Five Reasons You Should Delete Positive Comments*
*which don’t add anything to your content
I read a lot of blog posts which are followed by a series of “great post!” “awesome stuff!” “you’ve done it again!” type comments.
It’s really nice to get those. I’ve had it happen to me, it gives you a warm feeling.
I think, however, that you should delete them. Here’s why:
1. They’re not always sincere: Most comments double as blog links and so commenters are using them as a way to draw attention to their own site, and get your attention too. Nothing at all wrong with that, but if they’re doing it by simply nodding their heads at whatever you post, isn’t that a bit lazy?
2. They reflect badly on your content.: What would you rather be creating - content that inspires debate, conversation, expansion - or content that inspires people to say “ditto”? If people can’t think of anything to say beyond “yeah!” then sorry, but you’re probably stating the obvious.
3. They clog up your comment threads: For people who do want to engage with your stuff and join a conversation around it, it’s frustrating when 50% of the responses they read through aren’t adding anything.
4. If people really liked your stuff, they’d be sharing it: Sometimes you do see something so great you think “I can’t add anything to that”. But in that case, why not show your appreciation by sharing it, Tweeting it, linking to it on another blog. Positive comments don’t help your content spread.
5. There are better ways of getting that fuzzy feeling: Of course there’s nothing wrong with wanting to give a good blogger a pat on the back. But there’s better mechanisms for doing it than the comment box - a simple “like” mechanism on your blog posts, or a star rating, gives people the opportunity to silently endorse your stuff. Less shy admirers could always drop you an email, or a tweet saying thanks for the good content.
Non-productive positive comments are a lot better than flames, of course, but they don’t honestly add much to what you’re creating, and might subtly detract from it. If deletion’s a step too far, I’d say at least try and build an environment that discourages them.
