Do you delete useless negative comments?

1. 88

   Katelyn Weelposted 12 years ago

   Do you delete useless negative comments?
   
   I have seen this happen a few times (on my own hubs too) where people write senseless negative comments such as "this is horrible" without any real feedback or reasons why they dislike the article. I understand that no hub will please everyone, but I am curious to know what people usually do with those comments, do you leave all comments up on your hubs regardless or do you delete ones like that? If you only choose to show positive comments, is that dishonest in some way? If you have never had this happen to you, what are your thoughts?

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2. 60

   forallposted 12 years ago

   It didn't happen with me. But if it happens, I don't think I'll be deleting them. Comments space is opened for any point of view. I would wish that they tell me what's horrible in my hub for that I try to correct it or to avoid it in the next hubs. But if they don't, it is OK.
   The only case I see deleting a comment is a must, is when it is offensive and contains bad words.

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3. 79

   Ms Deeposted 12 years ago

   I delete ones like that, as they add no value to what the hub content is about. Also, if it is obvious a negative comment's purpose is to just get a reaction that is like picking a fight, I delete those too since it adds no value to the information found in the hub. I know many do not do this, however. I do allow some negative comments but it is when they add value by offering a different perspective on the hub content. I also delete those whose only comment is on something completely unrelated to the hub content, because I'd like readers to gain something about the topic at hand, and not waste their time by suggesting they read completely off-the-wall comments.
   
   Also, every once in a while I go through all hub comments and delete those more than 2 months old that were just a thank-you and were of no informational value. I've become more conservative, it seems, in my moderation of comments.

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4. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I have only had a few, two actually criticizing the subject matter of a hub on saving money.  I just deleted them. If they had a solid, helpful criticism I would be pleased to read it and take it to heart--and learn from it.  But the comments were not helpful nor polite.
   
   I don't think it is dishonest to delete them.  You, as the author, know the comments were there and it should not affect the readers in anyway--they usually come first by subject matter and title, not others opinions of the piece.

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5. 61

   Aunt Jimiposted 12 years ago

   I usually leave all comments up so long as there's no inappropriate language.  If there is inappropriate language I give the author of those comments a chance to rewrite their comments in an acceptable way.  They need not agree with me and can be as critical as they wish.
   
   However, if all they say is "this is horrible," and that has happened one time, I do delete them because it's obvious they didn't read the hub and they're just practicing being a jerk for the jerk olympics and I'm not inclined to tolerate that.

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6. 60

   cheaptoysposted 12 years ago

   it is up to you really i leave some of them in for diversity

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7. 0

   Marzimeposted 12 years ago

   I have had one or two before and marked it as spam bc when you go to their profile they have nothing or just joined .. Alot of critics out there that should not say if they don't like something. It's rude and if its someone that follows you then you can choose to not have them follow you I believe. I'm sure your like me who puts a lot of time and energy into writing great hubs. Just ignore them and continue doing what you love to do

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8. 77

   suziecat7posted 12 years ago

   It depends how constructive they are. Some comments are only meant to disrupt. I have a Hub about websites for teens and I get a whole lot of ridiculous comments on it (my guess is from teens). If the comment doesn't add anything I feel free to delete.

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9. 0

   jdzwrdzposted 12 years ago

   Trolls always get deleted!  They are nothing more than angry spam.  Controversial questions or Hubs will draw controversial comments, but if someone goes ballistic over a Hollandaise recipe they're going bye-bye.  Argumentum Ad Hominem is fairly simple to understand for most people.

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   1. 72

      Ciel Clarkposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I just got my first "troll" comment-- actually I hadn't heard that term.  I showed it to a couple of people and they said don't encourage trolls.  But it was funny.  (in a bad way).  I have posted all comments so far pos and neg

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10. 61

    DeanCashposted 12 years ago

    I am always open to suggestions. I don't treat negatives as something hopeless but as an opportunity for good ideas. Often people avoid negative comments because they feel bad, the truth is it's normal. We can always find something good in bad comments.

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11. 69

    CarolineVABCposted 12 years ago

    I agree with many of the comments here that if a comment is offensive with no substance or value at all, then yes, feel free to delete the comment. Although if they just disagree and did not leave a valid reason as to why they disagree with the particular hub, I would kindly ask for their opinion and reason(s) just to have a more engaging conversation; however, if they choose not to reply, then I guess, you (as a hub author) have the right to delete such comments.
    
    Also, I believe that we learn from everyone (whether their comment be positive or negative). We all have different views and that's how we learn from each other and make HubPages exciting!

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12. 80

    Patkayposted 12 years ago

    I delete the abusive ones because they don't add value to my work. But the positive criticism is allowed. I have received a couple of sinister remarks without even feeling guilty.

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13. 78

    Man from Modestoposted 12 years ago

    I mostly do. If I think the comment is professional and courteous, I allow it. I completely ignore complaints that imply I am somehow less of a person if I don't respect them and post their comments. I tell such people, "If you allow other people's approval to control what you do or don't do, you are their slave."
    
    I actually enjoy when someone writes a full page or more as a comment lambasting my position on something... and I delete it, permanently. Sometimes I actually laugh.

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14. 76

    JohnGreasyGamerposted 12 years ago

    Obviously I do. I almost-always ask for "constructive" criticism, or simply none at all. I don't mind people saying that they've voted me down or flagged me, as long as they give a reason. Some poeple are extremely hostile though, and I immediately delete the comment.

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15. 83

    FatFreddysCatposted 12 years ago

    I've only gotten one negative comment on a Hub in all the time I've been here, and yes, I did delete it... but afterwards I kinda regretted doing so. It would've been funnier to leave it up and respond along the lines of "Thanks for stopping by, Zippy. By the way, bite me."

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16. 86

    Sherry Hewinsposted 12 years ago

    I've only had one negative comment, it was on one of my first hubs, a silly craft hub. It said something like, "stupid thing, I could do better," but was a complete mess as far as spelling and grammar, and the funny thing was, the whole hub was about how crummy my gingerbread village was. I approved it and suggested they give it a try before saying that. I kind of enjoyed it really, but it would be different if someone was really abusive, or my feelings were hurt, then I probably wouldn't want to keep the comment around.

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