All bloggers loves to receive comments and feedback on their articles. But how do you handle negative feedback? As a blog grows, it becomes more exposed to negative comments. Despite the fact theses comments aren’t flattering, they’re good for your blog. Don’t believe me? Here’s 8 reasons to show you why.
You can be wrong
Yes, really. Everyone can make a typo, forgot to say something important or just being plain wrong. In theses cases, the negative comment is just a way to improve your article. Blogging is all about exchange: You give to your readers, why shouldn’t they give to you?Criticized posts are…popular posts
Last year, my “How to: Customize your GNU/Linux desktop in 7 easy steps” article hitted digg.com front page. Many readers and digg users left negative comments on the article, mostly saying that the article was for Ubuntu instead of GNU/Linux. It can be very easy to think that this article sucks because of the important amount of negative feedback. But hey, wait. You said, it hitted digg.com front page, right?
So, despite the negative comments, more than 700 people digged this article, which is definitely not a bad deal!
Negative comments on your blog shows that you respect your readers and their thoughts
Some blog owners delete negative comments. Sure, negative comments aren’t flattering, but well, if you provide a way for your readers to express their views about your article, you should respect their right to criticize.
Not censoring negative comments shows that you respect your readers point of view and that you are an open-minded person.
Negative comments can create a debate
Debates are always a good thing for your blog: They encourages rss subscriptions, comments and can provide new backlinks.
So, when someone left a negative comment, maybe another reader will respond, and a new debate will start, which is good for your blog.
Negative comments don’t devalue your blog
When I was younger, I use to think that a negative comment can influence other people. But people have their own advice about things. If I find a very cool blog post, I’ll leave a comment saying I loved it, nevermind if 1, 5 or even 10 peoples left negatives comments.
Negative comments are…content
That’s simple as that. A comment is content and there’s nothing better for seo than content.
Only the unknown aren’t criticized
Think about Microsoft: If you google the term Fuck Microsoft, you’ll get 418.000 results. That’s really a lot of people who doesn’t like them. But they’re also being criticized a lot because it’s a very big company and everyone knows Microsoft, even my grandmother.
As a blog grows, it become more and more exposed to negative feedback. Negative feedback is definitely a good indication of growth.
What about you?
And you, what’s your thoughts on negative blog comments? Do you hate it, or do you think it’s a great way to improve your blog general quality? Let’s talk about it.
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
This post is such a waste of time, none of your points make any sense.
Sorry, it had to be done.
On a more serious note, you make very good points, I leave all my comments intact anyway. It’s great when people you don’t know stick up for you!
Never really thought about this that much, but if you do make a mistake it’s better that someone tells you rather than them letting it go, I know I always make a lot of mistakes with my writing, I don’t always pick up on them. It’s almost like having a bunch of proof-readers reading our blogs. Cheaper than hiring one thats for sure lol
When guests … argue below my articles, it makes my post more interesting, and I know my guests care my blog a lot
Gawd. This post really sucks! You call this content?
interesting article…fully agree with you.. i wish i´ve more negative comments at my web site
ROFL!!!
I´ll leave here with one big congrats for the article! fully agree like i said before.. one more balh bla bla for the SEO thing
cheers. keep going the good work!!
‘hitted digg.com front page’ should be ‘hit the digg.com front page’ GAWD!
Haha, couldn’t resist. You make a good point. If the social media explosion is supposed to foster debate and discussion then we need a few dissenting opinions, right? Otherwise it’d be extremely dull indeed.
Woaw, well done!
Good article.
@Benjamin Reid : Without pointing out why the post is a waste of time in your opinion, your comment is also a waste of time because the criticism isn’t constructive
@Jean-Baptiste Jung : You do know I being joking right?….
@Benjamin Reid : I wasn’t sure about it, but no problem anyways
I think posting negative comments let people know you are a real person who can handle constructive criticism. I know a lot of bloggers who just delete negative comments.
Great post! I always seem to get a negative comment but I just look at them as complements plus not everyone is going to like what you do so don’t try to make everyone happy
yeah — i alway think that negative comment is having great effect to blog if we handle it right. As your writing, it can bring some good debate and tell us what we lack of (if there is).
“Only the unknown aren’t criticized”
Nice. I almost erased a few negative comments but, I was just lazy about it. By leaving them it shows I am getting visitors that actually “read” the posts I make.
One thing:
“… article hitted digg.com front page.”
Maybe:
“… article hit (the) digg.com(’s) front page.”
What about really abusive threatening or comments with swearing in them? I’m all for free speech but I do delete comments that are likely to upset others or have no particular point to them.
Useful article. Just wish you’d get someone to check your grammar.
Nice article. This is why I allow every comment.
I must admit I never thought of it like that. Those people who come with negative usually hack me off, but this puts a new angle it.
Cheers
” . . . hitted digg.com front page.”
” . . . what’s your thoughts on negative blog comments?”
Seriously? How about “. . . hit the digg.com front page” and “. . . what ARE . . .”
Bloggers whine about how they’re not treated seriously as “writers” or “journalists.” Gee, I wonder why? Maybe because they can’t write well?
Learn to use correct grammar and learn to proofread before you post.
@C : English isn’t my primary language, which explain a few typos/grammar mistakes here and there.
Jean-Baptiste,
That last comment about typos and grammar… that always seems to be the number one complaint I see on many blog comments. It is easy for someone to criticize another person’s writing. The reality of blogs is to get your information out there. At times you are under the pressure of the clock to get it done. So there will be errors. Instead of harping on that, why not provide a negative comment that sparks discussion and provokes thought.
Did you just use the word fuck in a blog posting? Oh that’s awesome.
@Erroin Martin: typos and grammar problems automatically make me question the knowledge of the writer, and take some effectiveness out of the post. One of the main reasons being that by simply copy and pasting (or originally writing) the blog in a word document, a writer can very easily find and fix those problems. In the case of a non-native English speaker, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a friend or co-worker who can look over the writing before it is published.
Saying “Negative comments don’t devalue your blog” as a reason why negative comments are good for your blog is kinda contradictional. I think you’ve made some good points, but they can be summerized as: negative comments are good because they make your blog more popular.
Hi Jean , firstly : thank you for your insightful blog posts & tutorials which you provide , as I am certain they have helped many a user within this blogger-sphere we all seem to inhabit. You have managed to raise yet another interesting topic for discussion amongst readers , and yes I will agree with you on basically all of the points you have surmised here. The truth is : we live in a so called Free Society [ a Democarcy if you will ] ; and within such Free Societies , everyone has the inalienable right of Freedom of Speech . Which as we all know : Everyone is free to voice their opinion(s) without facing persecution . Constructive criticism is always welcome and opens a portal for improvement , however : being crass , verbally abusive and simply just plain ol’ vulgar is not permitted . Yes, I said that ‘everyone is free to voice their opinion(s)’ , but we also have another saying in America ( and for the sake of not being vulgar or crass – I shall phrase it differently ): ” Opinions are like anuses’ and everybody’s got one ! “ , and that is the bottom line . An opinion, comment or remark submitted within a constructive positive form is always acceptable and welcomed for discussion or debate – verbally abusive and negative remarks should be eliminated , as they will cause offense to other readers/users, and I do not believe they enhance anyone’s blog in the least . Thank you for bringing up a good topic for discussion & debate.
P.S: Concerning your grammatical errors which certain users seem to be pointing out here , I say : what matters is the point you are attempting to convey and whether one grasps it – and not the proper use of your grammar. Einstein lacked proper grammar skills as well – yet he is revered as one of the greatest minds to have lived . So THERE !
Continue making errors Jean, they will only bring you closer to perfection, as it is through our mistakes that we learn .
Thank you for your article
M.
I think a lot depends on the nature of the criticism. When people disagree with you and debate a topic – it’s great. Even if you’re in the minority it doesn’t matter. On the other hand, if people just correct factual mistakes that you’re making, then I think you don’t want too many of those.
nice points, i will not delete the comments i dislike..
Not to mention negative comments often provide the type of feedback you need to improve your blog long term. Oftentimes critics have pointed out valid and valuable negatives I was missing in my own blog. I even when as far as to thank critics in my about page on my blog because they truly help my blog improve. Get over the initial desire to be defensive and embrace the critics.
What if the negative comment is libelous in nature and you could be held responsible as the owner of the blog? Would you still leave the negative comment?