Spam is probably one of the most frustrating sides of running a blog or website. In the past I have used several different anti spam plugins with Spam Karma 2 being one of the best out there, and I hope there will be a major update to it some day. Most recently I have switched to Akismet, however there is one huge issue as far as this blog goes. While Akisment is rather good in detecting automated spam (comments left by bots), it keeps those comments in your database for about 15 days as well as the “other data” associated with the comments. For example, when user leaves the comments while reviewing a web hosting provider, he or she assigns specific ratings. Bots however completely ignore the rating questions which affects the ratings shown on the profiles of web hosts featured on this website. This of course is resolved by deleting the spam comments without waiting for Akismet to do it. However it puts some strain on the resources on the days when you need to delete thousand or more automated spam at once.

So today I would like to give a test run to a new anti-spam plugin for WordPress called WP-SpamFree. I have read a few good things about the plugin and only minuted ago have installed it on this blog.

What are you using to protect your WordPress from Spam?

Since the very inception of Web Hosting Review Blog, I have maintained that the link to the comment author should not have “nofollow” attribute. It was my way I could thank those who took their time writing a comment or reviewing a web hosting provider. Unfortunately this approach can backfire. Not only it is an open invitation to “spambots” but to human generated spam due to the fact that this blog is listed in the number of “no-nofollow blogs” directories. In recent weeks the number of comments that were aimed at exploring abusing possible SEO benefits has more than quadrupled. While I was tempted to oust and ridicule a few as an example, I will just say this. You know who you are, so please behave from now on.

Back To Nofollow.

In the light of increased spam (150+ daily) I have decided to revert to use nofollow attribute in the comments from now on. If you are discouraged by this do not be, there is still a good chance to get a friendly link from me. If you leave a relevant comment, even if you choose to respectfully (respectfully is the key word) disagree with me, I will most certainly take time to visit your blog and website. Those who choose to review a web hosting provider (all of the web hosting provider’s profiles are filed in Reviews category) will be rewarded with a link in the upcoming “thank you posts”- I reserve to use the anchor text of my choosing in those posts. These future “thank you posts” is the way to remedy the presence of “nofollow” attribute in the comments.

Comments Policy Outline

This comment policy outline will be visible on every post of this blog from now on:

• This blog is using “nofollow” attribute any attempt to spam for SEO benefits is the waste of your time.
• If you leave a review of web hosting providers (which is any post listed in the category “Reviews”), I may contact you to ask if you prefer a link to your website other than to your main domain.
• Every post comment containing profanity or links to anything illegal will be deleted.

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