Researching what others have done, I looked at a number of blog comments policies and I found one that I really like: the Blog Comments Policy of Pro Blogger Darren Rowse. Granted, it was written in 2005 but the basics still apply and it’s a good place to start.

Armed with Darren’s thoughts and Dinkum’s experiences, here are the basics or our Blog Comments Policy:

1. We Love Comments – Our goal is to provide valuable content to our readers and a large part of that includes the discussion generated by our posts. We encourage everyone, beginners and experts alike, to offer their perspective on the topics being discussed.
2. We Moderate Comments – Unfortunately the concepts of common courtesy and taste vary. In an effort to maintain a welcoming, respectful environment every comment is moderated before publication.
3. We Delete Spam – Unnecessary, irrelevant and off-topic comments decrease the value of our blog to readers and will be deleted.
4. Relevant Links Are Encouraged – As with any good discussion, citing sources to information or resources relevant to the topic increases value to participants and is encouraged. Conversely, links that are off-topic and inappropriate will be deleted.
5. Comment Signatures Require a Name – In order to foster conversation and strengthen community, we require those commenting to leave a name. After all, when was the last time you had a conversation with “Chicago Realtor” or “Lakeland Internet Marketing”?
6. All Rights Reserved – We reserve the right to edit, delete, move, or mark as spam any and all comments.

Note: #5 may change; we haven’t decided. The name requirement stems from our position as a DoFollow Blog. Briefly, a DoFollow Blog rewards comments by providing the commenter a link that passes value to the site specified by the commenter using the given name. Unfortunately, this is the reason for a great deal of comment spam which cheapens the value of any blog.

So, what do you think? Am I off-base? Is it too broad or too restrictive? Please offer your opinion.

Bill Rowland