Why We Moderate Comments

There is a trend on sites to leave comments that seem complimentary or concerned about something but their only intent is to get a reader to  click on a URL they have linked in the comment. So, let me tell you straight out, any comment that says something such as, “great info here, or this is such a great resource,’ is probably from someone who isn’t really reading a HumorOutcasts post.

Let me give you an example, we recently got the following comment into moderation that we quickly marked as spam:

Awesome post. There’s a lot of good information right here, though I would like tell you something – I am running Redhat with the up-to-date beta of Firefox, and the layout of your blog is kind of quirky for me. I can understand the content, however the navigation doesn’t work so good.

Awesome post – our flag is up already.

There’s a lot of good information right here – yea, really? This was posted on “What is it about Bad Boys”, that post was a fun post, but it wasn’t meant to be an educational post, right Fran?  Flag 2.

Still don’t think this sounds like spam? Google the phrase “I am running Redhat with the up-to-date beta of Firefox” and see how many sites aren’t effectively moderating comments because you will find this phrase word for word hundreds if not thousands of times (I got tired of going through the sites).

Don’t worry about notes that sound concerned such as  “Your site re-sized my browser”,  “Or there were javascript errors” or  “Someone is copying your work”.  These are all spam.

We are pretty lucky in that we can pick out spam right away in that few spammers start out their comments with “Funny Post”.  We are pretty darn happy with the quality of writing we are getting from the writers so we want to make sure the site isn’t diminished by spam comments. So, if as a writer you get notified about a comment that sounded legit, but we marked it as spam, don’t be surprised.  Thanks. Keep writing.

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6 thoughts on “Why We Moderate Comments”

  1. Thanks that’s a great tool! It was hard for me to believe someone who read my work would leave a comment that linked to “Bigger Boobs in 7 Days.” Unless of course it was Mayor Lund. 😉

  2. I was wondering about that comment. Thanks for clearing it up before I did something dangerous.

  3. I was suckered in with one of the comments at the very beginning, but now I am wiser. We check all comments, not to be nosy (well, most of the time) but to keep a lid on spamming. One never knows what is attached to links. Thanks, all for understanding. Betsy

  4. Your site caused my browser operator to ROTFL! I guess I will need to keep checking here for updates, to see if this issue continues.

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