Blog commenting as strange as it sounds has become somewhat of a science. In the past few years alone there have been trends that still exist in order to help bloggers obtain the comments they want. If you give good comments, there are noticeable results.
1. Your blog receives comments back that may also be great feedback.
2. You meet others with the same interests.
3. You are creating a link back to your website for others to follow.
There have been quite a few ways to allow people to connect with other bloggers throughout the past few years.
1. Plugboards. Sites like Plugboard.org have been open since 2004 and allow people to enter their site’s link and a link to their website’s button for others to be able to click on. This is where the term ‘plugging your site’ really took off. The only downside a lot of people just plug their site and then be on their way without visiting others. Originally the plugboard was designed that if you plugged, then you visited the others that plugged. In return, the people who plug after you will also visit.
2. Comment Exchange sites. You can sign up for and you get to comment on several sites, and in return, you get also receive comments. This is great if you are able to take the time. The concept of this was that the site sends emails sent out 3 times a week, so that means you have to comment on 9 blogs. The problem is that some bloggers do not return comments, some blogs might have downtime issues, some do not even participate, or those who do are not reporting those who are not commenting.
3. Banner and Link Exchanges. This is probably one of the oldest versions to attract bloggers. Like plugsites, your link or your banner are the face for your site.
3. CommentLuv. This tool gives the commenter a way to leave a little preview of what to expect at their website for both the site owner and other visitors.
4. Twitter is becoming a titan in social media. There are new tools created on a daily basis to allow Tweeps to fully use the site. Twitter Tools and Tweet This are just some of the best tools out there for bloggers. Twitter Tools allows the blogger to tweet the new post while Tweet This allows the user to tweet the blog post if they like what they have read.
5. Backtype is a social venue that runs on giving people a run down on where and what you have commented. This program recognizes your comments from Twitter, LiveJournal, social bookmarking sites, and your blog. In general, it is a way to archive your comments.
Of course, there are other tools out there like other social networks (example: Facebook), but to me, these have been the ones to stand out the past few years. Perhaps you have used a couple of them in the past? What have you noticed… care to share?
One of the sites I use on a regular basis is a lot like the one you list (Despair.nu) called http://commentexchange.net/index.php
Like your statement, you have that mixture of those the comment consistently while others just seem to let things slide. It’s rough on the board owner I’m sure to keep track of who is doing what (and should a site remain in the list or not).
I also am a huge fan of CommentLuv, but don’t see you actively using it? Is there a reason why? Could be, too, that once I hit submit it will appear (some commenting areas do that).
Just wanted to take the time to say I appreciate your post. I’ll also be keeping my eyes open should Despair.nu return. I’m off to check out Backtype next, so thanks for that heads up, too 🙂
I have not used it lately as there seems to be some development work on it. I am interested in the fact that Andy Bailey (the creator of CommentLuv) has recently submitted it to be included in Intense Debate.
Interesting post. I never knew there were comment exchanges. I have heard of link exchanges, which are pretty old. However, comment exchange networks are something I am completely new to. I love twitter for pushing my site on social networks. Twitter is by far better at getting me visitors than another social media site I have found so far. The plugins available to help push this even further only seem to amplify this effect and I am still fairly new to blogging. Thanks for the great read, Ricky Strode
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There are many techniques to encourage the readers to comment on a blog. Implementing commentluv is one of these approaches, as the comment-er gets a valuable link, while the blogger increases the activity on his site. In the future, I think that social networks plugins could increase their popularity, due to the high number of users.
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!
you just blew the lid off my my whole operation! gg thanks for the post tho >_<
Hello Nile, I’m not heard of Plugboard before even though it has been out ages, I’m going to check it out in a few minutes, thanks for the continued education! I’m a fan of CommentLuv I run the pro version on my site and I use Twitter most days too! 🙂
Its a great post with the great tips about the arts of blogging. I have learned many useful matters of blogging from this article. Thanks for sharing this nice post.
I am going to research about the comment exchange sites you mentioned, it seems to be a great concept. Thanks, you always providing us with amazing valuable information.
Very interesting article, Nile
I would say that the quality of comments is key. In the world of reviews now there is a trend towards gathering all the good stuff said about you from all over the net into once place. Perhaps there is scope for something like this with comments. Rather than listing comments on your blog, list comments you have made. Might invite more comments for us!
One thing for sure, Google likes good comments.
Completely agree with you John! Quality of comment must be valuable and adds something worth discussing for. Leaving an interesting question or insight about the post is quite a good practice to initiate conversation. Commentluv is one of the plugins I love for it honors the loyal audience.
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Hi Nile, blog commenting has so many advantages and it’s one of the best ways to get traffic, backlinks and build relationships with others bloggers in your niche, it’s a must for every blogger, thanks for sharing…
Hi Nile,
I was participating in link exchange but not getting the real benefits from it. Now? I like manual blogwalking, many I can learn from it. 🙂
Blog commenting is almost like a science. There is so many ways you can find a blog and comment on. Social Networks and going on different blogs and looking for blogs in your niche is not a bad idea. It is good to get to know others.
This is so true. Commenting is easy, but GOOD commenting needs a lot of focusing on that you create good relationships with other bloggers and you create backlinks as well.
Hi Nile,
You listed the top resources for comment exchange. I’m a huge fan of Comment Luv and of course being a member of TSA has had a great impact on my blog.
I think the training that members receive emphasis quality syndication and for the most part, the TSA members who are active leave outstanding comments. I have made so many friends in TSA and it has been a developing process, and well worth it.
I will check out the other resources you listed. Thanks!
Raena Lynn
Commenting on blogs with comment luv not only helps to get backlinks, it also helps to get some traffic. I always try to comment on high quality blogs, because its worth commenting there.
Commentluv and other type of comment system give profit to both blogger and a commenter. The commenter gets a backlink while the blog gets a comment. however it sounds strange :P.
I agree that quality commenting is where it is all at Nile. It is not about rushing to make as many comments as possible. This strategy will not help to build relationships. The money only really happens when relationships are forged.
Hi Nile, it’s a very informative post on commenting. Even I know much about blog commenting but still I found some very useful information from this post. Thanks
I only comment on blogs which has commentluv enabled [Same like this blog].
Because I get more benefit from it.
I do commenting for 30 minutes in a day.
What about yours?
Nile, how in the world do you keep up with all this stuff???!!!! You’re amazing. Like some of those who have already commented on this, the plugging sites, along with some of the other comment exchanges, are all new to me. Seems there’s an ever-growing number of ways to get your name out there on the net. How does one keep up with it all? Personally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and found true value (on many levels) in being part of a blogging tribe (Tribe Syndication Association), if for no other reason the incredible relationships one can build — not to mention the viral advantages for one’s blog.
Commenting on blogs is really an art. If we make more good comments we will get much benefits. This article has shared some important tips about commenting on blogs, Which are very useful. Thanks for sharing this nice article.
Thanks for these amazing resources Nile.
I was contacted lately by a person who owns a site and has a membership site where she garantees 50 commentsper week on one’s site if the person constantly comments on other people’s sites.
I do nto think one needs to pay for such a service after all these resources you are offering here.ù
Like Steve, I’m aprt of of TSA group that has benn a great experience for the people I have met, the quality of the blogs and info and for the results on visibilityand comments of my site.
Thanks Nile for this great post!
I really didn’t know about all the sites that you listed. I use commentLuv and nothing else. It is more to ones advantage if they give a good comment and not one that says Great Post. I feel that besides giving information blogging is a way to start a conversation. Also being a member of TSA I have developed a friendship with many people around the globe. You can’t do that with not making contact and giving your feedback.
Thanks for the added information about comments.
Hi Nile, Thanks for all these resources. I didn’t know they existed. I am a fan of commentluv and have it.
When it comes for me to comment, I take it very seriously. I have acquired more people coming into my social platforms just by my comments. I even wrote a blog about it once of how important it is to comment.
A one liner will not get any attention from other people on a blog. But if you take the time (or hire someone to do that) you will stand out of the crowd.
Being a member of tribes, one of our trainings is all about commenting. Guess that just became part of me and what I do.
Again, thanks for these links I will check them out.
Donna
In my opinion : With the recent Google Penguin Update one needs to think carefully before perusing a Larger than life Link Building Campaign like on a comment exchange site.
Great suggestions Nile. I think I would also add the commentluv blog search tool that Andy recently released. Makes it easier to find blogs running commentluv. You’ve been involved in blogs and comment exchanges a long time and certainly seen the pros and cons of them!
Kim
This was more of a recap of the trends in the past decade in commenting. Definitely have seen a lot, but still have to see more. Always learning. 😀
i am using comment luv plug in and i thing it is the best for 2 reasons, it also allow you to get some high quality backlinks from other blogs by commenting and it also attract other bloggers to comment on your blog posts
Hello Nile
Blog comments are a critical part of a successful blog and it’s important bloggers understand and focus on to create a great blog. You discussion of comments and ways to connect is a very helpful information. Commenting on blogs has been a learning experience, when I write a comment is when I really learn from the blog post. CommentLuv and TSAmastery are two excellent ways to improve one’s blog.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City
Thank you, Nile, for providing this great information.
Plugboard and Backtype ar new to me and I will check it out.
The idea of having an ‘archive’ where you can see all the comment sounds great. Does it include comments made on our sites as well as other people’s?
Hi Nile,
thank you so much for introducing me to Backtype and Plugboard.
It is great how you can check the tweets made which don’t have a Twitter ID in the tweet with backtype, I always wondered how you could do that.
I love commentluv (even if it doesn’t always work) and being part of the TSA tribe where people comment on each others posts and also share it.
Nile,
This was great and one location I never herd of which makes this site great as my one spot update for techie news. I compare articles with Kim’s.
Yet, back on track is that I also found if you sign up for free to get Gravatar and commentluv your profile pic and links are populated upon each visit to others sites, when leaving real usable content.
When I get visitors on my site. I give the a free insight to this little valuable content. I just get hurt seeing people leaving comments without us the readers knowing who they are with a simple pic and how to visit their site. They just start dropping pitch links at the end of some comment.
Nile, I have not herd from you for a while. I am so happy to see you up and moving around again. Your a valued member of our family and I love your attitude.
Good Morning Nile,
First, thank you so much for your site. Great job your article about commenting.
i agree with all this person and say, yes.. commenting is a great chance to connect other people with your blog. You can interact and discuss.
i never heard from “backtype”, however, i like commentluv, because, you became fresh and unique content, and also you give good backlinks to other sites.
it`s a good deal 🙂
with best wishes and greetings,
i wish you a nice weekend 🙂
jenny
Hi Nile, I think now a days every one doing blog commenting only for backlink and they are in hurry to build backlink by blog commeting and using only spamy comments.
So we should active while we gonna approve any comments
BTW its a easiest way to build backlink.
Thanks nile for sharing among those I still prefer commentluv. 🙂
Hi Nile,
The cool thing about reading others blogs is that I learn so much. I am familiar with commentluv, but all the others I have not heard of. Well, I do use Twitter, but not the tools you mentioned. There is so much to learn. Thanks for keeping us informed and in the know.
Commentluv is definately a good one. I like the sounds of the comment exchange and backtype. I haven’t heard of those. Thanks!
Thanks for a great post Nile. Another way I have found for getting comments in return is to join (or create) a blog commenting tribe. I belong to several and when you post a link to a blog post you also comment on other’s posts. It’s also good for social shares. Of course, it has the same downside as some that you mention in that many people don’t reciprocate.
Great post on commenting Nile. I was not aware of the Plugboard.org site and will have to check it out. Thank you again for an insightful look at commenting. Really enjoyed the post!
Hi,
I’m really enjoying your blog. I’ve learned so much from just 2 posts. I have never heard of plugboard before. Is it still active? I’m going to out check it out.
Thanks!
Kathryn
Hi Nile,
Many thanks for sharing your tip , you have made some excellent points in this post. I had not heard of plugboard . Here is my little tip when you receive quality comments take a screen capture and share them with your social media sites. It is a very nice way to thank the person and give them recognition and also to remind people of your blog. Take care Rosemary
Hello Nile, I didn’t know about all those ways to get comments on your blog. Rosemary’s tip above is a really good one also. What do you think of the Disqus commenting system Nile?
Commentluv is such a good way to promote your website, and making comments alot more fun to do!
Nice valuable post Neil. few of plugins you shared are very valuable however i already read much about them but they are quite new for some readers. thanks for that.
you write about Twitter which is best place to get valuable links and customers. Its a best platform in all social medias.
There are really good ways and as far as i see commentluv tool is activated in most of the blog sites and the capital reason of this is its ability to fetch the latest post link below the given comment before submitting comment. The rest of the ways are new to me and a big thanks for sharing such good ways.
Must say there are things here that you mention that I have not heard of… goes to show how much is available to us here on the net. I enjoy reading blogs and commenting and it is always nice to hear back from that person without having to remember whose site I have been on… One can certainly spend lots of time doing all these things. I imagine that there is some type of program that helps keep it all organized..? I can’t begin to imagine how you keep it all straight!! Great post!
I am a fan of Commentluv as well. Your tips have been very valuable and useful for me. I am always in expectation to read your next blog. Thanks for sharing, excellent post.
HI Nile, I use and really like commentluv. Thanks for sharing other ways to get comments on your blog. I enjoy reading and leaving comments on blogs which articles are really interesting and helpful for me. I also like sharing these posts with my social network.
To become a professional blogger, you need skill, dedication and no small amount of luck, but for the right person, writing about your passion can make for extremely rewarding work..
Commenting is really very essential in today’s internet business. Thru it you can get traffic by leaving your link for others to visit your site. Im such an aficionado of commentluv; really love that tool.
Regards,
Brian
Hi Nile:
The best strategy for me for getting comments has come from 2 main sources: (1) Actively commenting on other sites and (2) Being a part of a Tribe.
Thanks!
Kevin
Nile,
You certainly have a lot of comments here so you are practicing what you are talking about. I have found TSA (Tribe Syndication Association) to be a tremendous help to me. First, as long as I take the time and make the effort to comment on others’ blogs, they do respond and reciprocate. Second, I have received so much positive feedback about my posts that it continually encourages me to keep writing and sharing what I know. And third, I have really created some good friends who support me and I support them in whatever ways we can.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Nile,
Great list of suggestions! I definitely learned some things here! My favorite has always been CommentLuv Premium by Andy Bailey! Simple and effective and gives you a link back to your blog with no mess and no stress! I believe strongly that I get more comments on my site having this plugin, especially since several sites have actually listed my blog as one that uses CommentLuv Premium.
Thanks for sharing! Great Job once again, Nile!
~ Jupiter Jim
p.s. gotta share on my FB biz page!
Thanks Nile…
You brought our some very cool techniques, but what I got most out of what you wrote was the underlying theme of reciprocation. So many times, as you pointed out, the comments and the “social love” is a one-way street.
Interesting stuff, Nile.
Commenting really has become an artful way to involve yourself (plug yourself) into any community or conversation you wish to.
And in a rather substantial way.
When you comment thoughtfully and resourcefully, readers are really getting a pretty good glimpse at who you are, and what your online brand is.
Nile, CommentLuv has taken commenting to a new level of relevance for building backlinks and engaging with other bloggers. Twitter hasn’t has nearly the same impact for my blog, but still building.
Another excellent article Nile….
Blog commenting had become useful specilly if your doing some SEO on your site or maketing a certain website…..
Nowadays, People are to lazzy to read 1st and then leave a comment, Other choose to look for a Auto approve blogs with high PR, They are missing the point of Leaning or improving them selves if they dont even read a single word on a certain article…..
Too bad for them…
Thank you for this another great share Nile..
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing these resources. I like comment luv as it gives an incentive for others to post comments on your site. comments are the life blood of any blog and receiving comments gives you credibility for being an expert in your field.
The post was very good at the start, but comments made it 10 times better. I read almost all of them thoroughly and i think that there is a great contribution from anyone for this great blog. Keep it up !
Hi Nile, you certainly give me suggestions to check out here.
I love CommentLuv and the TSA of course. I am now seeking other tribes to share content and get to know other bloggers. In the end, comments come when you provide genuine and valuable content.
Thanks for a great article as always.
Clare
I do all those you have enlisted aside from using the plugboard. I’ll take a look on that later on. I must say that Commentluv and Twitter are very useful.
I just want to say that your post is superb on the topic Commenting.Actually commenting is a unique way to express own views related to the post.Keep writing.
Alex recently post….”Google Penguin”:- Google Penguin Attack: Recovery Tips and More!
I remember plugboards back in the day! They aren’t as popular it seems these days.
Your post is fantastic!well said. CommentLuv rocks!!
Hey Nile,
very useful information you’ve posted.
A quick question though, i’ve a decent blog and good traffic too but the conversation rate is very low, nobody wants to comment on my posts 🙁 is there something wrong?
I have had great results since I loaded up the CommentLuv plugin. It seems more people are willing to comment and actually search your blog out because they know this.
I really don’t know how commentluv helps !
hi,
well if you want big amount of comment then what you have to do is just make your blog dofollow and let 2-3 people know about it soon its became viral and all spammer will start commenting like hell happend with me before for one of my site i used comment luv and seen significate number of increase in visitor and commentor
For blog commenting, I actually use only comment luv and nothing else. I have been doing comments for a while and so far Comment luv never give me any headaches plus I can read all the good blogs like Blondish.net and optimize my site.
Mark Sanders
CommentLuv is great! You´re post is fantastic. Thanks a million for sharing.
Hey Nile,
Thanks for sharing your expertise
Another thing which I want to add is that social bookmarking websites are another way to draw traffic to your blog…also do keep good and fresh content on your blog that would definitely increase your conversation rate….
Another way of improving your conversation rate can be to reply to your comments to keep yourself involved with the reader…
Hi Nile,
Good comments have always noticeable results. You have shared some good websites that are helpful in allowing people to connect with other bloggers. CommentLuv and being a member of tribe gives you a vast difference in commenting and blog popularity results.
The plugboard.org was a new concept for me, thanks for bringing it up. Fantastic information, I will look into the comment exchange sites; I like the idea of exchanging comments to bring more exposure to our sites.
I simply love commentluv, it is a boon when it comes to deep link building.
I use comment luv, think that is the best commenting plugin so far. I really don’t like the idea to ask people to comment on my blog, nor I would comment to someone’s blog just to get one. This is why i stick to the comluv.
With the Penguin update anything with the word ‘exchange’ in it now scares the fool out of me. I do love me some CommentLuv, though.
I like your top 5 here. But for me, CommentLuv is number 1 because it’s easier for blog readers to see your blog links. Anyways, nice review!
Points were really great and useful, being a new blogger these points are really important for me to make me perfect and under professional bloggers like you it will be easy for me.
Thanks for the helpful tips! Twitter is certainly one of the biggest social networking tools on the web. Backtype is something I should check out. It definitely would help to keep track of comments.
Interesting post. I never knew there were comment exchanges. I have heard of link exchanges, which are pretty old. However, comment exchange networks are something I am completely new to. I love twitter for pushing my site on social networks. Twitter is by far better at getting me visitors than another social media site I have found so far. The plugins available to help push this even further only seem to amplify this effect and I am still fairly new to blogging. Thanks for the great read, Ricky Strode
Thanks a lot for great tips! Best regards.
Well.. Its very good.. Commenting is alwayz givng the idea for sake of our work which we presenting to all the readers.. +ve comment is alwz a gift for me..
I’d say CommentLuv is #1. As I have gone across multiple different blogs, spanning many different niches, one thing is always the same. All blogs that use CommentLuv for their comments vastly outperform their counterparts when it comes to user engagement and helpfulness of comments.
Comment exchanging is a great idea but like you said, it rarely works as advertised. There is just so much spammy junk out there that getting reliable comments using a exchange method seems to be more miss than hit.
good writer must be a great reader that’s why blogwalking is important besides commenting and leave your link 😀
I have been trying to promote my site for a awhile now and I can use all the help I can get. Thank you for this post I have checked out a few of the options and I think they should be able to help!
I have definitely noticed a greater trend towards blogging. I’m wondering if do-follow comments are perhaps the greatest gift of this new social focus google has!
Either way, site rankings aside, I’ve met some fun people and had some fantastic conversations, so I win with comments either way!
Great list of comment resources!
Blog commenting if done correctly, is the precursor to building long lasting relationships. It is not an overnight success thing. I have come across many blogs where you can see by the interaction on the blogs, people look like best friends. Thanks for sharing this Nile.
I am a new for blog. so this is most important for me. thanks again
Its my first time to know these things. I must use them in the future for my own blog. Thanks for sharing this to us. Keep it up!
I have read the blog and it seems that i only knows 2 of those have mention above. Its only Twitter and comment luv. But for now I use a lot in twitter because I just think that it is really effective especially if you have a lot of followers in your twitter. 🙂 Thanks a lot for sharing this stuff 🙂
HI Nile, nice post….
just because of this post I have got to know about plugboard.org….yes, commentluv is a valuable plugin for all bloggers…..
i am a new for blogs so it is very important thing and good for me….
I really didn’t realize banner and link exchanges still worked. Time to dust off some of my old links and see if they are still running. I only recently discovered comment luv and blog commenting so thanks for the the other tips!
For me commentluv is the best… I love it. I don’t know how others operate though I’m willing to learn.
I have been in a couple blog commenting communities and have had some great results from them. I am able to find new content to write about or some great people to talk to. That’s how I found your blog.
The problem I have found though is that its hard to keep up with commenting. I try (and fail most times) to comment on 10 blogs a day and it can be a quite laborous task. Which explains why software like Scrapebox is so popular among commentors.
Good advice Nile. I am just dipping my toes into blogging and SEO, to supplement our core business services to help local clients find our services more readily, so it is good to pick up these strategies. Hopefully, once I have learnt the ropes with my own business website I may venture out and see if I can supplement my income through a blog which generates an income of its own. Stop by my current architectural design blog and leave a comment for a do follow link back to your website/blog. Paul from PD Architecture in Nottingham
Hey Nile,
I’ve found one of the best ways to get comments is to ask for them at the end of a good post, especially with the commentluv in place as it helps the commenters as well as the blogger with the site receiving the comment.
Commenting on blogs seem like a very important step on promoting our blogs nowadays, i think it is all because of the fiercer competition, many people now knows that there are many ways of earning buck from the internet.
Without any exception older competitor have to do so to stay in the battleground, lol.
Commenting on blogs in your niche makes lots of sense for a few reasons– you are building relationships with other bloggers, gaining some exposure to a whole new set of readers, and you also get to learn from the blogger and maybe offer your opinion in return.
I have just started commenting and actually had comments disabled to stop annoying comments being left on my website.
I have recently installed commentluv so I will have to see how it goes. Today more than ever I feel anything to do with ‘socializing’ and interacting with our visitors is important.
I know I have to start doing more of it…I have procrastinated for too long.
Hi,there are many techniques to encourage the readers to comment on a blog. Commenting is always giving the idea for sake of our work which we presenting to all the readers.
Guest blogging on some high traffic blogs + CommentLuv + SEO posts with a dash of Anti-Spam plugin. I recently wrote a guest blog and it got a lot of comments, some of whom have stopped by and shared some great comments on my blog and another place I write for. I basically plan to work that trifecta until the cows come home. Consistency, consistency, consistency!
Hi the information in your post is really helpful as I am definatly lacking in getting comments and replies to comments at the moment I seem to spend a lot of time trying to write my posts but am struggling in optimising my site.
Thanks lee
This is great stuff. I really like commentluv myself. The idea automatically posting a link to you the most recent article of the commenter is pretty great. Easy ti install on your own blog too. Comment Exchanges sound interesting though I’m not sure I would use one.
I have a question to ask that if i am commenting on any nofollow website, then it affects my blog article ranking or not. If no, so can you tell me any blog and list of do-follow website in the given email address.
If yes, then how much it affects?
Thank you