Comments closed. Maybe the spammers are trying to be funny by spamming this post. 
I love having comments on this blog. They are one of the most important components of this site. The value of a blog also lies in a good comments section, and that’s not me trying to be nice. Every reader, including me, learns from the stories and opinions that are being shared.
Having a good comments section also builds community and friendship. You’ll notice that comments show up right away instead of requiring approval before they are made public. I want UrbanMonk.Net to be as transparent as I can. I also feel lucky that I can do this – I’ve almost never had a (non-spam) comment that I had to delete.
However, there has been an occasional comment I’ve had to get rid of. I dislike the idea of having to write this, but this policy explains why – what isn’t acceptable. I feel a bit silly, because if you’re reading this you are probably nice enough not to need to, and the people who need to read this probably won’t anyway. But it’s a good idea just to have it in writing. I’m also including some personal stories and pictures to tempt you all into actually reading the thing. 
If a comment violates these rules, I reserve the right to delete, edit, or ignore it with no explanation. I used to follow up with an explanatory email, but time concerns prevent this now.
Proper names in the name field please. This means no keywords. Website and blog names can be put behind an actual human name if you want to look legit (for example, I often comment on other blogs as Albert | UrbanMonk.Net). No matter how good your comment is, I can’t take a commenter named “cheap vintage shoes” seriously. I don’t mind if you don’t put proper emails, but if I am undecided about whether your comment is spam, your email can be the deciding factor.
Links and content are actively encouraged if they add to the discussion. They really add a lot to this blog. However, some comments go off into an unrelated topic, such as a long rant on their personal lives or whatever. I understand your pain and the need to vent, however, the comments section isn’t really an appropriate place.
I might also delete a comment based on links. A spine chilling example: a link to a website named Meth Help on a guest post about overcoming addiction. I was shocked to find it taught readers how to manufacture meth with easily-accessible ingredients – on a post aimed at addicts!
Also, English only please. Every non-English comment I’ve had has been spam and now I’m just deleting them automatically.
The comments section is for any and all forms of discussion, feedback and questions on the article itself. I always make an effort to reply. However, comments aren’t really for seeking advice on one’s personal life, or on unrelated topics. I am fine with short questions in general (noting that it is just the opinion of an average guy, and not professional advice). However, if the question is time consuming, I cannot help. I am grateful that you look up to me enough to ask for my opinion, but I am just a writer sharing my experiences, not a life coach or a therapist.
I understand that many questions can be born of fear or desperation – I’ve been there before. I highly recommend professional help if it is serious, although I’ve also found a website where an actual Clinical Psychologist will answer your questions. Visit Ask The Psychologist. Please note that I am not related to this website in any way at all, it’s just a nice website I’ve found.
I actively encourage readers to question, debate, criticise or argue the content as much as they want. But keep it classy. That means no foul language or personal attacks. The moment you resort to these, you lose all credibility, and it would be a waste of time to reply. I used to allow these in the name of free speech, but they really spoil the comforting atmosphere I’m trying to create.
Further, given that I write mostly about emotional and spiritual work, nasty disagreements can be quite unintentionally humorous. They don’t see anything funny about heavily abusing a total stranger on the internet (not just being curt or blunt, actual heavy abuse) in order to prove that they are highly spiritually or emotionally evolved. On the rare chance that you read this, please don’t – you’re the only person you’re impressing. You’re also the only person you’re embarrassing.
In general, however, don’t worry about this rule too much. Most people who’ve read this far are guaranteed to be considerate people. As of time of writing, I’ve only had 5 such comments over two years of blogging (I know because I store them away for some emotional work – I won’t pretend some don’t piss me off).
At all. Anything that even smells like keywords, spam or product promotion is deleted. I used to allow the less glaring ones. But I spend so much time moderating these and the volume is rising so much that I’m adopting a zero-tolerance policy. I’ve had to turn off my Do Follow plugins, and I’ve considered closing comments many times – so stop wasting your time and mine, please!
If you leave a comment and it does not appear in a reasonable time period, and you know that it does not violate these Comment Policies, please contact me. As mentioned, most comments will show up on the post immediately. However, I use automatic anti-spam programs and sometimes they stop legit comments without my knowledge. Also, given the new zero-tolerance policy, it is possible your comment looks spammy even if you didn’t intend it that way. If that is the case, please contact me, and let me apologise in advance.
Is this me?
The rest of the policy is pretty standard legal stuff. They are taken with gratitude from Lorelle VanFossen’s article on Blog Herald.
Email Privacy: Email addresses are never published or shared. On rare occasions, they may be used by the blog owner to privately contact the commenter.
Banning: Anyone who violates this Comments Policy may be blocked from future access and/or commenting on this blog.
Hold Harmless: All comments within this blog belong to, and are the responsibility of, the person who wrote it, not the blog owner. The owner does not necessarily endorse any opinions held or advice given in the comments.
By submitting or reading a comment on this blog, you agree that the comment content is your own, and to hold this site, the owner, and all subsidiaries and representatives harmless from any and all repercussions, damages, or liability.
Thanks for reading.
UrbanMonk.Net provides comprehensive articles for your personal development - modern life, entwined with ancient spirituality.
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26 Comments
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Problogger claimed that having a comment policy increased the overall number of comments that he got. It’s a good idea given the number of comments on your blog.
Way to go Albert! I can’t abide this “SEO name” business either, and usually edit or delete such comments… I do say as much, though not quite as eloquently as you.
@ Roger: Good to have you here mate. Down with spam, up with comments!
@ John: Thanks buddy
Once more for the road, DOWN WITH SPAM! Hahaha!
Often we think of policies and rules as ‘bad.’ I think they’re guidelines to maintain quality and respect, which are often the reasons they’re created in the first place.
I appreciate your taking the time not only to think about them and state them clearly but also to post them for everyone to read. Thanks!
Thank you for that support Laurie! I guess I did judge it as bad, it’s a personal bias of mine, I don’t like being told what to do. Which is why I waited nearly two years to write this post.
Well done Albert and very nicely put!
I agree with Laurie that policies like yours will ensure quality and respect. Having comments appear that are in really poor taste detract from the message you’re trying to convey, the feel of your site and can potentially deter others from commenting. Again, well done.
Albert,
Now that is what I call being to the point and being clear about it.
I also feel lucky that I actually never had to delete any comment (yet) and they appear on my blog right away without any moderation from my side. But I will follow the same guidelines as yours if the situation changes.
Hey Sherri and Sunny! Thanks a lot – I’m quite surprised that this post is being so well received, to be honest
I thought it would be one hell of a boring read, heh heh! I appreciate your kind words.
Do spammers and meth promoters persist due to a lack of rules? If so, then I guess some rules will stop them. Otherwise…
Haha! Careful Chris I might delete you! Hahaha! I know they won’t read this post, sadly, but at least I can now delete things “officially”.
Spam has gotten very sophisticated to the point where you won’t be able to tell if it’s spam or a real comment. Worse of it, it’s automated and can break those captchas.
We share the same rules although I have never thought of publishing them. I feel there is no need to. Anything spammy on my site is an intrusion of its space and good energy. I have every right to delete comments that are not aligned, since I am its owner.
I also do not like blatant links. I have allowed a couple to pass for goodwill but will not encourage too many from the same blogger.
I don’t bother to go through the comments that go into my spam folder nowadays. I don’t have time to. I just delete all of them.
@ Linda: Yes that’s one of the reasons why I nearly closed my comments section. It’s like an arms race between spammers and anti-spam programs.
@ Evelyn: That’s awesome! Zero tolerance is really the key to it now, we’ve held out as long as we could, but they forced us! (I feel like a cheap war movie now.)
Hi, Albert!
For the record, I voted for you (hands down) on Glen’s Face-Off.
=-)
As for your comments rules: I love them! Like you said above, it probably won’t stop the spammers, but at least you can have complete peace of mind when deleting the comments that don’t play by the rules.
Fantastic site, by the way!
Hi Albert,
Good for you for setting rules that express what you want. There is nothing wrong with that!
One time on my blog, I got 10 comments in a language that I did not even recognize. It looked like someone had just randomly typed up text. So you just have to do what works for you!
BTW, I also voted for you on Glen’s Face-Off!
@ Lisis and Nadia:
Thanks for the support on the Face-Off, and for the support on the comments policy too. You’re right I do feel quite good about getting this out in the open.
Spammers are so smart now that making known my zero-tolerance policy makes me feel better about just deleting them all.
Hi Albert,
Thanks for leading the way. You’ve got my vote!
Tired of spam?
Then visit: http://www.urbanmonk.net.
His blog kicks serious spam!
Note: this comment is not spam.
@ Acooba: Thanks! Is that Michael in the comment below? LOL!
i was talking to someone on the phone the other day, and i told her that the e-mails she was missing were probably in her spam folder. “i don’t have a spam folder.” was her reply. i honestly didn’t know what to say.
congrats on your very own personal blog spam folder!
my name is kyle. this is my first post. i hope to start reading more of your content.
thanks.
I wish I was at the point of getting sophisticated (hey, I spelled that correctly), but alais, I can still tell the difference between the two.
I like your policy, but I don’t think I needed one. If I even think about putting up a comment like “Good post” I don’t comment.
Conversation is great, meaningless in unintelligent.
@ Kyle: Welcome to the site, and thank you for your comment!
@ Lisa: Thanks for that – after two years of blogging one does develop a pretty good nose for what is a BS comment and what isn’t, although some still make me go “hmmm…”
Sorry for the delay in reply was having server troubles!
Hey bud, I just came accross your blog from stumbleupon. Like @roger, I also heard that having a strict policy sets your blog up for more success. I subscribed and look forward to future posts
Thanks AJ and welcome
i think the point about keeping it classy is particularly great, albert.
i don’t know why, but i still am continually appalled by some people’s harsh behavior when commenting (namecalling, finger pointing criticism, etc.).
i’ll definitely keep your guidance in mind for the day when i have readers/commenters at my blog.
Hey Adam! I found your site a few days ago through your link (thanks for that) and really liked it.
Didn’t comment, though as I didn’t want to use my Blogger ID and I didn’t have an OpenID. But I wanted to say that you have a wonderful thing started, and to keep it up!
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