August 7, 2006
10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:50 am
My Secret
My name is Liz and I have a secret. I read your blog almost every day, but you you wouldn’t know that. That’s because I hardly ever leave a comment.
I know the value of a well-placed comment. I’m pretty good at writing down what I think. Yet, when it comes time to writing a response to what you wrote, some days I can’t quite get my fingers to the keyboard. I start to write something . . . then I leave without posting it.
There are more readers like me than ones who are not. I know. I’ve talked to them. I’ve been talking to them about why they don’t comment. It seems that we have the same secret reasons for not leaving our calling card. We want to leave our thoughts, but things get between us and that comment box.
It’s time we came clean and let you know what they are.
10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments
I don’t suppose this is all of the reasons folks choose not to comment. This is only a list of 10 +1 of them that I’ve heard over and over again.
1. What you write is so complete, that I don’t know what to say except good job. I feel silly writing that, so I read and move on.
2. You’ve taught me something I didn’t know, and I need to think about it before I even have a question. Much like number 1, I don’t want to embarrass myself. I’m better off moving on.
3. I get ready to type a comment, but I notice you only respond to a few friends who mostly share inside jokes. I won’t take the risk of being overlooked in public.
4. The folks who comment on your posts like to argue and I don’t. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to fight my way into the crowd.
5. You rarely respond to comments. So, there’s no point in writing one.
6. Your blog has geeky attitude and I’m not geeky enough to keep up. .
7. I really like your blog and your post, but I’m too tired, busy, or any one of a number things that you can’t control. I’ll comment the next I come back to read.
8. You end your posts with a giant general question like “What do you think of the Big Bang Theory?” That question is such a big one. I don’t have time to answer it. I feel strange answering with a lesser comment.
9. You put up a fence by making me login to comment. I have too many passwords already and I don’t know you well enough to add one to my list.
10. Your content wasn’t fresh and exciting, and I couldn’t find anything YOU inside it. It seemed the same post that I’ve read on 10 other blogs. If I commented, I would have to tell you that.
PLUS ONE: Your post was negative. Negative is scary. Most folks don’t like negative stuff, because they know they could be next to be the recipient. I don’t comment, because I don’t want to be part of it.
Sometimes I don’t comment because I’m self-conscious about new groups and fitting in. I suppose most people feel that way now and then. I’m working on that.
Yet when the content is rich and compelling, I lose all self-consciousness. My fingers can’t wait to share what you’ve started me thinking. My hands literally jump to the keyboard and start typing out the words. Other readers have said that is true for them too.
Compelling content causes comments.
Did I miss the reasons that keep you from commenting?.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Filed under Comments, Customer Think, Successful Blog, Writing |
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260 Comments to “10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments”
cat said
PLUS ANOTHER ONE:
Sometimes I sound like I’m arguing, when I’m actually not. I just have a way of putting my posts stronger than intended.
It’s easier to keep out of the conversation and not take the chance of being misunderstood.
Easton Ellsworth said
Good job.
I mean, er, awesome thoughts, Liz - I need some time to think about this!
ME Strauss said
Easton,
You are the best commenter on the planet! I should just give up and take lessons from you.
Big Roy said
Without sounding like I am stating the obvious I assume that you are trying to teach us bloggers something with this post Liz. So I will say what I have learned and APPLIED from reading this site and this post.
1. Make it easy for people to post. No one wants to jump through hoops to write a quick comment.
2. Respond to comments in a personal way. Make your readers feel like they’re part of a community.
3. Include YOU in your posts so people feel they are reading a real person.
I changed my commenting name to Big Roy as I saw there was another Roy who comments here. That’s the name I use on my blog. I didn’t just pull the name out of thin air, there is a story behind it.
ME Strauss said
Hey Big Roy,
I think you could pick up that comment and use it as a blog post. What you wrote is great advice any way that you look at it.
You’re welcome here, with any name. :)
Martin said
For moi Liz, I have no self-consciousness issues in commenting whenever/where ever. Firstly, the post has to interest me enough for me to have a say - negative/positive - doesn’t matter.
But the real reason is time issues - there’s just never enough hours in the day to comment, track, follow up etc. So I had to bite the bullet and really only comment within my niche so I can at least fool myself into thinking I’m being productive. I stray sometimes of course…
I track comments using co.mments now - which helps a little.
#1. on occassions - even here :-)
#2. on the contrary, you’ve taught me something so I’m commenting to essentially say “thank you”.
#5. is also a big one for me.
#9. you force me to login - I’m outta here
BTW Liz, I found the Bizerati manu and have spent an hour on it tonight. Polish it up more tomorrow and I’ll pdf-it to you for a perusal - of course, I’m mentioning this in public so that your fan base can be let in on the secret - Liz.eBook.Coming Soon. A bit of buzz never hurt anyone :-)
ME Strauss said
Hey, Martin!
How ya doing? You picked the ones closed to my heart too, despite the fact I know I am guilty of #1 when I don’t pay attention. Oh well.
Cool about the eBook coming down the pike. That sounds exciting. I’ll have to get the confetti ready!!!
Starbucker said
Oh, so that explains it Liz - AND I know your secret too! I look at commenting in this way - since I’m relatively new to blogging, I always thought from the beginning that it was a two-way medium, where someone is starting a conversation that invites interaction, so I picked up the habit right away. In contrast, I’d think if some folks never commented when they first ventured into the blogosphere, it would be more difficult to jump in down the road (i.e. not a habit). Nevertheless, I agree with you on your last statement - I don’t comment unless I’m compelled to, habit or not. Luckily, a lot of what I choose to read IS compelling (your little blog included), so I’ll keep typing!
ME Strauss said
Why, thank you, Starbucker.
You have a great outlook on commenting. I started blogging and it was quite quiet for weeks. I got to listen to myself think. :)
Then I learned about community and campfires to talk around. . . .
Some blogs seem more like high school hallways though.
Brian Clark said
What about my number one reason… I have a comment but I’m too damn lazy at the moment to force it out of me.
Not being lazy right now…
Brian
ME Strauss said
Thanks, Brian.
That’s the one I was leaving room for. :)
I’m still laughing as I type this.
So true. So true. I’ve been known to be lazy.
DavidC said
Hi Liz
I was at a seminar once (can’t remember what it was about), and invited one of my employees to attend it with me. There were maybe 100 or so people in the room, and at the end the hosts went into the typical Q&A session. As I raised my hand to ask a question, my associate looked at me with deer-in-the-headlights eyes and asked, incredulously, ‘Are you really going to ask a question?!?’ To her it was simply inconceivable to do something like that. There is an entire block of readers that will NEVER consider leaving a comment, it’s just not part of their personality style.
I try to gear my blog towards users that are less than experts using the computer, and I know that many of my readers fall firmly into your #6. Even though I go to great lengths to make it simple, I know many will not comment because they’re afraid of asking the dreaded ‘stupid question’.
Starbucker said
Love that High School reference - I didn’t like high school that much for that very reason, and it carries over to today. Thanks again.
Shirley George Frazier said
I appreciate all of the above as reasons why readers don’t comment on my blogs.
My audience is silent, but I know they’re out there reading my ideas and clicking on associated links.
If visitors use the information to create better, well-managed, and more-profitable businesses, I’m happy.
ME Strauss said
David,
What a great point you make. Yes, some people just don’t need to comment to feel they have participated to the fullest. That’s not their style. You’re right on the money with that. Thanks for remembering them.
ME Strauss said
Yeah, Starbucker,
I never comment on those high school blogs, even when the content is great!
ME Strauss said
Shirley,
How great to hear from you!
A silent audience doesn’t mean they’re not listening in. I’ve had messages from readers tell me that more than once. Thanks for saying that out loud so that everyone knows.
Readers don’t need to talk to be readers. :)
candice said
Mine is often guilty of the hallway kind of thing - a large chunk of my subscriber base is in-person friends, the in-jokes just kind of follow. I try to respond to everyone though.
There are also the people who will stop me on the street (say, out in the french quarter on a friday or something, that kind of running into people) to say “hey I really liked that thing on your blog” but won’t comment.
ME Strauss said
Hi Candice!
A few in-crowd jokes aren’t a problem when you let other folks know that they’re still welcome to hang around.
It’s cool that you get to see people who read your blog in person. I know plenty of Chicagoans read this blog, but we’d never recognize each other on the street. :)
Kenneth Johnson said
Oh, all right; I’ll answer. Usually, the reason I don’t is pure laziness. Otherwise, it seems to me you’ve covered it pretty thoroughly.
But then, I’d never given it a thought before.
Ehhhh … OK, bookmarked you too, I did.
Actually, this seems a pretty decent blog, and since I’ve contemplated entering the 21st Century, you’re a good source of advice on blogging.
I would recommend some sort of system to filter blog spam.
Ken Johnson
Sand Point, Alaska
Scot Herrick said
I would LOVE to comment on posts.
My RSS feed has 89 blogs lined up to do just that. My number one reason for not commenting on blogs?
The content isn’t worth commenting on.
Which is negative, but accurate. I’m guilty of the same thing - I have to make sure my posts have some good content and I have a lot to learn there. But really, the content doesn’t have anything to comment on.
The rest of the reasons I agree with. I fall into the “too complete” area a lot - or at least think I do!
Scot
ME Strauss said
Hi Ken Johnson,
Welcome! You’re only a stranger once here!
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It’s good to hear from you and to know that Brian and i aren’t the only ones who are lazy sometimes. :)
What sort of blogging software are you on?
ME Strauss said
Hi Scot,
Bad content is a really great reason not to comment, and I have to admit I’ve been running into more and more boring content lately.
Yeah, you do write some very complete posts. You suffer from the same disease I do. Want to get the whole story out there and tie it up with a bow all pretty.
Cuileann McKenzie » Archives » Being a Good Host to Your Blog Readers said
[…] Liz Strauss has posted a great piece, “10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments,” at successful-blog.com. It’s a worthwhile read for all bloggers! The article leads us in considering the perspective of our readers, and that’s information that’s more valuable for blog improvement than any batch of blog stats. […]
chartreuse (BETA) » Blog Archive » Blogs, The Bible, And Charlie Sheen’s Ex-Wife (The Tuesday Morning Remix) said
[…] Ever since I started this blog Liz has always been the smart woman I turn to when I don’t understand this blogging stuff. She always has the answers. Case in point: Why people don’t leave comments on your blog. […]
Yvonne said
Points 3, 5 and 9 are so true - I hear so many bloggers complaining about how they rarely get any comments, yet they seem to think they’re above replying to ‘newbie’ comments, and they obviously hate spammers more than lurkers if they force everyone to login!
I admit blog authors who reply to their comments encourage me to de-lurk and comment more. I try to reply to my own ASAP - discussions with my readers are my favourite part of blogging =)
How to Leave a Positive Impression on Other Bloggers Through Comments said
[…] Update: for a related post see Liz’s on 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments on Your Blog If you enjoyed this post Subscribe to the Free ProBlogger Newsletter […]
Rico said
I think you can do no wrong making things easier for your readers, and I think this is achieved through preview and subscription functionalities.
Previews will help people get over their “self-worth” issues, by allowing them to look before they leap.
Comment Subscriptions will help me keep track of what’s happening in the discussion. With them, I no longer have to go through the relative inconvenience of having to the check the post regularly.
Thank God you have comment subscriptions here. Honestly, I prefer posting comments only on Blogs with them.
cat said
“Thank God you have comment subscriptions here. Honestly, I prefer posting comments only on Blogs with them.”
Ditto for me. At times I’ll post and go off, only remembering the next day or week. Sure, I could use cocomments (yet one more thing to learn), but why when it’s so easy to offer the ability to subscribe?
ME Strauss said
Hi Yvonne,
I can understand that bloggers who have a life don’t respond to every comment one-by-one immediately, but so many show up in their comments and acknowledge folks who leave word there. It seems to me a fair trade in respect that if someone leaves their words and ideas, after reading mine, that I should respond in kind in the same way I would if they stopped by my business to talk about something.
There is a person behind every comment — okay we won’t count spammers — and every person who leaves a comment is a reader, who didn’t have to stop to read HERE.
I’m grateful that my readers do.
I think I ought hold up my end of the bargain. :)
ME Strauss said
Hi Rico,
Thank you for mentioning that.
Thank God you have comment subscriptions here.
Those first two words show you care about something. I’d be silly not to have it here for you.
I want the experience to be easy and fun for everyone. YEAH!
ME Strauss said
Hi Cat!
I tried coComments and found it one more multi-tasking obstacle between me and the people that I care about talking to.[ I’ve figured out that not everything I say is that important that I really need to follow up on it. :) Thank God, I’m no sage. The pressure would kill me. :)]
Yvonne said
I completely understand that all bloggers have other commitments outside of their site - I’m a uni student, after all - it’s the authors of small sites who regularly publish content but rarely (if ever) respond to their reader feedback that puzzle me.
No matter how easy you make it for a reader to leave feedback, they still have to take some time to do it, and to show how much they care - what’s a few moments to respond to them and thank them for doing so?
Anyway, you do a great job of that here Liz - a lot of bloggers should learn from you =)
ME Strauss said
Yes, Yvonne,
Thank you.
I agree. I don’t know whether it’s bad manners or just that young bloggers don’t understand the nature of the conversation. I remember when I started the SOB program it was to promote conversation and dialogue, even to me the concept felt a little “foreign.”
It was like promoting a childhood game of “pass it on.”
Until a person really understands the depth of conversation that can happen and the relationships that can form, I don’t think that person will ever get the reason for comment ettiquette or why it’s important.
Some folks can’t see past the letters on the screen to the person who wrote them. It’s a disability of sorts. At least that’s how I see it.
Rico said
See? Thanks to the comment subscription (CS), I was able to read all your wonderful insights.
Liz, would you mind me asking what blogging platform you use? My personal blog is hosted by Wordpress (fool45.wordpress.com), and it doesn’t have CS functionality. I’m planning to move it to its own domain, and end my slight hypocrisy (hehe) by implementing CS on my blog as soon as I can!
PS: The multiple comments of this entry are also divided among pages, not shown as a whole, thus helping readability even further. How was that implemented?
ME Strauss said
Hi Rico,
This, too, is a Word Press Blog. The paged comments are a plug-in Called Paged Comments by Bryan.
http://www.coldforged.org/plugins/
I think the comments feed was just setup through bloglines.
Rico said
Thanks for the prompt reply Liz.
Oops, I should’ve been more specific. I was talking about CS that updated you via e-mail, which is what I’m using now to stay updated. ;-)
I have enough RSS feeds to contend with (research for my pro-blog), that’s I why I really enjoy receiving the updates on my Gmail. It keeps my RSS life simple (I can’t handle 89 feeds like Scot Herrick can), and because the link back to the blog is saved on my account, I can check back on my own time.
So my real question is: is there a Wordpress plug-in that allows you to provide CS functionality via e-mail? :-)
Big Roy said
Good question Rico, Liz does have a nice comment system. I wonder too if it’s a plugin or requires a bunch of fancy coding?
Big Roy said
Liz answered the question as I had the page opened and was getting some coffee.
Thanks
ME Strauss said
I don’t know, Rico. I’ve never looked into that question. Someone reading might have the answer.
Rico said
I did some “research” (click on “Manage your subscriptions” underneath the comment box) and I was presented with a page with the Wordpress interface. So I guess Wordpress does provide that functionality. Let me ask my geekier friends; they’ll probably clear things up, and I’ll post it once I find out.
Thank you again Liz, you’re really doing a great job with this blog! :-D
ME Strauss said
Thank you, Rico,
That’s what is so special about bloggers. Bloggers are the most unselfish, helpful people on the planet. You just can’t convince otherwise.
Easton Ellsworth said
So I come back and there’s 40 comments. I love how the conversations just flourish at this blog! Looks like those 10 reasons don’t apply here :).
ME Strauss said
Easton,
You just pick the right posts to visit. I know that. :) We are a conversational group who likes to figure things out, now aren’t we?
MamaDuck said
Oftentimes the posts are about very personal things or areas that I don’t know much about as well. If someone has a long funny story about their cat destroying their couch, I may laugh but as I don’t have a cat (ha just a toddler destroying mine), I might not have anything to say about it other than a LOL which is rather silly to post.
I find by responding to all my comments and making it easy for people to comment, I get a lot of comments ;). Some people don’t really like getting comments though, so I suppose it depends what you want, but you can just turn off comments for that matter ;).
ME Strauss said
Hi MamaDuck,
Yeah, I have had that problem, where I enjoy the post, but I have no experience with the subject, as in your example with the cats. So when I have time I try to think of something to say and when I don’t I move along wishing I did.
I agree. I don’t like to write silly things in comment boxes either. It’s not what I want to leave behind as my signature.
Thanks for your comment. It’s nice to meet you. You’re not a stranger here anymore.
John Doe said
In brief, to have readers leave comments you must :
- not write so complete
- not teach something readers didn’t know
- not be geeky
Pretty ridiculous.
ME Strauss said
John,
Don’t miss the part about not being negative. :)
Sanne Roemen said
Great post, and great commentbait as wel ;-). I thought it was a Dutch thing, that readers don’t respond well. I also notice that my readers prefer to respond by e-mail, they might feel self conscious about having their response show up for everyone to see. So I have my e-mail adress in plain view on the website to at least get some response… I’m assuming you don’t speak Dutch… so it would be quite useless for you to visit my weblog and comment her her her.
ME Strauss said
Hi Sanne,
I’ve been to Amsterdam, but have no Dutch. I’m sorry. Thank you for speaking English. :)
I think the feeling of being self-conscious is universal. We all have a bit of stage fright. Some blogs make us feel more at home. Some bloggers build a high-trust environment.
Some folks will not ever want to stand on stage and that’s all right too. Listening and reading is interacting in my book and I value it deeply.
I could visit your weblog, but I would have to comment in English. :)
Danielle said
I feel both schooled and convicted. Allow me to introduce myself, She Who Almost Never Replies to Comments. I dare say I’m famous for it, at least @ LiveJournal. I do try to respond to questions, etc, but due to busy-ness, laziness… an inability to properly chit-chat that is surprising, given my gender…. In the end, there are no genuine excuses (although work has played a pivotal role in my lack of free time and well-formed thoughts.) I’m just plain bad at commenting back.
At any rate, I am commenting here because I am new, because I’m tickled by the thought of being replied to, and because I like to own up when I’m in the wrong. I will endeavor to reply more often, at my own set of weblogs. Thank you for the tips!
ME Strauss said
Hi Danielle,
Welcome,
You might be surprised at how many people just like you have told me that they hardly ever commented and then, after we talk a while here, I see them commenting everywhere.
The conversation gets addictive. Blogging friendships and the dialogue are very rewarding and inspiring. I’ve learned so much from the folks I talk to through the comment boxes that I use. :)
Now you’re not a stranger. Maybe you’ll visit open comment night tonight and meet the folks who hang out here on a regular basis. :)
Naomi said
I would say I’ve commented maybe five times in my blog-reading history. Here’s why:
#1.) A lot of the blogs I read are popular, and so I feel like when there are already too many comments, mine won’t get read and I’ll feel like a loser.
#2.) I am a stark-raving perfectionist, and because of this I haven’t started my own blog yet. I don’t want to comment without being able to have a website to send people to.
#3.) I have a problem knowing when any social exchange is over, and I get embarassed and think I’ll look clingy. Say I comment on your blog, and you comment back with a nice little welcome note. I feel like I shoul day something, but I don’t know what. And if I DO say something, and you say something back, then do I write back again? I worry that I’ll look like the person who doesn’t know when to quit. So I avoid the whole thing entirely.
#4.) Brevity is not my strongpoint, and I worry that I babble.
I do love your blog, by the way.
Danielle said
Naomi: I know how you feel, being a perfectionist myself. (But don’t let that stop you from starting your own weblog! Even perfectionists need outlets, and the therapeutic aspects of blogging alone are worthwhile. It’s good for you, DO IT.)
Liz: I’m sure I’m not in the minority by any means, but I do intend to improve. I suppose my main problem is that I find large numbers of comments overwhelming, I can honestly say that I’ve skipped reading entries at friends’ blogs, just because there’s already ninety comments on it, and I a) don’t want to get lost in the shuffle, or worse b) don’t want to be obligated to spew out forty comments of my own. (One person in particular had lengthy discourses with all her friends in every single post, so ninety comments might only represent four people. Conversation is great, don’t get me wrong, but that sort of thing, in my view, belongs in a chat window.)
ME Strauss said
Hey, Naomi,
I’m laughing because I see myself in you. :)
I had to start a blog without reading any or I never would have started one. I’m a boutique shopper for that very same reason. Too many options and too much need to get the right one.
I also feel a need to answer, but I guess you’ve already seen that. Once or twice on this blog. The guys have tested me and said not to answer back . . . I didn’t. Those were probably the only comments besides trackbacks that haven’t answered.
I have the problem too of getting to a blog and finding that I figure the conversation is already over hours ago. That’s the downside of putting the hour stamp on your comments by the way.
Stop by comment night tonight. You’ll get answered, faster than you can answer and three conversations will be going on at one time, so you might even get ignored while you’re being paid attention to. :)
Welcome. Thanks for the comment. It was a fun one. Answer back if you want to or don’t if your busy doing other things.
ME Strauss said
Danielle,
I read the posts that are inviting and then sometimes I skim the long comments to see what’s in them. I feel no obligation to read all of the comments. They certainly weren’t put there for my attention — if they were that’s even less reason for me to read them.
Sometime near the end I’ll jump in and add one. Sometimes I won’t I’ll just move on.
We get in conversation here, but that usually on a post that draws no other comments. :) [translation: the boring ones. :)]
Rico said
I think the Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia) holds true with comments; once things get going, it’s hard to stop. And as you can see Liz, since you’re dilligently replying to our comments, you keep the ball rolling.
This simply reinforces commandment #5. Yes, I’m calling them the 10 Commenting Commandments now. :-)
Ann Handley said
Great post! Here’s a bit of irony, I found it by reading the comments on Converstations….because it was referenced in a comment there.
Nice job. (Or is that too lame a comment? LOL)
ME Strauss said
Hi Ann,
Welcome. I love Converstations. Mike’s a great blog. It’s nice to meet his readers.
Thanks for coming over. We don’t grade comments here. If we did we have some weird scale that involved a code-writing donkey and snacks and beverages. :)
We like people better than rules.
Fool For Five » How Can Newton’s First Law Apply to Blog Comments? said
[…] Liz Strauss has a very great entry on Comments: 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments. It’s hardly ironic that this post alone has already generated 59 comments, and I’m proud to have participated in the discussion. Liz also walks the walk, prominently avoiding reason #5: “You rarely respond to comments. So, there’s no point in writing one.” […]
Rico said
Great news, boys and girls! Remember the comment subscriptions I was talking about on comments 10, 12, and 16? Apparently there’s a Wordpress plug-in that allows you to add this functionality.
This is yet another incentive for me to switch to my own domain. I’ll have more freedom to customize my blog to maximize reader enjoyment. :)
ME Strauss said
Yea! Rico!
Thanks for sharing the news. Congratulations on the chance to start your own blogdom. :)
HART (1-800-HART) said
I think it’s okay not to comment on blogs that you know don’t answer them in real time - otherwise let’s face it - it’s just spam.
Now, with all these spammers out there (in all languages) offering “Good Job”s and compliment your posts, I would offer these two suggestions…
1) Tell us WHY you think it was a good job - or, at least - tell us WHAT you think was a good job, and make us believe it wasn’t just another spam comment to delete
2) Don’t bother posting on my blogs if your email contains the domain .ru or has both yahoo/hotmail/etc PLUS a product in your name@ - you can have a valid comment - but I will still delete you… sorry.
HART (1-800-HART) said
um, PS.. eg
“Good Job” on your list of reasons why readers don’t leave comments. I was going to add a few more (as a reader) but, saw them already on earlier comments.
HART (1-800-HART) said
erm.. PPSS ..
How about 10+1 Reasons why readers would WANT to leave comments? :)
ME Strauss said
HART!
It’s so good to have you back! Whew! 10 Reasons folks would want to comment. That would take some real thinking, now wouldn’t it?
HART (1-800-HART) said
You’re probably right .. I pretty much know why I comment on blogs (and I comment a lot) .. but, it can probably be summarized into 3 reasons only :D
ME Strauss said
I wonder if there are more than maybe 5.
What are yours?
HART (1-800-HART) said
I was going to wait until later tonight on Open Mic but, here’s 3 quickie reasons why HART might comment on your blog:
1) You looked at the same garbage everybody else does, but interpreted it differently. YAH! Finally another thinker.
2) I like to take what you say and put my own slant on it - either agreeing or completely disagreeing with you and giving you my 2cents. Some call this “contributing to the conversation” .. I often do this too often - where I could have more blog posts on my own blog and just link it, but instead write too much on other blogs (like this one) that I’m too tired to re-write it back on my own blog.
3) I just like to comment usually, when I can either continue (or the blog owner comments) all in real time .. i.e. I like ya and just want to chat - Really, it’s not you or my blog - it’s to relieve some stress on this side of the monitor.
I just thought of a couple more while writing the above.. Maybe a list of 10 is possible?
3+1) To correct or point out obvious mistakes, URL’s, etc
3+2) I can rip off my Superman T-Shirt and come to the rescue to give advice or tips or to add some humour to all these serious people on the internet .. and finally
3+3) Basically, when someone mistakenly asks .. “What’s your opinion” .. I am not afraid to give it because I also believe - it never hurts to ask so, good for you for asking me!
Caryn said
Another reason I don’t comment: so many people have commented already, that I’m sure what I have to say has already been said, and I don’t feel like reading all the comments to find out.
Actually, I almost did that just now, when I saw there were already 68 comments on this thread, but because of the subject I thought it would be too ironic not to comment.
ME Strauss said
Caryn,
Welcome!
I do exactly the same thing. I don’t blame you for not commenting if you think you’re not going to add something new to the discussion.
I don’t like reading through all of the comments either to find out what so many people have said before me. That’s the reason I don’t take the risk of looking foolish and just move on.
I’m glad you took a minute to stop and write a comment this time. Thank you. It’s nice to know that other people do the same thing that I do. :)
Liz
Susan Reynolds said
What you write plus the great observations already made before I get around to reading not to mention commenting, result in me feeling like I need to say something profound.
And this is in spite of the fact that I’m happy when people who comment on my blog say something like “thanks for posting this.” It’s a clear case of perfectionsim gone bad.
ME Strauss said
Hey Susan,
Your comment makes me smile. Hang around with us bloggers, especially me with my typos and you’ll get use to the fact that we value you for your person and your ideas (and that gorgeous art I add) and not for those perfect details.
Sasha Manuel said
I can’t help but laugh when I read them. All I can do was nod in agreement! Hahaha.
ME Strauss said
Hi Sasha!
It’s really quite fun isn’t it? We’re finding out how the same we all are. Guess blogging shows we have a lot more in common than we ever thought we did. :)
Sasha Manuel said
Yea, Liz. It’s loads of fun. I do wish people would just leave comments so we can all have fun together! I simply have got to find a way for them to speak up! =)
Sasha
ME Strauss said
Sasha,
You should come back in about an hour and join on our open comment night that’s when all we do is comment and get to know each other. It’s lots of fun. All kinds of interesting people show up.
Sasha Manuel said
Sounds great! I’ll be there! =)
Sasha
ME Strauss said
That’s cool. It’s on the front page. The post shows up at around 7, but it takes a few minutes to get really rolling. :)
Sanjeev.NET » Blog Archive » links for 2006-08-09 said
[…] Successful Blog - 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments (tags: blogging comments articles 2do) […]
Blog comments, they’re not just for spammers! - PimpMyPageRank.com said
[…] Liz Strauss over at Successful Blog has written an excellent article titled 10 reasons readers don’t leave comments. […]
Johan Sundström said
There is no comment form.
The comment form is hidden.
The comment form doesn’t work.
The comment form doesn’t work in my browser.
There are other comments, but it’s mostly spam.
I’m inclined to make an involved comment, but it’s either apparent that large comments are disallowed, get truncated or don’t get permalinks of their own, so I instead head over to my own blog and post a on the topic.
ME Strauss said
Johan,
Yours should be at the top of the pile.
You must be a designer or page builder.
These are all points that everyone missed. Thanks for seeing the proverbial elephant in the room. Excellent.
As they say, “I feel so stupid.” :)
Thank you!!
vaspers the grate said
The main reason is probably that users are in a big hurry and to stop and write carefully a smart comment that would be flamed or considered dumb, this is not easy for many.
Many lurkers are just not articulate. They find your post interesting, but cannot think of anything to add or to say about it, but “I agree” or “Great post” which sounds vacant.
Another reason is they don’t like comment moderation with captchas and delayed posting.
Finally, I add also: they are not appreciative, they are pampered and just take everything for granted.
They don’t realize that a blog is a conversation, not a preaching pulpit.
ME Strauss said
Hi Vaspars,
Thanks for adding your insights.
I love your choice of the word vacant, that’s really what is the problem isn’t it the comment seems so empty and useless.
Comment moderation does put some people off, I suppose, but I would guess those would be folks who aren’t people who’ve had to deal with spam in any quantity. The blogger and typepad word verification are the worst form of that. They can be downright unhuman forms of proving that you are not a machine.
I hear you saying that some folks are just not grateful for the work that went into writing a post. I suppose there are some of those too. I hadn’t thought of them really.
As always, you have put that mind of yours to see things that I wasn’t seeing. I appreciate that. I love your brain. :)
qureyoon said
aahh…. i got hit by #5 !! so that’s why there’s just a small people who commented :P
thx you for bringin this up ^^
i’ll link it on my blog later on ^^
ME Strauss said
Hi queryoon,
Welcome. Many people like to know when they comment that someone is listening. The way to let them know that there is someone behind the computer screen who cares what they say is to respond when they say something.
It sounds like you heard that. I’m thinking that will make a difference once they notice you’re there and listening. :)
milo said
Comment? Uhh, err, what to say?
ME Strauss said
Hi Milo,
Welcome,
Yep. That’s a significant problem. I often have exactly the same one. Maybe I’ll borrow your response the next time. Would you mind if I did? :)
vaspers the grate said
I came up with 13 More Reasons on my blog, but please let me mention Reciprocal Commenting: you try to always post a comment at the blog of a person who posted a comment at your blog.
You reap what you sow. You post lots of comments at other blogs, you should end up with lots of comments at your blog. But this needs some qualification: some bloggers are rude, “too busy”, selfish, or lazy. So those turps won’t reciprocate.
Main reason for no comments is bad content and no interaction with other bloggers.
New blogger, try posting a very controversial poeeeem or essay. Not naughty or racist, but a post on Why Air Is Unneccesary or How My Head Transplant Improved My Personality or Why Net Neutrality and Web 2.0 Are Clashing Madly.
Write about millionaire bloggers, blog psychosis, blogs and murder, or the future of blogging.
Topics that will grab attention. Say something smart, even if just a few remarks.
Shorten your freaky paragraphs, and slash your long posts to more skim friendly format.
ME Strauss said
Hi Vaspars,
I came over last night, but I had new reason not to comment. I felt too sickly.
What great advice in this comment. You should pick it up in it’s entirety and make it a post. I love the ideas you offer to grab attention. You should become a blog idea consultant.
Tony Lawrence said
I’ll go you one better: why do so many blogs require a name and email? Both can be forged, so why bother?
On my site, the default name is anonymous. You can put any name you want in its place, but that’s all I need to know. I already track your IP (and will block you next time if you are a spammer), and I hash that and display it next to your name as a “key” so that other folks can tell if it’s the same person who left another comment with the same name.
As to spammers: I get dozens of *attempts* every day, but very few get through..
Responses: I respond to anything that needs a response and almost always acknowledge any comment - with the exception of the few pages that attract dozens and dozens of “Thanks so much!” posts.
The “in crowd”: we don’t get too much of that. There are a few regulars who comment frequently, but there’s seldom any “insider” content, and if I see anything like that, my response will explain or reference something that does explain it.
Argument: we get some, but it’s a tech blog so the issue is usually easy to settle..
ME Strauss said
Hi Tony,
That is one better! We do put up a silly barrier, but most folks do put in their real email. That’s nice because every once in a while I think of something I want to say in an email and THAT person hasn’t put up any contact information on his or her blog.
You have one of the best-run blogs I’ve ever visited. If I knew more about tech stuff, I’d even comment. :)
Tony Lawrence said
I forgot to add that (as is so often the case) your article caused me to review my comments code and add some more verbiage reminding users about our strong spam controls (so Preview before posting) and that we do impose length limits (but just pop me an email and I’m happy to add your comment manually) and also reminding them yet again that they CAN put their website in if they like - assuming their comment isn’t just an attempt to get a (relatively value-less “no-follow”) link.
So once again I have to thank you for another helpful post. I can’t tell you how many times something you have said has prodded me to action that improves my site.
In fact, the very first thing you ever said to me (”I’m confused”) made me add a link to a more bloggish style page for those who don’t like old style indexes (most of my readers do like it that way, so that’s my default).
I forget now what some of the other things were, but I know there have been several, so: Thanks so very much.
(But please stop: you make me work too much!)
ME Strauss said
Tony,
Thanks, I appreciate what you say. It makes writing worth it.
But I’m not about to forget that you’re the guy finding stuff and doing it. You’re a blogger with a bias toward action. Wow! How many times did I try to hire that?
I’ll do my best to try not to get confused quite so much. Though I do happen to have an exceptional talent for it. :)
» und warum kommentiert keiner? - Dr. Web Weblog said
[…] Ein tolles Posting und nichts passiert… Woran könnte das liegen? Liz Strauss kennt ein paar Gründe und teilt sie gern mit. Komplett frei übersetzt liest sich das so: […]
HAPHT » Blog Archive » links for 2006-08-11 said
[…] Successful Blog - 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments (tags: blogging) […]
Is Negativity Bad? at Internet Marketing Fool said
[…] Liz Strauss has some interesting thoughts about why blog readers don’t leave comments and offers 10 possible causes of in-interactivity. […]
Tips To Get More Blog Comments at Internet Marketing Fool said
[…] Look into addressing the reasons why readers might not be commenting on your posts. […]
Fool for Five :: How Can Newton’s First Law Apply to Blog Comments? said
[…] Liz Strauss has a very great entry on Comments: 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments. It’s hardly ironic that this post alone has already generated 59 comments, and I’m proud to have participated in the discussion. Liz also walks the walk, prominently avoiding reason #5: “You rarely respond to comments. So, there’s no point in writing one.” […]
Bright Meadow » Sunday Roast: suicide is a little extreme, even for a Villa supporter said
[…] I am not unaware of the pointing you towards an article about why people don’t comment and not commenting on the article myself… Liz has 10 reasons readers don’t leave comments (and I’d suggest taking the time to read the comment thread for the post as well). Now my main reasons for not commenting are 1) I am self-conscious about new groups and fitting in (I am working on it), and… pretty much everything on Liz’s list. What are your reasons, oh lurkers mine? […]
notgartner » Blog Archive » How does a geek blogger not write geekily? said
[…] Is geekily even a word? I was playing around with the new Tag Surfing feature in WordPress when I came across this blog post. It pointed to to Liz Strauss’ blog – “Successful (and Outstanding) Blog(gers)”, in particular this post on “10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments”. […]
Blog Kommentare - SEO Blog said
[…] Meiner Meinung nach ist es ein echtes Defizit das in fast allen Blogs von den Besuchern die Kommentarfunktion so selten genutzt wird. Woran kann das liegen? Sven Lennartz vom Dr. Web Weblog stellt sich die gleiche Frage: Ein tolles Posting und warum kommentiert keiner? In seinem Beitrag liefert er auch gleich ein paar Gründe für die wenigen Kommentare, welche er aus dem Artikel von Liz Strauss ín das deutsche übersetzt hat. […]
Und warum kommentiert keiner? | Endl.de | Zielpublikum Weblog said
[…] Liz Strauss (via Dr. Web und dort auch ins Deutsche übertragen) fast folgende 10 Gründe zusammen. […]
Colin Morris said
“Good job!”
Hah. No, seriously. You’ve captured and reflected my sentiments exactly.
ME Strauss said
Hi Colin!
That was a fun comment. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to leave word that you were here and got something from it. :)
Jen said
Interesting…
ME Strauss said
Hi Jen,
I’d love to hear you elaborate. :)
N. Mallory said
Hi, I wandered over from a link on Pesky Apostrophe. This is a great post!
I can add a thought as to why I’ve given up commenting at a couple of sites. Some sites tend to be clique-like and it’s too much like a rerun of high school to me. I most often feel like my comments are ignored. I do tend to keep going back and commented on sites where the poster interacts with the commenters.
That said, I sure wish I knew what to do to get more people to interact with me on my blog. Granted, probably the last week’s worth of posts aren’t a good example. ;)
ME Strauss said
Hi N, Mallory!
Welcome.
I know about the kind of sites in question. I’ve given up on those kind of sites too, and I get furious when then they don’t let me leave by the back button. Grrrr.
You’re more than welcome here. Your comments and your insights help out. They’ll always be valued and noticed. It’s the only way I have of know whether what I’m doing is useful.
Come back soon, you’re not a stranger anymore. You’re a friend now. :)
Liz
vaspers the grate said
N. Mallory, and anyone else who “wishes for more comments”:
(1) improve your blog post content, its relevance, sparkle, brevity, writing stylistics, credibility, and passion!
(2) Wake Up: you’re in a blog that gets huge response, averaging about 100 comments per post. Wake Up and watch what she does to attract such vibrant and lively commentary. Watch how she treats commenters. Watch what she posts about. Watch how she builds online community around shared interests. Smell the coffee or the coffin, it’s up to you.
(3) Get up off your butt and start posting rich, relevant, clever, sincere, funny, encouraging comments at other blogs. Guaranteed to generate comments at your blog. Called “reciprocal commenting” in my book.
(4) Reply to those who do post comments, respond quickly, to each commenter if possible.
(5) Sometimes directly invite your readers to post their opinion. Use the word “opinion” like in: “Now I shut up and listen to YOU. What say you? Post a comment about this topic and share your insights and opinions with us. Thanks.”
Rico said
Hey vaspers, this should’ve been a post! :(
Anyways if it was, I would’ve commented: “But I think #5 will only work when you have a huge audience.” :)
ME Strauss said
Hi Vaspers and Rico,
Great to see you guys. Wait until you see what I’ve been wasting my time on, simply to see whether I can do it. It’s one of those self challenge things I’ve gotten myself into. But hopefully other folks will find it fun. :)
vaspers the grate said
114 comments on this post, and ppl are “wishing I had more comments”. Well, then, you’ve come to the right place for rolemodeled advice.
Way to go Liz. Blonde blogger DO get more comments, tee hee.
ME Strauss said
Hi Vaspers,
It’s nice to know that you’re looking out for me. It’s fun to let people have a place to vent. They deserve one. Most folks are doing great and deserve the attention.
zeal said
Sometimes I just don’t think I’ll be back to check out what’s your response on my comment, so I’d rather leave nothing here :)
ME Strauss said
Hi Zeal,
That’s a fair reason not to comment, especially if you’ve got reason to believe that I won’t respond even if you do come back — which is true more often than not I would guess. At least it seems so to me.
Thanks, despite the number of comments, no one has pointed this out.
Liz
Rico said
With all due respect Zeal, you should look at the other comments; except for extremely rare occasions, Liz Strauss answers each comment directly. You should be grateful for the time and effort she puts into doing so.
ME Strauss said
Rico,
I’m not sure that Zeal was talking about this site in particular. He might have been using the generic “you.”
But thank you, for your gracious description of me. You’re my hero!
htmlor’s blog » Blog Archive » blog读者不愿发表评论的10种心态 said
[…] 在泽欧里的文章里看到这篇《10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments》，作者列举了10条blog读者不愿发表评论的原因。细细想来，确有道理，对自己很有启发。于是记录下来备忘。 […]
webduck said
I am new to blogging, so I feel like I am in the “just taking notes” phase. But when I do find a blog topic I like, I do comment because I genuinely like what has been said or the information was helpful to me. I am officially linked to your blog now, so I will be checking in often! Thanks for all the great advice.
ME Strauss said
Hello webduck,
Welcome to Succesful Blog and welcome to blogging. To paraphrase something they say about Texas,
I wasn’t born blogging, but I got here as fast as I could.
Since you’re a new blogger I hope you’ve found the New Blogger page,
http://www.successful-blog.com/new-blogger-page/
and I hope you’ll stop by Open Comments Night tonight (Tuesday after 7pm Chicago) to meet some of the folks who hang out around here. We’re a good group and we like to talk to each other and meet new people.
Do feel free to email me if I can point you to some information you might need. lizsun2 at gmail dot com.
shirazi said
When I wan to steal the idea or worst still the entire post, I will not comment fearing you will come to know about that.
ME Strauss said
Shirazi!
Hello, wonderful to see you!
How wise you are to point this one out. I know you are speaking from the experience of the person who has had her work taken. . . . Unfortunately, an idea is not something one can steal, but words are.
And you’re right about that. It would silly to comment, because that would draw attention to your misdeed.
Huub Koch said
I knew that research said that 97 % of weblogreaders just read and only 3 % responds, but it is good to see the reasons why those who don’t do this! Thanks and keep up the good work!
ME Strauss said
Hi Huub
Welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to be one of the 3%. It’s an honor to have your words here.
I appreciate them.
Liz
Successful Blog - Leaving Folks Room to Comment — Why I Said So and Why Most of the Time It’s Impossible to Do So said
[…] In August when I wrote the post, 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments, I was sure to include that — always leave room for people to comment. […]
TechZOnline.net » Blog Interview with Liz Strauss of successful-blog.com said
[…] Ever since I was kid, I’ve the kind of person who thinks too much. I read the SOB blogs a lot, but when I get there, I don’t often comment. I wrote that 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments mostly about myself. I have a really big, shy streak. I get to your blog and I see everyone talking and I think what I have to say isn’t really that important or that the comment I’m going to make is the usual uniquely Liz kind that in the middle of the others will look odd sitting there. Then I think, aw, this blogger might think I just stopped by to get some notice. I actually talk myself out of commenting quite a lot. […]
doxdo.net وبلاگ دودردو » چرا هیچکی نظر نمی ده؟! said
[…] چرا هیچکی نظر نمی ده؟! هان؟! … چرا؟ - اول بخون ببین بزرگترت چی نوشته: ۱۱ علت اینکه خوانندگان نظر نمی گذارند: ۱- چیزی که نوشتی انقدر کامله که من نمی دونم غیر از احسنت چی بگم. نوشتنشم مسخره اس، میخونم و سراغ مطالب بعدی میرم. ۲- چیزی به من یاد دادی که نمی دونستم، لازمه که قبل از اینکه حتی سوالی بپرسم درباره اش فکر کنم. عین شماره ۱ نمی خوام به خودم زحمت بدم و می رم سراغ بقیه مطالب. ۳- همین که خواستم نظرمو بنویسم فهمیدم که تو فقط جواب رفیقای جون جونیتو میدی. خوشم نمیاد که تو جمع بهم بی محلی بشه. ۴- اونایی که برات نظر میذارن از بحث کردن خوششون میاد و من نه! گمون نکنم که شهامت اثبات نظرمو به جمع داشته باشم. ۵- کم پیش میاد که به نظرات جواب بدی. پس دیگه نوشتنش چیه؟! ۶- سبک وبلاگت خیلی فنیه و منم اونقدر اهلش نیستم که پیگیر مطالبش باشم. ۷- واقعاً از وبلاگ و مطلبت خوشم میاد ولی اونقدر خسته، گرفتار یا هزار جور وضعیت دیگه دارم که به تو مربوط نمیشه. دفعه بعد که اومدم نظر میذارم. ۸- مطالبتو با سوالای خیلی کلی تموم می کنی: "نظرتون در مورد تئوری بیگ بنگ چیه؟" این سوال از اون سوالای خیلی کلیه. وقت جواب دادنشو ندارم. یه جوریه اگه بخوام با جوابی محدود نظر بدم. ۹- حصاری میکشی وقتی مجبورم می کنی که برای نظر دادن لاگین کنم. همین الآنشم کلی پسورد دارم و اونقدر نمیشناسمت که بخوام یکی هم برای تو درست کنم. ۱۰- مطلبت تازه و محرک نبود و چیزی از خودت توش پیدا نکردم. انگار که این مطلبو توی ۱۰ وبلاگ دیگه خونده ام. اگر نظر دادم خبرت می کنم. ۱۱- مطلبت منفی و مخرب بود. تخریب، وحشتناکه. خیلیها از مطالب منفی خوششون نمیاد چون میدونن که ممکنه نوبت خودشونم بشه. نظر نمی دم چون نمی خام قاطی بشم. - تو خودت قبل از اینکه وبلاگنویس بشی، وبلاگخون بودی و هستی. کم هم نظر می دادی. کدوماش به نظر ندادنت مربوط میشه؟ ۱، ۳، ۴، ۷، ۱۱ - حالا فکر می کنی که به کدوم دلیل برات نظر نمیذارن؟ ۱! […]
iopa said
is the stuff good, smbdy will leave a comment
ME Strauss said
Welcome iopa,
You’re so right. If the post is good quality many folks will come forward and say something. :)
唱针(Styli) » Blog Archive » Blog读者不愿发表评论的10种心态 said
[…] 原文链接:Successful Blog 信息来源:htmlor的blog […]
Successful Blog - 6 Reasons Readers Don’t Click Your Ads and What to Do about It said
[…] Related Don’t Hijack My Attention Customer Solve Your Own Problem 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments […]
Zhealy said
Pretty Interesting
The only reason for not posting any comment, in my case, is when my blog hoster or internet connection is down.
Regards,
shirazi said
No excuses; one must leave comment after reading. That is what keeps the bloggers going besides many other things.
ME Strauss said
Thank Shirazi!
Your comments are a lovely gift! It’s always nice to see you stop by here! :)
Tony Lawrence said
“No excuses; one must leave comment after reading” ??
Nonsense. If everyone left comments on every post they read, how much originality and usefulness would there be? Go read Slashdot as a bad example of that - without the moderation filtering, it would be even worse. There’s no value in that for anyone.
It’s good to leave appropriate and intelligent comments. Regurgitating something that has already been said (and worse: asking a question that is already answered!) is annoying.
Way back in comment #53, Naomi said that sometimes there are “already too many comments”. When that’s the case, unless you have something truly important to add, leave it be.
I’ve had to cut off open comments on some popular articles at my site: the steady stream of “me too” posts and repetitions of the same opinions were too much. After cutoff, I suggest that if anyone truly does have something original to say, they can drop me an email. If what they have to offer truly does add to the conversation, I’ll thread it in manually.
“Too much of a good thing” seems on the mark here.
ME Strauss said
Hi Tony!
You make a great point, and if you don’t, I’m going to make a post of it. :)
I’m certainly one of those who doesn’t take the time to read everyone’s comments and I can’t stand to write (let alone read) a “me too” comment for the sake of leaving my name behind.
It’s more likely that I think of what I want to say about three days after I’ve read the post. The conversation is long over and my comment is no longer relevant to anything.
Of course, as your probably remember from day 1, I’ve had that comment relevancy problem all along anyway. :)
So I keep my comments to a minimum and make sure that they’re worth something when I leave them. You do the same — I know that I perk up when I see a comment with your name attached, because there will be something worth reading inside.
This comment from you is a great example of that. Thanks for keeping the balance. You know I need it more than most understand that fact. :)
Shelly said
Usually, when I don’t comment, it’s because I’m either feeling lazy or with reading 350 or so blogs, plus another hundred newsfeeds, etc, I don’t have the time.
But I’m taking the time to comment here. Nice post. :)
ME Strauss said
Thanks, Shelly, both for your insight — I don’t think anyone actually pointed that reason — and for taking the time to leave with us.
You make us smarter. I appreciate that. We all do. :)
Thesis Writing said
A well-written comment moves the discussion forward. I find myself often saying to commenters on my blog that their comments are a great start on a new blog post, because the idea that they have put forth is well-thought and well presented in a compelling fashion.
This thread is a great example of where good commenting can take a discussion. You can’t keep me from commenting when the discussion is focused as this one is. But you can’t get me to comment when folks are just dropping a note and leaving.
Thanks, Darren, for the mention. We had a good discussion on why people don’t comment over there too. :)
ME Strauss said
HI TW,
That’s true good comments and great comments do that. And good blogger leaves room for that to happen too.
I agree about comments that are a start on blog posts. I’ve even pulled a comment out and made it a post, because it deserved to be one.
Thanks for your comment today. It did just what you say a great comment should do.
kdevereaux said
You all make a wonderful argument against leaving a comment, but it is so funny because everyone has a reason for not leaving a comment, however there are 25 comments on this blog…. Go Figure. I guess the author just has a way of phrasing the post so that readers will comment!
shirazi said
Why dont we all agree on one thing: Leave a comment and let the writer know what you think when you visit a blog, notwithstanding all valid reasons given here.
ME Strauss said
Hi K!
Welcome. You make valid points all of them. I think that we want to be heard as much as we don’t want to leave comments in the wrong circumstances. It’s a human response to a human problem — as contadictory as we all are. :)
ME Strauss said
Hi Shirazi,
Bloggers are fiercely independent people. We’ll never agree on something that we “should” do. :)
V-+a%S(p#E*rsT=`hE..]gra_Te[ said
I am indebted to this blog and its comment posters for enlightening me on Good Reasons NOT To Post a Comment.
I have focused so much on Why You SHOULD Post Comments, I kind of lost track of some good reasons not to.
And the best reason is: too many “me too” and butt kissing comments.
I hate flattery comments, where someone just agrees in a knee jerk reaction, without expressing an original or genuine opinion.
Lurkers I love and I often encourage bloggers to thank their shy, or inarticulate, or too busy lurkers, who often promote our ideas exo-blogistically.
But PLEASE DO NOT (yes I’m shouting!) think that your comment is “dumb” or not wanted. Us bloggers love all comments, and your so-called “dumb” comment or question or complaint might be an Extremely Valuable Revelation to all the smug smarty pants!
Keep posting them relevant and idiosyncratic comments, unless it’s just “I agree” or “me too” when the post already has 352 comments on it. ha ha ha
ME Strauss said
Steven,
Thank you for this comment. You make a great point that no comment, like no question, is dumb. I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard anyone come out and say that.
HART (1-800-HART) said
And speaking of “no comments are dumb comments” ….
Why would anybody call themselves..
V-+a%S(p#E*rsT=`hE..]gra_Te[
??
And .. How the heck did Liz figure it out that spells the name “Steve”
??
(yup - still subscribed to this thread)
V-+a%S(p#E*rsT=`hE..]gra_Te[ said
HART (all caps): thanks for your recent inquiry about my comment signature. I use those symbols in my name because
(1) nobody else does, so it makes it easy for me to find my comments in a long thread
(2) clicking on that symbol-laden link takes you to my blog and simultaneously triggers a config file that, when enough people click on it, will eventually erase all the root servers and directories, thus deleting the entire internet.
Vaspers = a night service, I do my best work late at night from 11 PM to 6 AM
Grate = abrasive, my writings rub some ppl the wrong way, and I’m like sandpaper at times, putting a nice smoothe finish on things.
ME Strauss said
Thanks Steven, for the explanation. I always wondered what was behind the name!
V-+a%S(p#E*rsT=`hE..]gra_Te[ said
You in particular will like this funny bloggery notion: I once speculated in some ancient Vaspers post what a blog would be like if it consisted of only one post, with hundreds of comments.
One post spawning infinite comments, and the entire conversation was based on that one single solitary post.
What could that post be? Any ideas? I guess this is a threadjack. Sorry. OT penalty.
Library Views 圖書館觀點 :: 10 個讓 Blog 可以獲得更多迴響的技巧 :: October :: 2006 said
[…] 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments […]
Dabbling Mum said
I love this. I get lots of readers who love to read and leave. I’ve added a monthly drawing to draw in more commenters, but as you’ve said so eloquently, sometimes there’s not much to say when the post says it all.
ME Strauss said
Hi Dabbling Mum,
A monthly drawing! Now there’s an idea no one one has mentioned. . . :)
Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - We Know A Lot About Blogging . . . said
[…] 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments […]
Ian said
I must admit, I tend not to comment if it’s just to say “great article.” Maybe we should though to inspire a little?
ME Strauss said
Hi Ian!
Welcome!
I’m with in that a “great article” comment is usually one I reserve for a rare occasion when I’m commenting a friend’s blog and he or she knows that I wrote that because I’m really impressed.
Comments on exact point in the article can lead a blogger to blog even better — yes! I know that thoughts I hear from the comment box often lead me to think, “Hey someone’s listening and DOES invest in what I write.”
carllys said
in my opinion, blog content is a king. If you give your readers a good info.. i belive we can get a positive comment.. rite?
ME Strauss said
Hi carllys!
Welcome!
You might think that, but it doesn’t prove so. Many folks read great content and have no to remark. I don’t blame them. Sometimes a great post says all that needs saying. (See my post it makes about leaving room for folks to have something to comment on. ) :)
sremington » Some Reasons Your Blog Ain’t So Hot said
[…] Learn from Liz about why you arent’ getting comments. Read her 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments. […]
5 Ways to Keep Your Blogging Buddies Happy at MInTheGap said
[…] There is community in ongoing comment dialogue. Not getting any comments? Check out: Ten Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments by Liz Strauss […]
kostenlos Versicherungsvergleich said
Thank you for the great article. Greetings from Germany.
ME Strauss said
Hi Kostenlos,
You’re welcome. Thank you for reading it! :)
Dating said
I’m pretty new to blogging too. I have to aggree with your point about passwords etc - If your reading in your lunch hour it’s just WAY to much trouble.
Interesting article. It’s certainly got lots of comments!
Dmitri said
I guess one of the best ways to attract visitors to comment is leaving an URL field… even though it is nofollow, it is like magnet to everyone… I’m sorry if there was such a comment, I just couldn’t ready all the 165 preceeding comments.
ME Strauss said
Hi Dimitri!
Welcome!
No one expects your to read all of the previous comments. Though when you have time you might give them a look — there’s lots of great ideas there for getting more comments and readers. :)
Chitika Blog Bash : 30 DAYS 30 EXPERTS : » Blog Archive » Staying connected: The secret to keeping those loyal readers –By Liz Strauss said
[…] After reading your blog, I noticed one of your posts from August 2006 where you talked about “10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments”. You have 167 comments on that post! Should bloggers worry if they receive comments or not? How […]
Zeira said
What I do to provoke readers to make comments is ask them questions - finish a post with a question asking for people’s opinion. It only works if people readign your post care enough about what you ask - but if it does hit the right spont in your readers’ minds it can cause explosive effect.
ME Strauss said
Welcome Zeira!
Questions are a great way. I agree, Zeira, especially if the questions are specific and sincerely asked. Readers love to help writers, and they love to be asked their opinion. It can be a marvelous way to engage them in what we are doing. :)
Life Learning Today - What Do YOU Want to Learn Today? » Make Money with Your Blog: The Ultimate Resource List said
[…] 10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments - by Liz Strauss. Same topic as above but from a different perspective. You will learn a lot from this and how to avoid this problem. […]
magpie’s shiny things»Blog Archive » TQR - Deep Secrets of Successful Blogging said
[…] the readers is where the value is added in blogging. You can dig deeper into her thoughts on how to encourage (and discourage) comments in her SOB blog. I just wish she’d bundle up her replies to her reader’s comments. […]
Amanda said
Its is true what you have said above people do not leave comments “7. I really like your blog and your post, but I’m too tired, busy, or any one of a number things that you can’t control. I’ll comment the next I come back to read.”
Nice post Liz Thanks
ME Strauss said
Hi Amanda!
Great to see you around here again. It always feels good to know someone is reading old favorites like this one.
Your reasons for not commenting are reasons I understand. They are some that are mine as well. I’ve taken to choosing several times a week when I will got out to read with purpose of leaving a specific number of comments before I move on to the next thing I do.
Amanda said
Thank you Liz you have a great blog with Brilliant articles with full of knowledge for every one to read
Thank You
Amanda
ME Strauss said
Amanda,
Thank you for reading. It wouldn’t be much fun to write if no one stopped by to make use of it. :)
Feed parcial ou feed completo? Completo! - Marketing de busca said
[…] Uma das razões apontadas para não publicar feeds completos são os comentários, supostamente em menor número com feed completo. O Bruno Amaral observou o contrário, no seu relações públicas: os comentários aumentaram desde que publica feed completo. Se o seu blog não atrai os comentários que deseja talvez seja melhor começar por procurar outros causas. […]
m said
“Compelling content causes comments.”
You’re right. In that spirit I add comment here.
Thanks!
[this is a time when I feel I’ve learned something I already knew but saw in a different light and typically do not comment on…]
ME Strauss said
Hi m,
Your comment sounds so much like something I’d say that I’m smiling bigger than usual. Welcome to the conversation. :)
robotii said
Thanks for reading my blog, like you said at the beginning. I’m having problems getting people to start leaving comments. I’ve tried a lot of the above, but it doesn’t seem to work.
ME Strauss said