Comment spam is terrible. If you’re using WordPress, then I recommend activating akismet. It’s included with your install. All that’s needed is an API Key and for you to click the activate button. After that, akismet does all the work automatically. But it’s not completely fool proof. In many cases, you still have to make the final call on comments pending or accidently sent to spam.
One way that comment spam is getting through is by assigning an avatar to the comment. People quickly can assume that a comment with a functional avatar is a real comment. So basically the strategy is for people who are generating comment spam to catch you while you’re sleeping and approve the comment because it has an avatar assigned.
Don’t fall for this comment spam trick. Just because a comment has an avatar doesn’t mean it’s a real comment. Read the content on the comment and see if it makes sense. Also, you can copy the content of the comment and do a Google search on it to see if it returns duplicate content. Simply put quotes around the content and Google will do an exact phrase search.
If the content is duplicated across the net, then you know for sure it’s spam as well as duplicated content that you probably don’t want appearing on your site anyway.
Popularity: 6% [?]
I always read the comment before I accept it. If it doesn’t add value to the post (even if it makes sense and is from a real blogger), I delete the comment.
I am tough on comments. If I am not absolutely sure they are real and add a little value to the post then I always delete them.
I totally agree Garry,
I find it’s getting much more difficult to control comment spam simply because of the shere volume of it. I’d say about 75 to 80 percent of the comments I get posted on my blog are spam. Not just any spam though, they’re realistic comments. Hopefully Akismet will update their product to better fit the needs of bloggers when it comes to spam….. It seems to be a really difficult thing to do.
The first 2 commentors hit the nail on the head. If the comment does not add any value or does not appear to be specific to the post, I delete it without any remorse. Most of them I can sniff out from a mile away because 1) their english grammar is atrocious leading me to believe it is some offshore spam house using babblefish or 2) their comment is so generic it doesn’t enhance the post. By saying something like, “this is an interesting post but have you thought about the other side of the argument? I have added your blog to my RSS and plan to visit often.” Dead give away a spammer and worthy of an IP address ban in my book.
I think Akismet does a great job at catching the spam. I always read the comments before I post.
Some of the spam can be really flattering…lol… like – “You write really well. I’ll subscribe to your feed and come back for more.”
Nice try. I’ve already caught on.
I am using akismet and so far I am satisfied with its performance, but still there are a lot of worthwhile comments that go to spam, and there are also some spam comments that go through like the one pictured above. i agree with Bradley that it’s high time for Akismet to update their product.
Thank you for useful info. Looking for your upcoming post about the topic.
Spammers must die! :O
Good tips, Garry. Dealing with comment spam can be time consuming especially when Akismet doesn’t catch it all, but it’s worth it in the end. There’s no way I want to be posting this kind of stuff. I’m very strict on what gets through and posted on my blog.
It’s sad to see other authority blogs like Shoemoney posting this kind of stuff. Just read a post on there a few minutes ago with something similar in your example, and the URL pointed to a drug related link. It makes you wonder.
Thanks for sharing your information. Before accepting comment I go through details, I find that post is not suitable according my article, I delete it.
Thanks everyone for posting your comments and feedback. It’s great to know that even after being gone for awhile that people are still tuning in. Thank you.