Discussion: Blog Commenting

Posted by on March 6, 2012 in Discussion Questions | 26 comments

I think it’s safe to say we all read a lot more blog posts than we actually leave comments. The question is: why? For me, the main reason when I don’t leave a comment is because I’m using Google Reader on my Android phone, and it’s a little awkward to type a comment. I usually star interesting articles with the intention of going back and commenting later when I’m on the computer. . .and my starred list has grown quite large.

So what about you? What keeps you from leaving more blog comments in general?

Enjoy the irony.

  • http://paranormalwire.blogspot.com Natasha Larry

    Most of the time, I simply don’t think to leave a comment. Otherwise, I don’t comment because I don’t have anything to add to whatever the discussion happens to be. Every once in a blue moon, its out of respect when I don’t agree with an opinion.

    • Rainy Kaye

      Finding something to add is difficult on some posts, and near impossible with others. But as long as you keep commenting here, then it’s all good ;) <3

  • http://tossingitout.blogspot.com Arlee Bird

    At least I had the option of copy and pasting the obnoxious password. The Captchas divert a lot of people I think.

    My real problem is that I don’t get around to visiting as many blogs as I’d like because I tend to comment on every one and I try to leave a comment of some substance.

    Lee
    An A to Z Co-Host
    Tossing It Out

    • Rainy Kaye

      Yeah, this spam control doesn’t work quite as well as some of the other ones, but I’d rather deal with a few spam comments in return for having a less obnoxious filter. Thanks for commenting =)

  • http://avajae.blogspot.com Ava Jae

    There are a couple things that keep me from commenting: first is not knowing what to say–this seems silly, but especially if there isn’t a question poised, I usually feel a little like it’s a cop-out to just say “great post!” even if it was a great post…though I’m not sure not saying anything at all is any better. Second is similar to yours–I keep open tabs to blog posts I want to comment on, and sometimes the list grows rather large and I start getting tired and those last few posts become neglected. There are other reasons as well, but those are the top two that I encounter the most.

    • Rainy Kaye

      Hi, Ava :) I think one reason we are all so afraid of leaving the generic-feeling “great post” comment is how many times it has been equated with spam. Sad. Thanks for the comment =)

      • http://avajae.blogspot.com Ava Jae

        Sure thing, Rainy! ^_^ I’m glad to see this has generated a discussion.

  • http://thomaswilsonstoryteller.blogspot.com Thomas Wilson

    I usually don’t leave a comment unless the post really hits a cord with me, speaks to me on some level, or I feel compelled to add my two cents worth.

    I wish people would leave comments – but I also know I do take time and look at all the posts on all the blogs I follow. Some I read all the way through, many I do not. Sometimes the posts hit a nerve, strike a cord, or are about something I am really interested in, or am curious about. More often than not they are interesting, I feel glad I read them but don’t have the time to engage with all of them, check e-mails, updates, notifications, write my own posts, write some on my books, read some or part of the four books I am reading, do my job, be a father and a husband, and the multitude of regular chores we all have.

    The danger is also if you are writing such controversial stuff people feel compelled to comment on they may be just as compelled to not read your blog anymore. It is a fine line between expressing yourself, sharing your thoughts and opinions and being an opinionated arrogant ass nobody wants to read. We that blog on a regular ongoing basis have to weigh, self censor and walk this tight rope with every post.

    • Rainy Kaye

      Thanks for the nice comment :) There is definitely not enough time for all the things that need to be done, which is why I wind up reading most blog posts on the phone.

  • http://therobotmommy.com Kristi

    One word. Captcha.

    • Rainy Kaye

      Oh, yeah. I’ve been deterred by awful Captchas too. At a certain point, they do become a necessary evil, but I try to use the least irritating system possible on my blog. Thanks for the comment :)

  • http://bruceobee.com Bruce Obee

    “Don’t rush your writing.” Advice I’ve given wannabe writers for decades. Reread, rewrite, read again from the top. The result is a satisfied editor who invariably asks for more. Commenting on blogs is no different. Your writing is on public display: simply bashing out a quick response could leave readers with no wish to check out your real work. Yesterday I wrote a 600-word blog (http://bruceobee.com) about grey whales, a topic I’ve covered many times, yet it took the entire day. Every blogger welcomes thoughtful reaction, but offering a well-written comment takes valuable time. This one? Thirty-one minutes.

    • Rainy Kaye

      Great points. I agree comments should be written with care and checked for basic editing. I don’t know if I’ve ever spent 31 minutes on a comment though. Thank you for your time :)

  • http://www.paganinme.com Brenda Lee

    CAPTCHA on blogger is a pain in da bootay! I leave a comment IF the blog post hits a “spot” with me or is meaningful. Comments do show encouragement to the blogger, IF it’s a good comment imo.

    • Rainy Kaye

      I agree, Blogger’s Captcha can become a bit absurd at times. If I fail it more than twice, chances are I’ll just move onto something else.

  • http://ladybren.com Lady Bren

    For a while I would leave a post on every blog I read. Then I realized most them were simply…Great post type of comments which I felt were pretty empty. Then I started wondering why I wasn’t getting many comments at all? It does feel like I bit of a merry -go-round at times doesn’t it.
    It does seem easier to post a comment when there is some sort of question. Yet every post we write doesn’t have a naturally occurring question to accompany it.

    Aren’t you glad you asked :)

    • Rainy Kaye

      Merry go ’round — perfect description lol Love it. I don’t think bloggers ever get tired of “great post” comments from their readers, especially if it’s obviously not spam. But as a the person leaving the comment, it can feel like it looks empty lol

      On the flip side of ending a post with a question, is ending a post with too narrow of a question. I have made this mistake in the past. There’s always something ;)

  • http://veronicascott.wordpress.com/ Veronica Scott

    Really enjoyed reading the comments. As a writer with a blog, I like comments, even the ones that are just “great post” still give me feedback someone looked at it! Yes, there are page view statistics but stats are cold :-) When I’m reading blogs, I have to admit I don’t leave a comment unless I think I can add *something* to the discussion (uh oh, do what I say, not what I DO, I guess!). And some comments from Readers are amazing! And yes, I HATE captchas as well. I also will not comment if asked to join something or log in first, just me. Thanks for posing the question, Rainy!

    • Rainy Kaye

      Thanks :) There really has been some good insight with all the comments here. I find it funny how many of us feel a little guilty leaving a “great post” comment, but don’t mind receiving them. :D

  • http://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/ P. Kirby

    As many upthread have said, I don’t leave a comment unless I think it adds something to the discussion.

    I also rarely comment on blogs that require me to login to Google/Blogger, Typepad, or a similar account. Also, the captchas on some blogs are impossible to read.

    • Rainy Kaye

      I agree. I have a bit of a pet peeve with Blogspot blogs which require logging in to leave a comment. Since I don’t use Blogspot, it automatically links to the wrong blog and I have no option to change it to the real link. I have an empty Blogspot blog which redirects to this site, but it’s still a little annoying.

  • http://davdjones.wordpress.com David Jones

    I do not like reading blogs on my iPhone just for that reason. If I want to leave a post then I want to do it then, not later. I will forget and never go back.

    • Rainy Kaye

      Yeah, I’ll be glad when more blog templates automatically adjust to fit phones and tablets. Some do, but it’s still a fairly new concept.

  • http://dreamersloversandstarvoyagers.blogspot.com/ Teresa Cypher

    When I read this post, I decided that I was not going to read any of the comments that followed. The reason that I don’t leave comments is that quite often, someone has already left a comment similar to what I was going to leave. Ha! I guess my option woul dbe to add “I agree with so and so,” or, “So and so took my comment,” or “So and so said what I was thinking,” lol… And it just sort of leaves me feeling like a cheerleader. :-) And that was why I didn’t read any comments before I left this one.

    • Rainy Kaye

      Teresa, that was fantastic lol Thank you.

  • http://www.copyeditproof.com Camille Gooderham Campbell

    I’d say that there’s a certain intimidation factor with blogs connected to one’s professional/public life.

    As an editor and publisher, I have to think carefully about any opinions I express on blogs connected to reading and publishing and books. I can’t afford to have a poorly-considered opinion out there with my name on it, and when it comes to a loaded or controversial topic I sometimes doubt whether I want to have my name associated with the discussion at all, even with a neutral “both sides have raised interesting points” type of response.

    I can’t always afford twenty minutes to consider the topic and frame an appropriate response, then proof it for errors so I don’t look unprofessional, so unless I feel really strongly about a blog post and/or have something particularly relevant to add to the discussion, I’ll usually pass on commenting.