Take a look at the following comment sections of WordPress blogs:
Do you see what’s missing?
Here are another four examples:
Do you see what these four comment sections contain that the first four lack? The answer lies in an optional check box a person writing a comment can tick to receive follow-up comments by email.
If I have a choice adding a comment on a blog with the box and a blog without it, I choose the box because I want to know if someone replies to my comment. Without the plugin installed, I may still comment but will never know if I get a response.
Think about that the next time you write a blog post.
You can download the Subscribe to Comments plugin here. I can’t think of a more essential plugin you should have.
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{ 22 comments }
This sounds like a really useful plugin! Thanks for the tip.
Sooooo true. It’s amazing how many times people don’t have this installed & don’t realize what the problem is. Can’t always fault them though, sometimes they’re just starting out! (Or, really don’t understand the problem)
Time to tick the box…
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Totally agree with you there! I usually like to subscribe to the comments as well so that I can know how others are responding. There is always something you can learn or utilize from people’s response even though you might have to wade through junk sometimes!
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The last time I was here, you still don’t have Keywordluv. I wasn’t sure if I’m going to recommend it. You can check my post about it by following the link through Commentluv.
Having subscribe to comments option is a wise move. I also use this on my blog along side Comment Approved Notifier to makes sure that the commentator knows if his/her comment was approved even though he/she didn’t wish to receive subsequent comments through email. It’s also one way of giving thanks to the commentator.
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Hear, hear! Subscribe to comment is probably the most essential plugin another blogger can have installed.
But, don’t make the check box ticked by default…feels instrusive and is probably almost illegal in some jurisdictions
It’s also important to have the box above the submit button… else, what’s the point?
I use Keywordluv, Commentluv, and sport a Do-Follow plugin. I feel it’s a good trade-off for the interaction, and as I read on another blog recently, any blog that has all three is pure gold! I rarely check that box because I would spend too much time checking them out lol.
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Fair enough, Jerry. But you understand why it’s important to some, right?
I was wondering if there is a way to get this type of interactive commenting going on a blogspot blog.
I agree it’s great for wordpress, I’d love to use it on blogger too.
Jim
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I don’t understand your question. If someone leaves a comment on a blogspot blog, there is an optional checkbox (only if using a google address to leave the comment) to receive followup comments. Is that what you mean?
Sorry about the confusion there Ari.
I am speaking in general terms, the fact that there is a plethora of plugins available for wordpress makes it a much more interactive platform as compared to blogger.
Jim
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Twitter: DamonDay
October 26, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Hello Ari,
Great tip about the subscribe to comments. I have seen that on a lot of blogs but didn’t know how to do it. I am a financial consultant by trade, but a newbie blogger trying to learn as much as I can quickly. I wanted to install Commentluv on my site but it says it is only compatible with WP 8 or higher. I don’t want to upgrade my WP version at this moment. Do you know of a version of Commentluv that I could install that is compatible with WP 7? I know a lot of blogs that are not wp version 8 that do have this pluggin. Any help would be appreciated thanks.
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Great plugin to improve interaction on the website through comments
You’re right, I don’t like commenting without being able to receive responses via email either… I was able to do away with some extranious plugins by using IntenseDebate with CommentLuv though, so the “receive responses by email” box is automatically included. I recommend it! =o)
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This is really helpful article.
Commenting is being a part of seo and by installing the keywordsluv and commentluv you can reward your visitors.
Thanks for sharing such useful information.
Thank you so much for the tip mate, I am sure many bloggers are un-aware of this, this post might will enlighten them for sure
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Twitter: DamonDay
January 7, 2010 at 1:29 AM
you are right Ari, that subscribe to comments is essential. I think it is also very important to use the option to have the subscribe to comments checked by default. Many viewers, especially ones that are not familiar with blogs, might not even notice it and think to check it. So I think it is good to have that checked by default.
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Ari, thanks so much for your suggestion to use this on my blog. I plan on using it more this year so making it visitor friendly and easy for people to follow it like the click box for comment follow-ups. I installed it.
Also checking out other plug-ins you listed on your blog.
Anna
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You bet, glad to help!
Thanks for the suggestion. I have just gone and installed it on my blog.
I don’t think it’s a great idea to have it checked by default though. A little invasive to the inattentive.
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Sounds like a plan. Now we wait to see who clicks your link and adds a comment!
Twitter: MetacomCreative
May 16, 2010 at 11:12 AM
I have to say, after installing a “Notify of followup comments” plugin, return commenters returned. I also like to know when someone replies to a comment I leave on another blog, so it’s great for the blog owner as well as the end user. Good post!
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