How many times have your read a great blog post and have wanted to add a comment, only to get to the bottom of the page and find that you have to login?
I don’t login. Which means, I don’t leave a comment. Which means, no conversation and little chance at building a relationship with that blogger.
I think this is a bad idea. So do others. Forcing people to login to your blog just so they can leave a comment is ridiculous.
Think about it for a moment… If you write a blog post, you want people to read it, right? Otherwise, why write it? And if you offer comments at all, you’re probably interested in getting some sort of feedback, right? Otherwise you’d be like Seth Godin and not do comments at all.
So why would you make it difficult for me to leave a comment on your blog? Why would you force me to register and login? All that does is setup a number of barriers between you and I; your post and my commentary. Your making me take extra time just so I can share my thoughts on something you wrote on your site. Where’s the benefit for me?
If you have a business blog, think about the message you’re sending. If you’re making it difficult for me to interact with you on your blog, how else might you make our interaction difficult? How important will I really be to you as a client if I’m not that important as a blog commenter?
As you can tell, I think it’s poor judgment to make commenters register and login. There’s really no benefit for the commenter. It’s bad enough they have to fill-in a form each time they leave a comment on my blog. But at least they have the freedom to include what they like.
I’ve ranted on about this, what do you think? Do you comment on sites that force you to register? Do you force your commenters to register? I’d love to know why. Maybe there’s a reason beyond what I’m looking at. Or maybe it’s just a bad idea. Let’s talk about it…
I won’t comment on blogs that ask you to register. I do find it to be a put-off.
There is one blog I really want to comment on – he’s a friend of mine, and I won’t even register to that one! I might talk to him about it. I think he does it because he wants to avoid distasteful comments.
I even find “partial” registration annoying. I know Blogger is notorious, but it really winds me up that clicking on a commenter’s name takes you to their profile first. Typepad has the same potential problem.
Yup, I am not going to register just so I can comment.
I have done it from time to time, but only if I feel like I owe the blogger a favor. From now on, though. I’m quitting.
I think for those bloggers it comes down to a need for control. They don’t understand that this is a conversation. You don’t try to control what people say at your dinner parties. And you should try to control them on the blog.
If you must, just hold new commenters for approval. That helps draw my attention to new people in the community anyway.
I agree with you completely Dawud!
I’ve often wondered what they were thinking! I love comments on my blog and I want to make it easy, easy, easy for people!!
I never leave a comment if I have to log in and often I don’t even go back to the blog. It seems that blogs like that are unfriendly and who wants to visit that?
I’m with you, Dawud. If I have to login I just leave the site without commenting. I want it to be easy and inviting to comment, not s series of hoops.
I just wrote from AOL to say I agree but your spam filter wouldn’t let it go through. It’s happened before, so I should know by now I should go through Firefox.:)
Given the topic, it is funny.
Making people register before they can leave a comment is not a sign that the blog wants to have a community, at least in my opinion.
Dawud,
Thanks. I’ll still try to remember to comment through Firefox, though. It warms my heart to feel connected, especially to this site.
Rory,
I hear you. I don’t like it either. I’m also not fond of having to fill in my info in the comment box in WordPress. But I’ll do that because my browser can remember the form fill.
I don’t register with comments really out of principle. I just don’t want to be forced to become a member of something.
And tell you friend that I’ve got thousands of comments – Liz has tens of thousands of comments – and neither of us get more than a tiny sprinkling of distasteful comments, if you filter spam.
Tammy,
Yeah. I not only leave the site, I usually won’t return unless the post is a knock out. And I rarely link to blogs that require registration. Since I’m all about the conversation, how could I? Are there any blogs that you would register for?
Andrew,
It doesn’t make any sense, does it?
Mark,
Yeah, I hear you. I has to be about control or some fear, I think. Not that they’re necessarily afraid of comments. But perhaps they’re concerned that they can’t keep up with them. Or maybe they think that registration will curtail spam. Or like Rory said above, opening comments will lead to distasteful ones.
If control is the issue, I suggest lighten up. Or don’t offer comments at all.
Nice post Dawud! 😉
I think you’re right on the money here, like most people, if I have to register to comment chances are I won’t, and most likely not subscribe to the feed (why read something I can’t comment on?), some people think requiring registration to comment will take care of comment spam, but thing is, you won’t get comments at all… might as well not blog if you’re to make it hard for people to leave comments and discuss your posts. imo
😉
Although I agree, I do think it depends on the audience and the niche. Mugglenet.com is a Harry Potter fan site that is technically a blog, but I would venture to guess that less than 5% of their readers are bloggers. They require a login and each post gets between 200 and 2000 comments – it’s really amazing to see.
Now, the quality of comments on their site is another thing – mostly one-liners. But again, most of their readers don’t have blogs or websites, so I doubt they have a lot of spam.
Just goes to show again that what works in one niche won’t work in another one!
I agree completely. I find it rather annoying to have to go through a whole registration just to leave a comment. Leaving your name or email really should be sufficient.
Jon,
Exactly. And if you’re not offering comments on your blog, there’s no conversation. And without the conversation, aren’t we just back to a traditional website?
I comment. But if I have to login, I probably won’t. I’m so busy, I get an interesting post in my RSS email (i.e. this one), decide it’s worth commenting on, take 30 seconds to comment and move on with my life. It shouldn’t be harder than that.
On the flip side, I don’t get a lot of comments on my blog…
I think this is an interesting subject!
one that not many bloggers talk about. I love blogs. I like this one very much myself, but I read about 7-8 blogs a day. I do comment when I find something interesting. but if they ask me for a login then 98% of the time I won’t comment if I have to login. That’s just me but I could be wrong. maybe everybody else is different.
Amen, I definitely agree. I don’t ever login to post comments. The same process happens when a content site wants you to register/login to read an article or, worse, to read a forum post. Isn’t a forum supposed to be an open exchange of information?
In the case of other sites, thank god for BugMeNot.com
I agree…I only comment on friendly sites. And if I don’t feel welcome there’s no chance I will buy something there.
Bpohanka,
I know. What’s worse is when you have to verify your registration by email.
Sam,
I thought so. It just seems like an unnecessary barrier that’s setup between me and the blog owner.
Jean,
No, I’ll eventually find it in the comment filter and bring it out.
See, your comment is back. I wonder who does login to comment?
I never register to comment. I just can’t understand why some still forces you to do that.
It should be really easy, just your name and e-mail and your comment. Just like the default on WordPress blogs.
How often? Not very, but almost every time (98%) it is some Livespaces (yes it is rare something good is there but it does happen) or some other Microsoft login thing. Lame. I had one just last night – very frustrating (no way to email either…).
In the rare other cases (non-Microsoft blog space) I have 2 or 3 times emailed the blogger to let them know – and 1 or 2 did open it up (basically they were new and just didn’t know).
I can’t stand it when I read a post and go to comment on it only to find I have to jump through hoops to have the ‘privilege’ to say something. Bah. The first and only time I did log in was to tell the author he should re-think his position in making people log-in. I wonder how many people feel as we do?
I half expected to have to register when I scrolled down 😉
Me? I never register to post comments. Ever.
The most common reason I’ve heard for it’s use is to combat spam. I think that’s a very 2004 way of thinking! Askimet rocks.
I recently wrote about making it easy for your readers to comment…and yeah, it really irks me when i have to login. I really don’t go back to the blog because what’s the point. For me blogging is about the discussion and the conversation.
Jean,
Thanks.
Wendy,
Certainly true. There is no one right answer for anything related to business or blogging. Actually, that’s true of life…oops, I just did it.
Susan,
Do you want more comments? Perhaps we should talk?
LA Headshot,
Thanks. That’s basically how I feel. But you said 98% of the time. What about that 2%?
Jens,
Great to have you back in the conversations here.
John,
That’s pretty sweet that you helped make change on a few blogs. I can see the point of registering comments – but only in rare, specific circumstances.
MorganLighter,
Boy, this sure seems to be the consensus, huh? Any blogger forcing comment registration should take a look at this post and the conversation around it…don’t you think?
Zigire,
Funny…wouldn’t that make me a hypocrite? And since I value your opinions, I’m glad I didn’t make you register.
I agree, I think forcing registration for comments is old-school-type thinking – except in those few instances where it’s a good idea.
100% agree — although Wendy’s point is a good one (all about the niche). Whenever I see the ‘login/register’ thing, I’m gone.
The verification by email just adds to the time most us don’t have during the day, to post a short blog comment. Often times the verification email ends up in my spam folder so I just assume I didn’t meet the criteria to leave a comment. 😉
While not quite as bad, some blogs show you 5-6 letters and numbers in a box to verify your identity, these many times are hard to read, and I don’t think are needed either.
I hate signing up to post comments as well. It takes too long.. there are other better ways to help prevent spam.
Logging in to write a comment is such a pain – especially like you said if it was a good post and you had just a little bit to add to the conversation.
If it requires a log in I will have a 25% chance of actually writing a comment.
ses5909,
I hear you. I read your post (and commented) and I totally agree. It’s about the conversation and making that conversation easy.
Adam,
You know it. And, as I said, I agree with Wendy too…no one peg fits all holes.
Bpohanka,
That’s what I’m sayin’…
And on the post verification…Lorelle set me straight on that.
8everything,
I certainly think so. Not to mention, you can still get spammed with registration.
Dave,
Wow, for me that’s even a high percentage. I’ve actually sworn off all blogs that register – including in my feed reader. And when I find one I just move on by – even if the post is good.
If i see a login page at comments section, i will close the site.I even don’t read forums which requires registration.Fill the form,open new tab,go to your mail box (or running your mail software,doesn’t matter),get the activation link or the code etc.Waste of time
This is a pet peeve of mine too. It drives me crazy. I’ll be blogging about this later today.
John,
I agree, it is a waste of time…
I won’t register just to leave a comment. I think that practice is misguided. There is one blog I really liked and wanted to comment on several times. But you had to register so I just unsubscribed from the feed, now I am not frustrated about it anymore.
Dauwd:
I think you’ve hit my biggest pet peeve of late. The scenerio: I read a blog post. “Oh, yeah!!” I think and start typing away in the comment section. Then 10 to 1 the blog doesn’t accept my comment — maybe it’s the logging in? maybe it’s blogspot website? maybe I am just impatient because they have to approve comments? I don’t know what it is, but I find it very frustrating.
Chris
Joey,
I found a couple blogs that I really would like to participate as well, but not for my registration.
Rose,
There’s definitely a trend here.
Chris,
Ooh…can’t like that.
Anyone,
I’d love to hear from someone who has a good reason for having commenters register.
I wonder if one of the guys from Performancing.com would comment on this topic? Most of the time their writing is very informative and helpful to me, but I don’t comment because of the registration requirement. I wish I could at least see the comments, even if I can’t comment, because many times readers have interesting experiences, links or other information to share related to the post topic.
I suppose if the aim of the blog is to be more like a magazine, it would make sense to register to comment. But then why have comments turned on at all?
I never comment on sites which require login. It happened just today – I really wanted to leave a comment but I just closed the browser. I don’t have time for it. It’s not a privacy thing (I’m quite happy to subscribe to comments which leaves my email address with the site).
The people who require login are really shooting themselves in the foot, because they will lose comments – and apart from a WordPress plugin I wrote, my largest source of traffic has been from the comments I leave.
LaurenMarie,
There’s a good example. I like some of the Performancing posts too – and would love to join their conversations. I’ll shoot over an email and see if we can get a response…
I never log in or register to leave a comment unless I am really steamed.
Even entering a name, and email address like here seem too much effort some times.
Reply from Performancing.com
I wrote to the folks at Performancing.com asking them about why they’ve decided to force commenters to register. Here is their reply:
What do you all think?
I totally agree with you. Normally, when I find out that I have to register to leave a comment on a blog, I just leave that site all together. Not that I mind doing that (well sometimes I do 🙂 ), but in most cases registrations and email validations take way too long and in some cases too much effort. We all are busy professionals who wish there were more hours in a single day.
I guess the number one reason why some bloggers require their readers to register is to limit the number of spam messages they receive… But there are plenty of plugins that can easily can the spam.
I’ll log into Blogger or Typepad in order to comment, because I know that people sometimes refuse anonymous comments because they’ve just had enough spam and/or hatemail and don’t want to deal with it any more. But I wouldn’t register just for one blog in order to leave a comment. I don’t need to comment on any blog that badly.
I have no problem logging into blog sites in order to comment, because I get link-back; it seems fair enough. And I use a log-in at my blog because I tried it without, and I got voluminous spam posts, which I don’t have time to sit and moderate (my email spam keeps me very busy!). Now I almost never get any spam, and my readership is loyal.
Anna,
True, I think it has something to do with spam filtering. But it sounds like you don’t register either – so it’s also filtering out you as a reader – right?
chosha,
I hear you. I never comment when I have to blog into my Google account just to comment on a Blogger blog.
Carol,
I understand. Yet do you think you’re limiting comments because you’re making people register?
Yes, I’m limited comments, in a sense. And I don’t see a problem with that. Those who really want to comment, do…sometimes via email, if they don’t wish to register with Blogger. Until I can afford to hire a secretary to delete all the comment and other spam, this is what works for me. By the way, congrats on being so popular as to crash your server …we should all have such terrible problems! :0)
I am with you, I don’t leave comments if I have to register. It seems like it should be like email where I can send out a contact if desired. If I am blocked from doing that it is a turn of. Thanks for the post!
Carol,
There are a number of plugins that will help with spam. I check spam once every-other-day and it takes about 3 minutes. I use a few plugins that remove spam before it ever gets to me.
Personally, going by what those in the conversation have said, I’d not want to force registration for comments. Sounds like you’ll loose lots of opportunities.
Heather,
You’re welcome. You seem to be in a big majority. Yet some sites – like our friends at Perfomancing – are don’t feel they’re suffering for making people register. Interesting, huh?
=====================================
8. TERMINATION
You may terminate these Terms and Conditions at any time by permanently deleting the Software in its entirety. Your rights automatically and immediately terminate without notice from Google or any Third Party if you fail to comply with any provision of these Terms and Conditions. In such event, you must immediately delete the Software.
====================================
CAn you belive this??????
They have all kinds of rights in effect and/or in action becoming so.
What f*******rights have ‘we’ the lil guy out here?
With no proction at al;!!
I MEAN NOTING! NILL ZIP ZILCH,NADA, NADA FUK**** THING!~
IF YOU ABOUT 6WEEKS TO SPARE I COULD TELL OF A NIGHT MARE THAT FOR THE MOST PART OVER, YET NOT ALL OVER YET!! (yikes)
This is from Babe Gruicic, in Toronto,Canada.
l would truly appreciate a reply!
ty
skrmer@yahoo.ca
c~aio~~
P.S.
lt is abosolutly empty right now!!
but it was great, well gettingthere, my first was a real “Beauty!!”
“babessandbox.net”
lt is because of no laws for us YET!!
This kinda crap can and does go on all the time. So l hear, it’s a li too much of ‘comfty’ issuse for them ‘Interner Police)
to take on, so we must do something, before it’s to late~~!~!
peace&luv~!
&rock’n’roll 4-ever!
[quote comment=”10747″]P.S.
lt is abosolutly empty right now!!
but it was great, well gettingthere, my first was a real “Beauty!!”
“babessandbox.net”
lt is because of no laws for us YET!!
This kinda crap can and does go on all the time. So l hear, it’s a li too much of ‘comfty’ issuse for them ‘Interner Police)
to take on, so we must do something, before it’s to late~~!~!
peace&luv~!
&rock’n’roll 4-ever![/quote]
JUST DO IT~!~
This is a great post.The image is also nice.I just hope that people who force others to login to their blogs first in order to leave a comment are learning something here.
Babe,
One reason I love when site’s publish policies is it gives me the chance to decide whether I agree enough to live by them. If not, I just don’t participate.
Clement,
It would be nice. I certainly understand Performancing’s perspective. They get tons of traffic and I’m sure as much spam. Yet I see a lot of less successful sites doing this and I think it hurts their growth.
Software in its entirety. Your rights automatically and immediately terminate without notice from Google or any Third Party if you fail to comply with any provision of these Terms and Conditions. In such event, you must immediately delete the Software.
just very nice!
I have 2 sites that allow people to post their services, and since I require no login, I get a lot more listings and action than had I forced a login – thus making a lot more user-generated content, which in turn helps my site stay fresh. I think logins can be very useful for many things (on blogs and other posting pages), but they do cut down on the level of participation.
We should give more freedom to the visitors and help them say their words unless they hurt other people.
DB,
I think it really depends on your focus. Performancing, for instance, has a purpose to their login. But many smaller bloggers don’t – they just require login anyhow.
usa,
I say keep it all open…until your business can afford to keep it private.
I’m with you, Dawud. If I have to login I just leave the site without commenting. I want it to be easy and inviting to comment, not s series of hoops.
Great tips, i found all information i was looking for, i will use some of them.
This is a pet peeve of mine too.
thanx ma
I also really hate registering to leave comments. I am a software developer and interested in finding a solution to this problem through software.
For example, something like: A firefox plugin that provides a “register” button for online registration forms. The software would fill in the form with all your details, submit it and then read your email account, click the “confirm” link, and then log you in and take you to the post-a-comment page — All just by clicking once.
There are ways to get around the captchas. One guy cracks captchas and publishes the results on his blog: http://www.apathysketchpad.com/blog/2007/06/05/how-to-crack-captchas/
If the captcha cannot be cracked, then one click, and filling in a captcha is still much easier than doing the whole checking-your-email thing manually.
Does anyone have any ideas how we can go about building this program?
If i see a login page at comments section, i will close the site.I even don’t read forums which requires registration.Fill the form,open new tab,go to your mail box (or running your mail software,doesn’t matter),get the activation link or the code etc.Waste of time
A comment is worth if the user really put some facts and deep thoughts, therefore the user (IMHO) won’t be bothered to register (that will usuallyn only take 1 to 2 minutes) because they would like to post a good comment
I think people should turn on their register filter (User have to be registered to comment) if their blog have met a great deal of spam.
Those registering thinggy could decrease a great deal of spams
I agree. I hate it when I want to say something interesting and productive, but apparently, I’m NOT special enough to do it without a complicated login process first. Gah!!! Of course, it may increase the risk of spammers, but I’ve rarely seen these, and they can be edited out. You can also stop machines from entering in the comments by making people type in the number/letters in an image. The person above mentioned MuggleNet (a Harry Potter fansite). They do always get heaps of comments, but I think they would get even more if they stopped the login thing, because it’s not ideal for spammers anyway: you can’t give a website address and no_follow is automatically attached anyway.
“How many times have your read a great blog post and have wanted to add a comment, only to get to the bottom of the page and find that you have to login?”
Many times I have posted comments (no spams or rude ones) on blogs to find out that they are never posted.
Your site if proof that if you make it easy, everyone will want to contribute. This comment is number 69 and that is because it is easy to post. I doubt you get this level of participation if you required everyone to log in.
Yup. I don’t think i will register just for leave the comments. Seem like i be force to do comments. So.. what you think?
I can’t stand sites that force you to login before commenting. If I see that, I’m out of there. I’m surprised that people do would think that’s a good idea. Seems silly to me.
I think anyone should leave a comment and leave it up to the site owner to moderate.
It’s really annoying if you must register and login to just post a comment. And then these unreadable capsha and email confirmation which quite often doesn’t arrive at all. After all this hassle you have no mood to post anything.
Phenomenal blog, numerous fascinating details. I believe seven of days ago, I have seen a similar blog. Does anybody know how to track future posts?
I agree that it is way too much work to create an account just to make a response. By the time I finish doing all that, I have to navigate back to my original page just to say how I feel. It’s frustrating and I usually won’t bother.
You are so right. You have to make every part of website as easy for your visitors as possible. I recently switched from “add to cart” button and to “buy it now” buttons on one of my websites. This saves my users one click and allows them to get through the process faster. My conversion rate went up 40%. Now I try to make it easy for my users in every aspect of the site.
Hi there,
I don’t make my readers register either but you know what, I see spam all the time. While I will turn away from commenting on articles that requires a registration, I don’t blame them.
If you have a high PR website that you’ve work hard for, you don’t want people to spam it. Because of this, I make it a point to post only relevant comments that adds value to the site.
If you think registering is bad, try having your link stripped off and your value-added comment approved. Happened to me last week. His loss 🙂
Welcome to the new Muzeek World a Professional Audio, Video and Pro Lighting Company. Shop top maufacturers and one of the largest selections of audio, video, and lighting equipment online. Wholesale pricing and FREE shipping nationwide