I am a blogger that does not comment on comments. It's not because I don't want to carry on a conversation, it just seemed like this...what if the commenter then came back and commented on my comment to their comment? Then I'd need to comment on the new comment to my comment. And then if they came back and commented again, I'd need to comment...and on it goes, ad infinitum.
But that's not the only reason I don't comment on comments. When I post a comment on someone's blog I never return to see if the blog author responded to it. Even though it may be the most timely, perceptive, and entertaining piece ever created, I barely have time to visit a post once, let alone multiple times. So I savor the story, respond to it, and then I'm off to the next new post.
Recently, I read an article on how to increase "traffic" to a blog. Commenting on comments was one of the suggestions. In fact, the author made it sound as though if you didn't respond to comments you were basically a selfish pig that didn't deserve to live. Okay, well maybe he didn't put it quite like that. However, he did insist that responding to comments is proper blog-etiquette if you ever want readers to return.
So here's my question. When you receive comments on your blog, do you respond to them? When you leave a comment, do you return to it seeking a response?
Let's just call this an unofficial survey. I'm anxious to hear what you think. However, don't expect me to comment on your comment. I'll save that for my next post.
22 comments:
I am VERY MUCH glad that you brought this up. I am just like You... I do NOT comment on comments and I RARELY VERY REARELY EVER go back to someone's blog after I have read and commented on it. I don't have time either. So if someone thinks I am a selfish pig... all I can say is.... OINK. Not even an aPAWlagee. I just don't have the time. It is NOT that I don't care about THAT pawticular blogger.. it is that I care about all the others and WANT to get to THEM too.
When someone asks me somethingy.. I respond to THAT... by going to THEIR BLOG and giving them the courtesy in THAT Venue.
THANK YOU fur bringing this up.
I also am having a LOT of those Word Varification thingys again.. and THOSE I really must say that I HATE.. THEY take up WAY too much of my time. If I could have any Blogging WISH granted... it would be that EVERYBUDDY GET RID of the Double the TROUBLE Word Varification thingys. THOSE DRIVE ME Nearly to TEARS on a bizzy day!!!
Ditto what Frankie pawed!
We are up to the tip of my fluffy tail with our Google Reader bakhk log...we khan't get to most anymore...let alone go bakhk and chekhked up things
We had been on a khampaign to make the stupid word thingie go away but gave up...but there really is no need fur it given the decent spam filter on Blogger
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
sometimes we do respond some comments on our blogs, it's our way to minggle with our friends in blogville :)
Dog Shock Collar | Puppy & Human Bond
Frankie said it for us too. My Vickei and I try to keep up on everyones lives through their blogs but we don't get a chance to respond to all of them. There is so much going on out there and we want to see as much as we can.
So it doesn't mean we arent reading them, but we do try and comment often.
and keep up the work on getting rid of that silly word verification. WE hate it.....
I have tried to reply but apparently I'm a selfish pig who doesn't deserve to live! :) I just don't have the time to comment on blogs, comment on my blog comments and go back to see if someone responded to my comment!
I reply to comments on my posts. I don't mind, and I like having a bit of a chat..but I will end it if it goes on and on. As to other peoples pages.. I like to comment, and have a reply, but only if I ask a question, or I think I have come out with the wittiest comment ever.. lol.
It is nice to be acknowledged.
I don't follow that many, so I don't find it that hard to keep up. When I am busy and can't read blogs, I just let it go, it's not worth getting stressed over.
I don't comment on comments as much as I think I should because I do think it does help to increase blog traffic. If my blogging platform offered me an easy 'reply' feature to use like other platforms do then I'm sure I would spend more time replying as it would be quicker for me.
I respond to comments on my blog occasionally but don't return to other blogs unless they come back to my blog and ask me a specific question or something. Does that make any sense? No, probably not :)
Lynne x
I don't usually comment on a comment, because like you, I rarely go back to see if there's a reply to my comment. Instead, I would go to the blog who left the comment, and give them a reply there. I think it is so much easier for everyone. :)
I only reply to questions. I think it's more courteous to visit their blog and comment on their thoughts, rather than reply to comments about my thoughts.
Being polite, funny, and engaging are things I try to do when I post or comment, but there aren't enough hours in the day to comment on comments. I rarely do, because I read blogs once and don't go back to visit.
I usually don't go back to see if anyone wrote a comment in response to my comment. Usually I just read a post, comment and that's it. On rare occasion, if someone asks me a particular question in a comment (something like -- where did you get that, or what program did you use) I will usually respond to that doggie by writing a comment on their most recent blog post (then it's up to them if they want to publish the comment or delete it.)
Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't.
I used to do so all the time. But then, it doesn't make sense to leave the comment on your blog because the commentator won't probably be reading it again.
So what I started doing was when someone commented and I wanted to respond back, I would go to their blog and respond at the same time include my comment for their latest post ^^.
Huggies and Cheese,
Haopee
Hi Pat,
Don't know if this helps, but I usually reply when someone leaves a comment, especially if they have a question, but once I post a comment on someone else's blog I generally don't go back to read the response.
Donna
I post all my comments and I make time to reply but as to commenting on a comment NO ,there is only so much time we have spare and I'd rather the time be spent reading everybody's blogs. As for the author of that rubbish ....ignore.
Best wishes Molly
I agree that people rarely go back and look at a post so leaving a response to a comment is redundant. I do, however, respond to the comment if I feel that the response will help other people when they visit the site later, especially if it's an answer to a question that might clarify the original blog post. If the comment warrants an answer to that particular person then I go to their blog and respond there so they are sure to see it. I think you are with the majority on the way you're handling. Good question.
Ann
Good question! I sometimes comment on my comments, but it depends. I used to comment on all of them but that got to be tiring and seemed like it wasn't accomplishing anything. I do subscribe to comments on a post that I'm particularly interested in and will revisit when someone replies to me - but without the "subscribe to replies" option it's much less likely I'll make it back by.
Sometimes I comment and sometimes I don't, but I never have time to go back and comment on the comment or see if someone responded to my comment.
I never go back to see if someone commented on my comments, and I don't usually respond to comments on my blog even though I love reading them.
Wow, we never knew that we were breaching blog etiquette by not responding to comments. Oh well, we're just lucky if our secretary comments at all!!
Smooches,
BabyRD & Hootie
ps-No need to respond to this. bol.
I do not leave comments on comments, nor do I go back to see if someone responded to me.
If someone leave a comment that I want to respond to I go to their blog and leave my comment for them.
Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar & Pam too
Thank you for bringing this up. I do wish someone would print out a Rule Book so that I don't feel like a selfish pig who doesn't deserve to live when I don't answer comments! Because, although I think that those who do answer comments come across as gracious, I tell myself it's a blog and not a conversation. Still, being a waffler, I do sometimes answer comments, though I rarely if ever look back to see if anyone has answered mine.
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