Where I say goodbye to comment spam
For quite a while now it has been extremely difficult keeping up with all of the comment spam that I receive on this blog. I moderate all comments that haven’t been previously approved and I would say that I moderate over 150 spam messages a day – and that’s after adding many, many commonly used spam words into my comment blacklist section on WordPress.
So, since I have recently changed hosts and now have the help of my brother in managing the technical aspects of my blog (because I can point, click and type but that’s about it), we have decided to add one little extra step for those leaving a comment. When leaving a comment, after entering your name, email address and blog (if you have one) you’ll have to type in a word to verify you are a real person. That word will not change and it’s not difficult to read like some of those on Blogger sites that you have to guess if there are two “v”‘s or one “w”. I hope this won’t create too much of a deterrence for those who want to leave a comment. This was, in my opinion, the least intrusive solution to the spamming problem.
Please let me know if there are any problems with leaving a comment or if this little tool would discourage you from leaving a comment. Part of the joy of having this blog is the dialogue I have with many of you through comments so I don’t want to have you be too incovenienced. Hopefully this is a good compromise.
Happy commenting!
10 Comments
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I don’t mind the word – it’s way better than those blogger ones you were talking about. Those make my eyes hurt.
Comment by cathy — April 10, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Much easier to read that what I have to use with Blogger. I guess they are all necessary evils. I guess the good thing is, I don’t get a ton of visitors in a day & very few comments, so I don’t have the problem you have with your hugely popular site.
When I grow up I want to be like you!
Hope this does cut down on your spam. I’ll be interested to hear how it goes.
Comment by Chadwick — April 10, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
Good idea, and I hope it cuts down on your spam. I end up with a bunch of spam every day too. I like your word..much easier to read than some.
Comment by MadWoman Meg — April 10, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
This is way too hard. I guess I won’t be leaving any comments. Oh wait…
Comment by James — April 10, 2008 @ 9:39 pm
Good for you! No, it will not keep me from posting a comment when the mood strikes. How else would I get my new Starbucks suggestions??
Comment by Memphislis — April 11, 2008 @ 5:06 am
Glad you chose one one of those easy to read formats. Seems like one needs to be employed by NSA for figure out hidden text on some blogs.
I’m using Akismet and Spamkarma on my blog and I do gets lots of spam but most is nicely filtered. Good luck with the new solution
Nice weekend
AD
Comment by AdventureDad — April 11, 2008 @ 6:51 am
150 spam messages a day? You are pretty popular.
Comment by Above Average Joe — April 11, 2008 @ 9:43 am
I hate the CAPTCHA. If you’re running wordpress, just install the Akismet plugin. I’ve found that thing to be nearly 100% accurate in filtering spam.
Comment by Rattling the Kettle — April 11, 2008 @ 11:15 am
This word thing is no problem and I like the word. It made me laugh.
I also have installed Akismet on my wordpress blog and it has helped quite a bit.
Comment by Julie — April 11, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
no biggie typing a word, hope it helps!
Comment by mamma knows — April 11, 2008 @ 10:16 pm