136 responses to “What Kind Of Comments Are The Best To Leave On Blog Posts?”

1. 

   petespringerauthor

   Sep 5, 2023

   Trendy not to comment sounds like either a lame excuse or extreme laziness. Of course, we might not find the piece engaging, have an opinion, or simply not have the time to comment. Besides your excellent point about making meaningless comments, it’s also critical for the writer to respond to the comments. Most bloggers do, but what an instant way to turn off your readers when they don’t.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 5, 2023

      I agree, Pete. I’ve stopped leaving comments (and sometimes unfollowed) blogs where the host either does not respond or only does so with a ‘thank you’ when my comment clearly shows I want to engage with them about the contents of their post. Bloggers who do not want to engage with their audience should switch comments off.

      Reply
2. 

   Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

   Sep 4, 2023

   I think, judging by all of the thoughtful comments your post has received, the notion that not leaving comments has become “trendy” just isn’t true… or at least it isn’t true for engaging blogs like yours. I love both writing and receiving comments and love when a comment begins more of a back-and-forth conversation. Although I always respond to comments, comments like “Great post!” seldom receive more than a “Thank you.” Lately, I’ve given myself permission not to feel compelled to comment on every single post on the (way too many) blogs that I follow. Sometimes, I just leave a “like” and move on.

   Anyone starting a blog who skips reaching out to, and commenting on, other blogs (especially blogs who have the kind of followers they would like to have) is missing a huge opportunity. There are too many blogs out there to think that theirs will get attention just by hitting “Post.” The comments, conversations, and real life meetups make it all worthwhile.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 5, 2023

      I’m certainly pleased that many of my posts still get readers wanting to engage with me rather than reading and not saying anything, Janis. Although I never expect anyone to read and comment on every single one of my posts. An engaging comment occasionally makes a huge difference, rather than somebody always leaving me the same non-engaging comment.

      I’m delighted that you say you’ve given yourself permission not to feel compelled to comment on every single post you read. Honestly, I don’t expect any blogger you follow would want you to read and comment on all their posts. In the 10 years I’ve blogged, only one blogger told me she expected me to read and comment on all her posts because she did the same on my blog. I unfollowed her.

      Unfortunately, some bloggers believe that readers will come to them, where it should always be that we must go out and find our audience.

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3. 

   Michele Somerville

   Sep 4, 2023

   Okay, I started reading all the comments but got overwhelmed by the length. It shows you struck a chord, more than one, with many bloggers. When someone leaves a comment on one of my posts, I always respond with the same line, but not only this line, “Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this post.’ because I know that it does take time. I don’t do a good job of asking questions that might prompt or provoke a response but try to put something helpful in the box that introduces a post. One other thing from your post, because I have been stuck on what to write while balancing many other things, is I will take a serious look at the writing prompts on WP and also see what Jetpack is all about. Although I do not read your posts, or many often, I always learn something from you when I take the time to read (too much honesty?) and I try to stick with the ethic of mindful of my need to read other bloggers, so I will post something without going out of my way to promote it, and do not post in link parties unless I can take the time to do due diligence in terms of reading and commenting.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 5, 2023

      For some reason, WordPress marked your comment as spam and it went straight to my spam folder, Michele. It may be a one-off, but I’d certainly double check that other comments you’re leaving on other blogs are not going straight to spam.

      Sorry you got overwhelmed by the length of some of the comments. Commenting on blogs seems to be a subject that many bloggers have a lot to say about.

      Here’s a post about the new Jetpack app. I hope it helps, but feel free to ask any questions.

      Should I Switch To The New Jetpack App Or Stay With The WordPress App?

      Reply
4. 

   Mac’s Opinion

   Sep 4, 2023

   Great post!
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   .LOL!

   I can’t seem to get readers to comment on my blog at all. I’ve even added a comment plugin to encourage readers to leave comments. I’ve even gotten into the habit of asking a question in my Post Conclusions to encourage people to comment on the post.

   But I do agree with the one or two-word comments though. How do you open a conversation with just a “Good Post” comment?

   That comment plugin I mentioned, well, you can’t comment on my posts unless it’s a certain amount of words, so simply typing in “Great Post” won’t allow you to click the submit button.

   I hope not commenting on blogs isn’t a trend though. What would the point of having a comment section in the first place then?

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 5, 2023

      What worked for me in getting people to engage with me on my blog posts was visiting other blogs and reading and leaving engaging comments. I only read and commented on posts that had content that interested me, and not everyone returned the visits, but it did help. Even today, I try and read and leave engaging comments on at least a couple of blogs a day. The other thing that helped was participating in blog challenges, where participants visited each other’s posts.

      I think we have to be careful with limiting how many words a comment must contain before it’s accepted. After all, somebody visiting your blog for the first time may find that not very friendly and not come back. Sure, it stops the non-engaging comments, but if they are allowed to leave non-engaging comments, then they may leave some engaging comments on future posts.

      And I agree with you that bloggers who do not want to engage with their audience should turn comments off.

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      1. 

         Mac’s Opinion

         Sep 5, 2023

         I have it set to be a minimum of three words. (I think). If somebody can’t write mor than that then it’s not worth the effort.

         Reply
5. 

   Lea

   Sep 4, 2023

   Hi Hugh, jumping from blog to blog leaving quick one or two word comments versus leaving a thoughtful, meaningful comment made me think it’s quality over quantity or vice versa depending on where you stand on that.

   There are plenty of times that I read someone’s blog post and don’t comment. Even times when I’d like to but if I don’t have time to write what I really want to say I would rather say nothing. Sometimes I’ll go back later, if I can. But I don’t have a blog or feel the pressure of visiting and commenting on “X” number of blogs each day.

   I enjoy reading what you write, Hugh. I started following you a long time ago because at that time I wanted to start a blog. This has never materialized and I don’t know that it ever will. But you have written some of the most informative and helpful information about blogging. You also have a knack for drawing the reader in and giving them something to think about.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 5, 2023

      First, thank you for the lovely feedback about my blog and writing, Lea. It’s wonderful feedback that has made my day.

      I think quality comments are something most bloggers want on their blog posts, although from some of the other comments left here, some bloggers don’t mind the non-engaging comments. A good balance would perhaps be a mixture of both, but when I see comment sections of blogs full of mostly non-engaging comments (usually from the same readers), I can’t help but roll my eyes.

      I still scratch my head as to why some bloggers feel they must leave a non-engaging comment on every post another blogger published just to prove they’ve visited. They may not have read the post, yet they must show they have visited. Putting ourselves under pressure like that only makes blogging look stressful or makes people feel guilty for not saying anything. In my almost 10 years of blogging, I’ve only ever had one blogger tell me that she expected me to read and leave a comment on all her posts because she does the same on my posts. Needless to say, I unfollowed her blog.

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6. 

   Cee Arr @ Dora Reads

   Sep 4, 2023

   ‘Or worse, a comment that includes nothing but emojis.’ — *millennial gasps* ;)

   Seriously, though, I find it difficult to comment as quickly and easily as a lot of other people do – my social battery is low at the best of times, and my Anxiety makes it impossible some days.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 5, 2023

      But you don’t need to worry or concern yourself about leaving a comment. There’s nothing wrong with reading a post, clicking the ‘like’ button and moving on.

      Reply
7. 

   Nortina S.

   Sep 4, 2023

   Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I feel it really depends on the type of blog. For example, the majority of my posts are creative writing. So I honestly wouldn’t know how to respond to a comment that said more than “I like this!” on a haiku, haha! Of course I wouldn’t mind it–it just might take me a few days to write a meaningful and engaging reply. I do also write posts that ask for a conversation in the comments. So a mixture of engaging comments and comments that don’t really add much other than to stroke my ego as an insecure writer is totally fine with me! “Likes” don’t always tell me someone’s read my posts because I’ve received a like on a post 2 min after publishing it and it’s supposed to be an 11-min read. That always has me scratching my head.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 5, 2023

      Same here, Nortina. What can one reply to a comment like ‘I like this’ other than with a ‘thank you.’ I have occasionally asked somebody who has left an ‘I like this’ comment what they liked about the post to say they like it, but they never reply. Which makes me think, did they even read the post in the first place?

      I think many of us have readers who will click ‘like’ on a post as soon as it’s published. And I’ve found that it’s usually the same readers who do it. It wouldn’t matter what I wrote or published; those same readers would click ‘like’ within seconds of my post going live. They’re obviously not reading the post, and few of them ever leave any engaging comments.

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      1. 

         Nortina S.

         Sep 5, 2023

         Oh yes! I do have a few of those serial “likers.” If all I can say is “I like this,” I’ll just click “Like” and move on, but hopefully nobody thinks that of me! I’ve gotten better about leaving comments on other blogs I follow (when I have something meaningful to add). Social anxieties didn’t always let me do that in the early years, so I’m proud of my growth!

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         1. 

            Hugh W. Roberts

            Sep 5, 2023

            Good for you, Nortina. Never allow anyone to stop you from leaving engaging comments.

            I’ve had a few occurrences of backlash from trolls about comments I’ve left, but I no longer worry about what trolls think. Although I wonder why the blog host approved the comments from those trolls. However, it rarely happens.

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8. 

   RasmaSandra

   Sep 4, 2023

   I usually click on like and pass the blog post along to the social media sites. However, if like in this case I do have something to add that is when I comment. It does not bother me that people don’t always comment on my blog posts as long as I see there are quite a few people who have liked the post. It only bothers me if I go to one of my blogs and see neither likes nor comments it is then I wonder WHY? I hope you have a good and progressive new week,

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 4, 2023

      Thank you for your comment, Rasma.

      Yes, a blog post with no likes or comments can look sad, especially if it’s engaging. If that happens to you, I’d recommend republishing the post at a later date. I’ve done this myself and been amazed by the response, although it is head-scratching as to why nobody visited the post the first time.

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9. 

   WebbBlogs

   Sep 4, 2023

   I try to always leave a comment especially if its a post I really enjoy. I will admit that sometimes my comments may sound “generic” but I don’t intend for it to sound like that. It’s usually because I am in a hurry and wanted to leave a quick comment or because at the moment my mind draws a blank and I can’t think of something that someone else hasn’t already said.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 4, 2023

      I wouldn’t concern yourself with leaving a comment that has been said before. It’s much better than leaving a comment that may sound generic. So I’d go with that.
      But never feel you need to comment if you’ve enjoyed reading a post, especially if you don’t have time to leave one. You can always come back and leave one later.

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10. 

    Terri Webster Schrandt

    Sep 4, 2023

    Because of others leaving comments, I have made lifelong friends through blogging, Hugh, many whom ive met in person. I’ve engaged with other bloggers to an extent to which I may have drawn them out and the subsequent comments have become conversations and have enriched our blog relationship. Not everyone wants that, I get it, but it sure is fun to chat about something or to just get to know someone better. We all desire to read that something resonates with a post, a compliment, simple “attaboy” or a I agree with that… etc.
    Blogging is a lot more personal which is the difference that Janice may be referring to. Companies that write blogs are likely sharing information and comments are rarely required. I read a lot of articles as I call them and rarely comment.
    Personal and hobby bloggers are aiming to create community to some extent, else why share pictures or details of your life if you don’t want to engage in comments?
    As always, thank you for successfully engaging your fellow bloggers, Hugh and for sharing your ideas and how-tos with us.

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    1. 

       Hugh W. Roberts

       Sep 4, 2023

       So it sounds as if you’re saying blogging communities are very much alive, Terri? I agree with you, but I can’t help but think that they’re shrinking compared to a few years ago and that what Janice said may be true. Are these communities getting smaller, or are they stuck as they are because of less interaction and engagement in the blogging world compared to years ago?

       Like you, I have also met blogging friends, some of whom I have met in person. Some have since given up blogging, and of the ones who still blog, most still engage in comments rather than just say they visited. Maybe it’s newer bloggers who are less engaging?

       Yes, why share pictures or details of your life if you don’t want to engage with the outside world? I wonder if somebody will answer that question? I already had a reply on Mastodon from a personal blogger who says he encourages his readers to engage with him on social media 9Twitter – now X), not on his blog, so he closes comments off. He gave the reason that it’s his blog, so his space, and he didn’t want anyone else to invade that space.

       I guess that proves that there are many different kinds of bloggers out there.

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       1. 

          Terri Webster Schrandt

          Sep 4, 2023

          I also suspect that the upgrades WP has made might be daunting to some folks. I use the Jetpack app a lot, like right now, to comment. I get the feeling that there are many bloggers who have not updated their themes, nor have installed the app. I have had difficulty leaving comments using the app, and wonder if that can be a problem? On some blogs, I have to log in to leave a comment, which is strange, since I’m logged in as evidenced by having left a comment 5 minutes prior on another post. Something for you to investigate, Hugh 😁

          That said, as a challenge host, I leave comments when someone takes the time to link to my challenges because it’s part of the process. I’m still amazed that many bloggers who link don’t leave a comment on the host’s blog. Oh well. To each their own, and our blogs reflect those choices.

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          1. 

             Hugh W. Roberts

             Sep 4, 2023

             I’m aware of the problems some bloggers have when the theme they use has been retired, Terri. Yet, some of them still refuse to change the theme, although that may be because they’re frightened to do so in fear of their whole blog collapsing. I know of many who do not want to switch to any of the new FSE themes, but there are still over 50 Classic themes available that WordPress supports.

             And you could be right about some folks still using the old WordPress app. Despite all the notifications we get about switching to the Jet Pack app, some people don’t want to do so, meaning they will have lost certain features.

             I’ve not had any problems leaving comments, but I tend to do it all via my desktop. So it sounds like the App has some issues, probably bugs. There was a new release during the second week of August, and no doubt there will be another update soon while WordPress deals with the issues.

             The only problem I’m currently having with WordPress is when I click the ‘like’ button next to a comment. I end up being taken to the top of the blog I’m on and have to find the comment again. I have to click the button again before it works. However, if I like a comment from the notification centre of my blog (bell icon), it works the first time.

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