Skip to main content

#Blogging Question: Do You Drop Your Blog Links in Your Comments?

By 28/07/2015September 15th, 2018blogging
Links to Bloggers accepting Blog Awards
Links in Blogging Comments

Do You respond to all comments?

Links to Blogs in Comments: Yay or Nay?

The Cherished Blogfest wrapped up last weekend, and I now feel a little lost.

I renewed lots of friendships, and made a few new friends despite not doing such a great job of the challenge myself. Finally wrapped up visiting all blogs on Monday, and who knows, I may have missed a few. I’ll be combing through the linky list again– it shall remain live for the next few months.

I did feel annoyed with something though: a lot of bloggers decided to leave their post links in my Cherished post comment thread.

Bloggers do this often, and I delete the links while making the following exceptions:

1. The link takes me somewhere relevant to my post, or the ensuing discussion (I’m ok with including links to posts the commenter has made on the same topic– but not during a blogfest– everyone’s posting on the same topic.)

2. The bloggers’ gravatars don’t lead to their blogs, and the only way to visit them is to click on the link. This is fine, I think– it lets us connect across blogging platforms.

I look at it this way: if a gravatar links back to a blogger, that second link is not necessary. If everyone has just one link to their blog in my comment thread, why should certain bloggers have more, just because they decided to add another link?

I don’t care if a link takes a reader away from my blog, as long as the link is relevant to the discussion (see pt 1 above). I’m not into blogging for the hits– more of a fan of chats and friendships.

Don’t like the idea of some commenters snagging that extra link to their blogs, that’s it. The link doesn’t offend me, I just delete it as a matter of principle: all visitors to this space shall be treated equal.

Another thing. I’ve spoken about this before: I DO NOT like Blog Awards. Not Versatile, Not Liebster, not Inspirational or Creative or what-have-you. I find them a waste of time: something like chain mail, only on blogs. I still receive 2-3 awards a month, and this despite my No Award Acceptance policy on this blog. I delete all award links.

Do you think my deletion of links too harsh? Should I let them be? I’ve asked for opinions on my blog comments policy ( and now I try to respond to comments, though I don’t always get to all of them) and the no award acceptance policy (which most of my audience seemed to agree with). Now I need to hear your opinion on links in comments.

What do You do on your blog? Do you feel offended if a blogger leaves links in your comments section? Do you delete links– which ones? Do you have commenting tips for me? Do you leave links at blogs you comment on? What do you have in mind when you do so?


Please join Daily (w)rite on its Facebook Page in case you’d like to be heard by this community. If you liked this post, you can have posts delivered to your inbox: SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL , please.

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

178 Comments

  • PJ Lazos says:

    Mankind’s entire existence is based on possession so these are wise words Indeed and a tough way to live for the modern human. Do you think it was easier I’m earlier times? I don’t, but maybe out of necessity they managed to be more Zen-like. Lovely poem.❤️

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hi Pam, not sure how your comment for my latest post landed in this one–a 3-yr old post. I’m so glad you liked the Zen poem. it is an ideal I strive towards, unsuccessfully, but I keep hoping it brings me closer to my ideal.

  • Nam H Nguyen says:

    I thought awards were pretty good for new bloggers. They help spread your name, and I’m always fairly tempted to click on the links myself.
    But you are right of course, they are a form of chain mail – and annoying in that regard.

  • Rob Powell says:

    I did!
    Until I read this section. So I am not so sure I should do this now.

    😉

    Rob

  • I’m a relatively new blogger. How do I get more bloggers to read my blog posts?

  • No, I don’t have an issue with blog links (if they’re relevant to the post).

    Yes, blog awards are like the chain letter of old. I have never participated in one and probably never will.

  • Peter Nena says:

    I never leave my link on a comment unless it is required. There are blogs that make it mandatory before you can post. Also, Damyanti. I disagree with you when you say you didn’t do much for the blogfest. You did so much. Thanks and do have a great week!

  • This is exactly how I feel too. I suppose I can just link to your post from my blog. I couldn’t have said it better.

  • TanGental says:

    Very interesting. I agree with your correspondent who mentions the need to try and maintain a good quality of comments; that seems to be obvious but it remains a challenge for some. I’m against the awards etc but I work on the assumption if I am nominated someone is making an effort to be nice or hand on recognition so I always say thank you. Challenges are a bit different and depend on my mood. Again I think a thank you is in order. As for links, I think I have been lucky in my one year and a little of blogging in that I rarely have had promotional links. All the links in the comments are relevant to the subject matter. If not then, yes, I would delete them.

  • I appreciate your opinion, mostly because I’m so new to blogging and didn’t know that gravatars can lead back to a person’s blog. I’ve left my URL in a comment a couple of times when/if the post author said something where I think a quick look at my blog will help. That said, I’ve been reading enough blogs and comments lately that I am learning what’s correct and what’s not… so thank you.
    Jo

  • My Gravatar links back to my blog, so I do not need to leave a link to my blog. Using html tagged text, I may leave a link to an applicable resource that the blogger or reader may benefit from or be interested in. I’m okay with readers leaving links if they respond to the content and further the discussion.

  • Roly Andrews says:

    I’m just so very pleased when I get a comment!

  • ljhgeist says:

    As a new blogger, or relatively new anyway, I have seen other people leave links to their own blogs. I have always thought this a bit tacky and rude. I enjoy links that lead to further information on the topic but find self promotion in the comments section of someone else’s blog distasteful. I’m glad you covered this topic. I was wondering what the “rule of thumb” on this was.

  • Viren Parekh says:

    I think its one of those tricks people resort to, to get more eyeballs on their own blog. Don’t get angry… I guess it’s a sign that your blog is doing rather well 🙂

  • G.B. Miller says:

    Honestly, to a very small degree I find the deleting of links harsh. On Blogger blogs, I leave a link in my comment to my blog so that people who might be intrigued enough about my comment can visit my blog to find out more about me.

    I don’t do it on WordPress blogs because it already contains a form that you have to fill out leaving your name, e-mail and website link.

    I do agree with you about awards though. I think awards are rather passé and while it was fine to get them when I was first starting out back in ’08, not so much now. I don’t mind being tagged about things, although it’s been at least 5 years since I was.

  • BookAddict says:

    I like to comment to chat. The only time I think it’s really appropriate to leave links in comments is if the post is meme and your participating. Leaving links in the comments of any other post I would think would be poor blogging etiquette and on the same level as spamming. That’s just my two cents 🙂

  • M. says:

    From the perspective of a commenter, I believe it is a little rude to leave any link in a comment that does not enhance the conversation in a meaningful way. Needless linking, even to my own site, seems disrepectful to the author, their community, and the discussion.

    • singing77 says:

      Though it’s difficult to admit, I don’t often comment on others’ blogs. However, today, this moment, I feel I had to take my hat off to you M. for your honesty and though I blog whenever I feel inspired to, I also sometimes blog even when I don’t feel like it. As I work on my trilogy and the story unfolds in my head before it lands on paper, I feel it necessary to keep fishing… keep pulling in the words, thoughts, images, illusions, delusions, and infusions of creativity in any way it keeps coming. So, no… I don’t ever drop links to my comments and I hope I never do. Happy blogging everyone!

  • Birgit says:

    Hello! I have been having a tough time to catch up reading all blogs and I have not written anything (start back tomorrow) because my pain became very, very bad starting last week. It has been over a week and I feel back to my regular self. It is my Ehlers-Danlos and my pain can be crippling. Anyhoo I am never offended especially when someone just says what they like or don’t like. I don’t get rid of links because 1. I don’t know how and 2-they don’t bother me. I have deleted comments where they have links to something they are selling. I have done those blog awards and now I know not to send them to you but you are right that they are like those e-mails we get. I think if people are offended by something one says on their own blog then they have the right not to read it just like someone turning off the TV. There is so much more to be offended by then someone’s right to say there own opinions on their own blog. Take care!

  • macjam47 says:

    If the link is relevant to my post, I am happy to hop over and read it. If it isn’t related to my post, I consider it spamming.

  • Valeer says:

    I totally agree with you. I just feel like stuff like that is almost like spamming, and it really just distracts from the topic at-hand.

  • wgr56 says:

    Links in my comments have only happened to me a couple of times, and really I don’t like it much when it happens, but I didn’t go so far as to delete them. But like I said, it’s really not a big problem for me, as my blog isn’t what I’d call mainstream, and therefore doesn’t get a lot of comments at all, and those comments I do receive are usually from “regular customers.” As for blogging awards — I haven’t actually received any, and at first I thought my writing must really suck, because I’ve seen others receive them who, in my estimation, write even more poorly than I. It heartens me to see blog awards referred to here as chain letters, an opinion with which I heartily agree. What truly matters to me are followers, and you, dear Damyanti, were one of my very first followers, for which I shall be forever grateful.

  • agmoye says:

    Except for the Cherished blogfest, I usually never leave links in the comment section and do not respond to any links. In the cherished blogfest, I left the links to the linky codes for others to connect to other blogs on the list. So deleting links I as a practice automatically delete them since I one time got a virus attached to a link. Just my take.

  • I think I’m too small scale to have suffered any of these problems. My blog visiting already occupies a lot of time, so I don’t know how anyone copes with many hundreds of followers and comments.

  • John Holton says:

    Arlee Bird feels that linking to one’s own blog in the comments is vital to people finding you. On the Blogger platform, he might be right. I’ve never had a problem finding another blogger, but that’s just me.

    I don’t mind answering the questions on most blogging awards, but have a real problem when people tag me and insist that I tag ten others. It turns into a chain letter then. I’ll usually reply to the questions, then tell everyone that if they want the award, help themselves.

  • justme0486 says:

    I don’t like blog awards either they feel fake to me. Most comments with links get marked as spam on here so I just delete them.

  • Thanks for organising the Cherished Blogfest. I enjoyed it and met all sorts of new people!

  • I don’t leave links, and don’t mind if someone do so on my blog. I’m not really an efficient blogger yet, now learning…

  • I don’t mind links, as long as the person is leaving one for me to find them. HOWEVER, I am extremely annoyed by the people who pop in, make a generic comment without having read the post (it’s so obvious), and then plop their link to fish new readers. Ugh.

    I’m on the fence as far as awards go. It’s a nice way to recognize others and to make bloggers feel validated, but I think it’s a dying trend. Two years ago, three years ago they were awesome. Now they are more like spam.

  • jr cline says:

    I don’t at all. I sometimes leave links if I think they are relevant to the conversation.

  • sfarnell says:

    I can see why this would be annoying, to me it would be polite to at least ask if you could post a link. Neither of these are a problem for me as no one has put a link on my comments or given me an award – I think that speaks volumes in itself lol 🙂

  • jacksteff says:

    Well, basically I don’t have a problem with leaving behind a link in a comment if it’s totally about something that looks like what you’re commenting on. The problem I have is if your link is about a whole new nonsense.. For example, I made a post about getting a thicker beard sometime last year on one other of my blogs and someone commented in line and then dropped a link to a porn site.. That’s where there’s a problem.

    • Damyanti says:

      Akismet takes care of links to porn sites for me. Last year, Akismet filtered hundreds of porn links..in Russian. Like I said before in the thread, I adore Akismet.

  • I prefer the comments are related to the post I have written. Unless it is related to my post.

  • I haven’t had that experience. I won’t connect with advertising sites requesting friend status and that’s the only reason I can see why people would put their link into the comment section. I would take that kind of link off my page.

  • Lucy says:

    Right on, sister! I always delete if there are blog links, it actually seems rude to me, the Gravatar is enough. As you say, a link to something relevant, such as additional information on the topic that the author might find interesting is one thing, but for personal gain I think cheapens or even negates the comment in the first place. They don’t really want to discuss, just to spam.

    Awards confused me to start with, I had no idea what they were about and just thanked without participating, now I agree, just an odd version of chain letters. I don’t get it, clicks for clicks-sake don’t mean anything. Big numbers are not an indication of quality.

    • Damyanti says:

      Lucy– I wish I could plate this and hang it all over blog-o-sphere: Big numbers are not an indication of quality.

      Right on!

  • I’m so glad someone else thinks awards are like chain letters! The one time I went along with the “rules” of an award, I found myself scrambling around to find the right number of other bloggers to bestow the award upon. It was a nuisance and felt insincere.
    As for links in comments, I think the only ones that are acceptable are those that enhance the subject matter of the comment, not links to the author’s blog or book sales pages. Adding those links suggests the comment is just a sneaky way to distribute those links.

  • shoreacres says:

    No awards for me. When someone includes me, I offer thanks, and an additional comment that my readers’ comments are reward enough. End of that discussion.

    I rarely have anyone linking to their blog in my comment section. Most people who make a run at it are spammers who make it through Akismet, and they get deleted without a second thought.

    Many people do add links to their comments, but they’re generally related to the discussion at hand and entirely relevant. When sidebar discussion occurs among readers, and there are links involved, that’s fine.

    If someone doesn’t have a link to their blog for some reason, and I can do it easily (perhaps linking it to their name), I will. That usually happens with a new reader, and often one who’s a new blogger. A little slack is a good thing.

    One thing I’ve been pondering, and never have seen talked about, is the fact that a good comment section begets more good comments. Too many bloggers don’t put any time at all into their comments or responses, and it’s a big mistake. If we’re judged by what we write, we’re going to be judged by our interaction with our readers as much as by our initial post. Spelling counts, even in comments!

    • Damyanti says:

      This is blogging gold, I wish more bloggers followed this: “good comment section begets more good comments. Too many bloggers don’t put any time at all into their comments or responses, and it’s a big mistake. If we’re judged by what we write, we’re going to be judged by our interaction with our readers as much as by our initial post. Spelling counts, even in comments!”

      I love the discussions on your comment threads, Linda. My only wish is to read your posts in a book some day, hope you’ll grant it.

  • I agree with both policies with one exception. There are bloggers who encourage connecting with other bloggers through link ups. I think if it’s at the request of the blogger in building a community then it’s okay. Other than blogger initiated links I think it’s kind sort of like a cheesy marketing ploy. I’m am with you on the No Awards although the majority of the ones I’ve seen are from the younger crowd (I don’t know how they find the time to do them). But at my age time really is of the essence and I can’t participate in time sucking activities. I’ve been thinking about a “No Awards” policy but just haven’t implemented it yet however I do let the nominators know that while I appreciate the thought I have to decline. Good post!!

  • I agree with your policies! Nowadays most comment platforms give the option of gravatar links. Though, there are a couple that show “Most Recent Post:” I’ve toyed with un-checking the box but usually since it automatically picks up on the feed I leave it be…I guess it depends on the situation though!

    On the awards front, I definitely appreciate people thinking of me, but I generally say “thank you” and take it no further. I feel bad deleting those comments! Heh…

    Honestly, the types of comments we decide to weed out is so subjective. It never ends up being black or white. With the exception of “F?F, L?L, plzzzz”!

    • Damyanti says:

      Am so glad I’m finding a lot of agreement with my policies…
      I don’t delete the award comment, just the link. 🙂

  • I’ve never left a link in the comment section because wordpress usually sends out an email to the blog with that same information.

    As for comments on my blog, I tend to just weed out the spam. Most of the comments come from my friends anyway, so I don’t have to deal with people trying to promote themselves with comments on my blogs! The few times it has happened, it does leave a bad taste in my mouth, but I leave them up on a case-by-case basis.

    • Damyanti says:

      With you there, Hamish– wordpress comment notification is a lot better than other blogging platforms, and the blogger’s link comes in anyway. They’re either too new to blogging or too interested in spamming to get that.

      • Totally agree. Also, I really wish wordpress were more vigilant educating people about how to comment correctly (and in deleting the true spam sites).

    • simonfalk28 says:

      I’m also with you, Hamish. If we comment, a link to the blog is included. I don’t understand why people would post just a URL when they can leave some words of encouragement, or a helpful suggestion.

      • I understand if it’s a link to a deep post that you wouldn’t necessarily find if you were to click on the front page of someone’s blog, but if it’s just to the front page – it’s a bit silly.

        I do think wordpress has a good thing going, I just wish we could chose the posts that get suggested to others in the email. They always seem to be the popular ones. And for me, the posts of mine that have become popular usually have for ridiculous reasons and don’t really show anyone what my overall blog is like.

  • brittabottle says:

    I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot lately. I absolutely abhor when people leave links on my blog. It seems like such a froced way to connect with people. Personally, if I’m truly interested in a blog, I will make the effort to go and check it out. A link is unnecessary and seems to me like the blogger in question is trying to hard to make connections OR is simply looking for views. The only time I don’t mind when people leave links if it it is directly related to a post of mine. Perhaps I’m too quick to judge, but if someone leaves a link to their blog on one of my pages, I actually avoid the link completely.

    I also have been quite annoyed with all the awards and challenges links I’ve been getting. I think I’m going to start deleting them, too. I accepted awards when I first started blogging because I thought they were new and exciting, but as a more seasoend blogger I am starting to find them really annoying. Awards posts are some of my least favorite posts, actually, and I simply don’t have the time to be typing them up every other week! While I do appreciate that people think of me for awards, at the same time, I find a well-thought out comment so much more meaninful.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thankyou for stopping by, and such a detailed comment. I think we agree on all counts– and I hope we stay connected to each other on our blogs.

      • brittabottle says:

        Absolutely. It was my pleasure. Though I do apologize for all of the typos in my comment. I promise I can spell usually, just not today, apparently.

        I’m glad to hear that there are others out there that I can connect with about this as I think it’s a worthy topic of conversation in the blogosphere. I hope we can stay connected, too.

  • Archana Kapoor says:

    Hi D, first of all sorry for not being able to participate in the fest. I really wanted to, but teh timing went all awry 🙁 hopefully next time…
    I don’t really care if people leave their links on my blogs… and many a times, people do… especially of their latest blogpost, which more often than not is totally irrelevant… but honestly I don’t care…

    I tend to leave Drishti’s url sometimes, especially if it is a new blog that I am visiting… I don’t leave the site’s url on the blogs I read and comment on regularly… I think that doesn’t make sense at all… but if some regular readers of my blog do it, I don’t really care…

    I don’t like the idea of these blogging awards… they seem more of a chain mail to me, and hence I haven’t really responded to any of their questions… though I am considering doing a gratitude post for all those who nominated Drishti, because they atleast took time out to nominate us. That’s my view… 🙂 Cheers

    ps – sharing this post… I think it is very relevant for the fraternity! 🙂

  • Sonia Lal says:

    I do for memes, but not otherwise.

  • I almost never post links to my blogs. I have done so once or twice, and in each case the blog I had written was relevant to the blog I was commenting on. (Since most of my blogs are about utter nonsense, it’s hard to find relevancy anyhow.) That being said, I don’t mind if someone posts a link to their blog in my comments, unless it is total spam. I’ve never actually had to do that. Apparently the spam filter on WordPress is pretty good.

  • Dave says:

    I think it’s OK if the link is relevant, but it so rarely is. Once in a while you have a post that’s directly related to your comment. I think that’s OK.

  • I didn’t get around to many people for the blogfest either, but it was because I took the weekend to visit with my grandma. I’ll try to get around to the list and visit though.

    I feel pretty indifferent about links in comments. I only really see it with bloghops or events like the A to Z Challenge and I usually forget to do it myself. The A to Z Challenge is the only time I make a conscious effort because I know it can make it easier for people to visit back.

  • John Hric says:

    Your blog, your rules. The no awards on the about page works for me. Never had the problem with comment links. still the same rule – that is why WP lets page owner edit comments.

  • draliman says:

    I’m pretty much like you. Extra blog links are unnecessary and I feel the person leaving them is using my blog to advertise their own. So no, you’re not being too harsh in my opinion!

  • I never leave links back to my blog and so far have deleted every comment left on mine that links back to the commenters blog – it seems really self serving and usually the commenter clearly has not read my post. It is just an attempt to attract as many people as possible, and I’m not into that.

    I try to respond to every comment I get, I love discussion posts and making friends in the writing community and the conversation makes me feel more a part of it 🙂 If I leave a comment on someone’s post and they’re not the type to reply, I probably won’t leave another one.

    Also, I got my first award a few days ago and was contemplating not accepting it because it seems like A LOT of work. But I decided to accept the it this time because I’m still in the baby stages of my blog so think it will serve as a way to introduce myself “formally”. I doubt I will want to participate in anymore after that though.

  • wscottling says:

    I totally delete self-links in my comment section. And spam. If someone has a link that is relevant to the topic, I’ll leave that in. I also do not to awards, and have a page about that (it’s on my sidebar too) so I don’t get too many of those anymore. In essence. I agree with everything you said. 🙂

  • Wow, felt like I was trying to reach the end of the comment thread on my blog! You really stirred up some comments.
    The only time I’ve ever listed a web address in a comment is when it was relevant to the conversation. Otherwise, I don’t add a hyperlink or anything to my comments. Click on my icon for the link – granted there are three, but it should be really obvious which one is my personal site. I don’t delete those in my comment thread unless they are spam or obviously someone just trying to sell something.
    As for awards, I’ve received just about every one out there, so if it’s new, I’ll thank the person, but I don’t list stuff or pass it on. My blog posts are long enough as it is…

  • Beth Caplin says:

    Shamelessly promoting one’s blog is annoying, but like you said, if the content of a specific post is relevant to what I wrote, I don’t mind. I’m always looking for more bloggers to follow.

  • TheLastWord says:

    Well, so far:
    1. I don’t get a lot of people commenting on my posts. I assume my writing isn’t interesting enough or understandable enough.
    2.I haven’t had the issue on my blog of people leaving comments with links to their blog posts.
    3. I have left a link on comments I’ve made, but only because I felt it was relevant, in some way, to the post on which I was commenting.
    4. Awards: What are awards to a passionate blogger? isn’t getting his word out enough reward? 🙂 🙂 I’ve never won anything in my entire life. The blogger awards I have seen reek of chain mail, so am quite happy really not to have received any such awards.
    5. My regular readers all seem to ACTUALLY read what I write and leave interesting, apt comments that, to me, are like a conversation. I really like talking to people.

  • I don’t like people leaving links in comments (unless they have a good reason). Personally, I never put in an extra link, but if I comment on WordPress, my Gravatar profile is added, as you mention, and using Disqus I also get a link added automatically.

    • Damyanti says:

      I’m glad you agree.

      This post is the result of second guessing myself– am thrilled to find tons of like-minded bloggers.

      Thanks for stopping by to comment.

  • Southpaw says:

    I think it’s a bit rude to leave a link, unless the conditions are special as you stated. In most platforms, the name will like to their blog already — maybe an extra click if it goes to a profile page first, but that’s ok. It’s just seems spammy, and makes the comment less genuine. I usually delete them.

    As for blog awards… I suppose I accept them if they say, “here’s an award” by going to their site and saying thank you. I don’t leave up the link, or post the awards, or do a special post though.

    (Found you through the blogfest even though I didn’t participate.)

    • Damyanti says:

      You’re kinder than me about awards.
      Some pretty fab blogs on that list, have been swooning over numerous posts. Am glad you found me via the fest– hope to keep in touch.

  • I occasionally have left a link to my blog in a comment. I think I read on WordPress it is not considered good blog etiquette to do this regularly. When I have done it it was because I thought one of my posts was very pertinent. I do not do it often. I had one guy really like what I posted and then he left a whole big link to his blog site where he was promoting some kind of health product or philosophy. I felt he was using my comment section to market his site so I deleted his comment with the link.

    • Damyanti says:

      Yes, that feeling of being used is quite icky. Thanks for stopping by– nice to meet you again via the blogfest.

      • Yes. Even if the person doing it was possibly naïve and did not intend to use me. I think we all need to be aware of this etiquette. When we are starting out we all can make these mistakes. And I think I still make them when a comment I make is taken the wrong way sometimes. 🙂 Nice to meet you too.

  • I have no problems with bloggers leaving links under a comment as long as the comment is not a spamish one. I do delete broken links though.

  • literarylad says:

    Me? I’d just be glad to get a few comments, whether they’ve got links in or not.

  • New Journey says:

    Good Morning, great questions….maybe I am the exception, but no one has ever left a link in a reply to me…however I have been nominated for blogging awards, I was so new to all this that I was flattered and honored all in the same breath, but I have noticed that in the last couple nominations there was a line saying we didn’t have to participate if we didn’t want to, they just want to let us know we were appreciated, so at least a thank you was in order but I don’t normally participate in blog awards…and I am so new, and do not have a huge following…I always read everyone’s post that I follow, some I reply and some I just like, depending on the topic of the post…but I am grateful to have found a community of such wonderful people, caring and interesting people far and near…..

    • Damyanti says:

      Thankyou for sharing your learning curve with us.

      I’m thankful to the blogging community, too. Over the years, I have some friends I feel I really know, even though I’ve never met them in real life.

  • Sammy D. says:

    I think it’s difficult for new bloggers to know what to do because there are ‘how to comment’ posts that recommend including your link.

    Once a newbie gets more experience, it’s obvious that leaving your link is generally a no-no, and it’s also obvious who is doing it for self-promotion. If bloggers have a previous relevant post and leave a link to it, i appreciate it. I’ve even specifically requested a handful of bloggers to do so.

    I don’t have many self-promoters leaving comments. If I did, I’d probably delete them like you do because they become clutter for readers (who enjoy reading comments as well as posts).

    My nit is the bloggers who don’t bother (or don’t know) to go to their gravatar page and enter their blogsite URL. Nothing more annoying than wanting to check out a new commenter, clicking their gravatar and finding no link to their blog.

    • Damyanti says:

      Sammy, you might be right about new bloggers– which is why this post.

      I thought if we all discuss it, we’re all bound to understand the why’s, wherefore, things to-dos and things not-to-dos!

      I agree with your peeve about empty gravatars– I’ve googled a blogger on occasion to tell them I had to google them 🙂

  • wwannwrites says:

    I rarely see links in the comments that a reader leaves on my blog. If someone sends me a link in a comment, it’s usually a link to their facebook page, or a link that I find interesting. I suggest that you keep doing what you are doing, since you get tuns of links in the comments section of your blog post. The only reason I would leave a link in a comment is if I’m asking for someone to vote for a book I am trying to get published entitled A Journey of Faith, and then only if someone specifically asks me for the link.

    • Damyanti says:

      Your blog is inspirational, and I wish more and more people would explore it— I was so glad I discovered it last weekend during the blogfest.

      I’d be happy to vote for your book if you leave me the link here, and who knows, so might others?

      • wwannwrites says:

        I’m going to leave you the short link, though I have posted the full link in several previous posts. You can vote for my Christian suspense novel at bit.ly/1LOb3CG . Please spread the word. Also, if you want, you can find me on facebook, and follow me on twitter. On facebook, search for Ann McBryand Harrison if you want to add me as a friend, however, if you want to like my author page, you can do so by searching for author Ann Harrison. My twitter handle is @annwrites75. Thanks for being my blogger friend.

  • Basil Rene says:

    Yes, I respond to comments. I feel that if someone took the time to read my post, assimilate it and have an opinion on it, I owe them the courtesy of a response. I do not leave a link to my blog. I think it’s obnoxious actually. Are you only commenting because you want me to see your blog? And I agree about those blog awards. They really serve no purpose but to publicize the awarder’s blog on yours.

  • Adding a link in a comment is fine, if it is pertinent, but not otherwise (in which case it’s impertinent). And that doesn’t mean that every statement should be used as an excuse to place a link. In my book, it’s fine to delete links that serve no purpose other than self-promotion by the commenter. The comment is supposed to be about your blog, not theirs.
    As for awards, I’m with you 100%.

  • mumbaslife says:

    My philosophy is this, I comment because of the topic you posted and it has nothing to do with what I write. And if you want to visit my blog then that’s your call. So “link in the comment” looks bit desperate and wrong thing to do.

  • cbecker53 says:

    I haven’t had the problem of people putting another link back to their page in comments. And I almost always reply to comments, even if only to say “thanks for stopping by–please come again.” I had never heard of these quirky “awards” until I took a Blogging 101 class. I was so flattered, I did participate, and have participated in several. But some I just now ignore, and some I “turned down” because I had been already received the award, sometimes more than once. I wish they called them something else though, because, you know, they’re not “really” awards. . .

    • Damyanti says:

      You’re fortunate– I get several links a week. During the blogfest I cohosted last weekend, I got more than a dozen links.

      I think I did this award thing once, years, ago, and immediately put it down as a waste of time.

      A few years back, when my blog began to receive more attention, I got a ton of these ‘awards’ and I’ve banned them now.

      I guess my blog is my space, and I retain the right to refuse unwanted ‘gifts’ …

  • A.M.B. says:

    Great topic! I love it when bloggers leave relevant links to their blog in comments. If they’ve written about the same or a similar topic, I want to know. Relevance is the key.

    However, when I visit a blog post that reminds me of something I’ve discussed on my blog, I usually don’t leave the link in a comment to that person’s post. Typically, I write a comment explaining a bit about what I said in my post (and I state the name and date of the post). If they want to see what I had to say on my blog, they can find it themselves.

    As for blogging awards, I think they’re a great, community-building activity that I just don’t have the time to do anymore. I don’t see it as a shameless way to leave links on other people’s blogs, but I’m sure there are some people who participate in the activity for that purpose.

    • Damyanti says:

      Relevance is the key: absolutely.

      If they want to see what I had to say on my blog, they can find it themselves: in this case, I ask if they’d like to be linked to the post, etc.

      I don’t see it as a shameless way to leave links on other people’s blogs, but I’m sure there are some people who participate in the activity for that purpose: I guess those who do this awards thing seriously are few and far in between. I’m totally out of it, either way. I need to remain sane. 🙂

  • Dharmesh says:

    Unless there is something very relevant I don’t leave a link plus I write so unique things *ahem self-appreciation* that I find it hard to link.
    Unfortunately I was so busy with my novel this whole month I couldn’t find enough time to join the blog fest. But I’ll visit as many sites as possible ASAP.

    I don’t even click on links, they go to my spam folder automatically and then get deleted. I think you do fine by deleting it.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thanks for stopping by, Dharmesh, and all the best with your novel. The blogfest linky list will remain up, so visit any time you like.

  • I would never leave a link as I’m on the persons blog for them, not myself.

  • I DO NOT put another link in my comments back to my blog. If I have something to add to the discussion or someone has requested a link, I will oblige. Otherwise I think it is unnecessary and presumptuous. If they are interested in checking me out from a comment I made, I can be found easily with my Gravatar or my name.
    I don’t mind blog awards. I have been nominated for a few but I have only responded to one early on. They are a lot of work and I don’t have time but also, other people do not want them so it is hard to nominate anyone else.
    I ALWAYS respond to comments on my page! If I don’t, it is an over site by accident. But I want others to respond to me… If I know someone isn’t going to respond to comments, I won’t leave one… 🙂

    • Damyanti says:

      Agree with your first two points.

      About responding to all comments, I learned from one of my posts that folks expected it– I thought they preferred visits to their sites instead of comment replies. Earlier, I used to reply only if asked a direct question, but as you can see, that’s changed now.

      Some of my blog posts tend to explode in comments, and it gets hard, not to mention very time-consuming, responding to each of them.

      I try my best, and hope everyone forgives me when I don’t measure up.

      • Oh I totally agree! When you have so many people commenting, I think it would be very difficult to respond to every person. I was talking about people who NEVER respond to anyone. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough people following me (yet) so I have the ability to respond. But I would love to have a post “explode with comments” someday! 🙂

        • Damyanti says:

          Awww…Courtney maybe I could help a little with the explosions? Why don’t you send me a link to one of your posts you’d like more comments on, and I can reblog it and share it on social media? I’m always looking for good posts to reblog– as long as they’re PG 13 and something I’m genuinely interested in.

          Can’t promise an explosion (if I could, all my posts would have exploded lol), but I might be able to send some visitors your way.

          And followers take time to build up– give yourself time, and your posts would be exploding away 😉

          • Ok…. here is a good one. I don’t have a lot of PG-13 stuff because I have my blog linked to my Twitter and LinkedIn page so I try to keep it somewhat clean. But I liked this one!
            https://blogmethisblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/21/sargasm-anyone/ 🙂

            • Damyanti says:

              Consider this shared.

              Not sure if I can reblog it, because I don’t think I’m sargastic– I pretty much say what I feel most of the time, which leads me into all kinds of trouble, of course.

              I try take a few deep breaths these days, and that seems to be helping, lol.

              • Thanks Damyanti!! I’m sargastic all the time!! I would be in big trouble if everything I thought came out of my mouth (sometimes it does anyway) LMAO!

                • Damyanti says:

                  Oh my mouth needs a censor board. Which is why I love blogging– I only say (I hope) polite things here.

                  But I’m practicing to get better: I don’t gag as much at people who think a stay-at-home writer does no work and is at the disposal of all and sundry to run errands.

                  Who knows, may be I’m learning the fine art of sargasm after all 🙂

                • I also have the privilege of staying home… hubby does work hard and long days, and I take care of everything else, which is a full time job! Daughter is 28 (last Sat) so not a stay at home “Mom” anymore, but I try not to take my time for granted! 🙂

          • BTW You’re pretty awesome! 😉

  • JMDLEFLORE says:

    Every once in a while when I comment, only as a first time blogger I would leave a link to my blog. In hopes that, said blogger might check me out and see if they enjoy any of my post. Its a direct link to my page instead of going to my empty gravatar. I was unaware of bloggers feeling so passionate about this. I guess I will have to stop that since it’s so annoying. Very good feed back here on the subject thanks for the post.

    • Damyanti says:

      Personally, I would prefer visiting a blogger with a professional gravatar, which easily leads to their blog.

      I carve out time for my blogging, and try to do it as sincerely as I can, so an empty gravatar profile feels like a waste of time.

      Instead of adding a link to your comment, have you considered filling up your gravatar? I’m sure there’s a reason your gravatar leads to a deleted site?

      My post is not directed at anyone in particular– I’m just trying to gauge this comment-linking business, and wondering if everyone thinks like me, or if I’m being harsh.

      • JMDLEFLORE says:

        No my gravatar links to my site, I haven’t figured out what to write for my profile so that part is what’s left empty. I just thought that in leaving a link you show an interest to keep the dialogue between the writer and said blogger, offering a look into what the other writes. I never thought in depth about how it would make another blogger feel. Which is why your post is so useful and the many of commenters. It is really appreciated. I don’t think the link is left to draw away followers from your content, just present another opportunity to connect. I dont think you are being harsh you have your preferences, but if you are a beginner blogger and you take one of these blogging classes on wordpress I believe it is suggested to leave a link as well to build that rapport with other bloggers. But I am understanding in more detail how useful the gravatar is. So as long as you comment, if the blogger is interested they could always check you out. I just never thought of it in that light. What do you mean by professional gravatar? for instance my blog is simply about me and my thoughts and wanting to share writings and get feed back, To me my gravatar would not be professional, or am I looking at it, from the wrong angle?

        • Damyanti says:

          Thanks for the discussion on this.

          Your gravatar currently takes me to this message:
          jmd398.wordpress.com is no longer available.

          The authors have deleted this site.

          If, instead, it led me to your blog, I wouldn’t need a link to be left on my comment thread to reach you– it would be part of your gravatar.

          By a professional gravatar, I meant one that does its job: leads anyone clicking on it to your blog, gives any info about you that you want to share, and puts a face to your name.

          It’s a bit like a name card, if you hand someone a blank/ misleading card when you meet them, they’re not likely to connect with you.

          Leaving a pasted link to your blog, on the other hand, is like giving a bunch of name cards, or like shouting your address to the person you’re trying to connect with.

          Not sure if I’m putting this right, and if I’m not, maybe someone here would add to this, and correct me where I’m wrong.

          • JMDLEFLORE says:

            Wow, I did not even know my profile wasnt linked, thanks for sharing that bit of information. That has since been corrected. Totally understand the concept of the gravatar. I guess I will be working on that sometime today. But at least the link is fixed. Thanks for that. You said it correctly. As we blog we continue to learn these things. And I am grateful for it obviously so many bloggers appear to have the same approach.

            • Damyanti says:

              You have the best thing one looks for in a blogger, a positive, flexible attitude.

              I’m afraid I still can’t find your link on your gravatar, but that maybe because it takes time to refresh.

              I know you’ll do well in your blogging journey ahead.

              • JMDLEFLORE says:

                Thanks I am still trying to find my way, still learning, and I am doing at your expense and many others around here. Very appreciative. The goal is very simple. Become a better writer.

                • Damyanti says:

                  We all learn at some time from someone, and then pay it forward. And we learn together, not at each others’ expense. If this post and the comments have helped you forward towards your goal, then we’ve all earned good karma 🙂

                • JMDLEFLORE says:

                  Oops I meant to say at my own expense, lol as I was one of the individuals leaving links. But like you say good karma earned. Thank you for shedding light, I guess I could have went on upsetting people not even knowing. That could be an issue too!

  • bamauthor says:

    I don’t leave blog links with comments unless they are relevant to the subject of the post or directly have an impact on a previous comment. If someone wants to connect, it is easy enough to find my social media contacts online.

  • I don’t think that’s harsh. I usually only comment and do not promote my blog on someone else’s blog. I expect the same in return.

    • Damyanti says:

      We think alike, Sharukh.

      • Glad to hear that. I usually get many travel agencies and travel bloggers that comment and leave their company website URLs or blog links on India Destinations mainly because some of my pages show up right on top in Google searches. I have made it very clear that my blog is only about information on places and not a booking zone. If travelers want to book they can head to ClearTrip, Make My Trip and many similar sites, but they just spam the blog.

  • Huff says:

    I rarely get comments, so the links aren’t an issue for me. Like you say, if the link is relevant, I can see its place in the comments section. There are hundreds of thousands of bloggers out there and we all want traffic. Relevant, comment traffic to one another’s blogs (hopefully) creates a stronger community. However, duplicate links to “my blog” for the sole sake of promotion, I agree, is tacky. I can see the temptation, though. I, for one, have left far more comments than I have received. I’ve read that writers make the worst reading consumers.

    • Damyanti says:

      I’m glad we agree.

      On comments, I just went and left you one. You blog on a worthy, but very niche topic, so it might be hard for general bloggers to comment, sometimes, for fear of saying the wrong thing.

      I’m no expert, but I find that having a gravatar pic ups comments, as does connecting with like-minded people on social media– I found a lot of authors and readers on writing hashtags on twitter.

      Newer blogs find it hard to generate comments as well, but it gets better with time.

      Thanks for stopping by: following you now.

  • I never leave a link unless I’m asked to. I don’t think I would remove someone’s link unless it drove traffic to an inappropriate site, in case I would remove the whole comment.

    • Damyanti says:

      I followed this for a while, leaving harmless links in, and then I found more people clicked on those links– they had an unfair advantage on other commenters who were polite and limited themselves to their gravatar.

      Besides, I get too many links, overall. Looks neater without…the clutter-free bug bit me when I was young 🙂

  • itsallbuki says:

    Oops! Guilty. *covering me face* will not do it again henceforth. Not cool really.

    • Damyanti says:

      Aww. This isn’t to shame anyone– just wanted to get to the bottom of this. I’m sure, as you blog more, you’ll make commenting and blogging decisions as you go along.

  • oshrivastava says:

    Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.

  • ccyager says:

    Hey, Damyanti! I’m still working on the Cherished Blogfest blog list so I was glad to hear that it’ll stay live for a few months. There were so many blogs! As for blog links in comments, I have not yet encountered this issue at my blogs. This post has prompted me to think about it, and I tend to agree with your policy. Comment tips? I also try to respond to all comments unless the comment clearly requires no response which occasionally happens. Sometimes I just thank the commentator for taking the time to write. I do love to receive comments and learn what people are thinking about what I’ve written or about the topic I’ve written about, so I want to encourage that behavior with responses. Thanks for hosting the blogfest! It was fun and interesting….. Cinda

    • Damyanti says:

      Yep– the link will stay life for the coming few months, so visit away!

      Blogging is conversation, so I try my best to keep up my end of it. Sometimes I can’t keep up, but bloggers mostly forgive me. I hope.

      Am so glad you enjoyed the blogfest!

  • ractrose says:

    I was wary of the blog awards I saw people referring to, what with the requirements. Where would that end? So I appreciate the clarification. I’m too new to understand adding links and such.

    • Damyanti says:

      Adding links is when a commenter copies links to their blogs or posts, and pastes it in a comment. This is in addition to the gravatar that links back to them automatically on wordpress.

      I’m glad my take on awards helped clear things for you. I guess we all need to make our own decisions on this, and I’ve made mine. 🙂

  • arlene says:

    Like you, I decided to have my blog awards-free. How could they even give you an award when you don’t see them visiting it or making comments. I find it a waste of time too. As for linking your blog when you make a comment, it is a big, NO, NO for me. Seemed as if they only visit your blog just because they find your posts interesting but to promote their own.

  • I agree with you about the links. When someone adds an extra link to my comments, I feel like the only reason they are commenting is for self-promotion.
    Though I don’t accept awards anymore, I don’t think of them as chain-mails. When I was new to blogging, someone nominated me; I was really glad. And I connected to most of my early blogging friends through the same nomination list. So, I think of them as a boost to new bloggers. 🙂
    Have a wonderful day!

    • Damyanti says:

      Good that awards came off as a positive experience for you. Blogging is all about making friends, I think.

      At one point of time I was receiving 4-5 awards a day, so I had to make some noise about it. I still keep award comments, just take away the link– this has discouraged a lot of ‘bloggers’ who only drop by to add their links.

  • I don’t have much experience with folks commenting but I would feel very much the same. If someone is going to leave a link then it should be relevant to the topic discussed. Fluff links or duplicate links to their own site are just attention grabbers. I say continue to edit the comments as you see fit. In the end, it’s your blog and your space. Doesn’t seem rude to run it the way you see fit.

  • To me adding link makes sense if the post in relevant to the topic discussed. Somehow comments with urls get categorized as spam on on wordpress.com blog. Those comments don’t show in at all and I am ok with that. On my wordpress.org blog, the plugin that I use for comments (Cleantalk ) also puts the comments with urls in spam. On the flip side sometimes legitimate comments also land up in spam. Overall I think it is a bit annoying to have irrelevant links on comments.

  • ANooP says:

    I add link on very rare occasions if it’s something relevant to the discussion as you have mentioned. Different people look at blogging in a different perspective.

    • Damyanti says:

      Relevant links are more than welcome. I see blogging as community– not self-promotion. I do it as a hobby/ passion/ interest, so I guess that colors my view.

      • ANooP says:

        I agree with your view and I see blogs as a big place with lot of like minded people as well 🙂

  • tlclark says:

    I’ve never thought about it… when I moderate my comments I am mainly looking for the bullies of the world, because every group has them. I don’t mind links, and so I doubt I would mind… I one or two have already popped up, I just accepted them as part of the opinion … as long as the comment isn’t abusive, abrasive, hostile, or about the abasement of groups or individuals I will let it stand .. but I can see how it would be annoying when someone doesn’t follow guidelines … if you don’t want these links pulling away from the purpose of the event, then that is what others should do 😛 happy wordage

    • Damyanti says:

      Yep, the one thing that really gets me mad is bullies. All my practice of compassion and good energy goes out of the window for the first few seconds, till I gulp and breathe a few times to calm down.

      I keep links when they add to the conversation, even if they lead away from my blog. I delete all links that either duplicate the gravatar, or spam.

      • tlclark says:

        hey… my publisher is planning a blog tour… if you are interested, or know anyone that would want to be one of the stops, just let me know… or contact Mary with the subject ‘blog tour’ … I could also use some sage advice here… this will be my first, have no idea what will happen… lol … but I’m excited…

  • Dazrahe says:

    Thankfully or unfortunately I haven’t had that problem, but I can sympathize.The only time I put links on my blogs themselves are when I’m letting people know where I got a picture from because I don’t draw and I’m not about to get credit for what I can’t do. I write – that’s pretty much it. I guess maybe I’m on the other end of the spectrum? I ask for comments on things I write because I know I don’t know everything there is to know about what I write about and would like an opinion or a correction. But I like your blog and I like what you do – so keep doing what you do.

    • Damyanti says:

      Thanks for your kind words. And don’t worry about adding links to your blog posts– everyone loves a blogger to link to them in their posts.

  • Dan Antion says:

    I add a link on rare occasions when I have a post that is relevant, but only with bloggers with whom I am familiar. I will also add links to responses to comments on my blog, when someone asks a question that I have answered in an earlier post (I did this today). I don’t like awards, but I don’t maintain a strict policy. I accept them but I almost never manage to respond, and I never nominate people for them (I think). The thing that bothers me more than either of these is people who just blatantly ask me to follow them back in their comment, often without even really commenting on my post. I like to have a feeling that there’s a little bit of a relationship between me and the people I follow.

    • Damyanti says:

      I do link to my own posts on my own blog– but will rarely leave an extra link to my posts in my comments on other blogs. Exceptions are weird blog formats, or when someone asks for info.

      The thing that bothers me more than either of these is people who just blatantly ask me to follow them back in their comment, often without even really commenting on my post: either spammers or those new to blogging. While hosting blogfests before, I’ve had to point some bloggers to articles on blog etiquette.

  • Almost Iowa says:

    I understand the urge to promote our blogs. After all, affirmation and acceptance as a writer is one of the reasons many of us are here. We want to learn what works and what doesn’t and for that we need an audience. But links are a form of advertising and they comes off as tacky.

    • Damyanti says:

      Tacky is definitely what I feel about some bloggers who leave comments. I’ve set my moderation to hold everything with a link now– I get on an average of 10 links a week on my comment threads.

  • spykeyone says:

    Oooh interesting! I have never left a blog link but I have mentioned an article title if on topic and I think the author may be interested. It’s down to them to actually seek it out if interested. I was wondering the same thing about whether it’s PC to do so. I always check out other sites if people have ‘Liked’ my posts and I’m not already following them. No-one’s ever done it to me so unsure how I feel on it. Time will tell.

  • A. I. Sajib says:

    I think it’s perfectly normal for people to leave a link to their blog ‘in the appropriate field’, that is, the field that asks for a URL when they’re leaving a comment. If I find a person’s comments interesting, I’m more likely to click on their name to find their blog or website. However, I don’t think it’s sane to paste a link to their site in the comment section. There’s an appropriate place for everything.

    That said, I don’t necessarily delete the comment if anyone does leave a link to their site in the comment body. That is, unless they’re one of those people who ‘found my post very interesting!’ (If you didn’t know, that’s how most spammers comment these days.)

    • A. I. Sajib says:

      Also, regarding the gravatar, a gravatar link is supposed to take you to that person’s profile. Gravatars are profiles, and the picture you see — technically known as Gravatar (Global Avatar) is the profile picture of those profiles. A person may have two or more blogs, so by clicking on their Gravatar you go to their profile where all of the blogs (that they chose to show) are listed.

      However, by leaving their blog link in the URL field, what happens is their name becomes a ink to their blog. Which is what I was talking about in my earlier response. It makes it look cleaner than having a standalone link in the comment body.

      • Damyanti says:

        Agree with both your points. I wish more people used Gravatar. Multiple blogs can get annoying when people use one of their dead blogs to comment. No way to find them, and return comments.

  • andy1076 says:

    OMG I had to make a comment before I finished your post and I apologize if I offended by doing so, but I ‘hate’ people who leave their links behind, It really is rude in my opinion especially when they do it without permission, or the pointless comments just for the sake of hoping someone will click the link oof. 🙁

    • Damyanti says:

      🙂 your anger made me smile– because once in a while, I get those comments– “Nice post” followed by the link. I’m so tempted to delete the entire comment on some days.

      • andy1076 says:

        oh heck I delete it then and there! don’t even give it a chance, it’s worse than those flyers that you see in your mailbox that you never wanted 😛

  • Tony Burgess says:

    I never thought about doing that before. However I prefer to keep on topic and comment on the post itself without any sort of self promotion. If that makes sense.