view). Comments can/should be used to stimulate debate, assuming people take time to participate.

    Anyway, that’s my two minute worth — anyone else?…..

    Reply
    • Alan Tay@IT Security

      I used to do that you know. When posting about “Nice post” and “Thank you” thing. I got my comments disapproved after that due to this sort of spamming. However, I was an amateur that time and still think that leaving a comment can generate hundreds of traffic. It was only partially true. The other half is to leave a valuable comment and then only people will visit your site from the comment. Correct me if I am wrong 🙂

      Reply
      • Marvin

        I also use that line when I’m really thankful about the post. It’s not bad to say thank you if you mean it, right? That’s why its a “comment” box where you put your comments about the article, although sometimes I use comment box as suggestion box. 😛 For me, commenting is the first step to create relation with the blogger.

        Reply
        • Christopher (admin team)

          “For me, commenting is the first step to create relation with the blogger.” – words of wisdom there Marvin!

          Regarding just saying thanks for the post, that’s sometimes okay, but it can look very spammy if you word your appreciation wrong.

          Thanks for adding your view, welcome to the community 🙂
          Christopher – Admin Team

          Reply
          • Marvin

            “but it can look very spammy if you word your appreciation wrong.” – Very true, still there are some moderators that reject comments even though you’re really thankful with their article (that sometimes put me on rage. LOL.)

            Reply
        • David@theOnlyCog

          Hi Marvin

          I hope you did not miss my point — I think it is great to say ‘nice post’ but not if it is then followed by a link to your own website. This just screams of someone trying to get a link back.

          Everyone appreciate comments for their writing, and as you say it is a great way to start building a relationship with the blogger.

          Reply
  2. Annie

    Somewhat of a related tangent, but I always feel offended and frustrated when a blogger disables commenting, blocking off any means of interaction. They’ll sometimes try to redirect the conversation to social media, but the overlying message is, “I don’t really care what you have to say.” Know what I mean? Comments are such an important part of blogging!

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      Very true Annie, comments are vital to any good blog.

      Thanks for your contribution, welcome to the Technology Bloggers community!
      Christopher – Admin Team

      Reply
  3. Priya

    I usually try to read all commets on any blog before commenting, but sometimes it’s not possible as there are plenty of comments but still you can get idea if there is any discussion is going on and you can too participate in it. Doing you can create your relationship with other commentors which is positive sign as a business prospect as well.

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      “I usually try to read all commets on any blog before commenting” – A great strategy Priya
      “but sometimes it’s not possible” – I know what you mean!

      Relationships and reputation are king!

      Reply
  5. Andrew@Companies House

    I always read the entire post and most of the comments, assuming there are not 50+ of them! I also use the reply button too because at the end of the day it is all about building relationships with people, not just about the comment itself or the link building benefits it may have. I try and stay active on about 20 or so blogs, so I can at least make 1-2 comments per month on each . BTW, and I know this is unrelated somewhat to the post, but do you know why commentluv is not finding our blog feed so it shows our most recent post at the end of this comment? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      Great to here Andrew 🙂

      Regarding CommentLuv I am not 100% sure, but I will try and remember to raise it with Andy Bailey later today.

      Thanks for your comment – and patience – welcome to the Technology Bloggers community!
      Christopher – Admin Team

      Reply
  6. DiNaRa

    Comments are the extra source of the post. Sometimes the people who comment they can give the author some extra ideas to discuss and thus they become the source of inspiration and discussion. I try to read the comments and compare my point of view with the others and see how right I am.

    Reply
    • David@Mobile Technologies

      Very true Dinara. Comments serve as a very helpful resource for the people or the blog. Helpful links, new information and healthy interaction helps the blog get popular and makes the people follow it even closely.
      Not to forget the link building benefit.

      Reply
  8. Hamish

    I love to get comments on my blogs – so I comment on other blogs quite a bit. It’s good to have a discussion, and the comments section can lead to a lot of new ideas surfacing.

    When I get comments on my own blogs, it can often lead to new ideas for further posts. Sometimes questions can tell you that you left something out from your original post. Of course, you can’t cover everything in a single post all of the time – that’s when I get a new post on the go.

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      Often good ideas can surface, yes, I agree with you there.
      “When I get comments on my own blogs, it can often lead to new ideas for further posts.” – I also agree with you on that, often comments either on my own blogs, here or on other peoples blogs can lead me to writing something!

      Thanks for your contribution Hamish, welcome to the Technology Bloggers community!
      Christopher – Admin Team

      Reply
  9. Jonny Rowntree

    I feel that comments are near enough perfect here. Maybe you should consider moving the comment form to the top of the discussion since you could lose your train of thought by the time you’ve read other comments.

    Just a suggestion. Great article as always!

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      “Maybe you should consider moving the comment form to the top of the discussion” – I know what you are suggesting Jonny, but the idea of comments are that you read other peoples too. If someone has said what you wanted to say you don’t need to say it, or you could just reply to them telling them that you feel the same.

      Thanks for the comment anyway 🙂

      Reply
  10. Roger Jignesh Parekh@Best Juicer Review

    Most of the time I like to comment on blogs if I feel that the posts are good and blogger is sharing some healthy information then I must appreciate post, but some of time people spam these blogs, but somehow comments are blood for blogs, if people are not commenting on your posts then what is the point of writing?

    Great post and you are running a good blog by the way, Christopher!

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      …if people are not commenting on your posts then what is the point of writing? – some people may prefer just to read any ‘lurk’ – i.e. not comment, just absorb the content!

      Great post and you are running a good blog by the way, Christopher! – Thanks Roger 🙂

      Reply
  11. Satrap@ Make Money Fast

    I usually do read other comments and do reply. In some cases, I think the reply option has even helped me. There are many times that I really liked a post and I want to contribute. But I just dont have anything to add. And I know just saying “great post, thank you” is going to sound spammy. So, sometimes reading the comments themselves gives me an idea.

    It could be a question that I can answer or a point that another commenter has raised and I can add to that point or speck of my personal experience.

    And I think at the end its all about being genuine and wanting to be positive part of the community.

    Reply
  12. Jack @ bmw x5

    Hi Christopher,

    I have a blog where I have installed the premium commentluv plugin which allows everyone to leave their keywords after the name and get their 10 latest posts to choose from as an add-on.

    It is ungrateful to say the least to be offered that advantage and some people still screw it up.

    The bar has being raised up as far as the quality of comments is concerned and that’s the way we should all keep things on our blogs.

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      I make sure that on Technology Bloggers and my own blogs that I never approve comments that don’t add value to the blog.
      As our comment policy says: “All comments must also add value to the blog, therefore they must either add useful information to the article, answer someone’s question, continue a conversation, or be considered a worthy comment for some other reason.”

      Reply
  13. Karen @ seo los angeles

    I like reading the comments section, sometimes it can be very enlightening or just entertaining! The only thing that bothers me is when people post rude or hostile comments, if they disagree or don’t like the post and remark on it in a polite way that’s one thing, but to post on someone’s page with aggressive or negative remarks really gets under my skin. People should be respectful when posting on someone else’s website. I just read an article about a blogger who died, he knew was dying and posted a final post. He was an Atheist and after his passing some religious fanatics responded to his post, saying he was in hell and what not. It was very upsetting to me. I agree with freedom of speech, but I don’t agree with hate.

    -Karen

    Reply
    • Christopher (admin team)

      I think most people would agree with you there Karen, sure say what you like, but don’t be nasty.

      I don’t mind negative comments on my work, as they can provide useful criticism which can help me see things in a different way, or improve what I do. I (like you) however do not like or approve malicious/hostile comments.

      Thanks for taking the time to comment Karen, welcome to the community 🙂
      Christopher – Admin Team

      Reply

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