Leaving a comment on a blog is an excellent way to say what you think about the content of the blog you have chosen to read. Commenting is becoming part of the conversation. People comment, or write a blog post about the topic themselves, because something they read interested, motivated, angered, intrigued or just plain made them happy. So why does there seem to be fewer and fewer comments on blogs these days?
Blogs with huge readerships, the “A-Listers “ have no problem getting comments. People comment there to be seen engaging in the conversation, challenging the ideas contained in the post and promoting their own sites. We don’t question that A- List bloggers input great value and knowledge into the blogosphere. I’ve gone to many other blogs that also provide great information and insight but have small readerships and very few comments. I wonder why?
There’s been some conversation lately around the issue of the value of comments. There seems to be a trend towards less commenting and more posting of links, for example, on Twitter. This isn’t new. I’ve seen the topic come and go. I keep wondering about this the longer I blog and the more I read.
I read a lot of blogs and comment on few. I’ve been thinking about that lately. At times I believe I don’t have anything of value to add to the conversation or I’m intimated by the other comments. Sometimes I have too many to read and not enough time so I just tweet the link. I know that when I receive comments on a post I wrote I feel like they add value and I truly appreciate hearing what others have to say. I enjoy and learn from the conversation.
What is the value of a comment to you?
from Kathryn Jennex @northernchick
photo credit: Linda Cronin
Hi Kathryn
The comment box to me is a kind of daily ‘good morning’ or hello or any kind of other greeting. I love commenting on other blogs, only like you when I feel it adds value – not just name dropping, my name – and I always hope the writer of the blog has time to reply to my comment = conversation, no matter how short it is.
We’re all human beings and thrive on communication and interaction. The comment box is ‘just’ another tool to feel human. Be it for the writer or the ‘visitor’.
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
One value of comments is the validity they give to what I’ve shared of myself in writing a post. I publish with a sense of being vulnerable, until I connect with another. (Right or wrong, there it is.)
Another value is what is shared back, from the reader through the comment. I always appreciate their willingness to be vulnerable back. And I learn from them… they inspire me, often serve as muse to another thought.
After all, the audience sits in the dark spaces of the Internet, much as they do in a convention hall, and the blogger has the mic and the spotlight on him/her. No eye-to-eye.
Blog comments are the eye-contact you get when the lights are up and you get to see the reactions. Are they getting up and walking out? Or are they being prompted to think and respond?
I often read without leaving comments simply because of time. No excuses. I love the interactions, and am therefore for bits of time to write. For instance, my last comment on your site was written into my Blackberry just before lights out. (Takes too long though…)
Karin – On this we do agree! Have a great day!
Barb – I completely understand “a sense of being vunerable” it is putting yourself out there isn’t it? That’s what everyone is looking for I think, a sense of validation. Thanks you :).
For me, the comments are a way to extend the dialog.
The sharing of a link via tweet, may bring more readers, but 80% of the time I am more interested in a conversation with readers or the blogger than just spreading news. Part of that is my personality and part of that is related to my blog topics.
The thing I love best about my blog is the comments I get. I love to hear others’ take on things, and I especially love it when they tell me I am full of it, because that’s how I learn.
What I don’t love is people who just comment “Great post!” or “I agree!”. It adds no value. I want to know WHY someone agrees, or disagrees. I want THEIR perspective.
I don’t comment much on A-list blogs anymore, because I feel as if my comment just gets lost in the flood of “click my junk” (as @AmberCadabra would say) and butt-kissing. I prefer to connect with others about the ideas contained in those blogs over Twitter, or coffee.
I have a blogger friend who jokes, “if no one comments on my post it means I’m 100% right.” Jest for sure, but it’s true that the more contentious issue you blog about – or the more divided the sentiment – the more comments you’re likely to get. There are many forms of great blog posts out there, but it seems the most commented/most retweeted are those that either explain their argument incredibly well, or comment on one side of a contentious issue. At least, those are the ones I find myself most drawn too.
Interesting discussion Kathryn!
I wish I got more comments on my blog. I would like very much to engage in the “conversation.” But on the other hand, I get frustrated by the heavily commented A-List blogs. Wading through the many sycophantic at-a-boy/gal comments in order to find one that actually adds to the conversation often takes more time than I have.
I think that the number of comments can depend on what the blog is about. “Mommy Blogs” seem to have a lot of community and comments, while some blogs that impart info seem to have fewer comments even if they have large readerships.
In our case, some people who are interested in our topic (alpacas) are clueless about blogging. They will click thru to my farm website and leave me a comment on the “contact us” form. So there’s a bit of a blog visitor learning curve for some blogs.
I love comments and try to leave comments to show I appreciate a blog. (like this one 🙂
I suppose that while I consider myself generous in the retweeting stakes, I am frequently neglectful when it comes to actually leaving comments. Well done for reminding me how important it is to share the wealth!
Its funny how comments play in their own paradox of the blogging world. If we think about it, they are simply a response to a conversation we are having. Yet, there is so much more. I’m not exactly sure what that “more” is, but I have come to realize how important comments and commenting on blogs have been in my development as a blogger.
I don’t comment on every blog I read, and for me I’ve discovered that I am commenting on only a few selected blogs. I do this because I feel a kinship or bond to the author or content they post. It isn’t necessary to leave comments on everything I read.
Doing this has built some strong bonds and has helped me with my own blogging. I try to ask a question within my comments to keep the thought process moving forward.
I wonder, do you think some people will comment just for the sake of getting their name out to the A-listers? Are they really reading or just waiting to shout in their comments?
have started very recently to add comments on blogs (this is only my 3rd time!)and I guess it is something I still need to work on… For a long time, I didn’t even read comments on blogs (information overload anyone?) but have learned the value of this type of communication thanks to Twitter (perhaps it now seems less intimidating?)
Bean – no kidding – actually engaging someone feels great because then you both mat walk away and have learned something. I read and share to learn from and with people.
Susan – good point – include why you think it’s a great post. Reminds me of writing courses where you learn to write a complete thought/complete sentence. This world, in the blogosphere, moves so fast. Funny we’re restricted to the 140 on Twitter but in a comment there are NO restrictions. We should take advantage of that MORE often 😉
Dave – I know what you mean, I feel the same and pointedly seek out certain blogs for the same reasons. I like that. It’s a continuum of learning & sharing. I think I can say from some experience that certain people comment on the A-Listers as a way of marketing their brands and/or themselves. I can only hope they’re reading .
Alpaca Farmgirl – Thanks ! I appreciate that you do 😉 It is true, depends on the type of blog and you’re reason for visiting there.
I was planning on commenting here, then reread the post and realized that coming up with something valuable and succint in answer was going to take more time and energy than I wanted to put in right now and almost closed the window.
Then I realized that that thought was also relevant so decided to add it in. This probably happens at least one in three times that I move from my feedburner to the physical page with the original intention of commenting.
Ok you got me going. I am going to comment. I agree. I think that it is little time we think we have. I see alot of links on twitter and save them for later to read because I am on the blackberry, but then I forget to go back to them.
Maybe alot of people don’t know enough SEO to attract the attention. I am just learning now and am mainly focused on being comfortable with my voice and hopefully someone will get something positive from what I wrote. Just like I did with your article here.:-)
Scott – thanks! so does that man you only comment on contentious issues??
James – I hear ya. I often don’t wade through, honestly. I find it intimidating. That’s why I like commenting on other blogs where the info is often just as good and the conversation more welcoming. Maybe try inviting people to comment on Twitter?
Cathie – we all need reminders from time to time 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Guylaine! Welcome & thank you! I was the same. It’s putting your opinion out there & that’s sometimes scary. I completely understand the info overload. At some point, you figure out where conversations are happening you can engage in and benefit from. Takes time. I find the things worth figuring out usually do – don’t you ? 😉
I wouldn’t still be blogging without the comments. The comments mean the WORLD to this blogger. I am constantly trying to figure out what type of post elicits the most comments on my blog. I don’t understand reading and not commenting, but that’s just me. I wear out my welcome with commenting!
I do understand the time crunch. That is the biggest challenge I have right now. But I try my best to leave a comment when I read a post because I know how much they mean to me.
I agree with all of you–I like to comment only when it adds value to the conversation, and as a blogger, I love getting comments because then I do feel validated that something I had to say was a worthwhile conversation starter.
Sometimes my comments come from all over though, and that’s weird to get used to. If I have a blog post that I tweet or post on Facebook, a lot of times people will comment back there, so I have to learn that the number of comments on my blog doesn’t always equal the amount of feedback I get.
Links that get tweeted or retweeted, I usually think the person just thinks said link is cool/interesting and just doesn’t want to leave a comment on the post that doesn’t add to the conversation.
It’s interesting to see how blogging and conversing on the internet is evolving, isn’t it?
Nice post, Kathryn! Thanks!
I am guilty of reading a lot but commenting little and much for the same reasons Kathryn talks about.
I realize, though, the importance of comments by receiving two great comments on my own blog this week. They made my day and really motivated and energized me.
I don’t comment enough but will try harder to let someone know I appreciate their work.
I really enjoy comments and seem to get them fairly infrequently. When they arrive I’m excited and generally always reply to them – assuming they are an invitation to some conversation about the content of my blog.
I often comment on other people’s blogs but like the earlier comments here I try only to do it if I can genuinely add something to the conversation or if I just have to tell the author of the blog how much their post meant to me – as I know I enjoy such validation.
Musings – wow – so if no bothered to comment you’d just give it up!? There’s a testimonial to the power of commenting if I ever heard one! Thanks 🙂
Steve – I find comments motivating as well! Thanks! Good to know people are actually thinking about what you’re writing!
Dan – A comment is also like acknowledgment sometimes, validation as you point out, and we’re all looking for that. I need to try harder to comment MORE. Thanks!
Yeah, honestly, I don’t think I’d keep writing for my blog if there was no conversation in the comments — but then that’s the nature of my blog. It’s more of a community than anything. Of course, that evolved. When I started blogging, I had no idea anyone would ever comment, lol!! But if they suddenly stopped, I’d lose interest for sure.
Well, as a reader and not a blogger (yet!) it really does add to the value of the post…adds new info and links, perhaps, and continues the conversation.
Actually I lied a bit, I do blog for a very odd niche site and when we do get comments it really shows that we are not only connecting with other in this niche, but realizing that here’s one more “die-hard” fan of the niche and hopefully the site. Makes it worth it to keep going, not just for my own sake, but because it’s of value to others 🙂
Jill – You’re welcome I think that too about the RT ing, or it boils down to the time factor. It’s wild to think how many people have potential access to what you’ve written. It’s all fascinating really!
Blanca – thanks for taking the time, I really do appreciate and understand I do the same thing. I’ll get back to that. It’s like the card you buy for someone’s birthday and then it passes and then it’s too late. We all do that I think 🙂
Beth – see, I think most of the time our initial reaction would be to provide a relevant comment. I do. Then we think about it….. and don’t. Thanks for writing that – it’s relevant and greatly appreciated!
Ian – an honest liar – love it 😉 I agree and seeing comments makes me think it’s interesting as well!
Thanks for the reminder!
No, not only on contentious issues. I like discussion and discussion certainly doesn’t always need to be about differences of opinion (though that can be fun :). I’m just saying that’s where a lot of discussion tends to stem from.
I have a variety of blogs and it depends on the blog as to number of comments.
Outside of the obnoxious spammers or one time visitors who really are not contributing to the conversation I really enjoy blog commenters and believe it shows involvement and “ownership” of the blog by the readers.
On one of my blogs, the readers are not that Internet savvy (as attested to by surveys of my subscribers) so when I do get comments I am always excited to enter in the dialog AND it is also a great way to get another idea for a useful post.
As for me and my comments…I tend to be conservative.
Most of my reading is done from a reader and I only click through to comment on a few blogs a day–if that.
The topic usually has to be something I am passionate about or something that the blogger is asking for feedback on.
Over time my blog comments have gone done in quantity but I will also write more these days when I do comment since I am so selective.
Well said! I often will hesitate to add comments because I see other people writing what I would have, and I don’t want to be redundant – after all, who wants to read a series of identical comments? How is that conversation? I do have to admit that I tweeted this. Best way to share with my network, after all. 🙂
I don’t comment on every blog I read because, well, who has the time? But I try to comment on all of them at least SOME of the time–even if it’s just one comment every couple of months. I don’t want people to forget about me, after all!
Diana – I hadn’t thought of that “ownership” of the blogs by it’s readers – interesting. Thanks for giving me something new to think about!
Amy – I tweet links too! Sharing is a good thing!
Deb – It can be time consuming or just something that we can make into a habit. I understand what you mean though!
Yes, I agree that ‘comments’ for a blog is like ‘translocating ideas’. We can a lot from the commentors, whether it is good or bad (criticizing), always there is some room for lessons. Your article also talks about posting comments for blog in detail. Thanks!!
Kathryn, as you said there is no other joy which equals the recognition we get through the comments for our blog.Either positive or negative we can find how we think comparitively with the world.
A blog without comments is like talking to yourself. Everyone likes to feel listened to.
I totally agree with you. Comments on my blogs have dropped in the last few years. I do wonder whether it’s because whether my posts are not interesting or controversial enough. However, I did notice that I usually do get comments from other bloggers when I leave comments on their blogs.
I always try to add to the conversation with a comment. At one blog I visit, I’m almost always the only commentor, but it’s a great blog. I don’t really understand that.
One other idea about comments is it’s a great way to meet other bloggers and get to know them. Blogging is about growing a community and how can that be done without comments?
I really enjoy reading the comments on blog posts, my own and others. On many blogs, if you don’t read the comments, you’re missing out.
One thing I need to work on is I tend to comment a lot on blogs where I feel part of the community and tend to be more shy about commenting on blogs where I feel like a stranger.
What Barb Hartsook said really rang true for me:
“One value of comments is the validity they give to what I’ve shared of myself in writing a post. I publish with a sense of being vulnerable, until I connect with another. (Right or wrong, there it is.)”
So many times I’ve been surprised when an acquaintance says something about my blog because I figured they didn’t read it because they never commented. It’s no coincidence, I think that the majority of my regular commenter have blogs, too. I think it’s partly because they know how important comments are and partly because the same thing that leads people to blog probably also leads them to comment.
Steve – you’re welcome! translocating – great word, and yes, we can – never really thought of it that way, thank YOU 🙂
John – thanks for stopping by and offering me some recognition 😉 I appreciate that.
Sliloh – no kidding. thanks! 🙂
Adam – Is that a hint?? haha That is a way I’ve read to increase comments though 🙂
Lisa – That’s one of the things I love about comments, the conversation. It’s great meeting other bloggers too – good to met you!
Tracey – I’m shy when it comes to commenting on blogs I don’t usually visit too – I have to work on that as well. Thanks 🙂
Guilty of Tweeting link, but I do read it before I tweet it~however I don’t always comment. This too is sometimes because I do not feel I have enough knowledge on the subject or simple have nothing to say. Maybe, I should just say hello, to let the writer know I have read them. Might start doing that because you all should be recognized for your work and time spent! There how’s that?
I forgot to mention, for those of us who are parents, sometimes we’re rocking a baby to sleep in one arm or something similar and it’s much easier to use “twit that” or thumbs up than to try and type a comment – especially if typing will wake up the baby!
Engaging visitors is helpful for conversion – comments are a great way to do that. Some blogs have suggested using a rich text comment box so users can better express themselves, without the need for html expertise.