Comment Etiquette

1. 73

   Isabella Snowposted 16 years ago

   This has been discussed a number of times, but I think it's time to bring it up again because lately I've been denying loads of comments that I view as spam. And, just now, I've been told by someone whose comments Ive denied that "hubs are here for comments". No, they aren't. If they were, you wouldn't be able to remove the comment boxes.
   
   That said, many of the comments I deny are perfectly good comments -- but they contain links, which I view as spam. I also deny for other reasons and I'm going to list a few so that some newbies might have a better idea of why some hubbers may be denying their comments. If I've denied your comments in the past because you left links, you are welcome to re-post without them.
   
   
   1. I almost always deny comments that have links in them. I also almost always deny comments that list web addresses. There are exceptions, of course, but I generally regard posting links in my comments as self-promotion. Some people don't mind -- many of us do.
   
   2. I often leave dissenting comments up, but if the comments are totally ignorant or just rude, I delete them. I realize some keep them regardless; I can't see the point.
   
   3. If your comment is totally off topic, I will probably remove it, as I just did with something someone wrote that was designed to annoy me. I hope it was also designed to make sure I'd never read another comment or hub by that person, because that's what it did.
   
   4. If you've copied and pasted a comment from someone else (this is surprisingly common) I'd view that as spam, too.

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   1. 0

      terrygposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      So basically what your saying is that you can put up a hub and link to everything possible but the kitchen sink but a person commenting, or rather, having the decency to comment on your page that you begrudge them of having one small link in their post.
      
      Personally, after reading your post here I am glad I have never posted a comment on any of your hubpages. It seems your a one way street sort of person, you know, your way or no way.
      
      I bet you don't have a no follow widget on your blog. Seriously.... take a good look around
      
      Everyone knows, well possibly not everyone, but any advertising is good advertising, where do you draw the line? A thumbs down is worth a lot more than a thumbs up....................
      
      And from a seo perspective you will find that comments actually update your hub, that means new content, and thats what G is looking for. You are doing yourself a dis-favour by procrastinating about how you feel the world should be run.
      
      Accept the lot I say, not the obscene, but if you write a hub bagging someone then let them have the right of reply.
      
      
      
      It is totally rude for you to bag someone and when that person comes to defend himself or herself you get great joy out of denying their comment. Thats crap Embitica. I'll write a whole blog on how a woman from Boston knows nothing about Aussie hunks and when you defend yourself,
      
      Oh I'll just hit delete then spammer. Is that ok then? And then spend the rest of the night congratulating myself.
      
      
      
      Oh and I'll pour hot chocolate all over myself and squeal with glee.

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      1. 73

         Isabella Snowposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         I rarely put links to anything in my hubs.
         
         
         Pretty much, yes.
         
         
         I don't.
         
         
         Comments on my hubs with links to other people's hubs are advertisements for someone else. If you don't get that, ask a four year old to explain it to you.
         
         
         
         If I could ever actually be arsed to write a hub bagging someone, I would let them reply. The fact that you've addressed this absurd statement to me only proves that you need to re-read this thread.

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      2. 82

         embitcaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Write what you like. I don't read your hubs anyway.

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   2. 77

      MarieLBposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Aaaah!!  The price of fame!!

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2. 75

   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   Well, it's your hub. It is up to you what comments you want to keep. If that person doesn't like it...too bad.
   
   If we couldn't delete them we'd be overrun by the idiot commentators you see on many sites such as YouTube.

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3. 66

   Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years ago

   I have pretty much the same comments policy as Isabella.  I also delete any comment that asks me how I created that hub.  I figure the forum is for those kinds of questions.
   
   I also feel no need to justify to someone why I delete their comment (I have had people send me messages challenging my decision).  I don't deny comments that disagree with me or could be considered controversial, but if they fall into one of the categories Isabella covered, it's a goner.

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4. 73

   Isabella Snowposted 16 years ago

   True, but sometimes the comments are really ok -- they just have links. I feel bad denying them, so Im hoping some people will see this and realize that some of us deny for that reason.
   
   
   
   Precisely!!

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5. 59

   seohowtoposted 16 years ago

   Well, I did not deny anybody yet, but I 100% agree with Isabella

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6. 75

   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   I haven't had to deny any either. I have allowed hubs with links to their hubs, but I would deny any with links to affiliate sites.

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   1. 66

      Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I do allow some comments with links, but only if it is something directly related to the subject of my hubs (like, it offers more info or a different viewpoint on the same topic).
      
      However, I do not allow links to "Make Lots of Money Online Fast" on my How to Knit hub.

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7. 60

   JYOTI KOTHARIposted 16 years ago

   Yes I agree withyou.Linking to own hub is a self promotion. The idea is well accepted among the hubbers.
   jyoti

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8. 67

   Mishaposted 16 years ago

   LOL Stacie,
   
   Aren't our opinions going to converge shortly? It looks really fascinating

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   1. 72

      MrMarmaladeposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I do not mind you deleting. I have no worry on that subject.
      I do object to hubs going to the writer, not allowing me to correct my spelling mistakes. Or as Misha pointed out to me one hub 'No Capital letters.'

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9. 82

   embitcaposted 16 years ago

   My comment policies are pretty much the same as Isabella's with one addition.
   
   5. If your comment is longer than my hub, I'm deleting it
   
   One of my timeshare hubs gets timeshare salespeople frothing at the mouth to defend themselves --- some of them are really long-winded. Must be frustrating when I delete their 20 paragraph long rebuttals

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   1. 66

      Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I've had a couple of those.  Seriously, I think that if someone has such a LONG comment, they need to write a hub!  I did have one that literally had more words than my hub did.

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   2. 99

      Rochelle Frankposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      That's pretty funny-- and a well deserved deletion! it almost makes me want to write on the subject so I can delete them.
      
      As far as the editing option on comments, I sometimes wish for that , too.
      I'm pretty much an expert at typos-- and I'm trying to be more careful so as not to look like a complete idiot -- sometimes it's hopeless.

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   3. 78

      Lissieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      why they are giving you lots of content for free: and making themselves look like idiots in the process 2 positives  Iwould have thought!

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      1. 82

         embitcaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Hahha! Yes, true, but it is more fun to delete because then I can picture them grinding their teeth and cursing me
         
         Honestly though, if I let them all through I'd be in arguments with them every day. So not worth it.

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10. 60

    topstuffposted 16 years ago

    I never felt any need to deny any comment,comment means to comment if you agree or disagree with others opinion.

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    1. 73

       Isabella Snowposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Leaving links, being rude, catty or otherwise obnoxious has little or less to do with agreeing or disagreeing with someone's opinion.

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       1. 66

          Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          True. 
          
          As well, there are comments that are obviously spam.  I had a bunch of comments left on one of my hubs by the same person (thanks to our ability to see ip addresses) where they put in different user names talking all about how much they love a boy in a class, fake fighting over the boy.  Funny...the hub was about cooking, not love or dating or anything.  Sure, I could leave the comments, but why would I?  Sure this person has the freedom to state her multiple personality's opinions on this boy, but not on the hub about cooking.
          
          A great thing about hubpages is that we have the ability to moderate our own comments.

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11. 68

    Bob Ewingposted 16 years ago

    I'll delete spam and rude comments, dissenting opinions are fine, links it depends upon where the link goes, if it adds to the information or discussion fine, if it is spam it is gone.

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12. 74

    SweetiePieposted 16 years ago

    I no longer delete anything because I learned what may seem like a criticism to me could just be that person's opinion.  Everyone has different opinions so it is interesting to read what everyone has to say.  However, I can understand deleting the comments with links to websites that have nothing to do with the topic of the hub.  Maybe when a comment on a hub comes across as annoying to the writer of the hub it is just the opinion of the reader.  That is what I am trying to learn now.
    
    A few days ago I did delete a few spammy comments with some guy leaving his phone number because I think that sort of comment had no place.

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    1. 71

       funneboneposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       ummm that wasn't my phone number..it was my cell number...I thought we could be pne pals until the parole hearing

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       1. 74

          SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          You are funny Funnebone, I know that was not you LOL.

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13. 60

    Eric Graudinsposted 16 years ago

    I've only had the need to delete 2 comments, both of the type
    
    "Hi, Great Hub.
    Come and visit my moneymaking opportunity at <link>
    
    All other comments so far have been positive.
    
    Maybe I haven't been here long enough to attract the nutters :-)
    
    But when I do, Isabella's model is what I'd use - but if a link was sensible, I'd leave it.

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14. 0

    Hovalisposted 16 years ago

    If the comment is unintelligible (and I've had a couple of those) I'll delete them.
    
    If the comment says "Great Hub! Visit my website!" + link, I'll delete it. Even though all links in the comment sections are no-follow anyway, it's the principle of the thing.
    
    If the comment is off-topic (one hubber here serial comments the exact same comment on a string of hubs at a time), I'll delete it.
    
    Otherwise, I'll usually let the comment pass. I don't have any hard and fast rules. I have the buffer of having to approve my comments anyway, so if they try to spam they won't get immediate satisfaction. :-)

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15. 85

    quotationsposted 16 years ago

    I would add that you have to be careful about the wording of the comment. Even if it is not offsensive, it may affect your search engine standings by diluting your keyword density or introducing new key words that may cause Google etc to list your hub differently. If a comment is overly long this may become a real issue.

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16. 0

    SirDentposted 16 years ago

    If I recall I have only had to deelte two comemnts. One was double posted and the other contained profanities. I tend to agree with Isabella for the most part.

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17. 69

    DJ Funktualposted 16 years ago

    I have my quick two cents and they are.
    If you have people writing long-winded arguments, fine but I pray every night for long stimulating comments where the person really has something to say.  Few ever do. 
    
    The other thing is...
    I've recently found myself deleting comments like "I very much like these good hub yoo write."
    I don't know how I feel about it yet, but I just can't see the merit on a comment that says nothing.  For all I know, you didn't even bother to read it.
    
    Am I a snob for doing this?

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    1. 66

       Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Especially if this same kind of comment is left by the same person on a bunch of other hubs too.  They probably aren't reading the hubs.

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       1. 69

          DJ Funktualposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          That's what I thought too.   Thanks Stacie.
          
          All I know is this.   The comments that I get on my Samples Videos on youtube have the most rewarding comments ever simply because the people there know what I'm talking about and they appreciate my efforts to share very rare knowledge.   
          
          Hubpages just has different kinds of people.   Sometimes those people are spammers.
          
          SweetiePie:  I enjoy 'expecting something from people'.   
          
          Wanna tell us again about your opinion?  It's thought-provoking, really.

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          1. 74

             SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

             Do you really honestly want to know?  Well I do not want to go into it really.

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18. 74

    SweetiePieposted 16 years ago

    Like I said before, I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt with their posts because what may seem like a mediocre post to the writer of the hub may be the best effort to the person reading the hub.  Some of my friends are ESL and do not write English well, so I will accept their posts as they are learning.  Also, I feel everyone usually does have something important to say from their own perspective, but this may mean accepting a comment that is not exactly what you wanted or expected.  Expect less of humans and receive more in return because placing too many expectations on any one thing in life will result in many disappointments.  I do not expect anything from people, thus I am happily surprised when I get a great and insightful comment, but in my opinion most comments people leave are great. Not every comment online or offline is going to be earth moving, so I do not expect this in the comment section of my hub either. However, I see everyone has their own opinion on this matter, so to each his own.  Just a thought, some people may be hestiant to post on certain hubs if they feel the writer is judging them on some criteria.

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    1. 79

       VioletSunposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Just a thought, some people may be hestiant to post on certain hubs if they feel the writer is judging them on some criteria.>>>
       
       Sweetipie:  When I leave comments, I am doing this because I enjoy the interaction, the giving and also receiving feedback, and also helping the writer's score. If it were ever to become less than fun to interact with the writer of a hub,   I would skip not only the comment field but the hub itself. There are plenty of talented writers in Hubpages that are awesome.

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       1. 74

          SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          I know there are plenty of awesome writers on Hubpages and I never said anything different .  If you read the entire thread you can see what I meant when I wrote this.   What I am trying to convey here is that I feel when someone writes " You write good hubs" that I do not think this is a thoughtless comment.  Some Hubbers have expressed the concern that people who only say "I like your hub" are not reading the hubs, but my thought behind this was how do you know for sure?  Some of my ESL friends are not able to write coherent responses in English, so one of the things they are able to write concisely is "I enjoy your hubs".  A couple times I wrote what I felt was a thoughtful comment and a couple others made me feel differently.  This is what I was conveying here .

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          1. 79

             VioletSunposted 16 years agoin reply to this

             I know there are plenty of awesome writers on Hubpages and I never said anything different .  If you read the entire thread you can see what I meant when I wrote this.   What I am trying to convey here is that I feel when someone writes " You write good hubs" that I do not think this is a thoughtless comment.  Some Hubbers have expressed the concern that people who only say "I like your hub" are not reading the hubs, but my thought behind this was how do you know for sure?  Some of my ESL friends are not able to write coherent responses in English, so one of the things they are able to write concisely is "I enjoy your hubs".  I myself do not always do that, but on one thread someone stated that I did not have anything to say when I said I like someone's poem which was very offensive to me.  Whereas I understand it is every Hubbers right to delete those comments, I do not think a general statement of someone saying they like your hub means he or she did not read it.  Some people just are not able to think of more profound things to say and I will make sure I never only say that on someone's hub since this comment seems too generic to some Hubbers.  This is what I was conveying here
             
             Oh, no, no, I was agreeing with you! I was responding to your comments after I read various posts and reached yours;  I think being relaxed and having fun with hubpages is the way to go, ( at least for me)  so a general comment such as "great hub" is fine with me! Its true, there are many friends who speak English as a second language, and I am one of them.

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             1. 74

                SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                Sorry if I did not get what you meant .  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue.  You are right, Hubbing is about interaction and what we get in return.

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                1. 79

                   VioletSunposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                   Sorry if I did not get what you meant .  Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue.  You are right, Hubbing is about interaction and what we get in return.>>>
                   
                   No problem! Online communication  can be tricky sometimes. LOL!

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                   1. 74

                      SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                      Yes, so I am seeing!  However, it is also fun too .

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19. 74

    SweetiePieposted 16 years ago

    Or maybe they just cannot think of anything better to say.  Anyway, I would not delete a comment just for saying that.  Just my opinion.

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    1. 66

       Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       And you are entitled to your opinion.  Just as I am to mine.  As the author of my hubs, I get to choose what I allow and do not allow.  Just as each author has that choice about their own hubs.

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20. 74

    SweetiePieposted 16 years ago

    I know everyone is entitled to their opinion that is why I said just my opinion .

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21. 76

    Bard of Elyposted 16 years ago

    I have been lucky so far and not had anything I would consider deserving of deletion but if I get any obvious spam it will be got rid off!

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22. 69

    DJ Funktualposted 16 years ago

    Checkmate.

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