Commenting Policy for Blog Bloke

Oh my God! What is the Blogosphere coming too? Rules @ Blog Bloke?

Yes folks it’s true, the Bloke has finally raised the white flag. Because of recent events I’ve had to make a comments policy for this blog.

But before I get into that, I want you to know that I believe in spreading the ”Google Juice” around so I have made this a “dofollow” site for my loyal readers. That means if you hang around here long enough your comment links will be followed by the search engines to help build your page rank.

You see, I’m naive enough to believe that if I help you then maybe you will scratch my back as well. That could be by giving me the occasional link, subscribing to my newsfeed or even adding me to your favourite social bookmarking site. 

For every good deed there is also someone out there who is only too happy to take advantage. There are now sites with lists of ”dofollow” blogs for opportunists to use legitimate blogs like mine to build their pagerank. They have no rime or reason to leave comments other than for their own personal gain.

So if you are a newcomer and your only reason for being here is to game the SERPS, sooner or later I’ll figure it out and I might have to reconsider my generosity. So please don’t ruin it for everybody else.

Now getting back to the rules. Violators will be considered treasonous to this fair blog and paraded to the public square where they will be disemboweled, drawn and quartered in front of a large and blood thirsty crowd, and then deleted.

Well, not really but you get the picture. So far I’ve narrowed it down to the points below:

• I moderate comments under certain circumstances. This isn’t really a rule but for your information so that you will know your comment hasn’t disappeared into a black hole of nothingness. So please be patient if your comment doesn’t show up immediately. It is waiting in the queue for me to approve it.
• Spam and sploggers will be destroyed with extreme prejudice. No exceptions and no regrets.
• No linking to offensive sites such as porn, gambling, splogs or sites that Google has grey out.
• Please leave a name and not some keywords to game the search engines, otherwise it may be destroyed.
• Anonymous Commenters. At one time I allowed anonymous commenters carte blanche on this blog. It didn’t really matter to me in cases where a response was not necessary. But if a commenter disagrees with me on a topic then I will most likely wish to respond.

I love a good discussion as much as anyone, BUT in situations where I need to respond you absolutely MUST provide a proper name and link that leads back to your blog or website and tells me a little bit about yourself. 

When I’m having a discussion with someone I want to know that there is a real person behind the fassade, otherwise my suspicions might get the better of me. After all, if you wish to challenge me at least have the cahunas to show yourself. It’s also considered good manners. 

So henceforth I will not respond to anyone who insists on hiding behind the cloak of anonymity under those circumstances, and the comment will be removed.

• Inflammatory Comments.No personal attacks, name calling, mean or maliscous comments are allowed. If you disagree with someone (especially myself ) then please try to be polite and respectful.

I appreciate a good sense of humour as much as anyone so I may allow a little latitude and literary licence to use tongue-in-cheek humor (as long as it’s used discretely and in good taste of course).

• Profanity and lewd comments are generally frowned upon. I realize some think it’s cool but I don’t want to lose readers because of offensive content. So I will exercise my right as the owner of this blog to edit offensive comments on a case by case basis.

Of course lively commentary and good debate is always appreciated and approved! Thanks for reading Blog Bloke.