I bet this post does not get cited by AI.
This is OK.
Since 2008 – my blogging beginning – people spam people tirelessly. Picture a Terminator of Spam.
The pitches never end.
How does the process go?
- some spam with the discernment of a baboon in heat
- some spam sneakily like a wolf in sheep’s clothing
Pay attention to the latter.
Never let these guys sneak in.
Do not fall for their ruse.
Why I Approve Genuine Comments from Humans Not Trying to Sell Anything
Review this typical scenario with me.
I see a comment in the Blogging From Paradise Dot Com back office.
I put no one on blast. But I will use names for a practical example.
Someone named John drops this comment:
“I agree with you. Spamming gets annoying after a while. I guide clients to build meaningful relationships. How would you say blog commenting is now versus years ago?”
The URL field: backlinksgrabber dot com
I spot the instant red flag: a generic sounding name pointing to a generic sounding comment pointing to a spammy blog attempting to generate business. Pay close attention to the bullshit fishing question at the end. We will discuss this later.
The question is typical not in a FAQ way but in a less than genuine way. Spammers end with a seeming probing question. But it is fishing for attention. Basically it is fishing for sales.
I answered one of these bullshit fishing comments one time. The individual replied with a comment promoting their online business. I believe it was a link building business. The question was not honest but a way to build business.
Everyone has to make a living but not on Blogging From Paradise Dot Com.
I approve comments from genuine humans to improve our user experience.
User generated content enhances our community.
Bloggers engaging in meaningful discussions amplifies our collective success.
My blog ranks decently on Google meaning Google users see your blog comments. We all win. I benefit from Google traffic here. You benefit from Google traffic here.
But this is because I only approve quality comments published by people who want to help not scavenge.
Let One In They All Come In
Approve one spam comment.
100 spammers show up knocking at your trash folder door.
Consider this scavenger analogy.
After a deer gets run over by a car the corpse attracts one vulture. Two vultures show up. Eventually a feeding frenzy ensues. A dozen vultures pick at the stinking body.
Festering and disgusting to be around for humans, anyone with a nose avoids the site like the plague.
Replace the carcass with your blog and vultures with spammers.
People and Google stay away because the blog stinks of spammer.
Even helpful posts reek of spam.
I stumble upon great content that dies in the spam graveyard.
Humans doubt your credibility if the helpful post attracts 30 spam comments. Why are you asleep at the blogging wheel? Do you neglect reader questions in similar fashion?
Spam destroys blogs.
Genuinely helpful humans co-create a full-time blogging venture.
Blogging From Paradise Commentors Made My Blog with Me
I publish helpful blog posts.
You drop genuine comments.
We co-create through my content and your user-generated content.
Everyone helps the other.
It is a beautiful thing to see.
Nobody else gets publicity here. Tricky spammers who drop one “no pitch” comment always follow up with the pitch comment. I care not if it is a 2nd or 10th follow up; spam is on the way.
I approved a few comments from someone who appeared to be genuine. He dropped a few helpful paragraphs for each comment. But he eventually promoted his backlink building business.
Lesson learned.
His URL flashed a red flag. Yet re-reading each comment revealed; he clearly was not a genuine person engaging in a meaningful conversation.
Approve Genuine Comments
Experience teaches you how to spot genuine comments.
Read every comment in your spam folder. Scan the trash too. Spot the difference between spam and real comments.
Spam Red Flags
- generic names; usually no last name included
- no avatar
- business URLs
- generic comments
- comments punctuated with “fishing” questions
Since I have been around the blogging block since 2008 I easily spot bullshit “fishing” questions.
Spammers who try to keep the discussion going to put the spotlight themselves are full of it.
Spot their ruse.
Trash their comments.
Nothing personal.
Just business.
Conclusion
Drop real comments.
Be helpful.
Stop scavenging.
Build strong relationships.
Amplify our collective blogging success.
Everyone wins the moment you stop using people to get something from them.
Ryan Biddulph is the owner and creator of Blogging From Paradise Dot Com.