Many, many months ago I was perusing through WordPress hoping to pick up a few new blogs to read daily – as if I didn’t already have enough reading material on hand – when I happened upon an interesting read. Now forgive me, but I really cannot remember what the title of the blog was. That’s not important. I read, hit like, commented, then also followed. This is interesting stuff and could lead somewhere I was thinking. Well it lead me straight to this reply to my carefully worded comment:
“Thank you for following my blog. Unfortunately I cannot return the favor and follow yours because I already follow many blogs and don’t have time for anymore.”
Really? I wasn’t after a follow and I think this comment was a little rude. What do you think?
There is no rule that you have to follow whoever follows you, is there? No? I didn’t think so. I just wanted to make that clear. I don’t expect a follow back when I follow you. It’s because I really am interested in your content.
With the new ‘like’ button on the comment section of WordPress, I am not sure of the protocol. Is it in good taste to ‘like’ comments made to you on your blog or comments you have made on other blogs? Or should you just ‘like’ comments made by other readers? Sometimes I will ‘like’ a second or third comment made to me on the same post from the same person because the conversation always has to stop somewhere, and its nicer than just leaving someone hanging. Personally I feel a comment made to me deserves a reply and so does a comment I make on other blogs. Any thoughts on this?
Elle
Finding Myself Through Writing 
I also meant to say that I never noticed the new ‘like’ in the comment section. I’m so observant.
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I guess I could leave it at this “LIKE”! It takes me a while to notice changes sometimes too. I think I may have read about the like button before I noticed it.
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Elle, I agree with you. Comments should always be responded to. I also agree that you do not need to follow everyone who follows you, or vice versa.
Actually, I think I’ve enjoyed and commented on the exact same blog you landed on, and received the same reply. It must be wonderful to be so popular and above it all. I immediately decided not to bother him anymore.
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It really is a turn off isn’t it? Now I wonder what I saw interesting in that blog anyway!
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I really appreciate readers taking the time to make comments, and I try to respond to them–but occasionally I get way behind and can’t get totally caught up. When that happens I start commenting on the current post, and hope that readers understand.
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I’m always second guessing myself about whether I replied or not. Especially if I am not at my computer for the day and am replying on my phone app. Sometimes it does not automatically update.
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I don’t know if it was rude as much as unnecessary…like she or he feels guilty if he’s read or pressure not to read the person reading him. I can’t read everybody…and neither can you…when would we have time to write, and many bloggers are not writers. They’re what a friend of mine calls blurbers. In a year most of them will abandon their sites while the rest of us show up on the page because it’s a must…like Joseph Campbell said…write because you half to, and readership is grace on either side…it’s your art that counts Madam 🙂
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Very unnecessary…made me feel like she was making a point that she was better than me…and a whole lot busier. I doubt that..at least with that kind of attitude. 😉
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Agreed!!!
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Totally rude Elle. In fact it reminds me of one blogger who emailed me thanking me for commenting, then informed me that she had deleted my complimentary comment on a post of hers, simply because I used the shortened version of her Christian name. Some people are their own worst enemy. 😉
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Very funny and very true! And some people never think about what they say or write or do!
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Are there any rules? I think, you need to do what you feel comfortable with; its your reputation.
If you thought about it and felt it was rude, apologize. Blogging is like text messaging, it can get confusing but, we don’t have the luxury of calling to clear things up.
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I don’t think there are actual rules written anywhere. I feel that the comment made to me was rude. I wasn’t asking to be followed back. It’s true that some people follow back, but my reader would be overflowing if I expected it to always happen that way. I personally am grateful for every follower I receive and comment with thanks.
I did not get an apology and don’t expect to.
And yes, blogging can be confusing,but common sense should be used when commenting.
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Yes, that’s a pretty rude, not to mention a bit arrogant, statement to make.
I like the ‘like’ option for comments now. I try not to overdo it, and I don’t automatically ‘like’ every comment left on my blog. But I do always respond to them, and I agree, a click of the ‘like’ button can be a nice way of ending a conversation, to let the other person know you have indeed read and appreciated their comment.
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Like I just mentioned to Susan, I hope I never get too big to respond to comments. Our readers are what make us!
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Then again, if I was Stephen King big, I wouldn’t mind that so much. 😉
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Hey! There is no ‘like’ button on my WordPress phone app under my comments so I am officially ‘liking’ your comment! Lol!
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Oh, I know, I wish the app had that feature!
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I would unfollow someone who spoke to me that way. Unfortunately, there seems to be no established etiquette on the internet. Most bloggers I know have a sort of rule that they comment at least once to any comment someone posts on their blog. But some never reply. That usually makes me move on. If I take the time to comment on your posts, the least you can do is reply. There are two or three larger blogs that I read, but I don’t comment because the blogger NEVER responds. To me, it’s about engagement. If I’m not being engaged, I’ll usually move on and certainly not put them in my email. My email is reserved for those people I feel I can establish some sort of online relationship with and I don’t want to miss their posts. The rest go into the reader. If someone follows me, I’ll follow them back and check out their site, but I don’t put them in my email unless we have talked…they’ll just be in my reader, which I rarely have time to peruse.
It seems to be a general rule that you allow the blogger who posted to get in the last word if a dialogue ensues.
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I’m glad I know that general rule now because I was unsure of that. I get all my reading off my reader unless it is a blog from another source other than WordPress, then it goes to email. As far as the bigger blogs go, you are right about never getting a response. I hope I never get to big to interact with my readers!
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I think that’s pretty rude too. Many of the ones I follow never follow back. No big deal. The comment wasn’t necessary. I use the comment like the same way you do. The thread fizzled, and I let the person know I read their last comment.
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I actually think
I may have unfollowed that person and that was maybe a mean thing to do…if I didn’t then I may still be reading! Lol and yes – that ‘like’button is not there to provide a shortcut.
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