DISQUS

Ari Herzog · 1 year ago

I've never considered spam comments were "paid" comments. But you're not talking about spam, are you?

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Ari Herzog´s last blog post..How Google Analytics Shows Me Who Visits My Blog (and Why It’s Important)</abbr>

Jim Sparrow@Calgary Real Estat · 1 year ago

wow, pretty bizarre Jay. I'm inclined to agree with you that those paying do so out of sheer ignorance, although one would have to question how much link love they'd expect to gain thru their overseas investment ...

Scott Hack · 1 year ago

Jay,

Just got your update on twitter about this post. I'm not sure I'd be as nice as you are being about just deleting the comments. It disappoints me that agents don't research these companies and find out how they deliver their results. Last week I had 3 phone calls for companies that wanted to "guarantee" me first page placement on google. After two questions I thanked them for their time and told them I didn't need help setting up a PPC campaign.

-Scott

PS - nice tweak on adding the twitter ID field. Is that custom, or a plugin?

Lindsay @ Addiction Rehab Blog · 1 year ago

I agree. Here is the preceeding post on my RSS feed: One Wrong Way to Get Links. There appears to be an epidemic of those who want to spam, emailing the blogs they want to spam by mistake. I guess the caliber of people that you can hire to spam comment for you might not be that high.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Lindsay´s last blog post..Brett Favre Overcomes Painkiller Addiction</abbr>

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate · 1 year ago

@Ari - I think there is a fine line between "spam" comments and "paid" comments. I get hundreds of "traditional" spam comments a day -- you know, the porn links, viagra, sploggers, and that ilk. My spam filters block the vast majority of those. The kind of comments I'm talking about here usually make it through the filters -- so they aren't bots or anything. But they are certainly unwanted -- so if not spam, they are doubtless spams close cousin.

@Jim - indeed. The owner of this site emailed back and said he didn't know what I was talking about, that he didn't pay anyone to leave comments. Well, someone must have paid this guy in Amsterdam. I can't see him just sitting around, leaving meaningless comments with a URL link to an agent in Atlanta out of the goodness of his/her heart... Maybe some "SEO" service or "webmaster" contracted it out. Who knows. But I get several comments like this a week.

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate · 1 year ago

@Scott - you're probably right, I ought to just send them immediately to "spam control". And yeah, those companies are beyond annoying aren't they?

The Twitter ID in the comments field is a plugin (get it here). Done by the same guy that does the CommentLuv plugin.

Josh Fialkoff · 1 year ago

Interesting post!
I agree with Ari, that I have not thought of spam comments as paid comments.
I manage link building campaigns professionally and I often have to explain to customers why my firm charges more than ones that outsource the link building to Russia, etc.
I suspect that the offshore outfits do post comments like these to get inbound links.
It's horrible on so many fronts-- it forces bloggers to be on a near-constant lookout for suspicious comments-- and more importantly, it hurts unsuspecting companies that hire these unscrupulous link builders.
Thanks,
Josh

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Josh Fialkoff´s last blog post..How I Use Google Analytics to Maintain, Improve My Site</abbr>

Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social · 1 year ago

Hi - I found this article via Ari's tweet.

Many on the online freelancing job boards have numerous positions listed for people to leave comments on sites. Many of these positions are taken by people living in India and Eastern Europe. And the pay is deplorable - I can't remember the exact amounts but the people taking these jobs aren't earning much at all. While I disagree with the motivation of the person offering the freelance position, I do have sympathy for those who are taking the jobs - I'm sure they need every cent they are earning.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development´s last blog post..Thankful for My Friend Jim</abbr>

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate · 1 year ago

@Josh - I've got no issue at all with legit link building -- whether one pays for the service or does it on their own. Heck, if there was a great comment here -- one that actually pertained and contributed to the post it was left on -- I'd let it stand even if it was paid.

In other words, it's not the paying for a comment that I find annoying. It's the (typically) ridiculous paid comments that are left that bugs me.

And you're spot on when you say it hurts the unsuspecting companies that hire these unscrupulous firms/people. The "spammers" will just move on to the next poor sap that falls for them, leaving behind the unsuspecting company in their wake.

Josh Fialkoff · 1 year ago

There's a tremendous gulf between legitimate link building and comment spamming.
And you're absolutely right about judging comments based on their content. The shame is that the spam comments are nearly always not on topic and/or not adding anything to the discussion.
Hopefully anti-spam technology will keep up with the spammers and eventually deter people from doing this.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Josh Fialkoff´s last blog post..How I Use Google Analytics to Maintain, Improve My Site</abbr>

monika · 1 year ago

I've been getting so many weird comments lately. They come in late at night and make no sense. I thought pure spam but maybe they are paid comments. I'll have to look at them a little closer next time.
Jay, I didn't even know people paid for comments to be left on their behalf! Yikes...learn something new all the time.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>monika´s last blog post..Atkinson NH A very special tree lighting</abbr>

David Lorti · 1 year ago

I don't know if these are paid comments or not but I have gotten wise to them and don't publish them. They are the 'Nice writing style. I will come back again to read more.' Or, 'You should be journalist...' The grammar is how it was here as it emanated from Russia. At first glance, they sound like a nice compliment until you scratch your head and wonder. Then you Google the whole phrase and see how many times that exact phrase wording has been used. A lot!

<abbr></abbr><abbr>David Lorti´s last blog post..A Fantastic Toy Store in Scottsdale - Kidstop!</abbr>

Prabhjit Singh · 1 year ago

I get the same thing unfortunately on my blog as well, and I choose to delete them, but it can get rather annoying. I believe their is soo much to get spoken about on blog, especially in this market that individuals should just go and read blogs themselves. They maybe surprised that they will learn so much that will be valuable for their business!

Thanks so much for your valuable blog!
Prabhjit Singh

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Prabhjit Singh´s last blog post..HPAP Funding Problems!</abbr>

Ryan Ward · 1 year ago

It wasn't me! From time to time I do check links from other agents in Atlanta and find many, not just one are using this type of "link building" campaign.

Kevin Tomlinson-Miami Beach Re · 1 year ago

Jay
After reading this--I'm going to start giving juice (undo no-follows).

Tony Sena · 1 year ago

It would be one thing if these people were engaging in the conversation but 99% of the stuff they post makes no sense what so ever. It's the same issue with hiring someone to write content for you, most of the time the people interested are located in another country, now what do they know about your local real estate market?

Stop wasting your money and get involved!

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Tony Sena´s last blog post..Seller Tips: Creating the Curb Appeal that Attracts Buyers</abbr>

nooozeguy (Josh Fialkoff) · 1 year ago

Agreeing with post! RT @ariherzog: RT @PhoenixREGuy:"Why Paid Blog Comments are a Waste of Your Money (and my time)" http://is.gd/9xqa

Ashley Drake Gephart - Albuque · 1 year ago

Jay - My daughter and I were talking about this just today. She runs several blogs as well and hasn't had too many of these type of comments yet. I asked her if she thought they should be spammed or deleted. Right now she is still getting the "Great blog. Helpful information" She has been marking those spam. My favorite one, on my site lately, was a child psychiatric site in the UK that said they enjoyed my post on Halloween Events and that they would enjoy using the list. So, not only did they plan to fly to Albuquerque from the UK they would have been late since the comment was 2 weeks after Halloween.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Ashley Drake Gephart´s last blog post..Albuquerque Real Estate Maps - MLS Areas 51, 60, 71</abbr>

Jim Gatos · 1 year ago

Jay, I totally agree and I consider myself lucky; I guess my spam filters work great. Once in a while I get a couple and I pretty much delete them. I can't stand "artificial" stuff.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Jim Gatos´s last blog post..Just released: Cost versus Value Report from 2008 (NAR) and what it means for you...</abbr>

howard@Charleston Real Estate · 1 year ago

It's sad that since the spam blockers have done their job of blocking automated spam comments, that people in third world countries are now being hired (at deplorable pay rates) to clog our blogs. But how do they get the math answer right :)

<abbr></abbr><abbr>howard´s last blog post..[Are you nuts] Still flipping a house in Charleston</abbr>

Tom at the Real Estate Blogger · 1 year ago

You are a better man than me. I spam these comments as it is a distraction and it seems someone is trying to get one over on me.

What is even more annoying is this type of comment that I am getting more and more of now.

Good comment

(then) blatant advertising pitch including a couple of urls.

While I love the comment the advertising pitch has to go. So I am deleting the pitch and posting the comment. It is a little more work but it helps everyone as opposed to just spamming the comment.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Tom at the Real Estate Bloggers´s last blog post..Leonardo DiCaprio Selling His Malibu Home For $8,999,000</abbr>

Rhonda Porter · 1 year ago

Hi Jay, You're nicer than a lot of us it sounds like. I tend to delete comments like that. It's a waste of my time to try to figure out whether or not the comment is spam (paid for or not). If it's real grey, then I might edit the comment by removing their web address. I delete more comments than I edit.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Rhonda Porter´s last blog post..Who's Who with the Local Title Companies</abbr>

Doug Quance · 1 year ago

Well you know it wasn't me, either. :-)

I'm with Tom on this one. I usually put them in the "spam" category.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Doug Quance´s last blog post..Are You A Candidate For A Short Sale Or A Foreclosure In Atlanta?</abbr>

Carla · 1 year ago

The paid blog comments are part of many of the services of Indian SEO companies, and I am sure many others as well. Its very prevalent from Indian SEOs. I personally dont recommend it, as they make too many spelling and grammatical errors. Linking services are not needed. They have been abused. If you really have to have some links, I would recommend doing a press release, or have good content that attracts comments. Thanks for the article on this as it caught my eye this morning. I dont like seeing poeple waste their money. Carla

Elaine Reese · 1 year ago

I didn't realize people paid for this service. Like others above, I used to delete but now I hit the Spam button. Enuf's enuf!

What I don't understand is why the spammers (try) to leave so many comments. Are there really that many bloggers that don't have some sort of filter to catch and prevent those comments from getting through?

Drew Meyers · 1 year ago

Hey Jay-
I struggle with this policy everyday - I removed the no-follow tags on comments on Geek Estate quite awhile ago, but Zillow Blog and Carnival of Real Estate (and my own personal blog) still have the standard no-follow tags on all comments. I'm still torn on what the right approach is, though I am trending towards do-follow being the right approach so as to encourage conversation (but I'm not sure getting SEO juice is the reason I want people leaving comments on my blog) and giving commenters the benefit of the doubt.

Elaine-
I'm with you -- I don't get why spammers still try to do it. I guess the cost is so low (virtually nothing), that there's no reason not to keep doing it.

Tom at the Real Estate Blogger · 1 year ago

Odds are the people doing the comment spamming are the same ones who pass their cards out to every single person they come into contact with. They have no shame and see the world only as a marketing opportunity never thinking about the damage they are doing to their reputation.

Dylan Darling · 1 year ago

I've been bombarded with spam links lately. It's getting pretty frustrating. There is no need to hire someone to post blog comments for you. In my opinion, its just plain stupid. If you're an agent that's in this business for the long haul, you'll want a good internet reputation. These spammers won't last in the internet real estate "game".

Tina@Marietta Real Estate · 1 year ago

I did not realize you could pay someone to comment on blogs. I say just delete them and that takes away their ability to sale this type of service.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Tina´s last blog post..Luxury Cobb County Subdivision Featured in Marietta Daily Journal</abbr>

Carla · 1 year ago

I also see a lot of automated/script driven spams of links on my forms. Usually dealing with drugs or sex related. I do what I can to block them by using some spam blocking techniques on the form and thenwhat gets through gets physicially blocked by IP. Carla

David Abernathy · 1 year ago

Jay - I hope this is one of the topics that you cover in your session in NY. I am hoping to attend this years conference.

Maureen Francis · 1 year ago

I just spam them. You are much kinder than I am.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Maureen Francis´s last blog post..Selling Your Oakland County Home During the Holidays</abbr>

James Bridges@ Real Estate Tra · 1 year ago

Jay,
I am glad you brought this up. Sadly I do think it falls into a couple of categories of why people get others to comment for them. I agree that people are "sold" on the search engine benefits, but I think they also see it as a shortcut to success. One of the best reasons to comment is you get to meet new people who usually are out of your area. The agents paying to have people comment will miss out on that opportunity and that is a bigger loss than any slight gain in the SERPs.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>James Bridges´s last blog post..12 fast acting ways to get 3 new deals in 45 days</abbr>

Jodi Suguitan · 1 year ago

It sounds as if all this is a sign of the times and is going to perhaps get worse as markets continue to sour. Agents that don't do their homework and are all too willing to part way with their hard earned money in an attempt to gain market share is a sad reality. From what I understand many search engines would view that type of blitz link building campaign as unnatural link building( if they are even successful at getting the link). Any sudden increase in the number of links pointing to a site could backfire and cause the site to be penalized...

Linsey@ OC Real Estate Voice · 1 year ago

You are very generous to take the time to notify these folks rather than spamming them. I admit - I spam the stuff. I can't relate to the major disconnect that one experiences when they allow their online identity to be in the hands of anyone else. So much of blogging is the connection with others. To miss out on the opportunity for interaction that is anything other than authentic mystifies me.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Linsey´s last blog post..Trickle Up for OC Neighborhoods</abbr>

Vicki Walker@davis real estate · 1 year ago

Jay -

You are way too nice to take the time to track down the source of the comment and then contact the Realtor (going through AR even!). Most of us would just delete it and move on. But your detective work paid off with some great information.

Many Realtors that are newbies in the website/blogging world fall prey to these "sharks" and find it easier to spend the money than spending the time to learn how SEO works. I know I did (a few years ago.) Dumbest thing I ever did.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Vicki Walker´s last blog post..October Home Sales for Davis and Woodland</abbr>

Charles Richey@Las Vegas Condo · 1 year ago

I have to agree with Vicki. I think you went above and beyond tracking the guy down. I'm starting to get a taste of what you deal with. There are always people that will try taking the easy route, but when it comes to your site you should always be thinking long term.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Charles Richey´s last blog post..St. Regis condos out</abbr>

Leon Belenky-One Bal Harbour C · 1 year ago

Wow. I would certainly be annoyed with paid comments like that which add nothing to the whole blog-o-sphere community we have here. I would agree that most of the gain you make from commenting is from the relationships you build online, but for me, as long as everyone is adding to the conversation, I would not mind if the comments are paid. Either way, they are reading and giving their two cents, and in these slower times, I can't begrudge anyone finding a way to feed their families.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Leon Belenky-One Bal Harbour Condo Expert´s last blog post..Sayan Sunny Isles - Proximity to Wonder</abbr>

Ned Carey@Baltimore investing · 1 year ago

I am with Jay. I tend to be a little more forgiving on comments. Sometimes new readers of blogs don't know the etiquette

I just saw a comment I wrote earlier this year when I first started commenting on blogs. It went something like "nice post. I'll be sure to visit again" Sounds like most of you would have sent it to the spam file.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Ned Carey´s last blog post..Lessons from Warren Buffett on Real Estate</abbr>

David Lorti · 1 year ago

If I google the exact comment and it comes up many more times in other blogs, it's a no go. Just say something original and I will let it through.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>David Lorti´s last blog post..Call Your Local Mortgage Expert Now!</abbr>

Dave Smith · 12 months ago

Jay,

Great post, I wish I had written this : )

Glad you gave me 14 minutes to edit this. Saw it and knew I had written a dreaded "Great Post" comment.

Merry Christmas

Andy@Ann Arbor real estate · 11 months ago

Hi - I no followed my Blogger blog, I can deal with the spam comments and prefer to reward people that leave comments. Just a thought on the spam links - they may have hired a"good" seo company that was leaving these comments as part of their link building program unknown to the purchaser of the seo product. Just a thought.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Andy´s last blog post..Falling gas prices drive large vehicle sales</abbr>

Carla Ackley · 11 months ago

I had basically mentioned that before. Many SEO companies hire Indians to do blog postings. I own one of the 1st SEO companies online and we do not do blog postings. For one thing, it's spam, and the other is that the Indians misspell too much. As far as linking goes, I wouldn't hire someone to do linking. Do a press release and you will get plenty of excellent links from that, and actual people reading your article.

Mike in Dallas Texas · 11 months ago

I didnt know there was a paid service out there that did this. That is crazy what people will pay for.

Rick NHS · 10 months ago

Good story Jay... I remember reading another post from you, a while back, about how you receive too many spam comments and that you were apologetic if real comments got deleted in the process...

Well I feel the same way... there are just too many spam comments, on a daily basis, to sift through them for legitimate comments that got miscategorized into the spam folder.

So if any developers / widget makers stumble upon this post (and this comment)... Could you please develop a widget so that I can ban the IPs and domains of the porn and Viagra guys that fill up our spam folders each and every day..?

Carla Ackley · 10 months ago

Or you can just collect the IP's and tell your web host to block them on the web level (or email level if they are only in email). That way they can't access your site at all. That's what I do every day I get them. It sounds like a lot of work but it really isnt and it part of my daily routine. I get them spamming my forms and have to block that.

Russ · 10 months ago

Sounds like typical blog spam from bots.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Russ´s last blog post..SEO Reading and Friday Link Finds</abbr>

Brian@Monochrome Monitors · 10 months ago

I try to leave a worthwhile comment on posts that I read. This should be expected for any comment. I do know that comments on Do Follow blogs do move the rankings. I have seen this time and again. I'm not surprised that some SEO companies are hiring this out. It takes time and effort to leave comments. I do hope this SPAM situation will not get out of hand. The list of Do Follow blogs are not infinite and the owners could lose patience.

Harold Scott · 8 months ago

Great article. I am glad that I stumbled on to your blog!

Simeon M · 7 months ago

enlightening! thanks

Barbara · 5 months ago

So that's where spam comments come from. I'll admit that it did get my attention but it just sounds odd paying someone to comment but from what you're saying it doesn't sound good because I'm not going to pay some fee because that is always a red flag that something funky is going on.

yonzi · 4 months ago

do-follow have a high risk for spam comment, spam comment had attack my web blog.