Comment Moderation

1. 89

   DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years ago

   Just looking for folks' opinions, here...
   
   Would you approve or delete as "spam" a comment that, while acknowledging and making a sensible comment on your hub, is essentially an advertising link from a commercial entity (who apparently does have a presence here on HP) ??
   
   The link is to useful information relevant to the hub topic, but...  I'm not sure how that would be perceived by the HP QAP/TOS folks.

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   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      unless this is someone who actually is a good follower of yours that you have seen around before, I would probably delete as spam. If you feel the content is truly valuable, you could add a link to that hub within your hub perhaps, but I think in comments it might just appear spammy even if that wasn't the real intent you know?

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   2. 96

      Christy Kirwanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi DzyMsLizzy,
      
      Moderating your Hub comments is at your discretion. If you think the information is directly relevant and valuable to your readers, you can leave it published. If you suspect the comment is promotional or spammy, it might be a good idea to delete it.
      
      Either way, we like to give Hubbers as much control over their own Hub comments as possible, so the Moderation Team usually only takes action in cases of comments with personal attacks, hate speech, or dangerous/shady links that have not been deleted by the Hub's owner.

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   3. 72

      relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I would be open to either course of action.  Just which I would take would depend on the comment, the link and what commercial entity it was and how I personally felt about it.  Based on my personal history of dealing with comments, there is a greater chance I'd mark it as spam than approve it.

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   4. 61

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If there is a link or a connection of any kind I would first that check it out and see what it shows and then decide what to do with the comment; depending on how promotional the ad - or whatever the site shows - is.

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      1. 89

         DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Good idea--I did just that--it links to the commenter's business, which is one that deals in exactly the issue discussed in my hub, namely, septic tank systems.  The site provides a calculator for figuring out how often such a tank needs pumping out.  I guess it's a worthwhile link, as it supplies information I did not have or know when I wrote the article.
         
         On second thought, I also just checked out the author by clicking on the link to his pages, and got a page that states that author has been banned from HP...so...comment deleted...gone forever!  Too bad!!  It was a valid piece of information.

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         1. 96

            lady rainposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            When hubbers are banned from HP, I have noticed their comments automatically become "unapproved" or "spam", and I still have the option to either approve them again or delete forever. I think it's a great feature on HP, it saves me a lot of time checking out all the commenters.

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            1. 89

               DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Good point...and I wish there was  "like" feature here to apply to folks' answers...

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         2. 61

            The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

            See? It is a good thing that you checked the author. Like ads and hackers spam can be sneaky.

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2. 0

   Bob Bambergposted 9 years ago

   I would delete it and contact the commenter if he gives contact info.  I once had the national sales manager of a company contact me by email, through HP, with additional info for a hub I wrote about a product category that his company was a part of. 
   
   I wrote another hub after "interviewing" him via email and reported on the new information he provided.  He didn't attempt to promote his brand and it was a very cordial and professional exchange.  But had he entered the comment stream, I would have deleted the comment and contacted him if possible.

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3. 90

   innerspinposted 9 years ago

   I'd say if in doubt, leave it out. There's obviously something about the comment that's unsettled you.Your choice.

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   1. 89

      DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not really "unsettled," more just unsure of the rules and protocols with all the recent changes...

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4. 0

   mbuggiehposted 9 years ago

   I am beginning to wish that there were referees on Hubpages who could somehow monitor content.
   
   I know that the content of hubs is monitored for "key words"---which apparently are all related to gay, lesbian, homosexual, etc. (and little else) and in terms of ads, but it may be time to consider monitoring Hubpages for cyber-bullies.

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5. 45

   lizstevensposted 9 years ago

   I'm getting a lot of them as well, even on other blog sites.  Need to block them as there is some scams going on by robots overloading sites.  Haven't seen it on Hub Pages yet but Word Press they are hitting hard.

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6. 95

   watergeekposted 9 years ago

   I would go to that person's hubsite and check to see what else they're doing. If their overall actions look spammy, I'd delete. If they look like they're excercising restraint, I would keep it, as long as it does contribute something to the conversation.

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   1. 89

      DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, watergeek, it turned out to be a moot point as when I went to check their hub, I found that the writer has been banned from HP...but thanks for your input

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