Answering Old Blog Comments
Some blogs have a commenting cut-off. For example they stop accepting comments after 6 weeks. I never understood why they did this until now.
Recently I have been receiving a lot of comments on posts I wrote a couple of years ago. Searching back through old posts in order to answer the comment is very time-consuming. However I have found a short cut which I’d like to share with you;
1) Go to your WordPress Blog Dashboard and click ‘comments‘
2) Click onto the post title where you have a new comment to answer.
When you get to your post go to the right hand side of the page, move to the bottom and in the Publish section click Preview Changes. This takes you to your posts commenting section where you can answer the new comment.
Using this system saves you the hassle of sorting through your categories trying to find a post you may have written two or three years ago!
I hope this short-cut helps save you time.
John McNally
Marathon Runner, Drinker and Artist, Blogging for Pleasure and Profit.
John,
Nice to see you online again.
There is another reason why some people “no comment” to a few weeks. To prevent link-fishing.
Older articles begin to accumulate PageRank. By commenting on older ranked and relevant articles someone can get more “bang for the buck” link juice wise.
This just decreases the amount of “link juice” passed on to people who have already commented and are probably more active readers.
Of course this only makes any sense for dofollow blogs.
Just thought I would share that!
Again, nice to see you again. Hope you are well.
Steve@Earn Money Online´s last [type] ..I Need $1000! THE 30-Day Plan for Making Fast Internet Income
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John McNally
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Thanks for this information Steve. I wondered why I sometimes get people commenting on loads of old posts. I think I understand the issue with Page Rank and Link Juice, but I’m now not sure what the best policy is? Do you have a cut-off point on your blog Steve? That will give me a good idea of best practice.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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John,
Myself, I never cut off comments. Beggers can’t be choosers as they say. Glad to see you back at it.
Ralph@retirement lifestyle´s last [type] ..Plan, Do, Check, Adjust
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John McNally
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September 23rd, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Same here Ralph, I don’t cut off my comments – the more the merrier. As you said, “beggars can’t be choosers”.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Hi John
Good to see you back posting mate, the blogging world hasn’t been the same without your input.
I have had the same problem trying to find old posts, so I will remember your tip next time it’s required.
Having said that most of the comments on my old posts are spam anyway.
Bill
Bill Murney´s last [type] ..Pat Condell For Prime Minister
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John McNally
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September 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I’m starting back slowly Bill, but thanks for your best wishes. It’s nice to think I’m missed.
I have just been answering comments and then realised I had a post with the shortcut I found.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Good idea John, I’m always looking for short-cuts to reduce my “unmonetized” time on the internet. Now to weed through my Facebook and Google+ comments….
Don
Don´s last [type] ..My Alexa Ranking Is Going Backwards
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John McNally
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September 23rd, 2011 at 12:17 pm
I don’t use Facebook or Google+ so that saves a lot of unpaid time Don. My free work consists mainly of this blog. I took a lot of pressure off myself when I gave up chasing the dollars and just regard blogging as a hobby.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Don
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September 24th, 2011 at 11:16 am
That’s nice if you have a separate income. I don’t. But I can’t see too much income on the internet at present. Going by the panic generated by the “gurus” I’d say there are only two chances of making money on the internet this year; Buckley’s and none.
I’ve unsubscribed from everything as all the emails are now just so desperate to try to sell me things that I don’t want (or need). I have now saved myself at least an hour every day and only get emails that are relevant (except for the usual spam).
Don
Don´s last [type] ..My Alexa Ranking Is Going Backwards
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Hi John I really appreciate this article you have shared, I am just wondering why some other blogs sites are not really accepting new comments, even though it is not considered as spam. sometimes I browse different blogs but there are no new updates, what can be the cause of this?
Kate Brown Wilson´s last [type] ..Rifle parts
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John McNally
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
There can be many reasons for the lack of new posts Kate, in my case it was due to illness. I wasn’t sure why some blogs don’t accept comments on old posts, but Steve Scott has pointed out that Google Page Rank can be higher on old posts, therefore commentators get better link juice. I think I understood that.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Kate Brown Wilson
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February 2nd, 2012 at 7:46 am
Its been awhile since my last visit to your site John thanks for your reply I really appreciate it. you have answered my question, now I know that different blog sites don’t accept other comments because for some reason.
Kate Brown Wilson´s last [type] ..לימודי אילוף כלבים
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Hi John! Thanks for sharing this shortcut for answering old blog comments. I’m glad you discovered this as I am reading through your old posts and can’t help myself from commenting on some of them. I’m relieved you won’t have a hard time ‘sorting through your categories trying to find a post’ where I may have commented on.
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John McNally
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Feel free to comment on old posts Gary, the more the merrier as far as I’m concerned. Now that I’ve found the short cut it’s easy enough to answer any new comments. Thanks for visiting.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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It is very good to answer old blog comments because you are showing that the blogs are not putted and thrown away its value and content.
Mika Castro´s last [type] ..Rifle parts
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John McNally
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
I agree with you Mika, if the post was worth writing it’s worth reading and re-reading again so new comments are valued.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Fellers,
I am now the oldest man in our family and owner of several hankies.
Kindly treat me with the respect that surely I now deserve.
At ease, gentlemen…
This Will Be Delivered By Pigeon´s last [type] ..Sporting My Father’s Shirt, Shoes, Shorts and Genes
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John McNally
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Barry, please accept my condolences for the sad loss of your Father. I hope you recover soon and get back to your blogging best.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Don
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October 2nd, 2011 at 10:24 am
Ditto
Don´s last [type] ..Daylight Savings Time
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Hey You Aussies Are Okay
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October 2nd, 2011 at 10:55 pm
I’m not going to kiss you in public on account of you being an ex-sports official and all.
But thanks anyway, pal.
Hey You Aussies Are Okay´s last [type] ..I Want You To Write “Dude Is A Good Human” 100 Times On The Blackboard
It’s nice to check some posts from years ago, and you will be much appreciated if you take some time to answer comments..regardless of the date~!
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John McNally
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October 14th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Exactly Ann. I like to read old posts if the topic is interesting, and it’s only good manners to reply to any comment.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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I’m going to take that as a compliment.
You English beer-drinkers. Sheesh!
That WAS My Best!´s last [type] ..I Want You To Write “Dude Is A Good Human” 100 Times On The Blackboard
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John McNally
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October 14th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
I will also take English beer drinker as a compliment Barry, I wouldn’t want to be known as a wine drinker.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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I hate it when I come across a blog post that I read, and then discover that comments are locked. It happened to me twice just now too! It’s not wise to lock old posts. The addition of new content on the page from comments add to your search engine traffic.
Brandon@On Demand Printing´s last [type] ..Post Cards & Direct Mail to Get New Sales
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John McNally
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October 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
My thoughts exactly Brandon. I’m not posting at the moment but the new comments on old posts are all helping my Google traffic. I also get frustrated on blogs that have comments closed off, I feel I have wasted my time reading the post.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Hi John,
Thanks for making life easier, it sure does help. Can’t understand why someone would lock their old posts?
Nice to see you, I don’t think I’m speaking for myself when I say we all want to see you more often.
I see you around commenting on other blogs from time to time but want you to know I come here to your blog to see what you’ve been up to. I’m sure others do too.
Always wishing you the best,
Terry Conti
Terry Conti´s last [type] ..Getting Through the Rain
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John McNally
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October 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Thanks for missing me Terry. Sorry I haven’t been posting for a while, I have completely lost my mojo. I don’t want to force a post so I’m just waiting for the inspiration to return. I must admit however it’s been a long time coming!
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Mark of Success
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October 26th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
John,
I have been like you when it comes to writing new posts. I wait for the inspiration, and no inspiration usually means no post. But I think I am going to change that going forward, because sometimes good articles get created out of nothing by just sitting and starting to ram the keyboard.
Had written a post titled “The law of Inertia applied to Success” recently, and I plan to keep the momentum that I think it helped me develop.
Once again, it’s good to see you back in action.
Cheers,
Mark
Mark of Success´s last [type] ..Secrets of Success is now a Do-Follow Blog [Site Announcement]
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John McNally
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October 31st, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Thanks for the encouragement Mark, much appreciated.
John
Leamington Spa, England
John McNally´s last [type] ..What % is a Good Bounce Rate?
Hello, thank you for this great tip. It really saves a lot of time sorting through old posts. I am happy you are not the kind of person who cuts off comments after a certain time. Having comments is as useful for the blogger as it is for the writer of the comment, who does it mostly for the linkjuice, and there is no harm in that I suppose. We are all on the same boat, we know what is going on and why these things are happening, so why not help each other? I greatly appreciate your contribution to online marketing and socializing. All the best, Leonard Evenson
[Reply]
John McNally
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October 31st, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I’m glad you found this post useful Leonard, it certainly saves a lot of time trying to answer comments on posts that may have been written years ago.
As you said comments are good linkjuice, so they should be encouraged.
John
Leamingtonm Spa, England
John McNally´s last [type] ..What % is a Good Bounce Rate?
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Hi John,
I haven’t been writing a blog long enough to have this issue of finding old comments, but it is good to know regardless, thanks!
Shaun
Shaun´s last [type] ..Transferring money from overseas to Colombia with Bancolombia
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John McNally
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October 31st, 2011 at 4:52 pm
It’s a pleasure Shaun, hope you found this useful.
John
Leamington Spa, England
John McNally´s last [type] ..What % is a Good Bounce Rate?
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Hi John,
It’s good to see you back again!
I had been visiting your blog every now and then to check if you had posted anything, and I really missed seeing you around. It’s always nice to see posts from you. You have a good sense of humor too, and I look forward to seeing more of it.
Cheers,
Mark
Mark of Success´s last [type] ..Secrets of Success is now a Do-Follow Blog [Site Announcement]
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John McNally
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October 31st, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Thanks a lot Mark, It’s nice to know I have been missed. I’m still looking for my lost mojo, as soon as I find it I will be back writing regular posts.
John
Leamington Spa, England
John McNally´s last [type] ..What % is a Good Bounce Rate?
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Mark of Success
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November 2nd, 2011 at 6:02 am
John, did you get to read the comment I left on the other post?… the one suggesting that you could start a series on astronomy. I hope the idea motivates you to write a few posts and gain momentum.
Mark of Success´s last [type] ..It’s You Who Can Make Them Come Alive
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John McNally
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November 2nd, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Thanks for the good tip Mark. I used to write a monthly update on what can be seen in the night sky. I will start this up again, that might give me a kick start to write other posts. Thanks again for your concern.
John
Leamington Spa, England
Great tutorials! It’s a good sign that you’re accepting comments with your old post. At least you’re aware that many people still find these post so useful for them. I hope same thing happen with all my post.
Audrey@Baby Swings´s last [type] ..Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Cradle Swing Review
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John McNally
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December 16th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Just because a post is old doesn’t mean that it hasn’t got any relevance. I hope your old posts also get new comments Audrey, it will keep your blog fresh.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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Hey John,
This is my first time on your blog and I’m delighted that I did it reading THIS article regarding the WP commenting section.
I thought that I was an intermediate WP user but this just proves that we never stop learning.
I did not know how to respond to comments in a proper way (meaning I couldn’t just go right to the post and answer from there).
This shortcut actually works and I can only wonder why I never actually took the time to research on how to do it right!
Anyway, cool to be around here, I also run half-marathons (getting to complete my first 26.2 next year I hope!) so I immediately resonated with your persona.
Hope you have an amazing start of week and take care, speak soon!
Sergio
PS. Are you (or were you) a John Thornhill’s student?
Sergio Felix´s last [type] ..Overcoming Fear Of Video Creation: 7-Day Challenge Summary
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John McNally
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December 16th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Hello Sergio, You guessed right, I am a John Thornhill student, though I am also a drop out – I never completed the Masterclass course.
I’m very pleased that you found my commenting short cut helpful. I was doing it the long way around, searching through my old posts, until I stumbled across a quicker way.
Good luck with your forthcoming marathon, make sure you complete some 20 mile training runs before attempting this. Best wishes.
John
Leamington Spa, England
[Reply]
John,
Another reason why people cut off comments on their posts after a period of time is because they don’t want people to drop by who are only interested in dropping comments. They want to discourage random drive by commenting and instead encourage people to comment on the newest conversations that are happening right now. That is why I have my comments turn off after a couple of weeks. If someone likes my post, they can still read it. If they want to communicate with me, they have every opportunity to do that on my more recent posts. When you stop to look at it, how many of the comments add that much value to the original post?
Comments can add value, but only when people are willing to read the original post first and then think about what they are saying.
Ted´s last [type] ..Do You Blog Just Because You Are Afraid Of Losing Your Regular Visitors
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John McNally
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December 16th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
That’s given me food for thought Ted.
I suppose cutting off comments is logical if you are writing fresh new posts regularly. Just recently I have lost my writing mojo and not written any new posts. If I cut off my comments in this situation my blog could wither way, the comments are the only activity happening at the moment.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
John
Leamington Spa, England
[Reply]
Hi John! Good to see you.
I get a lot of comments on old posts and when that happens, if I want to reply I just click on the time stamp of the comment that was left. The time stamp link will take you right to place on the post where you need to respond to the comment. Hope that helps!
Ileane´s last [type] ..Google’s Updates and the Effects on Blogging in 2012
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John McNally
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December 16th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Hello Ileane I think we are both using the same system for replying to old posts, it’s certainly quicker than trying to trawl through the blog.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
John
Leamington Spa, England
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