Comments on: Is the DoFollow Movement Getting Exploited? http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/ Be a Chief Extraordinary Officer in Business & in Life Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:52:12 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Michael http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-222617 Michael Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:32:18 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-222617 I suppose all bloggers inevitably will have this problem; I always feel a twinge of regret when I have to delete a questionable comment, only to find out later that that person was a long time reader and was deeply offended. I suppose all bloggers inevitably will have this problem; I always feel a twinge of regret when I have to delete a questionable comment, only to find out later that that person was a long time reader and was deeply offended.

]]> By: links for 2008-02-20 | The Marketing Technology Blog http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-174325 links for 2008-02-20 | The Marketing Technology Blog Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:21:36 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-174325 [...] Is the DoFollow Movement Getting Exploited? | eMoms at Home Wendy has abandoned Nofollow due to the number of sneaky spammers that are slithering through and putting comments on her site to promote their own links. (tags: blog nofollow spam dofollow) [...] [...] Is the DoFollow Movement Getting Exploited? | eMoms at Home Wendy has abandoned Nofollow due to the number of sneaky spammers that are slithering through and putting comments on her site to promote their own links. (tags: blog nofollow spam dofollow) [...]

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-173835 Elizabeth Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:52:30 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-173835 I strip the questionable urls if I'm not sure. I engaged one spammy commenter, and, she got all mad at me, telling me that my readers "deserved" to know about her product. I strip the questionable urls if I’m not sure.

I engaged one spammy commenter, and, she got all mad at me, telling me that my readers “deserved” to know about her product.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-135591 Jeff Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:45:17 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-135591 More and more dofollow blogs are going nofollow. Blogspot has set it up so you can't get links back from their blogs' comments, either. Honestly, I have no problem with this, because on several of my blogs I've been dealing with this same issue - people leaving comments that are obviously intended to game the system. More and more dofollow blogs are going nofollow.

Blogspot has set it up so you can’t get links back from their blogs’ comments, either.

Honestly, I have no problem with this, because on several of my blogs I’ve been dealing with this same issue – people leaving comments that are obviously intended to game the system.

]]> By: I feel so used at Randa Clay Design http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-133212 I feel so used at Randa Clay Design Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:07:32 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-133212 [...] It’s not that I don’t understand your motivation - I really do. You’re trying to grow your site/blog and build backlinks from high PR sites. I get it, but somehow that just doesn’t make me feel any less used and annoyed. I’m not the only one. [...] [...] It’s not that I don’t understand your motivation – I really do. You’re trying to grow your site/blog and build backlinks from high PR sites. I get it, but somehow that just doesn’t make me feel any less used and annoyed. I’m not the only one. [...]

]]> By: Patrick Burt http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-76840 Patrick Burt Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:53:33 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-76840 Great article that reinforces my notion that I won't want to follow the dofollow movement. Thanks Great article that reinforces my notion that I won’t want to follow the dofollow movement.

Thanks

]]> By: Dofollow = Spam » 1000MileJourney http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-59004 Dofollow = Spam » 1000MileJourney Sun, 12 Aug 2007 09:49:00 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-59004 [...] bloggers are equally miffed. eMums at Home is concerned that the Dofollow movement is getting exploited. Shoemoney said it frankly, stop the spammy [...] [...] bloggers are equally miffed. eMums at Home is concerned that the Dofollow movement is getting exploited. Shoemoney said it frankly, stop the spammy [...]

]]> By: Angie http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-47329 Angie Thu, 12 Jul 2007 05:36:00 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-47329 I have been surfing around for hours tonight reading up on dofollow abuse, especially with the launch of at least one SEO company that is accepting payment to place comments in blogs for advertisers. Nonetheless, I believe in giving back to my readers, so as time consuming as it is, I hand moderate ALL my comments and I am liberal in stripping out URLs. I have been surfing around for hours tonight reading up on dofollow abuse, especially with the launch of at least one SEO company that is accepting payment to place comments in blogs for advertisers.

Nonetheless, I believe in giving back to my readers, so as time consuming as it is, I hand moderate ALL my comments and I am liberal in stripping out URLs.

]]> By: When a Blogger's Generosity is Exploited... - eMoms at Home - Blogging and Internet Marketing for Home Based Entrepreneurs http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-46167 When a Blogger's Generosity is Exploited... - eMoms at Home - Blogging and Internet Marketing for Home Based Entrepreneurs Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:24:09 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-46167 [...] early June, I wrote a post called “Is the DoFollow Movement Getting Exploited?“. Many of you echoed concerns about spammers doing the same on your blogs, but overall felt [...] [...] early June, I wrote a post called “Is the DoFollow Movement Getting Exploited?“. Many of you echoed concerns about spammers doing the same on your blogs, but overall felt [...]

]]> By: Michael Haislip http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-45168 Michael Haislip Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:24:22 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-45168 I think the only way to go here is to leave dofollow active, but set up certain moderation rules: 1. No obvious keywords in the name field 2. Only allow posts that contribute to the conversation (e.g. "Great post!" or other such meaningless drivel) 3. Maybe install some sort of CAPTCHA test. The more steps you can put between the spammer and the reward, the more likely he'll just move on. Surely, there's a plug-in that checks a URL against a spam site database (does Askimet do that?). Ultimately, I think removing nofollow will be good for you, if only because it gets you on all the lists (gotta love those backlinks). You may have to increase your moderation workload a bit, but I think it would be worth it. I think the only way to go here is to leave dofollow active, but set up certain moderation rules:

1. No obvious keywords in the name field

2. Only allow posts that contribute to the conversation (e.g. “Great post!” or other such meaningless drivel)

3. Maybe install some sort of CAPTCHA test. The more steps you can put between the spammer and the reward, the more likely he’ll just move on. Surely, there’s a plug-in that checks a URL against a spam site database (does Askimet do that?).

Ultimately, I think removing nofollow will be good for you, if only because it gets you on all the lists (gotta love those backlinks). You may have to increase your moderation workload a bit, but I think it would be worth it.

]]> By: Shaun http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-42233 Shaun Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:31:37 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-42233 As with any trend there is a section who take advantage and don't reciprocate and don't get with the whole community thing. Scum sucking leeches I think the term is. As a seo I hear you. I don't think I'm a scum sucking seo but sometimes a lot of people think that seos are actually all SSLs. It's not seo's that are responsible for spam, it's spammers. Personally, I'd never leave a comment on a blog if I am not willing to participate in the conversation. I'd certainly never spam a blog after a comment was allowed. Only tight moderation keeps your site safe, and I'd recommend if your site suddenly tanks in Google, I'd have a close look at who you are actually linking to. Remove any dubious links, and you'll be safe. Shaun As with any trend there is a section who take advantage and don’t reciprocate and don’t get with the whole community thing. Scum sucking leeches I think the term is.

As a seo I hear you. I don’t think I’m a scum sucking seo but sometimes a lot of people think that seos are actually all SSLs. It’s not seo’s that are responsible for spam, it’s spammers.

Personally, I’d never leave a comment on a blog if I am not willing to participate in the conversation. I’d certainly never spam a blog after a comment was allowed.

Only tight moderation keeps your site safe, and I’d recommend if your site suddenly tanks in Google, I’d have a close look at who you are actually linking to. Remove any dubious links, and you’ll be safe.

Shaun

]]> By: Jay Thompson http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-37590 Jay Thompson Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:47:27 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-37590 I recently did the do-follow thing. I don't "advertise" it in any way, shape or form. Within a week, I was getting hit by more spam comments than usual. SpamKarma finds most, I kill the rest. But I don't have the traffic or comment volume you do (despite that, I get dozens and dozens of spam comments a day. Real estate blogs seem to attract all the low life's spamming lending sites.... *Love* your work here! I recently did the do-follow thing. I don’t “advertise” it in any way, shape or form.

Within a week, I was getting hit by more spam comments than usual. SpamKarma finds most, I kill the rest. But I don’t have the traffic or comment volume you do (despite that, I get dozens and dozens of spam comments a day. Real estate blogs seem to attract all the low life’s spamming lending sites….

*Love* your work here!

]]> By: Mobile Computing » Blog Archive » DoFollow Spammer Scum http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-37520 Mobile Computing » Blog Archive » DoFollow Spammer Scum Mon, 11 Jun 2007 07:32:06 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-37520 [...] Wendy Piersall has noticed that spammers are picking up on the “DoFollow” (removal of no.... [...] [...] Wendy Piersall has noticed that spammers are picking up on the “DoFollow” (removal of no…. [...]

]]> By: Andy Beard http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-36645 Andy Beard Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:53:48 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-36645 Google don't follow nofollow links and no attribution. Yahoo use it for discovery but don't attribute anything to the link. MSN/Live don't follow nofollow links and no attribution. Ask don't take into account nofollow All of those are based on official responses to a question raise by SEJ, other than MSN - MSN is based on some testing I have done, and testing read elsewhere. Most search engines discount the value of comments already if they can detect them, and I think most can fairly easily for quite a while. They also discount the value of sitewide links in your footer and sidebar. How much they discount things is down to their algorithms, which change on a daily basis. Google don’t follow nofollow links and no attribution.
Yahoo use it for discovery but don’t attribute anything to the link.
MSN/Live don’t follow nofollow links and no attribution.
Ask don’t take into account nofollow

All of those are based on official responses to a question raise by SEJ, other than MSN – MSN is based on some testing I have done, and testing read elsewhere.

Most search engines discount the value of comments already if they can detect them, and I think most can fairly easily for quite a while.

They also discount the value of sitewide links in your footer and sidebar.

How much they discount things is down to their algorithms, which change on a daily basis.

]]> By: Wendy Piersall http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-36642 Wendy Piersall Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:34:00 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-36642 Actually yes, Jonathan. I asked Lorelle about this earlier this week, and 'NoFollow' is really only there for Google - and even then, Google follows it, just not counting it on Page Rank. On an interesting side note, according to Lorelle Google is also working on an algorithm that will know the difference between post content and comment content - boosting the post and devaluing the comments (for search results). I think this is a good thing because I have noticed I show up for some strange search queries based on words left in comments, which are usually unrelated to the search AND my post. Actually yes, Jonathan. I asked Lorelle about this earlier this week, and ‘NoFollow’ is really only there for Google – and even then, Google follows it, just not counting it on Page Rank.

On an interesting side note, according to Lorelle Google is also working on an algorithm that will know the difference between post content and comment content – boosting the post and devaluing the comments (for search results).

I think this is a good thing because I have noticed I show up for some strange search queries based on words left in comments, which are usually unrelated to the search AND my post.

]]> By: EmpowerWomenNow.com - Women entrepreneurs blog. An International Women Entrepreneur's Online Resource Center with free tips, tools, resources, networking and mentoring http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-36636 EmpowerWomenNow.com - Women entrepreneurs blog. An International Women Entrepreneur's Online Resource Center with free tips, tools, resources, networking and mentoring Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:04:34 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-36636 [...] Is the DoFollow Movement being Exploited? Well, come find out, read the comments, join the discussion and weigh-in your opinion! [...] [...] Is the DoFollow Movement being Exploited? Well, come find out, read the comments, join the discussion and weigh-in your opinion! [...]

]]> By: Big Bucks Blogger » Spam Shields Up! http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-36633 Big Bucks Blogger » Spam Shields Up! Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:55:01 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-36633 [...] news is bad: spammers have learned a work around Akismet. Wendy of Emoms at Home and others have been describing a pesky trick some spammers are [...] [...] news is bad: spammers have learned a work around Akismet. Wendy of Emoms at Home and others have been describing a pesky trick some spammers are [...]

]]> By: Alpesh Writes on How To: Control Spam on Wordpress Blog http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-36597 Alpesh Writes on How To: Control Spam on Wordpress Blog Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:33:53 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-36597 @ Adam Kayce : Monk At Work Were you referring to my post :-) Maybe... I'd go with Ben's idea when time comes ... @ Adam Kayce : Monk At Work

Were you referring to my post :-)

Maybe… I’d go with Ben’s idea when time comes …

]]> By: Jonathan-C. Phillips http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-36561 Jonathan-C. Phillips Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:31:09 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-36561 Well, I just went and looked at some old comments on my blog and found another one that was redirecting a "questionable" website... You know your post really makes me rethink that whole dofollow thing. But on the other hand, putting the nofollow attribute back, won't change anything really, people can still redirect to adult or questionable websites (meaning that people could actually click on those links, which would be just as bad), even if google doesn't follow those links, if I'm not mistaken, Yahoo does (I'm absolutely not sure about this though, so if someone could help us it would be really cool). I really enjoy sharing the link love, but I hate it when people abuse my kindness! I have some gems in my comments, and a lot of people adding value to the discussions, but sometimes you kinda have to decide, I think my readers and visitors would not like finding an adult link on my blog. So I still have around 400 comments to go through. But regarding the real problem I face with dofollow ("nice post" comments anyone?) is when a comment does not add any value at all. I don't like to say this, but I might give John Chow's plugin a try, even if i have to pay for it :) Well, I just went and looked at some old comments on my blog and found another one that was redirecting a “questionable” website… You know your post really makes me rethink that whole dofollow thing. But on the other hand, putting the nofollow attribute back, won’t change anything really, people can still redirect to adult or questionable websites (meaning that people could actually click on those links, which would be just as bad), even if google doesn’t follow those links, if I’m not mistaken, Yahoo does (I’m absolutely not sure about this though, so if someone could help us it would be really cool). I really enjoy sharing the link love, but I hate it when people abuse my kindness! I have some gems in my comments, and a lot of people adding value to the discussions, but sometimes you kinda have to decide, I think my readers and visitors would not like finding an adult link on my blog. So I still have around 400 comments to go through.

But regarding the real problem I face with dofollow (”nice post” comments anyone?) is when a comment does not add any value at all. I don’t like to say this, but I might give John Chow’s plugin a try, even if i have to pay for it

:)

]]> By: Organic Girl http://www.sparkplugging.com/sparkplug-ceo/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/comment-page-2/#comment-36405 Organic Girl Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:07:12 +0000 http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/2007/06/05/is-the-dofollow-movement-getting-exploited/#comment-36405 Alright, I'm back already! While I understand that site isn't great, what was wrong with the comment itself? That seems like a ligit comment to me. It shows he read your article at least. Btw, I prefer 'Organic Girl', hope you approve :) Alright, I’m back already!

While I understand that site isn’t great, what was wrong with the comment itself? That seems like a ligit comment to me. It shows he read your article at least.

Btw, I prefer ‘Organic Girl’, hope you approve :)

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