As our regular readers may have noticed, over the past month or so Search Engine Journal was not running its comments. Due to database errors which possibly stemmed from comment spamming, we had to take the comments template off of our site.
We use WordPress Akismet and other anti-spamming tools on SEJ, but the spam and trackbacking still burns up bandwidth, slows down the load time, and brings unwanted comments into the picture which slip by the filters. Additionally, the filters also tend to block some comments which are useful and relevant.
This being said, we also feel that unlike SEOmoz and Threadwatch, Search Engine Journal is less of a community blog, and more of a news oriented blog; thus forcing readers to register in order to comment could dampen the spark before it ignites a debate on a post’s topic, coverage or opinion. Then again, personally, registration also brings a feeling of belonging to a select group within some blogs; something which could build the community feel to this blog.
So, before pulling the trigger on comments being allowed only for registered members, I’ll ask our readers for feedback.
How do you feel about having to register with Search Engine Journal before being able to leave a comment?
Thanks, Loren
Tough question.
I would probably leave comments either way, but I don’t know if that is true for everyone.
Nooooooo!
There are very few sites I comment on that require registration, and I find myself not commenting on many sites because of registration. I’m surprised that you’re not having much luck with Akismet, so far it’s not caused to many problems for us, sure, the occasional false positive but mostly it’s all good, and I’m deleting maybe a hanful of comments a week compared to 1000′s before (which is managable). I’d recommend no, not surprisingly, to registration.
I agree that registration can create a sense of community and while it can sometimes slow down the comment process it might help reduce some of the spamming. I have only recently begun reading your content but it seems that the quality of the comments needs to enhance each post. If registration can achieve this then I think, as a reader who wants solid content and discussion, I would be willing to register.
I wouldn’t have any problem with registering to post comments. I don’t read a lot of blogs which require it, but those that do have unerringly high-quality comments. I’d opine that it’s far better to require registration for comments than to lose that community involvement in the publication.
I agree with Duncan. I wouldnt bother first registering, then logging in to post a comment.