Blog comments are like the graffiti of the untamed digital continent.
Some are helpful, like the spray paint on the fence that says “beware of dog.” Others are very impressive, like a beautiful mural. Some obviously took a lot of time and thought. Others are done passionately and quickly. Some are for self-promotion, like a gang sign. Others are done simply to exercise our power to do harm and cause suffering. Many are angry. And still others leave us scratching our heads.
As bloggers and blog readers, it’s helpful to distinguish between the different types. Blog comment sections can be very powerful places to get unique perspectives on an issue, share helpful information, build people up, engage in thoughtful discussion and contribute to the “soul of the internet.” But far too often they turn into annoying and useless diatribes of self-congratulatory tit-for-tats anonymously pounded out from behind an impersonal keyboard and obscured by thousands of miles of virtual space. That’s a waste of an opportunity.
And while we can’t control what others do, we can help the situation by what we do. And I think a good starting place is recognizing the different kinds of comments and the motivations behind them. Next week I’ll continue with part two: Ways to respond to each kind of commenter.
Here are the 10 types of blog commenters:
1) Encouragers - These leave simple, encouraging comments like, “great post!” Or, “wow, this totally changed my life.” But they don’t instigate further conversation or offer anything additional to the post. (FYI - Bloggers love these kinds of comments.)
2) Non-contributors - These are similar to Encouragers, except without the encouragement. Their comments say I was here and I read your post...like, “I also have a fish named Dorothy,” or “Thanks for this post.”
3) Contributors - Contributors usually leave the best blog comments because they offer something new to the conversation. A new perspective. Additional information. A new insight. They are thoughtful. And they can either respectfully agree or disagree with the post. Overall, they contribute to a healthy conversation and they make the blog post more valuable and helpful for other readers.
4) Destitutes - These are people in need. They might be depressed or struggling with something. They just want somebody to talk to. Somebody to listen. Sometimes their comment is on topic, often times it is not. Many times they have serious questions.
5) Slackers - Slackers are people who don’t read the post. They just read the title of the post and then want to say something. So they write it in the combox. They often strongly disagree with you while making your point. Or they soundly defeat a straw man and feel better afterwards. Or they ask things like, “Well what about X?” When the post spent paragraphs 3 and 4 answering precisely that about X.
6) Brawlers - Brawlers love to fight and argue. They aren’t interested in learning, giving the benefit of the doubt or considering that it was just an accident when I spilled my drink on them.
7) Angries - An Angry is somebody who is just angry at something. They often take the form of brawlers, but worse. They don’t even want to argue or fight about it. They just want to express their anger about something. Often times it makes them feel better to bring others down in the process. Their comments are often inappropriate and hurtful. And they usually end up accusing somebody tangentially related to the post of something tangentially related to the topic and then lumping everyone together and concluding that “You people are all a bunch of losers.” They can turn into real trolls too.
8) Posers - Posers pretend like they don’t care about the topic when they really do. Their comment basically says “I don’t care about this, but I still took the time to comment and tell you. That’s how much I really don’t care about this. And now I’m going to get really defensive about something you said…but I really couldn’t care less about it.”
9) Self-promoters - These people range from spammers and link-baiters to honest people just trying to promote something good. But their comment is all about promoting something else, not contributing to the post directly.
10) Aliens - Aliens leave comments that make absolutely no sense at all. It’s like they just landed on the planet Earth and thought they would leave a comment.
Did I miss any? Let me know! Next week we can address how to handle or respond to each kind type of commenter.
Comments
Post a Comment
Here are two more:
Diarists—those people who tell you they are tired, just got up, have a cold and other information no one needs to know.
Political Activists—they come with their needle stuck in their cause and post and post and post, sometimes many times a day.
I’m an alien, you’re an alien. It’s a beautiful rain, beautiful rain!
I like that, Marty! Maybe each person can identify which kind of commenter they are before they make their comment. It can be a learning process. :-) And fun.
Barbara is a contributor. Marty is an alien.
Dude. You need to check out Flame Warriors.
Mark is a Contributor! That’s a great link!!
Tanya is an Encourager!
Yep, Mark - great link! Very funny stuff, Dude!
10 blog comments
1. This is hilarious. And while, it hasn’t changed my life, it has made me very self-conscious about my future comments. For the rest of my life. Looking forward to part 2.
2. I did, in fact, read this post. Truly.
3. No matter what your readers post, the fact that they replied at all should be seen as a complement. It means you got them thinking. You may not be able to convert the world overnight through a blog, but you can get a lot of people in the world to think through things a lot more, and that’s a heck of a lot better than a bunch of ignorant and apathetic people.
4. I’m always in need of prayers. Enough said there.
5. I think the way you lump all your readers together is borderline disgraceful. We are all unique, man. Breaking us down into just 10 different types of people is WAY oversimplifying things. What about people who genuinely contribute something insightful and new? Did you ever think about them?
6. I happen one of the 10 people you mentioned. Jerk.
7. This is so like a Catholic to try and judge people like this. Let me guess, next you’re going to break down every reply to your “articles” into their object, intentions and circumstances. I once heard about a lady who had her blog post analyzed and responded to by the author himself. Guess what he was… a Catholic. She posted it anonymously because she didn’t want to be held responsible for her beliefs. And then you people then go and try and make a conversation out of it. This is what is wrong with the world.
8. Your other posts are a lot better, but I’ve never responded to any of them. In fact, I think blogs are stupid and a waste of time.
9. http://becket.tumblr.com/
10. “Co-driver” is the term given to the navigator in a rally car race, even though he doesn’t drive at all. Don’t be fooled in the future.
Patrick - hilarious.
Matt - awesome post. This is a great perspective for both bloggers and blog readers. Love it.
I’m mostly an Encourager and occassionally a Contributor, but it takes me a long time to get comfortable with the blogger’s style and the atmosphere created by the “regular” commenters.
That being said, I really enjoyed this post and can’t wait for your comments next week on responding to the Slackers, Brawlers, and Angries. Also, great comment Patrick! :)
Ghost-the people who read every post but rarely comment.
Oh, rubbish. Most of the “encouragers” don’t really like your writing *that* much; they’re just spammers who post an “attaboy” just to put their own URL on display. Not that I care.
Thanks for the post. I don’t think it’s fair for individuals, especially Christians to voice vitriolic, negative, divisive and abusive comments (or blogs) on the Internet. Let’s stop online slander. http://www.ceasefireproject.com/
LOL! You know this post hits it totally out of the park! Did you recruit Patrick’s response? Absolutely priceless! This could actually be a prelude to a book about the psychology of internet relationships etiquette etc. I think you have just touched the tip of an iceberg here- really looking forward to the Part 2.
I think your blog uniquely hits on a real cutting edge arena in our culture and I am always interested to see what you are buzzing about!
I’ve been scandalized by a lot of the “snarky” posts on this site. While I love the exchange of ideas, I have to ask, “What happened to the marriage between truth and love or disagreeing in an agreeable manner?” Please consider adding to the instructions under “post a comment” something like, “Please ensure that your post is respectful and respectfully worded.” Anything less makes blogging the latest “kosher” form of gossip and bullying.
I try to be a contributor, but if that’s not possible due to the author doing such a comprehensive job covering the topic, then I just stick with encourager. Although, comments like “great post” need to be filled out a little further than that, or bloggers may consider them as spam.
Which one(s) are you, Matt?
Thanks Matt, but now I’m afraid to respond to anything now for fear of being labelled. Ooops, just done it ;o)
Matthew, Loved your classification of Blog comments! As well as the comments posted by your readers.
You rightly point out that the class of bloggers you categorize as “Self-promoters” are “honest people just trying to promote something good.” Even if they are “all about promoting something else, not contributing to the post directly” I think our world can do with all the good that we can get.
For example, I explore the relationship between Christianity and Business – the Christian way of doing business – doing business, specifically, from a Catholic point of view – on my website washingtonhotwire.com And, I do occasionally promote my website when responding as a “Contributor” to websites like yours, and other Catholic websites.
There are thousands of Evangelical websites, some thoughtful, some light-weight, that explore the topic of Christianity and Business Practice.
But, as far as I know, washingtonhotwire.com is the only website in the blogosphere that very specifically relates Catholicism to Business Practice.
That specifically promotes and publicizes Catholic initiatives like the Opus-Dei-supported IESE whose MBA program was rated #1 in the world in 2009 by the very prestigious, very influential, magazine The Economist.
That specifically promotes and publicizes Catholic initiatives like Focolare’s sponsorship of “Economy of Communion” [translated as Businesses In Community], which, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in his recent Encyclical Caritatis In Veritate states [#46] are not only the wave of the future, but, will transform Free Market Capitalism.
Imagine! —a new Catholic institutional form like the Economy of Communion / Businesses In Community as a civilizing force! And, the idea came out of an Encyclical!
In fact, having studied it carefully, I can safely aver that the Encyclical Caritatis In Veritate contains more innovative ideas about the economy, the market, and business, than have come out of Harvard in the last 50 years.
I explore these and other specifically Catholic / Christian ideas in my recent post “A Christian Approach To Business” on my website washingtonhotwire.com
While seeking your indulgence, Matthew, for this naked Self-promotion of my website on your esteemed Blog, I invite you, and your readers, to look at this most recent post on my website.
I hope you will agree that while I am indulging in naked Self-promotion, I am “trying to promote something good.” Not products or potions to make money. But – ideas. Specifically Catholic ideas.
Ideas that advance not just the Catholic world view, but, hopefully, also, the Common Good.
Your classification of Blog comments just opened the floodgates of my mind, and, out tumbled this response. Though not directly related to the subject matter explored in your post, I do hope my comments open up new insights into the world of Catholicism and all the good it is doing.
And, finally, in the spirit of Christian Charity I beg forgiveness if by this post I have offended you. If you so request, I will ask NCR to remove it.
Patrick - I was literally laughing out loud while reading your comments. Good stuff, sir.
Kevin - I think I have probably been every kind of commenter at some point, unfortunately.
Good post ( no I really think so) Some people entirely miss the point of what you are trying to say, and what your saying is valid. As a Calvinist and outright Puritan ( Promoting myself a bit there) I nevertheless enjoy this kind of inter faith dialogue. Blogging is what we have in common, Now here is a contribution.
I have learned in blogging that less is more, short pithy articles like this one helps to stimulate conversation.
Its all about learning to commincate better isn’t it? Having said that I would encourage those reading your blog and yourself, Be nice to people unless of course you are on the blog of an out an out heretic. But I trust that is no one here.
Peace be with you….
sometimes i’m an encourager, other times i try to be a humorous non-contributor. Their comments say “yeah,i know the weather has been bad of late, but at they forecast worse over the next few days!in this post,i’ve tried to be a contributor and offer something new to the conversation. whether or not i succeeded i don’t know but at least i tried.
“Book Writer” – someone who writes a comment sooooo long that other commenters (e.g., me) skim only the first and last sentences.
@ Patrick: Lol.
I think I’ve been all 10 categories at some point, though I try to be a 3 or at least a 1; unfortunately, I often end up as a 2 or 10. It’s certainly food for thought, in any case.
“Next week we can address how to handle or respond to each kind type of commenter. “
I look forward to that, but I might add a question: have you any particular tips for how best to avoid becoming certain types of poster? Or in particular, how to cultivate a “type 3” mentality?
Linkers - commenters who like the post and write something along the lines of “This is good - I’m linking to it!”
This is good - I’m linking to it!
I heartily endorse the above post, but as a self-promoter - I am contractually obligated to say that I rock!
Wow, great post. I had mushroom stroganoff for lunch. You forgot to mention trolls -they are something more calculating and insidious than “brawlers” and angries.” Sometimes I get so lonely, I can’t see the point in living. You say you can’t control what others do, but what about controlling th situation by what YOU do? You spilled your drink on me! I really, really hate car washes! What is the point of them. Why don’t people just wash their own cars? I want to throw things! I don’t even care about different kinds of commenters, anyway. Have you tried Innocent Smoothies? They’re delicious! Apple biscuit horse parade!
The worst type of blog responder is often the blog author himself, pretending to be someone with a controvercial viewpoint, usually counter to the views put forth in the blog, with the goal of driving readership.
The operator of a bicycling website will pretend to be a motorcycle rider who complains that bicycles are always in his way. The operator of a handgun blog will pretend to be some guy who’s sone was threatened by a guy with a pistol.
Someone posts “Hey, did you hear what some guys said over at such-and-such website?” on another blog or forum, everyone gets all excited and they all run over there and argue.
The net result is more advertisement revenue. Newspaper “Journalists” are very good at this.
-Tim-
Perfect; ‘when no one comments because it can’t be corrected, and it’s so relevant people can’t change it’
M+ “If men speak only of that which they know, the world would soon be engulfed in a profound silence. (Chinese proverb)
I never had a fish named Dorothy.
I had a fish once and once upon a time I knew a girl named Dorothy.
But the fish wasn’t named Dorothy and the Dorothy I knew wasn’t a fish.
Why would anyone name a fish Dorothy?
Why doesn’t anyone like me?
Is this a good blog?
I don’t really care whether it is or isn’t.
Maybe we could call the book writer a tome-ist.
“The worst type of blog responder is often the blog author himself, pretending to be someone with a controvercial viewpoint,”
There’s the copy and paster. But really, the quote here initially reminded me of clueless cliche commenter. They come and express trite opinions that have been dismantled long ago. Might also be called shark feed.
Well, you’ve encouraged me to keep encouraging. I always did it just because it seemed right, even though in some places it leaves one feeling like the class dork.
This is a great topic. Thank you for bringing it up!
Although I can be several of those types of commenters listed, I have to say one reason I come on here is to LEARN.
I have to say that after my encouraging contribution or my non-contributing brawl, I try to take some knowledge away so that I can go to my locale and already have thought through the issue, because I discussed it on here.
Sometimes, it’s just coming away with what NOT to say, but more often than not, I get some education on topics….
So, thanks, Register, for putting up with all of us, as many of us go out and help to spread the Good News and the Truth even in our own little ways, and you’ve helped us!
Tiffany, Allison – Book Writer and Tome-ist also have value.
Commenters who write looooong Comments usually, though not always, have something to say. Skimming the first and last sentences is a good way to read such posts. But, what if you miss something critical in the middle? Like, for example, information about washingtonhotwire.com—the only website in the blogosphere that very specifically relates Catholicism and the Catholic Faith to Business Practice. Where a posted article “A Christian Approach To Business” discusses how Catholic companies will change the face of business – how a Catholic-infused MBA is changing the nature of advanced business education. Interesting information for the informed Catholic.
But, that said, I agree with your underlying premise regarding Book Writer and Tome-ist, and looooong Comments.
Hey all - I just posted part II of this post today if anyone is interested: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/10_types_of_blog_comments_part_2_of_2/
Thanks for all of the awesome comments! God bless!
I’m a ghost. I read posts, a lot, but rarely comment. Usually never, actually, this may be my first post - unless there was a contest with a prize requiring a comment to enter. :)
I was going to comment but there were too many comments here for me to read. Oh, well. :shrug:
Thank you so much for the great post this changed my life forever,NOT.
I’ve been a ghost until now but there’s nothing I hate more than labeling or being labeled. I always say labels are for soup cans. I already have quite a lot of labels like vegan, homosexual, pan-sexual,atheist, humanist and god knows how many more labels I have that I don’t know of yet.
As for dealing with comments ask yourself the question “do I really have to DEAL with comments?” the answer is always going to be no. We can choose to reply if we want to or we can ignore a comment altogether and the world is not going to end because you do so.
Obviously this blog post favours contributors and encouragers, but do we always have something to contribute? are all the encouragers genuine? I believe any comment type is as equally as important as another except spam. We should not encourage one type of comments over another or we will end up with 100 comments that says great post.
Thanks for labeling me as a brawler or even an angry.
Mr D
We are manufacturer and exporter of generator, Gas generators, alternators, Petrol generator, Canopies, silent generators, diesel generators. We have wide range of power gen sets, Starter alternator, LPG Generators
We are Manufacturer and Supplier of Gensets such as Diesel Generator, <a
>LPG Generator</a>, Alternator and Petrol
Start Kerosene Generator.
Addresses:
WINDSOR
Plot No. 766,
Pace City II, Sector37
Gurgaon122001
INDIA
Tel : 0091 124 4323900 / 924
Fax : 0091 124 4323999 / 998
Thanks for the post, very nicely done. I am going to your part 2 now.
The content of the post is very well, from here I know much about sports knowledge. It can provide a lot of the latest sports news. I love this post. By the way I know some about websites which content is also very well. Such as XXXXXXX. you can go and see!
Fly and light tackle fishing in everglades park and south Florida. Please visit it: http://www.captainariel.com
Thanks a lot.
Best,
Sakira
LAME
the writer is a very poor pluck on the big bazar
This is all very well and good but what does it have to do with the cause of Irish freedom or indeed, camels?
Its looks really awesome post.I reached here via Google
Types of blog commenting is bit confusing question for me. From my point of view there are only a 3 part.
1. The person commenting for all…They are promoting sites with providing good information.
2. The person only providing the info about the products or site which is promoting by them with little info (You can say there are SPAMMERS)
3. The person who commenting Nothing…Always discussing else or not a single point is relevant to post.
Bankruptcy
First of all!!! Thanks for share such a great information. Your work is really appreciable I enjoying your useful knowledgeable information on regular basis. . I’m looking forward to your new posts.
Its so highly informative things are posted here. These things are the fresh and having good information are posted here, and also is seeking for this kind of information thanks for updated.
...interesting topic!
How do I contact this company if I’m in the USA? The long distance charge will be immense.
Oh, I think you missed a type:
11. The Grammar Police.
The ones who make a dramatic point of correcting another commenter’s poor grammar, but who makes no valid point or contribution to the discussion. Here are a few typical examples:
“than, not then.”
“compliment, not complement.”
“Do you even know the difference between their and they’re?”
Pretty good post. I hope you create more in the future.
Tsiindia is a very beautiful website ,this is a indian website to travel
related site
http://www.tsiindia.com/indiatravelforum.html
værd at læse. Jeg fandt www.ncregister.com meget informativ som jeg har været forsket meget sidst på praktiske spørgsmål såsom du taler om ...
Thanks a lot for this great post .I really got too much information about the comments I don’t know about them from before.
www.eng4kids.com
It is nice to definitely dig up a website where the blogger is intelligent. Thanks for creating your web site.
Post a Comment
By submitting this form, you give The National Catholic Register permission to publish this comment. Comments will be published at our discretion, and may be edited for clarity and length. For best formatting, please limit your response to one paragraph and don't hit "enter" to force line breaks.