When I set up my first WordPress Blog, I set the comments to anyone can post (kind of like keeping your Ryze guestbook open), but that I get to moderate the comments.   Once I approve a poster, their comments are usually auto-approved.    Soon I had hundreds of spam comments to approve in my comment box.   Time consuming to go back and mark as spam and delete.   Spammers would send automated programs to blast a bunch of blogs with a bunch or urls, no live person reading your blog, just an automated system taking advantage of your blog.   You should have seen some of the junk in my moderate comment box.    Many coming from the same ip addresses.

 So I asked at Ryze Home Page Helpers if there was a way to block certain ip addresses, and I learned that there was, but Kai suggested a better option, a plug-in that come already installed in many wordpress blogs call Akismet.   It filters out most of the spam.   Occasionally a real comment will come through and you can go in and claim it.

So that helps to keep our blog spam free.   

Now when you post comments in another’s blog, your name will usually link to a url of your choice.   Blogs use this instead of a signature file.  Think of it as a Ryze guestbook.   Your name links back to your Ryze page and Ryze says not to add your website addresses (url’s) in other’s guestbooks.   It is to encourage networking and getting to know real people not how many places you can leave links back to your site.   Make an interesting comment, add value, and readers may find their way back to you by clicking on your name. 

In our WIN blog I have no problem with including a link back to your Ryze page or blog like Sandy has done in her comment under the How Does s Blog Benefit My Business?  Isn’t Ryze enough?  post.   Thanks Sandy!  But many blogs prefer no urls except the one that goes with your name.    Again, like a Ryze guestbook.   And I don’t want to teach bad habits.  Make your comments of value, show appreciation, or add a bit of your own unique insight on the topic.  Something that would encourage readers to click on your name and learn a little about yourself.  

Keep up the good work!

Heidi Caswell