Very Frustrated by Comments

1. 85

   Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years ago

   Hello Everybody,
   
   I'm going to try to break form and be brief with this.
   
   If somebody posts something on one of your informational hubs -- one that you know  contains concrete, legitimate information -- which attempts to discredit you, would you delete the comment?

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   1. 59

      Brie Hoffmanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It depends on what was said, if there was any legitimacy I might address it but if not then yes I would delete it.

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   2. 73

      relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You mean concrete, legitimate information with cited, accredited sources, right?

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      1. 59

         Brie Hoffmanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         In many instances "facts" can be skewed.

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      2. 85

         Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         The information that I have provided is legitimate and scientific information.
         
         In this case, the commenter attempts to discredit me by saying that it's possible to have a period and be pregnant.
         
         Previously my sources were not cited, but I'm editing them in right now.
         
         The person who is attempting to refute me is citing anecdotal evidence and is ignoring my reference to another (previously written) page of mine which references alternative reasons that a woman may bleed during pregnancy without miscarrying.

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   3. 61

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      As Brie said, it depends what was said. If it is something which calls for a reply or an opinion then I may answer. If it was something in the spam - or really nasty - area, then that is when it would be deleted.

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   4. 78

      kenneth averyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think it's a personal choice. I have had this happen to me, and I double-checked my hub information, and it was right. Not as the smart-mouth who tried to make it negative. So I left his comment to prove that I wasn't about censorship. But . . .if his comment had some profane words, off it would have come.  I am not a holier than thou person, but I do not have to tolerate profanities.

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   5. 78

      Sed-meposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It's your hub. It's probably the only thing in life you *can control. lol

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      1. 78

         kenneth averyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         You are absolutely right. Thanks, Sed-me.

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      2. 84

         anusha15posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I don't know why hubpages comments/replies don't have "like" button. This one reminded me of my feature wish

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         1. 73

            relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Because people here don't need buttons to like things.  They can like them just fine on their own.

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            1. 78

               Sed-meposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I even have like buttons on my kids. That way they know I care and I don't have to bother with affection... I just push on their noses.

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               1. 40

                  ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  lol - i had to chuckle at this because I always beep the noses of my kids.  My 15 year old is starting to get annoyed by it, but my little guy still laughs. I'm going to tell them from now on it's their "like button"

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                  1. 78

                     Sed-meposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     lol. That's cute.

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                     1. 91

                        spartucusjonesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        I use to wear a big like button, but then I got annoyed when everyone would poke my belly. I now have a button which says poke me and die.

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   6. 78

      Nesbyteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'd say delete anything that's just trolling, otherwise it depends on the comment.
      If you know they're wrong, and you've set out exactly why, and they're ignoring you and keep posting...eh, maybe just delete them. I guess you could leave them up, but if you think it'll affect your hub's credibility then deleting might be necessary.
      
      If there are substantial arguments, you should probably leave it - or even make a new hub looking at the other side of the story!

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   7. 92

      misterhollywoodposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I've had people pop in and make ugly remarks. It's a sign you caught their attention. I would leave it up and then respond. Sit back and watch what others say to the ugly remarks the poster left. Most people don't like to see ugliness and will defend you. Also, the more drama on a hub the more traffic:) look at my hubs and you will see some real interesting comments.
      
      My only exception is personal name calling. If someone goes there I delete the comment. Otherwise I let them comment.

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2. 59

   NanahoChanposted 9 years ago

   I probably would delete it only if it was being insulting, rude or had swearing. But if it contradicted my hub, I would double check my info again and post a reply.

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   1. 92

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      +1  I agree. Insults are out.  Well meant contradictions should be researched and replied to.

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3. 84

   Raine Law Yuenposted 9 years ago

   Sounds intriguing - wouldn't it perhaps be an opportunity to put your side across further and perhaps start a good debate - unless of course its something personal??

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   1. 93

      lisavollrathposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      +1
      
      If it's something that's trying to discredit you, rather than what you've written, delete.
      
      If it's something that's trying to discredit the facts you've presented, I'd use it as an opportunity, if possible.

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   2. 85

      Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The hub in question isn't open for opinion: It's a health article about the early symptoms of pregnancy. I get a lot of women saying something along these lines:
      
      "I had a super heavy period which ended on the 17th of August. It's now the 20th of August and I think that I'm pregnant. I know it's possible to have your period and be pregnant, so do you think I am?"
      
      I've commented in response to these questions that it is not possible to have a period while you're pregnant. My "naysayer" cites anecdotal evidence from "friends" who have had their "cycles" while they were pregnant.
      
      There's no room for debate here. A period during pregnancy is a biological impossibility (unless you have two uteruses, and in that case I cannot confirm that it's possible to have a period, since the cycle is halted by pregnancy hormones in the body).

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      1. 89

         NateB11posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         They're playing a game with you and you don't have to play. I'd delete the comment immediately.

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         1. 85

            Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            I don't know if they are playing games. One of my sisters in law just claimed she had her period for five months during her pregnancy with her first and that her doctor said it was rare but possible. The problem is that it's not possible without losing the pregnancy. People actually believe this, and the anecdotal evidence going around that suggests that it's possible to have a period and be pregnant is leading these women to think that they are.
            
            I want to tear my hair out.

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4. 61

   Ashish Deshpandeposted 9 years ago

   there are two views I have over this. If you think that the attempt/criticism is valid, keep, else just deny the comment. Its great to have both sides to your hub, but unfair comments must not be entertained.

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5. 82

   Patsybellposted 9 years ago

   I have no tolerance for trolls. Delete. Move on. The greatest punishment to this type is to ignore them. Make them invisible. Give them no forum. It will drive them nuts.

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6. 84

   Raine Law Yuenposted 9 years ago

   Just read your hub 'How to give constructive criticism' It might work here.

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7. 40

   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   Wow, this is really one of those grey areas.  That being said, so long as it is respectful, I have kept dissenting opinions on my hub comments, even some that were not as respectful, but I respected the person's right to his opinion and he wasn't belligerent about it. 
   
   If it's a fact that could cause harm - for example the comment said to do something potentially dangerous like oh - wire your house without cutting the electric at the main line for example lol, then I would delete said comment.  If the person just has a different opinion than you how things should be done (and it isn't potentially fatal lol) then let it be. 
   
   I delete comments if:
   They are spam
   They are potentially unsafe
   They contain profanity or name calling
   have links in them
   
   Overall though, it's your hub and you have the ultimate say over what appears there.  You can also choose to reply to the dissenting comment.  Readers sometimes value the "whole circle" of information and they trust writers who are willing to let others express their opinions.

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8. 60

   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   I am with ChristinS for the most part. I deleted spam and nasty comments.

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9. 75

   Karen Rayposted 9 years ago

   Just after reading this thread, I checked one of my hubs and it has a comment from someone. The comment is a little odd, but not offensive and instead of the choices being Deny/Approve on the comment, it has Not Spam/Delete Forever as the choices. Not sure exactly what to do with that.

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   1. 85

      Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That means that it's been marked as Spam by Hubpages. If you mark it "not spam" it will appear on your hub. If you do nothing, it will remain hidden. If you delete it, it's gone.

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10. 61

    fpherj48posted 9 years ago

    Clearly....Our Hubs belong to US.  We publish them to share them with our readers, whoever and where ever they may be.  It is OUR decision to keep or delete any comment at any time, for reasons of our own. 
    No need to explain, excuse nor apologize.  Period, the end.
    I will rarely delete a comment unless it is highly offensive in some manner and/or directed at another one of my visitors, which I consider to be unacceptable.  If anyone has something nasty to say to another commenter .....do it on YOUR OWN site!  Thank you.

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11. 0

    BlueOceanViewposted 9 years ago

    Which of your hubs was the comment made on?  People can get stupid when it comes to commenting on forums.  I typically avoid joining forums because the a**holes tend to come out and get down on others simple because they are angry and are going to let it out on someone.
    
    If it was my article I would either comment back (though that may not be the best thing to do as the person might just comment back being more angry), or just delete the comment.  I've had to delete a comment or two on my Facebook page.  Sometimes it's best to avoid.

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    1. 85

       Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       This is the hub. I'm about to edit another capsule with a video explaining that you can't be pregnant and have a period onto the hub.

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       1. 0

          BlueOceanViewposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Actually, I've known many nurses and I have heard that it is possible to be pregnant and have you're period at the same time.  I have known a couple of women who went through it and they had a good pregnancy.

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          1. 85

             Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             It's a biological impossibility to have a period while you're pregnant. You can bleed, but you can't get your period if you're pregnant, since doing so would result in the embryo being flushed from the uterus. I've added a reference link to the hub.

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             1. 0

                BlueOceanViewposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                We'll I really don't know.  I am curious, are you a nurse?

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12. 92

    Jodahposted 9 years ago

    I have only had trouble with one particular hubber who seems to deliberately search for fault. On one of my hubs he said that although the topic sounded interesting he wouldn't bother reading the hub because he believed a quote I attributed to a certain person at the start of the hub couldn't be right. I did the right thing and researched the quote and found it was correctly attributed, so I backed myself up. He wrote another comment but then deleted it himself. Now if I write a comment on anyone elses hub and he reads it, he looks for a reason to rgue against my comment.

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    1. 59

       Brie Hoffmanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Some people have too much time on their hands!

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       1. 61

          fpherj48posted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Yes, Brie!   and not enough grey matter to know what to do with that time!!
          Jodah...I know precisely the Hub AND the Hubber you speak of....in fact, I'm sure you recall I sort of joined you in a little chuckle.
          Never take that hubber personally!  He's an equal opportunity insulter. It's his main reason for breathing.

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          1. 92

             Jodahposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             Thanks fpherj48, that's the one. I much appreciated your support on that one.

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13. 84

    rebekahELLEposted 9 years ago

    Unless you're a medical professional able to write with authority about health related topics, I can understand why you may get these kind of comments.  If you state something as a fact, I would make sure you have a link connected to an authoritative medical site that can back up your claim.  I wouldn't simply link to another of my articles.  I would also make sure there's a disclaimer of some sort on medical information related hubs.

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14. 40

    ChristinSposted 9 years ago

    Actually Everyday, some women do bleed during pregnancy.  Many women consider any bleeding "a period" which is factually not accurate - but, perhaps you could explain the difference in the hub and make it stand out by indenting or bolding the statement and then linking it to a medical source that explains it? Just a thought.  Otherwise, you could disable comments or keep moderating them.

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    1. 85

       Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I know that, Christin. That's why I've written an entire hub on the subject of what causes bleeding during pregnancy, listing the possible reasons that women do bleed during pregnancy. It's also why, when somebody asks me about having a period and being pregnant, I explain (over, and over, and over again) that there are several reasons a woman might bleed, what those reasons are, and here's a link to the hub I wrote about it. Then I wrote another TWO HUBS explaining what a period is, why you can't have one and be pregnant, and what the possible causes of bleeding during pregnancy could be.
       
       At this point, I think I have three hubs that cover the topic of bleeding during pregnancy (it might actually only be two, with the third being repeated effort to explain this in the comments). The people who have been attacking the hardest on Hubpages and on Facebook have been instructed as to the reasons women bleed during pregnancy, but they have persisted that "no, this is a period. I'm having a cycle while I'm pregnant" (or that they knew somebody who did).
       
       I'm not sure that I can do more than I already had without getting dinged by HP for repetitive content across multiple hubs. Any effort at consolidation is only wasting my time because a) it's repeat content that's already on other hubs and b) nobody's actually reading these hubs, so nobody's getting informed on the subject.
       
       My answer is almost always "You can't have a period while pregnant, but here are the reasons you might bleed."
       
       The problem is that the questions I'm answering are usually along the lines of "I've just gotten off of a super heavy period, and I got a negative pregnancy test. But I'm having symptoms! I think I'm pregnant. I know you can have a period while you're pregnant. Why are the tests negative?"
       
       That's what started all of this.

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       1. 40

          ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Yikes. Maybe consider closing comments then you don't have liability possibilities based on your answers?  Kids and others that don't want to read or learn are going to go through multiple channels to hear what they want to hear or get info.  Have you ever read some of the pregnancy related questions and answers on Yahoo Answers for example?  holy cow, I am stunned by the lack of knowledge many people have in regards to their bodies and how they work.

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          1. 85

             Everyday Miraclesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             I've thought about that, and it makes sense to shut the comments down specifically for liability reasons.  I have stated on the hub that my responses don't substitute for doctor's advice, and in probably 4/5 cases, I advise the women to see their doctor anyway, because a good number of them are asking me to diagnose pregnancy over the internet (and they aren't taking home pregnancy tests or seeing their doctors!).
             
             My concern with shutting down comments is that I think it may result in less traffic to the hub. I have an alternative (Tumblr) where people can ask their questions (including the private option), but most people aren't taking me up on that, because they view the hub itself as a sort of "forum" where anybody can answer. The problem is that they're all on the page with the same questions, so very few people have actual answers for them.
             
             I use Yahoo Answers occasionally to help garner some traffic. It's terrible. So many teenagers asking for advice on how to get pregnant, and now there's one on the same hub asking that very question :-/ I can't tell you what to do to get pregnant, since you're under age and I could go to jail for telling you to do the thing that gets you pregnant!

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15. 64

    Rhonda Lytleposted 9 years ago

    Just my opinion here, but unless they are a violation, I almost never delete comments.  For me, there are a few reasons.  First up is freedom of speech of which I am a huge supporter.  However, I feel everyone is responsible for what they say.
    
    Next up, refute this person and hopefully get a conversation going.  I did this once on a hub that as a result now has hundreds of comments, many of which are hugely long.  That helped my Google rankings.
    
    Lastly, if someone presents false information on your article of which you know your stance is correct, chances are high they are posting the same misinformation elsewhere.  While I imagine it's highly uncomfortable for you, it does your readers a great service to go on and deal with right there for them to see.
    
    I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide for that is the beauty of being the author, it's all within your power.

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