Comments are the lifeblood of blogs. Every blogger wants them and sometimes it can be hard to understand why no one is commenting on your brilliant blog post. I’ve been there and thought I’d share the top 5 reasons I’m not commenting on your blog (that have nothing to do with content – that’s a separate post):
- CAPTCHA. UGH. Yes, I bolded ugh because of my extreme level of hatred of Captcha. If you want comments on your blog, why don’t you try making it easy for people to comment? Yes, I know that blog spam is annoying. But there are tons of free plugins to help with that. What if you aren’t self hosted and can’t add a nifty plugin to catch spam? Use wordpress.com. I used wordpress.com for free for almost two years and never had any serious spam issues. WordPress has a spam catcher and it works pretty well. What if you use blogger? Switch to wordpress. Yes, that is my serious recommendation. Blogger is simply not as friendly to the outside blog world as wordpress. Which leads me to my next point…
- Your comments don’t work for a large segment of the bloggersphere. Ahem, Blogger, I’m looking at you. I can’t tell you how many times I read a great post from one of my blogger buddies and I type out a comment but have to create an account to comment or sign in to google. Stop making it hard for me to comment. Use commenluv or at least just give a basic name/url field. If I have to sign up for disqus or create some account or anything extra, I will not be commenting on your blog. Pretty much ever.
- Your blog ate my comment. This isn’t necessarily your fault but if it happens more than a few times, I’m going to stop trying to comment. I hate coming up with a thoughtful comment and then seeing it disappear in cyberspace. I will probably try one more time, but if it fails again…I move on. I’m busy (like all of us) and…
Truer words were never spoken.
- I can’t figure out how to comment – EASILY. If I have to search for more than about 45 seconds to find a comment button, you’ve lost me. You might be noticing a theme here – easy! Make it easy for readers to comment and you’ll get more comments.
- You never respond to comments. Yes, it’s fine not to respond to each and every comment…but if you NEVER respond to comments, then I’m going to stop commenting. And likely stop reading, as well. It just seems rude to this Southern gal 🙂
Those are my tips — am I missing anything? What would you add to this list?
Good list and so true! I get so frustrated when I find a blog I love and can’t comment! I usually read blogs on my ipad or iphone and unfortunately blogger comments don’t support it so it’s impossible to comment on them
I know, Ali…I hate it when I’m trying to comment on my iphone and it just doesn’t work. So frustrating. :/ Thanks for dropping by!
Totally hear you! Its much more convenient for me to read blogs on the iPad, which is not friendly with Blogger. WordPress is so much more user and reader friendly!
TRUTH! Although I should say that many of my favorite blogers use blogspot and while I do secretly (or I guess not secretly!) wish they’d switch, they have made it easy for me to comment and for that I’m grateful 🙂
These are SO true! I hate having to create accounts, and if I ask someone a question, I generally would like an answer. I *think* it’s easy on mine, but I totally know what you mean! And I’ve had my responses to some comments on my own blog just disappear. Very frustrating.
Elizabeth recently posted…Butternut Squash Soup and Giving Spin a Second Chance
Yes, it’s easy to comment on your blog 🙂 I really just think that a tiny bit of effort makes it much easier for blog readers. And easy = more comments, more engagement and more of a community, which is what I think most bloggers really want!
I agree on not being able to comment easily on people’s blogs. I just can’t take it. BUT, in response to the commenting back- I leave a comment on blogs because something appeals to me, not because I’m expecting a response back. same with people that comment on my blog. If someone says something short and simple, I’m not going to just write THANKS or I AGREE or something short in response. I will respond when I feel compelled to do so… if that makes sense?! Anyways, happy blogging and running! 🙂
I don’t think folks have to respond to every comment…but if I see 20 comments and the blogger has not weighed in ONCE…I just think that’s kind of rude. Emma, you are great at commenting and answering questions and are SO supportive of other bloggers! I was more thinking about the example I just gave or if someone asks a blogger a question and they never answer it. 🙂
I find that people “like” your post before they will comment. It’s great that people like what I write but I too, like comments to connect with those that read my blog.
Anna @ Pipers’s Run recently posted…WIAW: A Vegan, Omnivore and a Toddler Eat Together.
Yes, comments are fun and a great way to create a community on your blog. If a blogger asks questions at the end of a post, I try to respond if I have anything interesting to add 🙂
Courtney, I completely agree with all of these. My biggest pet peeve is when I respond to another blogger and they never respond back to anybody. Why pose a question and open up the dialogue for communication if you don’t have any intention of responding back? The one reason I would add is that the post is of no interest to me. So many fitness oriented bloggers have started posting every little detail about their lives. That’s not why I’m reading your blog!
Kathryn @ dancingtorunning recently posted…Walt Disney World Half Marathon Training Log – Week 7
YES! I get so frustrated when they NEVER respond to ANYONE! It just gets my goat…lol. And I definitely agree with your last statement — I am planning another post about content that inspires comments, interaction, etc. BTW, I have your most recent post open and am going to read it after my meeting. I LOVE training recaps! 🙂
Great post! I know I hate when something makes it difficult for me to post a comment. I try to make it easy for my readers so I have disabled Captcha, and I never really had a problem with Spam until this week. I’ve been getting it like crazy. ( yes, I’m on Blogger). Blogger has done a good job of keeping those “Spam” comments off my blog though ( they only show up in my e-mail, which is still annoying) I plan to continue to use Blogger though and hope I can come up with a solution! Also, some of my readers are not bloggers or have a Google profile, so they thought they could not comment on my blog. It turns out, they can and they don’t have to sign up for anything or make an account. They just have to choose a profile from the drop down menu and just write their name. Easy Peasy ( and better than just writing as anonymous). Sorry for such a long response! I’d love to hear if you have any other suggestions! Will check back!
Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Why the Runner’s World Festival and Half is Great for Runners AND Spectators.
I am totally fine with Blogger as long as it’s easy to comment — I actually just read your latest post and commented (with total ease, I might add!). I just think in general it should be as easy as possible for readers — thanks for weighing in!
Thanks Courtney!
( I am adding you to my reading list!, Great blog)
Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Why the Runner’s World Festival and Half is Great for Runners AND Spectators.
Great list! I’m with you on the captcha and I won’t create an account just to comment either. And yes to #5 as well. I’ve stopped following and commenting on several blogs b/c of the complete lack of interaction.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted…Taming Taper Crazies
It just really baffles me when bloggers don’t respond to ANYONE! It’s just so weird! Anyway, good luck on your half and with your taper week 🙂
CAPTCHAAAAAAAAAAUGGHHHHHHAAAAAHAHAUGGH! I hate it. I have to REALLY like you and your blog to still comment. I have blogger but you can set it up to where you can have anyone comment or if they have to log in and blah blah blah. I don’t have it like that because I hate having to log in lmbo just let me write my name and be gone. Hmmmm can I think of any others… nope think you hit them!
Preshii @ The Coily Bombshell recently posted…Power hour & Food trucks!
I completely agree with you on captcha. It is the bane of my existence. Okay, maybe that’s a bit strong. But still – it stinks! And yes, blogger is cool as long as I can just type my name and url!
So how do I make that change? I’m on Blogger and actually really like it but I do want it to be as easy as possible for readers to comment…
Hmmm, I’ve never worked on blogge so I have no idea…maybe someone else can help? The suggestion above about visiting your own blog (not signed in) is a good way to test out your comment section!!
I’ll jump in here! I’m on blogger, Nikki, and I just changed my settings – thanks to Courtney grabbing my attention on the need to do so! (I didn’t even realize I had a captcha, and I despise them – eeek!)
1. log in to your blogger account
2. click on “settings” on the left hand side toward the bottom of the menu options
3. under settings, go to “posts and comments”
4. under comments, allow “anyone” to post (if you’re comfortable with that) and under “show word verification,” change it to “No” to take off captcha.
hope that helps!
Thanks Cyndi for helping here!! 🙂
Great list – especially your point about CAPTCHA – I loathe it!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…BAA Distance Medley – Half Marathon Recap
Thanks Michelle for weighing in. CAPTCHA is awful!!
Ugh, I really hate Captcha! It is so hard to read and very difficult if I’m trying to comment from my iPad. I wish folks would get rid of it. I use blogger and I don’t get that much spam without Captcha. I just delete the comments that are funny.
I wish we had something like comment luv in Blogger!
Leana recently posted…Race Report: Banff Ekiden Relay
You can always make the switch to wordpress…haha! I’m such a wordpress pusher! But no, seriously, blogger is fine as long as it’s easy to comment 🙂
Love, love, love this!! and don’t get me started on Captcha!! UGH! I’m with you on all points and I have to reallllly like your blog to go through any kind of hoops to comment – especially if I don’t get a response.
Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…I Blog Because…
Yep to “I have to reallllly like your blog to go through any kind of hoops to comment.” Pretty much 🙂
Great post! I agree with your thoughts on WordPress and replying to comments. I’ve been self hosted for quite a while with previous blogs and always recommend WordPress to others wanting to start up because it is so user friendly. I’ve had the Akismit plugin on all of my other blogs and haven’t run into any issues with spam.
Anita recently posted…Sunday is for Singing Out Loud
Yep, I use that same Akismit plugin and haven’t had any spam issues! WordPress really is so user friendly. I can’t imagine using another platform!
I think people need to visit their own blogs as an outsider (not logged in to their blogging platform) and see what it is like to comment. I get annoyed when the comment button is at the TOP of the post, because I want to read and comment from the bottom!
Coco recently posted…Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Balls Recipe
That is a FANTASTIC tip! I do this anytime I’m making changes to my blog to make sure it’s as clean and user friendly as I want it to be. And yes, I also hate having to scroll back up to comment!
I decided after reading your post to change a few things: 1) I removed the capcha from my comment box 2) I embedded the comment box at the end of the post (rather then a pop-up) Hopefully that helps with people commenting. =) Also I have been having the hardest time figuring out how to add the “reply” feature to my comments. I have to reply by posting a whole new comment which I hate doing! I have gone so far as to tweet the answer to my question to a commenter. lol.
Betsy recently posted…365/292: WW School Pics!
Awesome! I love the ease to commenting on your blog now 🙂
Good tips! I hate captcha! I know a lot of bloggers have switched to Discus, but I don’t think I want people to have to create an account. I need to figure out how to get reply comments on my blogger blog, because I DO respond to every single comment, it’s just via email so no one else can see that. And wordpress bloggers show up as a “no reply” so I can’t reply to them, which makes me sad 🙁
Amanda recently posted…How to Start Running | Part 5: Fueling & Running Nutrition
What platform are you on?
That’s a great list!! My biggest one is if the blog keeps eating my comments… I just give up! I don’t really mind captcha that much but if I can’t find the comment button easily… I’m out like trout! lol… thanks for sharing! 🙂
Zaneta recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: The Cranky Train
Lol I love out like trout 🙂 Haha!!
I love commenting on other WordPress blogs the best just because I don’t have to add in any other information usually, it just knows I’m logged in! I respond to every single comment (unless it’s spam) because I am so thankful people are reading my blog and commenting!
Lindsay @ Lindsay Weighs In recently posted…220 pounds – the post I’ve been dreading writing.
Yep, Lindsay I respond to comments for the very same reason! Plus I usually have something to add or a follow up question to the comment 🙂
Thanks for the visit over at my place! The blog commenting theme is cracking me up because I actually have another post in my queue for next week that is about why I’m not commenting on your blog! And you guessed it, some of the same advice! 🙂 Glad to connect with you!
Michelle recently posted…Getting Spooky with our Halloween Bash {Ladies Only Blog Share}
That’s awesome. I can’t wait to read your post 🙂