As I floated around the blogosphere this morning, enjoying my coffee, commenting on a few articles, tweeting, cleaning out my inbox, you know…. my usual morning rituals, I found that a particular site I left a comment on tried to add me to their email list just because I left a comment. Bad move in my eyes.
I left a couple of comments on a site that I hadn’t visited in a while. I have cut way back on my commenting lately because I simply haven’t had time. I still believe that commenting is an important part of networking and promotion. I never comment for backlinks, and am not a big fan of many comment plugins that encourage spammers.
Another thing that gets me going is when someone tries to add me to their email list just because I left a comment.
The little check mark at the very bottom of that comment form is automatically checked “Would You Like To Subscribe To Our Blog”. Shouldn’t it read:
Since you are commenting here, we will subscribe you to our email list so we can send you emails!
After I commented, I received an email from Aweber asking me to confirm my subscription! First of all, I didn’t subscribe, second of all, I think I am already subscribed (but will probably unsubscribe), and third it is tactics like this that give email marketers a bad reputation!
Don’t fall for these types of tactics, it will only hurt you in the long run!
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Hey Keith,
I totally agree with this. I too have now stumbled on a couple of blogs that have the ‘subscribe to blog’ automatically checked. I have to manually un-check it, and it is really annoying. A newcomer may get confused with this, and you are right, this earns Internet Marketers a bad reputation.
Kindest,
Nabeel
I don’t usually look for these items to uncheck, and I believe most don’t either…
I recently went looking for a plugin to add to my site that would enable people to subscribe to comments. While I was searching I came across an article that gave instructions on how to change the code so the check mark would default in the box.
I was appalled. How sneaky can you be?
Why is it that so many bloggers are so damn thick? Come on people, it’s about doing what’s best for your readers. That will keep them coming back.
Give them your best and always think about their needs and they’ll subscribe because they know there is really something in it for them.
Why is it I always end up ranting when I come here?
At least I feel better?
i even hate when blogs automatically subscribe me to email replies to my comment. i only want those emails in a very few cases and i think that should be an opt in situation.
I don’t mind if a site emails me if I get a reply to my actual comment, I think it helps to keep conversation going. As a matter of fact, I think I have a plugin that will email you after I make this reply, but not just because someone comments on the post.
Let me know what you think about it…
Keith
Maddening! I have been added to so many email lists that when I get the email I immediately unsubscribe and when they do not have an unsubscribe, I nicely and sternly let them know that I did not subscribe and to please remove me immediately.
I mean if that is the way that you build subscribers then you obviously do not care about if they reading it.
Great read!
@SuzanneVara
I measure out the email from the “so called culprit” first. I have yet to have this happen to me, but sometimes you do find pearls amongst the swine.
There is one site I follow religiously, even though I caught the site owner in at least (2) outright lies if not half truths and one that lead me to buying a product that at the time, did not live up to the recommendation.
Why?
Because I can take away the good from their site and learn NOT what to do by their example.
And people can and do change. Look at Keith for instance. He used to be a mad-hatter blogger. Now he is Keith, the kind and gentle guide to the blogosphire. Oh wait, that’s another Keith (grin).
Keith, you’re exactly right. I’m so sick of shady tactics. It’s sooo annoying.
P.S. What site was it? Ahhh. But alas, I’m sure you won’t tell on here.
Hey Keith,
I’m in agreement, but I, like some of the others above…haven’t ran into this yet. I think I’d be a little shocked to see my name added to somebody’s aweber list just by posting a comment.
And really, that is probably taking away the cream of your commenting crop. If I had to guess…I’d say 5% of the people on my email list comment. So, that 5% that does comment…we’re going to hijack them onto our list. Build the list in more ethical ways and the ones who want to comment…they will.
Just some thoughts.
Brandon
Keith,
I ran into a similar problem yesterday as I was commenting on food blogs. When I clicked on ‘leave a comment’ there was language that said ‘you must be a member of ____ (the site) in order to comment.’ Instead of commenting, I just left the blog and went on my merry way in the blogosphere.
Why make it difficult to leave a comment? Seems like common sense to make it as easy as pie!