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Are Blogs That Don’t Allow Comments Really Blogs?
By JLP | March 8, 2007
I know the word “blog” is short for “web log,” which is sort of like an online diary. However, it seems to me what makes a blog incredibily powerful is the ability for readers to leave comments. I mean, I can’t imagine posting articles for 2.5 years and never receiving a comment. Comments help keep me on track. Sometimes, they are complimentary. Other times, they let me know when I’m wrong or they point out a mistake in a calculation (yeah, I make mistakes).
The reason I bring this up is that I’m starting to see different “blogs” pop up that are written by gurus. One in particular is Ric Edelman’s blog. I understand his reasoning for not wanting to allow comments. I mean, they can be a pain when all they are is spam. However, I think not allowing comments really takes away from the power of the blog.
What do you guys think? I bet if I shut down comments on this blog, I would lose most of my traffic.
Topics: Blogging | 22 Comments »
March 8th, 2007 at 8:35 am
Absolutely agree. Not allowing comments is like talking in front of the mirror instead of in front of a live audience.
Blogs have become “conversation forums” for lack of a better term. A place to test ideas, ask for opinions, rant or generally provide your point of view. That said, you get very little out of blogging without the feedback component.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I never leave comments on blogs.
Kidding (obviously). Without comments, I would have stopped blogging a long time ago. It’s shouting into an empty abyss. When that abyss starts shouting back, you have a conversation.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:17 am
I agree.
The Kirk Report is similar … no comments.
Comments are great because quite frankly, I enjoy reading “some” of the comments more then the bloggers post
March 8th, 2007 at 9:25 am
The Kirk Report is an exception.
Comments are great because quite frankly, I enjoy reading “some” of the comments more then the bloggers post.
On OTHER blogs, right? LOL! I never claimed to be world’s best writer. There are times when I have wanted to say something but just couldn’t get it to come out right so I just humbly gave up.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Okay, I’m going to come down on the other side ust a little bit here. If the bloggers in question are just putting out info, kind of like a newspaper does, there may be no need to allow comments. Most of the blogs I keep up with are more interested in creating a dialog than putting out stark info. Would they have even larger readership if they allowed comments? No doubt. Would it be better for all if they did? Don’t know. Personally, I welcome comments, and I’m glad for the blogs that do.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:55 am
LAMoneyGuy took my comment.
It’s technically still a blog, but it’s shouting into the aether if you don’t make it a community conversation. Even old-fashioned paper *shudder* magazines and newspapers print letters from readers.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Maybe he does not know he can activate his comments, LOL
Im like you JLP, comments allow me to know if Im right or wrong. It keep the blog alive in my opinion and entertaining.
March 8th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I guess Ric doesn’t want readers refuting him.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Isn’t a blog without comments just a frequently updated website?
March 8th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I think that a blog can be a blog without comments, although most blogs are better with comments. I look to blogs for information more than for a chance to comment. If the blog comments add to the information in the blog, then they are worthwhile. Your blog is an example. On the other hand, blogs that concentrate on news and politics can have their comment sections hijacked by people that want to argue and rant and insult other commenters. Those kinds of blogs may be better off without comments.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I love that you have comments and am waiting for the smart aleck to come along and say “does it really matter what it is called? must be a slow day at AFM”
March 8th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I have stopped blogging (after a 2 short attempts) because I received no comments. I was putting out political ideas I wanted to discuss, which is impossible without participation.
March 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
It’s what helps to build the community feeling. Without them it just kind of seems like a seminar, but better because I can click away from it.
March 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
A blog without comments is definitely still a blog. Nothing about the definition of “blog” requires two-way conversation or the building of a community. These things help *improve* a blog, in my opinion.
Now come over to my website and leave some comments.
March 8th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Don’t see it as beneficial to everyone if you can’t comment. Just thinking of some of the discussions on this site over the past few days is a perfect example of the power of comments.
JLP, BTW, your reddit button is doing weird things to Bookmark to: section in Firefox. Let me know (to my email) if you can’t see what I mean and I will shot you a screen shot.
March 8th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
ooops =) shoot you a screen shot.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Haha, not just on your blog, but on ALL blogs.
It’s great to have someone knowledgeable like yourself putting the topics out there and starting a debate at times.
The mortgage question is a great example. You presented the math and I agreed, but it’s nice to see what others do and what others think … allows the reader (me) to get several different perspectives.
I look at comments as a way to supplement your already fantastic content
!
March 9th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Totally concur, I want to see comments posted to my blog or sent via email.
And oh by the way this is my first visit to your blog and it looks sharp!!!
Also welcome to the new and improved Bogleheads forum at:
http://www.diehardsforum.org/index.php
cfs
March 9th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
I stopped allowing comments about a year ago because of all the spam. Now, some of the spammers are VERY good, and post industry-related trackbacks that pitch their products (I write about business processes & technology). So I got really sick of the spam, and decided to turn it off. Didn’t affect my traffic at all.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Comments take the place of credibility, I’d say. If you don’t allow comments, you’re no different from Liz Weston or the other people on MSN money, except that you’re not writing with an editor double checking everything and you’re not getting paid. The comments help to challenge you and keep you honest.
March 10th, 2007 at 12:10 am
A lot of it depends on the nature of the blogger. If it’s just a bunch of “I read a cool article in ” reposts, you won’t get a lot of comments and they aren’t that interesting. If it has a somewhat slower post volume and lots of original content (ie, yours), you’ll get interesting comment threads going.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Ric Edelman has a blog? I’d like to see that. Btw- he’s a licensed advisor, perhaps explaining his restrictions when it comes to posts/comments on his site/blog.