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Do you answer every comment on your blog?

Posted by agnespages • 4/27/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: comment

Why or why not?

User Comments

4/27/09

Epicharis

Nope...I'm not a fan of small talk. If I have something to say in response, I'll say it but if there's nothing to add but "Gee, thanks for the comment" I'm not going to bother...I assume it's understood that I'm grateful or else why would I have comments enabled?

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1. 4/27/09
  
  agnespages
  
  same here
2. 4/27/09
  
  codesucker
  
  I agree with this much less taken stance.
  
  Alot of bloggers will answer every comment, theres nothing wrong with that but I don't want people to start EXPECTing me to answer.. so I take it a step further and actually don't respond to any comment
  
  If someone makes a good comment I will visit their blog and try to read some of their posts and possibly comment. If someone makes a really amazing *UBER- COMMENT* I move it up into the post, with a linkback and everything.
  
  If someone asks a specific question that I feel like answering, I move it up into the post so everyone can see my response.
3. 4/28/09
  
  PetLvr
  
  I'm the same way - when I comment, I don't always need a response back to me and just want to either (1) vent (2) add my two cents or (3) let the reader know I was there.
  
  It's nice to be acknowledged, but you don't have to answer every comment with another comment. ESPECIALLY to try to prolong the comment and discussion by responding, and asking a question again. I personally find that annoying.
  
  Sometimes .. even a "Thanks for the response" is adequate, if you are intent on being the last person to talk in a conversation.
4. 4/28/09
  
  codesucker
  
  "Thanks for the response" is adequate, if you are intent on being the last person to talk in a conversation.
  
  LoL
4/27/09

Sam1982

Yes - if someone has taken the time to read my blog and post a comment then I find that it's rude not to thank them at least.

I dont get that many comments though

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4/27/09

countsneaky

The Count thinks that common courtesy and self-respect requires one to reply to any comment and let that person know his opinion is of value. Sometimes it is not possible to find an address to get back to people, otherwise always respond if at all possible. We are all in this together and need each other.
Count Sneaky

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4/27/09

Sebastyne

I try. Sometimes I get a comment that I just can't find anything to say to, or if it's just "thanks" then I wait until someone else comments and I can add the thanks to everyone I can't think of anything to say in a group ("thanks everyone for your comments") or something.

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4/27/09

shankha72113

Yes. I always do. If not at the moment I read the comment, I reply that at a suitable time of mine. This builds up a good relationship to the viewers when they come back again for the next visit. This also shows honor to the visitor comments.

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4/27/09

fluke76

Only if the comments require a reply.

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4/27/09

thecollegewarrior

i try to

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4/27/09

cookingasshole

I try to respond to everyone but only in a disparaging manner

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4/27/09

bettieblogger

I reply to my comments .. may take me a day or two but dammit .. I'll reply

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1. 4/28/09
  
  agnespages
  
  do your readers come back to read your answer?
2. 6/01/09
  
  bettieblogger
  
  @agnes .. it seems that some of them do.. in fact on several posts we have some on going convo's lol .. my readers are awesome though, they check in very regularly
3. 6/28/09
  
  agnespages
  
  Awesome! :-)
4/28/09

xnapoleonx

Usually I do but I guess that's mainly because I don't get that much comments

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4/28/09

writings

excluding spam messages i think it shows my manners to take some times out of my schedule and return the courtsey.
there are only one exception.. if the pix of the blog are tooooooo u know what. i have had some such experiences, in those cases i had to put a stone on my heart and leave the answer in my blog itself telling the writer the reason.

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4/28/09

saiffarooqi

yes, i reply to all my comments. i feel that if a person has a made an effort to comment on my blog, i should definitely reply back. even if i have to say just "thanks", i make sure that i reply to each and every comment that i get.

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4/28/09

Rivy

I was taught to respect rules and manners, and normally do, but it seems there is no proper etiquette here - the net, blogging. It is still a chaotic world; as if we were world travelers all merging at an international airport, where a gesture seen as friendly one place is taken as a slight or even an insult at another. Confusion. I guess we do here what we do in our non-virtual word, find ourselves seeking out the cluster with whom we feel more comfortable. I am still wandering from one uncertain moment to another. Feeling my way. Thanks for the topic and responses here.

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4/28/09

timethief

I try and usually I succeed when it comes to answering each and every comment I receive. I may be later than I'd like to be but I do take the time to answer those who took the time to comment and I also visit their blogs too. Occasionally I usually I miss doing so if I'm sick or extremely busy at work and in those cases most of my readers will be aware of why I'm not replying.

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4/28/09

qelqoth

With exception to moderating them, I don't really spend much time with the comments. Probably because I'm used to getting the occasional "loved this post" comment and replying to that kind of uninspired drivel really isn't worth my time. As far as I'm concerned, I just write the content; it's up to the visitors to choose whether or not to react.

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5/01/09

bradaus

most my comments are spam hate it

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5/01/09

blackthoughtsjb

Yes, I do my best to answer everyone.

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5/01/09

Kasumi

I reply to comments when it seems right to do so...

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5/01/09

dekadaye

i answer/respond if i feel it's relevant, to clarify, or to agree or disagree
responding to every single one would be too much

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5/01/09

Sixthessence

I do. Unless I'm deadly busy or missing the comments, I like to let people know I appreciated their comment.

Anyway, I am not getting hundred of comments so it's easy to reply everyone :).. plus when I need feedback I clearly ask to be directly contacted via email or so

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5/01/09

cookingasshole

I had to respond to this stupid jerk

cookingforassholes.blogspot.com/2009/04/grilled-ass-stuffed-trout.html

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5/01/09

wehireu

Sometimes I delete comments. It is my blog. Most of the time I answer.

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1. 6/01/09
  
  agnespages
  
  are you talking about spam?
5/01/09

Andrebeccawrites

I've been blogging for quite some time and I've tried every imaginable route to handle and acknowledge comments.. At this point in time, I do not answer all the comments I get. For me, it ended up being too much work and maintenance trying to make sure everyone knew the appreciation I felt with individual responses and emails. Send one thank you email, they respond back, and 'round you go.Do that for 15-25 comments a day and it never feels like you can get ahead.

But I do appreciate the comments I get, very much so! I've found the best way to say thank you to the people that take the time to read my blog and comment, is to go right over to their blog and show them the same courtesy.

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5/01/09

brighteyesk9

I try to but I don't always.

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5/02/09

longtimer

I would if anyone actually commented. It is certainly not evoking reaction at this point.

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5/02/09

Keniacris

I don't answer everything because sometimes people comment once and never return. But I go to their blogs and leave comments there, and I feel fine visiting people this way. If I really like the blog I end up following it.

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5/02/09

Men101

No I don't unless it is a comment that invites a response. I don't think the commenter returns to see if a response was received unless the comments falls into that category.

I do however visit and comment on the blogs of those persons who comment on mine.

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5/02/09

Ysabetwordsmith

I answer most commments. This encourages reader participation, it's interesting, and it contributes to the content of the blog. I've had some very enthusiastic discussions on The Wordsmith's Forge, less activity on Gaiatribe and Hypatia's Hoard of Reviews.

If a comment is trivial, vulgar, or very similar to another I'm answering -- or if I just run out of time -- I may not answer it.

Recently I started posting the best comments of the month; I nabbed that idea from Small Footprints.

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5/02/09

radioflyer1980

I manage my comments, so they fall into one of three general categories.

1) They are "generic" comments like "LOL" or something. I don't respond to those.
2) They are unique comments; that ask questions or provide some detail. I tend to answer those if I have time.
3) They want to sell Cialis or Viagra. Those get deleted.

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1. 5/06/09
  
  agnespages
  
  LOL about #3
6/01/09

MissSuzie

I reply to every one of my comments. Sometimes, the flow of the comments can be more interesting than the post itself.

[reply]
1. 6/01/09
  
  agnespages
  
  I love when that happens.
2. 6/01/09
  
  MissSuzie
  
  As do I.
3. 6/01/09
  
  agnespages
  
  :-D
6/01/09

RudrakshRudranjali

yes i do comment back to all.. barring..very few...

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6/01/09

FunologieDotCom

I have my comment function disabled for now.

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1. 6/01/09
  
  agnespages
  
  How come?
2. 6/01/09
  
  FunologieDotCom
  
  I disabled the comments since I started my blog, first reason is to avoid spammers. I would consider re-open it later on.
6/01/09

DGuestlist

I have one post that has gone a bit overboard but I generally try to answer everyone

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6/01/09

KPinski77

I try to reply to most of them... I really don't get that many, so it's not a big deal.

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6/01/09

davedol

Comments can be a very important part of a blog. A comment gives me the chance to offer additional thoughts about a topic. Often a commenter will offer really wonderful ideas. It is an honor to get thoughtful comments. And the best way to encourage people to participate is to make comments an important part of your blog.

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1. 6/01/09
  
  agnespages
  
  true.
6/01/09

wagerwitch

I answer every comment - and I even try to answer every thread and post in here.... LOL!

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6/01/09

lnclark1950

I try to answer the comments but honestly I do not always do so. An area for me to improve on.

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6/01/09

F4wrdthnkndad

I try to acknowledge all comments.

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6/01/09

trailofpen

Yes, but that's not saying much as I don't get many comments anyways.

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6/03/09

akoehn

I always do. I feel indebted because I don't leave comments on most people's blog unless I find it resonates with me. I assume the same is for others...especially when it's more than a, "Great post!" Even then I do...

You just never know who you're going to meet

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6/03/09

BetsyIckes

I try to.

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6/03/09

smallkine

I wish I even had comments to reply back to

As Joe Dirt would say, "you gotta keep on keepin' on, right kickin' wing?"...

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6/26/09

allofarts

Only beauty!

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6/26/09

IntoTheAzureSea

I don't want to reply to comments because I want my readers to voice out what they feel. If they really want an exchange of opinions, they can email me.

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6/26/09

scotthampton

I don't have very many comments, as I'm pretty much new to my blog.

I do answer every comment because it's the respectable thing to do. In one instance, it's a mutual effort among bloggers trying to build up credibility for each other. In another instance, it's being grateful that someone took the time to comment on something of value on my blog (reciprocity). I see it as a discussion or communication: someone speaks to me, I speak to them in return.

If my blog ever evolves to the point where it gets tons of comments, I will revisit my position, most likely from the position of not answering the "like so-and-so,said, yeah I agree" type posts. There's no real value in posts like that. That kind of post would garner a general "thanks to all" sum up post at the end, once the discussion has died down.

Feel free to comment, subscribe, and check out my blog. If you leave a comment, you'll see that I answer. www.theactivedaddy.com
Scott

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6/26/09

TigerXtrm

I try to answer every comment if only to show a certain level of involvement with my readers.

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6/26/09

celticmusicfan

comments are important. it shows that you are not writing in vain. one or two comments would make me happy. so yes i try to answer to the comments posted.

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6/28/09

allofarts

only woman!

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6/28/09

KFrangeskos

Hi,
Yes, I do try and thank each person who stops by my
blog site and leaves a comment.
I like to respond and be inspired by everyone's interesting input...

Sincerely,
K.Frangeskos
JESUS KNOWS YOU BEST

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