One of the most popular posts on PPC Ian is my Blog Commenting Strategy. I’m a huge fan of blog commentating for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it’s fun! It’s great to be part of the conversation. Second, it’s a great source of traffic. Write an insightful comment and you will quickly gain new readers. Third, blog commentating can be a great source of SEO-optimized dofollow links. That is, if the blog you comment on has a top commentators widget (like the one I have here on PPC Ian in my footer).
I used to do a ton of commentating. I originally purchased my iPad so I could commentate on the go. I would write comments on the train to and from work. I would bring my iPad to lunch and would write comments during my meal. I would even commentate on my mobile phone while away from my computer. I got a little bit obsessed.
These days, I’m still commentating but not quite as much. Why? Many of the big bloggers such as John Chow and Jonathan Volk have done site redesigns and have removed their top commentators widgets. I used to comment on these blogs multiple times per day because I got my name in the top commentators lists. This gave me thousands of dofollow inbound links, from blogs closely related to mine by topic. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a huge fan of both of these fine blogs, it’s just that I don’t comment quite as much since there is less of a reward.
So, you may be wondering, why are these big bloggers removing their top commentators widgets? If I had to guess, it probably comes down to preserving link juice (5-10 outbound links on each page of your blog can add up). It probably also comes down to comment quality. When you have as top commentators widget, the comments can sometimes be of lower quality. I particularly saw this happening on John Chow’s blog, although not anymore now that the widget has been removed.
As a blog owner, I’m a huge fan of having the top commentators widget. In addition to my top commentators widget, I even ran a Blog Commenting Contest. I feel passionately about rewarding those readers who support my blog by commenting. It takes time to write comments and I do my best to reward those supporting my blog.
The moral of the story: My blog commenting strategy is still very viable, but it’s more difficult finding blogs with top commentators lists. They still do exist, however, and I highly recommend seeking them out. You can even search on Google for directories of blogs that have dofollow top commentators lists. Moreover, don’t give up on blogs without top commentators. You may wish to throttle back your comments, but I still write many comments to this day on blogs without the widget.
Image of comment © iStockPhoto – pagadesign
Interesting post, Ian, I never realized this before. I’ve never even considered taking down my Top Commentators widget because I think it’s a great way to pay back those who take time to comment (you always leave thoughtful comments, which I appreciate).
Thanks for the comment, Eric! I also very much appreciate your insightful comments here on PPC Ian. I believe this trend will only help blogs like yours and mine. More scarcity around top commentators widgets probably means more great discussion on our blogs. I’m totally with you that it’s a great way to pay back those who comment.
All the best,
Ian
Ian, you’ve convinced me to add a top commentator widget to my site. 🙂 I knew something was missing from it!
Jason, that’s awesome! Can’t wait to see you new top commentator widget. I’ll definitely be on there.
All the best,
Ian
I had never considered the link juice aspect before. That is really interesting. I always assumed spam prevention was the main reason some sites did away with TC. I guess as far as spam or low quality comments go, it can be a tight rope to walk on sometimes but your site is a good example of how to do it right as I rarely if ever see any spammy comments and everyone seems to comment out of genuine interest in the discussion, which is great to see.
-Jean
I have noticed that many people have removed their TC list, and it is much harder to find blogs to comment on and it almost is becoming a lost art. I thought they were removing them due to spam but after reading this not so much huh?
Lan, you can find still blogs with top commentators, the one of the blog which i admire is quicksprout.com owned by Neil Patel. Try this mate;.
Thanks for the comment, Jean! Agreed that it’s very possible to have a spam-free comments section while still having a top commentators widget.
All the best,
Ian
Shane,
Thanks for the comment. Definitely hope commentating does not become a lost art. It’s definitely evolving for sure.
All the best,
Ian
I still comment on blogs without top commentators, but I agree with what you said about the reward for commenting. I love the top commentator plugin and love to see when blogs use it. It does encourage me to join in the conversation. I have noticed that many of the sites I have commented on for years now have removed the top commentator plugin. It usually is the result of a redesign and they choose not to include it with the update. Other reasons, like you went over, spammers tend to use top commentator. Spam in top commentator can be combated with simply moderating comments so I think that this isn’t a reason that top commentator needs to be removed. Anyhow I hope you will keep top commentator for a long time on your blog Ian, and keep up the great work.
Thanks so much, Robert, for the insightful comment. I really like your point about the top commentators being removed during redesign, I too have noticed that. I have no intention to remove top commentators on PPC Ian. I feel like it is the perfect reward for those that contribute to the discussion, and it’s one of my favorite parts of PPC Ian. Thanks again!
All the best,
Ian
This is a great tips for blog owners and those love to comment. I do have this widget on my blog and honor those regular visitors.
I may run my Blog Commenting Contest once I have decent traffic and regular post schedule.
ya, many of the blogs who used to have top commentor widget on their blogs , have removed that now..
I’m glad there are still blogs that share the love, as some would call it, I love reading through and getting new insights, and I may not always have a lot to say, but like to leave a comment so the authors know they had someone read what they took the time to write.
Thanks so much for the comment, Michael. I couldn’t agree more with your viewpoint.
All the best,
Ian
I also look for blogs that have have top com plugin installed. I think is an awesome way to get more visitors and get more comments for your blog and also helps the person commenting as well. It is a win-win as far as I am concerned.
Ian, I realized about that too, lesser blogs installed the top commentator plugin nowadays because I’m planning to collect a list and share it, but seems that it’s difficult to find now. Top commentator is very hot last time, but seems that it’s not anymore now. It’s actually good to give credit to people who leave a comment on the blog, I believe that it’s a give and take process, but not much blog owner could award you with their link juice.
Anyway, great to see that you have Top Commentators plugin on your blog, I’m going to place one for my blog too.
Thanks for the insight on this topic. I’m still debating adding a top commentators widget to my blog. If you have a chance to pop over and give me your advice I would greatly appreciate it! Peace.
Well done ian…thanks for being one of the last survivors to this plugin. It is sad…the dofollow is a rare bird these days.
I am against this top comments plugin its of no use… all we need is genuine comments… and we get that only if we made our comments nofollow… otherwise all will spam…
I’ve seen a number of articles regarding blog commenting no longer being a proven form of SEO, despite this I still swear by it! It is a shame about the lack of blogs using the top commentator plugin, however it is understandable; they are a spam magnet!
Thanks for the thoughts. Definitely wish commentating does not become a missing art. It’s definitely increasing for sure.
I think as far as trash or low excellent feedback go, it can be a limited line simply to move on sometimes but your website is a excellent example of how to do it right as I hardly ever if ever see any spammy feedback and everyone seems to thoughts out of authentic attention in the conversation, which is excellent to see.
I also look for weblogs that have have top com tool set up. I think is an amazing way to get more guests and get more feedback for your site and also allows the individual leaving feedback as well. It is a win-win as far as I am worried.
This is a sound advice for weblog entrepreneurs and those really like to thoughts. I do have this gadget on my weblog and recognition those frequent guests.
That is really amazing and interesting to research your thoughts as I have the same perspective on all the subjects. It is really awesome
Hi, Thanks for great idea about commentators widgets, i am new comer of this website. nice and simple articles is here, once again i thank for your knowledge sharing. Have a nice day.
Till now, I used to do commenting on only dofollow blogs but after reading your post I realized the benefits of commenting on a no follow blog as well as long as the blog has the top commentators section..
I’m a big fan of blog commenting, its certainly a lot more interesting than directory submission as a form of Link building
That’s true. This is nice link building techniques 😉 Thanks bro.
I’ve never even considered taking down my Top Commentators widget because I think it’s a great way to pay back those who take time to comment (you always leave thoughtful comments, which I appreciat.Keep thin nice feedback continue.
Thank you for people like you that understand the value of the widget. Combining both things on the same task is excellent and it is a great way to have frequent visitors. Pleasure and business! I hope you will inspire many other bloggers to do the same!
blog commenting helps for gaining high traffic
I understand how Top Commentators widget will help attract traffic and reward readers, but if you ask me it saps valuable PR juice, and causes Google to frown upon you in the long run! I just don’t understand why someone would actually want to use it!
Ian, you’ve convinced me to add a top commentator widget to my site. I knew something was missing from it..
I have observed that many individuals have eliminated their TC record, and it is much more complicated to get weblogs to opinion on and it almost is becoming a missing art. I believed they were eliminating them due to junk but after studying this not so much huh?
thanks for the advice i have now added a widget to my website 🙂
You are right! Most of the blogger removed this top commentator list from their blog.
Well done ian…thanks for being one of the last survivors to this plugin. It is sad…the dofollow is a rare bird these days..
This is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate info… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!|