Approve Comments, but Disallow hyperlinks

1. 69

   Michael Willisposted 13 years ago

   It there a way we can allow comments and at the same time "Disallow" the hyperlink?  Especially for the non-members of Hubpages.
   
   Sometimes the comments are OK to allow, but I may not want the link on my page, especially when multiple links on multiple hubs are the same.
   
   I know I could just Deny the comment, but at times would like to allow comment but not the link added.

   replyreport
   1. STAFF

      Paul Edmondsonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I know that feeling. We talked about a way for authors to edit comments, but that has some potential issues by altering the meaning of the comment. One way to handle it is to just strip out links or give authors that control. How would you do it?

      replyreport
      1. 69

         Michael Willisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hello Paul. I would suggest let Author strip the links from comments if possible without the editing of comments.  It seems that some have the link with their username instead of writing it out in the comment. Those are the ones I dislike the most.

         replyreport
      2. 53

         yenajeonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Would it be possible for the author to have access to just the link feature? Perhaps somehow we can click on a link/unlink type of button. I don't know if that is possible though, because that gives us access to alter their "name" right?

         replyreport
      3. 86

         Edweirdoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Since outgoing links in comments are no-follow (right?) then it should be a simple matter of allowing the text of the link without actually creating the HTML <a> tag.
         
         In other words, de-link all outgoing links within a comment automatically.
         
         That way, if the link is valuable, it is simple enough for someone to copy & paste it if they want to follow it.
         
         Having an active no-follow link is of little use to anyone but spammers looking for a low-level backlink (IMHO)...

         replyreport
2. 69

   Michael Willisposted 13 years ago

   Here is an image of the link that I would personally like to see removed. If we can remove links in the text inside the comment then that is better.
   

   replyreport
   1. 69

      Michael Willisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't had any issue with HP active members and links. Just comes from those who sign-up to spam and think they are getting links back to themselves.
      I have noticed they mostly go to my older Hubs to post these.
      
      Ex.-Last year's football hubs was hit by one person and was commenting on those articles as though they were this year. Duh.

      replyreport
3. 61

   Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

   I get lots of questions on some of my how-to hubs but sometimes they have a link in their name I don't particular want on the comments.  If the question seems genuine, or particularly informative, I simply copy and paste the comment excluding the link.  I do always tell the commenter the reason for doing this.

   replyreport
   1. 82

      camloposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I do this, too, but I would prefer to able to just 'disable' the link or something.

      replyreport
4. 78

   thisisoliposted 13 years ago

   I think the option to remove links would be a good way to go, but it should be a feature that is not automatic and used on a case by case basis.

   replyreport
5. 82

   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   I'm giving this a bump since it seems to be an ongoing issue of what to do with links left in comments. I would love to see a feature such as Michael has suggested.

   replyreport
6. 89

   mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years ago

   I have had this problem all too recently, and am not sure what the answer is to it. I am thinking that the authors should be allowed to determine if they want comments containing links allowed or disallowed on their hubs. I find it is as much of a problem with internal links as external ones, and often the internal links posted in the comments are not even relevant to the hub topic they were posted on.
   
   It seems some newbies are under the impression that using comment sections on other hubbers hubs in order to promote (and link to) their own hubs as part of the comment, is actively encouraged here on Hubpages!!
   
   I have started a thread on this problem prior to being told about this thread. The thread is here:
   
   http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/65847

   replyreport
7. 68

   Ultimate Hubberposted 13 years ago

   I believe it will be better to give them an option to just remove links instead of giving full control over editing hubs.
   
   Sometimes I receive comments where people just write anything instead of complete URL, this gives broken links to the hubs.

   replyreport
8. 66

   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   I disagree. If a person did you a favor of writing a comment you find valuable enough to stay, you owe them. Either deny the whole comment, or leave the link intact.
   
   Broken links is another story, this would have certainly been useful.

   replyreport
   1. 82

      rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      hmm, I don't follow your comment. an author writes an article and receives a comment and now owes the person? A thank you is always appreciated, but I think the author has a right whether to leave a link that was not asked for. There are many hubbers here who do not acknowledge comments at all.

      replyreport
      1. 66

         Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Any commenter contributes to your hub:
         
         1. freshness
         2. content
         
         If you find that a particular contribution is not good enough to justify a link, just deny the comment completely. Otherwise you are getting something for nothing, which will likely work on a short term basis but likely gonna hurt in the long run. Internet is very much "i rub your back, you rub mine" thingy, you know. If you don't rub other backs, don't expect yours to be rubbed either.

         replyreport
         1. 82

            rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I guess we have somewhat different perspectives on this. I do allow links if I feel it is related to the subject and may help another reader, but I don't feel receiving a comment, with having an option to deny a link, is getting something for nothing. I would hope in most instances that the reader is commenting because the hub helped or informed them in some way. If they are commenting only to place a link, I see no reason to accept it.
            
            I do see what you're saying, though.

            replyreport
   2. 89

      mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Just out of interest though Misha, what would you suggest if the person writes a sentence or so giving an actual opinion of your hub's content, but then says at the end of the comment something like 'you might also like this' and links to a hub of their own that has no relevant content to your hub's topic? Would it not seem impolite to lose their entire comment, i.e. you didn't value their opinion, when actually you just didn't feel their link was relevant? I would prefer the option to simply remove their link and allow their comment, that way they might still gain fans who follow the hyperlink within their hubber name and 'follow' them as a result.

      replyreport
      1. 66

         Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         For me to consider a second link in the same comment it has to be much better than what you just described. But certainly I will consider leaving the comment intact if it adds enough value and link is relevant enough, solely in my discretion. Otherwise I don't waste my time - it is not my job to teach them.

         replyreport
         1. 89

            mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks for that Misha. It sounds like you think somewhat like I do on this. Certainly I don't mind the comment a hubber leaves having their name automatically linked to their Hubber Profile, it is the links they add to their own hubs that bug me, especially if the topic is totally unrelated to the topic of my hub.
            If the comment and the link are relevant, and as you say they 'add value' I may well leave the comment in place and not delete them though.
            
            Thanks for replying

            replyreport
9. 66

   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   You are always welcome Cindy

   replyreport
10. 89

    mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years ago

    If it helps at all, I just received a response from Hubpages as to my query on Hubbers posting links to their own hubs in the comments section of fellow hubber's hubs:
    
    "You have not misunderstood the rules.  It is indeed against the rules to post a link to your own Hub in the Comments section of another person's Hub, unless the link is crucial to understanding said comment.  Thank you for emailing the newer Hubber and please don't worry about their response."

    replyreport