Since posting about using Akismet and the need to check your spam queue, I’ve found that all comments in response have been found in my Akismet spam queue. I think it’s quite indicative of the types of sites the visitors linked to in their comments and the keywords used in the names they provided. What are we, as contentious bloggers, to do?
One option is to implement a comment policy that clearly states that comments where keywords are used in names, or links provided to certain sites will not be approved. While this is a sure-fire way to curb the spam that gets through, I have no doubt that it will also adversely affect the level of activity that I have come to appreciate.
The other option is to do nothing, allow all decent comments through, because people may be willing to provide a quality response, but want something in return. Since I already use the dofollow, CommentLuv and Top Commentators plugins, I am not opposed to providing incentive for visitors to contribute.
While I believe the most effective tool against spam is moderation, some sites like BlogHerald.com do not use it and have a comment policy similar to my own existing spam prevention philosophy where comments are censored or deleted if they are abusive, off-topic, contain ad-hominem attacks, promote hate of any kind, use excessive foul language, or is blatantly spam.
As expected, ProBlogger.com has a comment policy, but seems to be much less formal. It’s more of a narrative response than an outline of what’s acceptable, or not.
The AriWriter.com policy is similar (some parts are identical) to that of BlogHerald.com, but takes it a couple steps further by disallowing the use of handles and adding a legal disclaimer.
So, those are the obvious options, but what else can possibly be done? What does a fair yet effective comment policy allow? Or, am I overthinking this?
