Dos and Don’ts of the Comment Section
The comment section is a crucial part of online content that allows viewers to express their opinions and engage with the content creator and other viewers. After launching your online platform, your dream is to get attention. You want traffic and engagement from your readers or viewers. The comment section can be an excellent platform to spark discussions and share different perspectives.
However, with the freedom of speech and anonymity that the internet provides, comment sections can quickly become a breeding ground for negativity, hate speech, and trolling. To ensure that your comment section remains a constructive and positive space, here are some dos and don’ts from the online reputation management experts that you should keep in mind:
Dos of the Comment Section
1. Be Respectful
The most important rule of any comment section is to be respectful. Treat others the way you want to be treated and avoid personal attacks or derogatory language.
2. Use a Comment Spam Filter
Set up a filter for your comments. Spam comments are a big problem for websites and blogs because you might end up sorting hundreds and thousands of illegitimate comments. If you have a WordPress website, you may consider using Akismet, which is one of the commonly used spam filters.
3. Respond and Comment Back
Think of your comment section as a conversation platform. Respond with the same level of sincerity to warm and thoughtful comments. Don’t leave so many questions unanswered because you might start losing traffic. Let your audience know that you listen and see them by replying with a ‘thank you’ to short comments.
4. Use Evidence to Support Your Arguments
When expressing your opinion, use evidence to support your arguments. This can include statistics, research findings, or personal experiences. Providing evidence strengthens your argument and makes it more convincing to the audience. It also shows that you have put thought into your opinion and are willing to back it up with facts.
Don’ts of the Comment Section
1. Use Hate Speech or Offensive Language
One of the biggest nos in the comment section is using hate speech or offensive language. This includes racist, sexist, homophobic, or any other form of derogatory language. Not only is it disrespectful, but it can also harm the community and make people feel unwelcome. Always keep your comments inclusive and respectful.
2. Troll or Bully Other Commenters
Trolling or bullying other commenters is a big no-no. This behavior not only distracts from the main discussion but also creates a toxic environment that can hurt your brand reputation. If you disagree with someone, respond respectfully and constructively. Avoid name-calling, personal attacks, or aggressive language. You don’t need to engage in all the conversations, especially if you know you will be disrespectful. Many bullies on the internet want to irritate and anger website owners. They aim to cause negativity and arguments. You should learn to identify and avoid them.
3. Don’t Assume that You Need Comments
Most of the comments on the website come as a standard feature, but it doesn’t mean that you must use the comment section. You can opt to move the comment section from your website and take them to your social media platforms or even turn them off if you wish to.
Manage Your Online Reputation with Pink Dog Digital
As much as comments can help you understand your audience’s needs, bad comments can damage your brand, especially when they appear on search engine results. Pink dog digital offers online reputation management strategies that help combat the issue and diminish the visibility of negative comments.
Looking for online reputation management in Maryland? Let us help you take the stress of a bad comment away from you. Contact us by filling out the online contact us form on our website or reach us at (410) 696-3305. You can also email us at pinkdogdigital@gmail.com. Our experts are always happy to help.