Candid messy-haired photo taken of me last week -
I wasn't going to post it, but that's exactly
what I look like when replying to comments!
Tonight, I asked Twitter: How do you feel about bloggers turning off their comments? Personally, I don't like it. :)
Here are the responses I received (so far):
isabellebasi: its like they are afraid to hear opinions.....but i guess at the end of the day its the bloggers choice
parkncube: I don't like it, it's a conversation, between the readers and the poster - that's the point of blogging, an interactive media! - You should read 'The Tipping Point' or 'Here Comes Everybody', really great read on how blogging and web media came about... - I think if you're getting nasty comments, it's also the blogger's fault to some extent. What's provoking the readers?
sugarandspiceSG: Was going to say the same thing - that's what makes blogging different: the fact that it's a conversation
mistytewest: personally I do not like it, but I understand if they turn off comments for post like ads or photo post and not their personal post
boredandcrafty: without comments, i'd be totally cut off from society. haha! i'm such a hermit.
redheadrachel: Obviously it's the blogger's choice, but I think providing and getting feedback is one of the best parts of blogging.
UBarto: I can sometimes understand it when the bloggers gets too many or nasty comments
Tanvii: I don't like it either! Its like reading a magazine without any interaction!
Glossary_Girl: Have loads of thoughts. It depends if you want a conversation or not. I don't like how it was handled on a certain site of late
afeitar: I think that the bloggers who have done it are so big they don't seem part of the community, so the comments mean nothings to them. - I think it gets to a point for them where the comments are so meaningless they'd rather not have them.- Comments are part of blogging for me, but when you get 18273 comments on each post they don't really matter! - Isn't community & interaction the point of starting a blog?
frillsnspills: I think that the comments are integral to it all BUT for bigger bloggers, they may matter less because they get so many. - Saying that though, interaction is surely the basis of blogging so...
whereisharriet: I respect someone's right to turn comments off but I don't read any blogs that have done as I personally want that interaction.
oldcartyres: Honestly? The first thing I think when I see a blog with comments off is 'thinks they're too good for their followers'...
While I love commenting on other people's blogs - and of course, receiving comments is always wonderful, too - I completely respect and understand why some bloggers choose to switch off comments on their blogs.
I think that we can be unduly critical of people who have turned off comments. Consider the following - if they were bothering you, wouldn't you consider turning off comments, too?
- Obsessing over the number of comments you receive. Although I try not to obsess, I'm sure all of us have had a point where we have compared the amount of comments we receive to those of our blogging peers. Wouldn't it make sense to turn off comments if you end up spending more time thinking about them than about creating content?
- Worrying about not being able to reply to all comments. I know I definitely worry about this, because it is a huge time commitment. I reply to comments by visiting the blogger's blog - if s/he has one - over Twitter, or by e-mail, but I know how long this takes and you might feel that you're being rude if you don't have time to reply to everyone!
I don't think that all those who turn off comments are as snobby as one might assume. For instance, one of my favorite bloggers, Dusk, turned off her comments section and I think her reasons were very valid. Besides the two points mentioned above, I'm sure we've all also been annoyed with bloggers who leave less-than-genuine comments which have obviously been left for the purpose of generating traffic to their own blogs! Sometimes I feel that those comments should just be deleted - for example, a comment that has NO content except links back to their own blog! If you are someone who takes the time to take thoughtful, meaningful comments, these types of comments can be truly annoying. I think it's important to look at both sides to every story: people who turn off comments could have justifiable reasons for doing so.
So, what do you think? Comments on or off? Why or why not?
This is such a thriving topic right now. I guess everyone has covered mostly everything. But also I Do understand why bloggers like [Dusk] choose it.
ReplyDeleteAt the end it is personal choice. Everyone has the right to make the decision for their blog!
Great post Leia! :)
I really agree with a lot of what you said in this post. I think comments = interaction with readers, so even though they may matter less for 'bigger' bloggers, I still think that they all started out somewhere! I don't really like it when bloggers I like interacting with turn off their comments, but if that's what they want to do, then that's their choice!
ReplyDeleteI think comments are useful interaction, but not as useful as they could potentially be. I used to respond to every comment on my blog in an engaging way but quickly realized a lot of people just want to say their opinion and move on to your latest post. Now I don't have time to respond so quickly and I'm noticing a lot of people do want that interaction and comment less now that I am a quieter blogger. As for what I want? I think interaction could be better than comments. Rather than a shortlived conversation in the wake of each blog posts, I wish there was a format that allowed more of an ongoing conversation to take place. As such, I love when readers email because there is a chance to make a real connection.
ReplyDeleteComments on! For me, the best part of blogging is the dialogue. I've also meant some awesome girls and made some wonderful friendships all due to blogging and especially commenting.
ReplyDeleteON. I've waxed lyrical many a time on the interactive nature of blogging, and the difference the sense of community has made to the democratisation of fashion - without comments, it might as well not have been! I stand by what I said, most of the bloggers I know who have turned of comments are the big guns who were put there by commenters and followers and are now effectively disregarding them. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very individual decision. I totally understand people's reasons for turning off commenting. I agree that obsessing over comments is ridiculous, and I also strongly believe that blogging is a conversation.
ReplyDeleteWhen commenting begins to feel negative or all-consuming to the blogger, I say turn them off. People will still visit and enjoy content. You just lose the ability to hear exactly what readers like on any given day. The other negative aspect of turning off comments is that it basically kills your the opportunity to develop online friendships with other readers and bloggers. For me, this makes commenting and the maintenance of it worthwhile. I love all the different personalities, and knowing I now have friends in countries all over the world! You never know when your blogging network will help you out.
♥ V
http://www.gritandglamour.com
Great post!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine my blog without having a dialogue with my readers! It's part of why I love doing it!
I do find it incredibly time consuming and stressful trying to reply to all comments. It's kind of an impossible task! But I try... I just filter out the insincere ones and reply to those that have bothered to type more than enthusiastic adjective.
Thought-provoking post, Leia. For me, commenting is part of the joy of blogging - both giving and receiving and I think I'd really miss the interaction if I switched commenting off. I met one of the world's top fashion bloggers for coffee last week and she was saying that as traffic goes up, comments seem to go down - although she gets a ton of private emails. She reckoned it's because the more you're seen as an authority on something, the less people like to make their thoughts known in public - they prefer to take it private. She still tries to respond to all comments, which I admire. xx
ReplyDeleteI personally love the conversational aspect of blogging -- even when it stalls sometimes on my own blog and no seems to have much to say. So I would never turn my comments off but I totally respect that others may want to go this route for what, I'm sure, are very good reasons.
ReplyDeletexoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com
I think it depends, if someone posts something personal that they don't want people to comment on it's understandable but otherwise like you said the whole point is to have a conversation and get to know people. I haven't seen the blogs that people are referring to so i don't really know the whole context of this post but i do know i enjoy commenting on blogs and having comments on mine, what's the point of a public blog if there's no interaction with people?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Leia! And thank you for including my comment. I think this is really an interesting issue.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, I think it's ultimately the blogger's decision and it's important to respect that. Some people do have good reasons for turning comments off. Didn't Jane from Sea of Shoes turn her comments off because of someone saying mean things? I can understand why she would do that, but I don't think it's something I would do. It's important to not let the negative criticism get to you, but it can be tough, I suppose.
For me, commenting is a huge part of blogging. It allows bloggers to connect with one another and get feedback. It's time consuming to comment everyone who leaves you a comment, but I think it's worthwhile. It can provide a good way to kinda start a friendship. I guess I'd say I feel closer to the bloggers who I comment and who comment me regularly. It's a nice way to interact with each other.
But as you said, some people just don't leave genuine comments. Whether it's because the blogger is in a hurry or just doesn't care, I don't know. But I think it's important to always try to leave a thoughtful comment.
Blogging is a community in my opinion. And it's hard to have that community with comments turned off.
I would never turn comments off. I also rarely delete negative comments because that often makes it worse! Great post xx
ReplyDeletei think its more of a personal experience leading to a personal choice.
ReplyDeletesome bloggers may make the choice to go "comment-less" because of something as serious, and sad as harassment, to something just plain annoying such as spamming.
as for myself, i agree, comments are the heart and soul of the blog. i love opinions :D
<3 dennica pearl
- through the eyes of a pearl
- vintage shop
I was bummed too when Dusk turned off her comments - but I can totally understand why she did it. I also liked her final post about it. That's my girl!
ReplyDeleteWell it's the bloggers decision, of course. I dont personally understand it because I love the interaction of receiving comments and then visiting new blog/making new blog friends. I feel like I would lose that if I disabled comments. I try my best to respond to every comment though so I understand that it can be stressful somedays!
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you about what you said about comments. Yet I also understand Dusk's point of view.
ReplyDeleteAbout a year back, I totally stopped blogging because of this. I could not handle getting 40 plus comments, replying to each, going to each blog, reading it and leaving a comment there. I mean- if a person is full time blogger, it is possible but not if you have other full time profession. So I disappeared from the blogging scene completely and resurfaced after a year. Now, I visit very limited number of blogs and get limited number of comments and it works.
I am totally with you about what you said about comments. Yet I also understand Dusk's point of view.
ReplyDeleteAbout a year back, I totally stopped blogging because of this. I could not handle getting 40 plus comments, replying to each, going to each blog, reading it and leaving a comment there. I mean- if a person is full time blogger, it is possible but not if you have other full time profession. So I disappeared from the blogging scene completely and resurfaced after a year. Now, I visit very limited number of blogs and get limited number of comments and it works.
i love reading all the comments left on my blog and i reply to each one....it takes a long time but i think its worth taking the time to do...you can also tell when someone hasn't really read the post.
ReplyDeleteexample: a few weeks ago i did a post on a headband and used photos from the designers etsy shop. i always state where i get the photos from at the bottom on the post and people kept on saying "you look so cute" etc so i edited the post using astricts and bold lettering saying that i was not the girl in the photos and i STILL got comments saying how cute i looked...that annoys me LOL
Comments On. Always. I'm all for setting up an approval scheme whereby comments are checked before posting, but I think removing them altogether just obliterates the core of a blog! Blogging is like dialogue - it's based on interaction and that's exactly what distinguishes it from other forms of media. What can a reader do if they disagree or enjoy a particular news article? Perhaps write to the editor but even that will a) be delayed and b) probably not be published. It certainly wouldn't warrant a reply from the author of that particular article themselves. This is the beauty of blogging. Why destroy it?!
ReplyDeleteDanni
xxx
Honestly i find it off-putting. I like a blog to be interactive, it should draw some sort of discussion from it's readers.
ReplyDeletereally great post - it's good to hear everyone's opinions from twitter too. x
ReplyDeleteOhh, though i can understand the reasons why someone would turn their comments off i personally wouldn't. I love receiving and replying to them all, that's one of the best bits of blogging :D
ReplyDeleteHaha, i really want to take your advice on the pink hair matter. I want pink hair so much at the moment ;)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I personally like the comments (and like to leave as many as I genuinely can) because I think they create an awareness for the blog owner, but also contribute to the community that exists on each blog. Each blogger and community has it's own feel and that's part of the fun of blogging - in my opinion only of course.
ReplyDeleteNow that being said, I guess I can understand why someone might turn the comments off - the pressure of responding - or feeling bad if you can't, perhaps negativity, or maybe not wanting to be swayed one way or another by the comments - all valid reasons in and of themselves.
Each to their own, I guess?
Great post (and if that's messy hair we need to have a meeting on how you can help me!!)
xoxo,
Carrie
on on, you know my opinion, I think we chatted about it when we met? I dont really see the point of no comments, no matter how big you are.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well honey, how is your new life proving? xxx
I think comments being on is really important.
ReplyDeletePeople talk a lot about how they end up writing for the commenter's instead of themselves. I can see where they come from, but I think it's more of their problem then the people who comment on their blog. I love my comments- I think it's great to get feedback on what I write, I love (love love love love) hearing others opinions, I love sharing my own opinions, and comments can give me a great boost.
I don't see comments as social interaction. I see them as a social web- a way to find new people, think about new things, discover new ideas. Very few people have discussions in the comments, and such. But I never would have found most of the blogs I read now if not though clicking on someone's name when they wrote an interesting comment. I discover so much- so many great new ideas, wonderful new people to be friends with and follow on twitter, great new blogs to read. Comments, in my opinion, are about building up a web of people, resources, and ideas.
It's funny you should mention it as I recently got loads of comments from non-followers asking for me to check out their blog giveaways - comments are there to spark debates and conversations not for free advertising!
ReplyDeleteI've had such an interesting time reading everyone's responses (in fact I really should go to bed now...) I pretty much agree with the overwhelming majority that for me commenting is an integral to blogging as the original posting. Without that I don't really feel like it's a blog, more a website.
ReplyDeleteIf that's what you're going for then that's fine, but as I said above, that's not what i look for in a blog - the interaction is part of why I love blogging so much and without that I tend to lose interest.
Definitely, it's an interesting post as you showed also some answers to your question on Twitter.. Well, what I think, is that it every person's choice for sure to turn on/off the comments. But I must confess at some point (liiitle one though:) I agree with the somebody saying that 'comments off' is giving a thought of that the blogger may be somehow afraid to read what people have to say about the post... I love leaving comments, though it takes pretty a lot of time, and I like receiving/ reading comments as well :) Let's talk dears!.. it doesn't make sense writing if we don't know what people think about what we write :) ~
ReplyDeleteIt's a hot issue! I love recieving comments, and I wish that I could respond to each and every single one every time I blogged but it does take a lot of time!! I try hard though :) I suppose after awhile when you have a very established readership who you can talk to on Facebook/Twitter etc they become less and less important and combine that with negaitve comments... who needs it!
ReplyDeleteBuuut... the negative effect it had on your community and blog friendships... and you know, sometimes I WANT to make a comment and share my opinion. Sometimes it sucks that my ability to give feedback is cut off. I wouldn't want to do it myself. :)
I can certainly understand why some people turn off their comments and believe that they have that right and shouldn't be scrutinized for it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for me personally comments are the best part. I truly enjoy leaving, receiving and responding to comments. I do acknowledge that it does get a bit stressful at times when I get behind but it is so rewarding.
I live in a small city and joining in on the conversation with bloggers from all around the world has really given me a new passion and an abundance of some much needed inspiration. I can't imagine my blog without that interaction. I really do believe that real relationships are formed and that's pretty spectacular. xx
The day I let of go of the number of comments dictating a post's worth obsession, I became a whole lot happier. But I do so love hearing from our readers!
ReplyDeletei agree with you ! comments are what makes a blog .. well a blog !
ReplyDeletethey allow reader interactivity (which can also help you develop as a blogger).. the comments allow me to see which type of posts my reader like.. so its like a market research at the same time :)
glad u brought up this issue leia ! ive been seeing lots of bloggers turning off their comments too.. and i dont really like the idea :s
I think for bloggers who receive an overwhelming amount of comments (100+ an entry), it can make blogging feel a little bit more manageable. i personally could never imagine doing it-- i LOVE reading everyones comments; its what keeps me going!
ReplyDeleteI thought bloggers turned off comments just to deter negative comments but if they're doing it for other reasons, well, it's their blog and we can choose to visit it or not. At the end of the day it's all about choices and I think we should run our blogs the way we want to and be prepared for whatever that will bring. There are enough rules in life, let's have some freedom in the blogging world, please!! Can you guess I have an issue with people telling me what to do and not do on my blog?? :)
ReplyDeleteTricky one!
ReplyDeleteI personally love reading feedback, both good and bad, so removing comments from my blog would kind of be like cutting off my left arm or something, haha.
I can understand why other bloggers might want to do it though, particularly if comments intefere with the way they choose to blog. Each to their own I suppose!
- Anna Jane xxx
I think it's a shame people turn off their comments, because you can make so many friends just from our comments and just generally share your opinion (like here!) However I do understand where some of them are coming from, I feel bad for not keeping up with some of my comments and replying back, but I just run out of time in the day!
ReplyDeleteS
http://notjustmedical.wordpress.com
Comments ON definitely unless all the commenters are trolls. ;)
ReplyDeleteBlogging is a social interaction between 2 or more people although it´s a personal form of communication on the side of the blogger because it´s her/his ideas that will be commented on.
I believe that a blogger has every right to MODERATE and PUBLISH or NOT all the comments because the blog is his/hers and not anyone else´s.
On a lighter note, you´re still cute even with the messy hair and all. ;)
At the end of the day I feel that it is up to the blogger's point of view. Like you, I respect Dusk's decision in turning off comments, and I feel that there is no WRONG or RIGHT here. As long as (for me) I like the content of the blog, I will still come back even though I can't leave comments :)), xoxo, Jemina
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the topic Leia...mind boggling question is WHY??? but I just let go of bloggers who cannot seem to interact...even bryanboy is open to interact in twitter and his blog...I guess its time consuming for some....
ReplyDeleteKisses hun
You look cute when you are doing your blog comments hahahah!!!!
Sweet
PensandLens
I say comments on! Comments make a A blog without comments is only a site. There is no interaction going on.
ReplyDeleteBut in saying that, it is hard to find time to comment back. But that is the right thing to do, since they made the effort to comment in the first place. I love looking at blogs anyway, so its not like work at all!!! :) Great post. SarahD
Great post!
ReplyDeleteI think that it shows great disrespect to readers...it's like shutting down their opinions. Although I do understand that some comments can be plain mean, I do think that it is important that the bloggers is open to all of the comments and willing to accept both the positive and the negative. At the end of the day, I think that interacting with people is what makes blogging so great!
ReplyDelete-Marta
Um, I'm not sure. I think there are reasons to turn them off, but it is nice to get a heads up..but I personally like to comment back to people. I think it is polite.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely fall into the too concerned about the amount of comments I receive. Haha, but not so much anymore. I don't care nearly as much, although I always love a meaningful comment. :) Yeah, I'm just blabbering here...
I thought this was a great topic to post about. I myself would never turn off my comments. It's my favorite thing about blogging. For the most part comments are so encouraging! I love the connection with other bloggers!
ReplyDeleteWell for me, I adore comments. I don't blog FOR comments but they certainly keep me going to an extent (simply knowing that what I write about interests other people is amazing). It definitely takes time and effort with comments and I read and visit all my blog commenters. I tend to reply to everyone but I don't always comment back on every single person...but I try my best :)
ReplyDeleteGreat topic Leia! hope you're settling back well into life back at home!
love your skirt leia.. and your hair is beautiful.. anyway, i personally don't really like someone who turns off their blog comment.. if they don't want to publish the comment maybe they can filter it and choose which comment will be published.. :)
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I can't imagine turning off my comments; it's one of the main reasons I enjoy blogging... the feedback! I want to interact with my readers, get to know them. I can't understand why you wouldn't! x
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good post, Leia. I agree, I love the interactivity of blogging, but replying to comments is incredibly time-consuming, sometimes I wonder what the point of it all is. But I feel like if someone has taken the time to stop by and comment on my post, the least I can do is go to their blog and do the same! I agree, it is the interactivity of blogging that makes it so special!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Leia! I think that the general policy of blogs should be comments on, at all times, but I do understand if there is bullying or excessively critical comments that the blogger should feel free to turn them off.
ReplyDeleteWow, ok I could go on and on in response to this post! This is gonna be a bit of a ramble- sorry!
ReplyDeleteI can understand why people do turn comments off. I think when you're blogging, you shouldn't write a blog for the comments, in the sense that you shouldn't be counting them.
However, we encourage people to leave comments on our blog, on Twitter or by asking questions on our posts- not because we want loads and loads of comments but because it's nice to hear people's thoughts, opinions and get people's feedback. It's great to discover other people's blogs in this way. It's more of a community like that.
When it comes to leaving comments on other people's blogs- I like leaving them. Sometimes admittedly they're not very long, but if the only thing I have to contribute is "good post" then I won't leave a comment. If I've read a blog and genuinely liked it then I will leave a comment.
I think it's good to show someone that you've read what they've taken the time to write and that you enjoyed reading it.
And I do leave a link to my blog, even though you don't need to on blogger, but it's just a way of signing off. I do worry that it makes the comment disingenuous but that really isn't the case!
Anyway this is a really interesting topic and I'm glad you blogged about it.
I'll shut up now!
Bhav x
http://wardrobemag.wordpress.com
i love comments because it the community side of blogging i adore, but i hate those impersonal generic comments where the person hasn't even read the post x
ReplyDeleteI love getting comments - like you say, it's a two way street and if I don't get them I feel like I'm talking to an empty room. I do as you do and go to the commenters blog to drop by and say hi. I've had yours saved in my comments email file for ages but I try to get around to all of them at some point. I feel bad for people who have to turn comments off cos they get abused. I think Sea of Shoes had to. It's sad cos its basically jealously a lot of the time. Great post... and blog! xx
ReplyDeleteI love comments, it's like you say - what's make a blog different from any other website. That's what's great about a blog to, you can get feedback from people :) So, definitely coments on!
ReplyDeleteI personally feel turning off comments is the single worst thing you could do and it will eventually lead to the demise of your blog.
ReplyDeleteMy reasoning?
I write blogs I like to read. I don't like to read blogs that turn off comments.
If *I* as *your* reader am taking the time to read *your* blog and you don't even want to know what I think? Well, then your blog really does not deserve my time, as far as I see it.
this is such an interesting post leia. something i've subconsciously thought about but it's interesting hearing you put it into words.
ReplyDeleteit doesn't bother me if someone chooses to turn off the comments, i would read the blog anyway if i like it. it does seem usually to be the bigger blogs that do it. maybe they get a lot of negative feedback.
but i do love the interaction with other bloggers , like you say you can develop friendships from it. my only concern with my own is the lack of time i have to reply. i always feel so guilty but sometimes it is difficult enough just to get a couple of posts out a week
ah i just read your comment to me - you're in bangladesh now *jealous* ;-)
This is such an interesting post to me because I've never even considered turning off comments. For me, one of the most important aspects of blogging is the community aspect and the dialogue that posts can provoke. I understand that there might be a number of valid reasons to turn comments off, but I do wonder if that might cause a blog to cease being a blog and start becoming some other kind of website.
ReplyDeleteI try to return all of the comments that I receive. I'm not always 100% successful in that. A large part of the reason that I do invest the time in returning comments and on visiting blogs in general is that you "meet" such interesting people who are wearing such fantastic outfits and saying really interesting things.
I hope you don't decide to turn comments of on your blog, but obviously that's your decision and prerogative if you do.
I really loved this post, I agreed on so much like I don't like it turn people turn off there comments but usually it seems like it's necessary. Though I still don't like it. I love interacting with my readers via comments it's a lot less intimidating than e-mailing them.
ReplyDeleteSigh, I am a brand new blogger and spend far more time visiting blogs I admire and making comments than I receive comments on my blog. That's just part of my status as a newbie...but when bloggers I've been following leave their first comment on my blog, I am ecstatic!
ReplyDeleteI have several budding friendships and a widening circle of friends and I can't yet imagine the problem of having to turn my comments off.
I will say though that if a topic has more than 40 comments, I tend not to leave a comment of my own, even if I have thoughts on the topic...because I feel I would be lost in the conversation and have no hope of a return visit to my blog.
I'm rather new in the public blog thing (my bff's and I have been keeping a private blog to stay in touch, but it's different). I agree with your points and don't want to repeat what has been said before - but I have to say I love your skirt!
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic! I've been thinking about it because commenting back IS huge time commitment - and I feel like I'm falling short on it right now - so turning off comments would be my way of saying "seriously, don't worry about commenting on my blog for once - read it but you get a break on commenting!" then it gives us both a break. I don't think I'd ever turn them off...because honestly...I'm going to read the blogs I want to read anyway! but i can see why people do.
ReplyDeleteand...i'm not sure i actually just said anything relevant :)
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm jumping in late on this. Definitely on! Personally I LOVE reading comments and I find others reactions very interesting. The interaction is such an important aspect of blogging.
ReplyDeleteAlso, from a more sober point of view, if you turn off your comments you don't offer yourself as a multiplier, which means you become less interesting to the blogging community... Which again leads to the important point: It's a community! xo
P.S. I forgot to say: I also really enjoy writing comments (as you can see here, sometimes I'm hard to stop).
ReplyDeleteGreat post Leia. I think it all depends what you are blogging for. If you want to be part of a community and share opinions with others then comments are pretty vital!
ReplyDeleteA well-known blogger (I think it was Chris Guillebeau) once suggested that if you want to turn off comments, you should do that only after you're able to make a living off your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhile some bloggers do have understandable and valid reasons for turning off their comments section and it's up to each blogger what they want to do with their blogs, I think this has become a sort of trend, and now so many are jumping on the bandwagon without really thinking it through. Maybe it'll do more harm than good to their blogs in the long run.
Whether you should turn off comments also largely depends on your blog. Blogs that focus on building a community will probably suffer if their owners decide to go into that direction (Gala Darling surprised me enormously when she recently did this). On the other hand, I don't think disabling comments on style blogs whose owners only post outfit photos is as big a deal as some think it is, especially if there still are alternative ways to get in touch with the blogger (Twitter, email ...).
Woah. Heavy. Think I'll go jump off a cliff now. :)
ReplyDeletei personally don't like blogs that turn off comments. I like to read what other people have to say about a post. on my own blog, i love getting feedback and i read every comment. i have made some very good friends that way, simply by being able to interact with them through commenting. and honestly, being able to comment is a way to network, and even now, big companies are getting in on the action as well. if you'll notice, a lot of sites allow comments, whether or not its a blog...news companies, fashion sites, etc- most allow commenting as well. if you're getting negative comments, i would understand, but that's why blogger also has the feature for you to approve comments before posting them. this is all just my opinion of course, but commenting is a definite plus to me.
ReplyDeleteSo far I haven't come across a blog that doesn't allow comments. In general I don't comment at all on posts that have more than 30 comments unless it's one of my blogging friends. I can't imagine trying to get back to all those people. So far my blog following is really small, so I don't have this problem, but I can see why people might need to turn off their comment, or make it clear somehow that they can't respond to each comment. Actually, what really gets me is when bloggers who get very few comments on their blogs never respond to my comments, or never come by my site and leave a comment. I can understand bloggers who have a large following not following up, but if you don't have a large following how hard is it to say "hi"?
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this ever since Gala Darling switched off comments, mostly because I am restarting my own blog [actually, two]. I don't think I understand it. As a blogger, you should be eager to hear what people think and try to create content that provokes people to comment. Obsessing is bad, of course, but whatever you do, you would like to have some feedback, right?
ReplyDeleteGala Darling said that she is still able to communicate with her readers, by e-mail. Okay, but wouldn't that mean that her obsession will just be transferred to e-mails?
Recently I disabled comments on one of posts, only because the certain post didn't really need them, but the feeling it gave me was a little freeing. I understand the reasons why someone would turn them off completely. I don't feel that its necessary, since I can moderate comments and trash ones that are obviously spam. I love leaving comments, so I won't deny that small pleasure to my readers!
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic. I can understand why some people would choose to remove the comment function (they're getting a lot negative comments) but it almost takes away from the blog. The interaction and dialogue between bloggers is what draws many people in (to blogs as opposed to just reading magazines, watching fashion television etc).
ReplyDeleteComments often generate ideas and creativity, and sometimes make people look at things from a different angles. On the other side if someone is getting 1000s of spam comments then its not creating dialogue either.
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