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Stop The Comment Spam

So you just wrote a kick ass blog. And here's your first comment, posted by a stranger. Yay.

But look - what does it say.
Great post. See my blog.

And when you look at the linked blog, it's crap. Another splog - and your blog now provides a nice link to the splog. Gack.

Don't let this happen again.
  • In Settings - Comments:
    • Set "Who Can Comment?" to "Only Registered Users", or maybe even to "Only Members of This Blog".
    • Set "Show word verification for comments?" to "Yes".
    • Set "Enable comment moderation?" to "Yes".
    • Enter your email address for reading the comments.
  • Discard the email, when you get a comment notice that indicates comment spam.

Make the jerkwads work (answer the Captcha) to even send the spam. Then make sure they don't even get a reply back - just trash the email, and ignore the spam entry. Maybe they will even shoot themselves in anguish (we could only wish).

>> (Edit 2005/1/18): Google is working with other members of the web software community, in an active effort to make comment spam unprofitable.

Note: Having said that, remember to read each comment made, in the email notice. Your friends might make comments too. Don't let the threat of spam lead you to deleting something valid. Read, and approve, the good stuff. Just ignore the spam.

Another Note: If you enable comment moderation, you might want to ensure that comment notification is disabled, unless you like getting 2 emails for each comment made.

>> Top

Comments

Great post. See my blog.

(I didn't have to do that much, I just copy and paste that, but thanks for the helpful tips!)
Unknown said…
Thanks so much. This problem has been driving me nuts. I went thru all the steps and hope it solves the problem. The weirdos really drive me nuts. Again, thanks.
Charlie Leck
http://chasblogs.blogspot.com
AstroNerdBoy said…
While this is great for preventing spam posts, it does nothing to stop cyber stalkers/trolls. Ultimately, Google needs tools to prevent designated users from posting (and reporting Google ID's that post harrassment). They also need to provide a means of reporting a cyber stalker or the receiving of death threats. Seriously, its hard enough stopping a cyber stalker, but then Google makes it that much harder, and that frustrates me.
Nitecruzr said…
Hey ANB,

Cyberbullies aren't just a Blogger or Google problem, they are everywhere. While a spammer you can maybe persuade to go elsewhere, since a spammer is motivated by money and mass postings, a cyberbully will personally try every avenue possible to create havoc.

And I'm not convinced that requiring Google to police the problem will accomplish anything long term. A cyberbully, like a spammer, can create multiple personalities within minutes, while it takes Google days to identify and erase just one.

Have you seen my post about anonymous forum postings? I'll bet cyberbullies can use similar tactics. The ultimate defense may rest with you.
Mark N said…
Cheers, that was helpful. I was getting sick of dodgy site spam.

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