Do you reply to comments?

[ses5909]

When I make a comment on a blog and ask a question, yes, I usually like it to be answered.

When someone makes a comment on my blog, if it's a new commenter, I always try to thank them for stopping by and posting a comment. If someone asks a question, I do my best to answer it.

I think responding to your commenters will only encourage them to comment again. I think in the comments, the person is trying to engage you in a conversation and sometimes to end that conversation could be considered quite rude.

What do you do?

[Jelena]

Yes, I always try to reply to all of them, especially if they ask some questions. Even if they are not real questions, I would reply. :)

[t(-.-t)]

yes, but within reason.

I don't want every other comment to be my responses, so I tend to space them out. Let 2 or 3 people comment, then reply to them all in one comment if need be.

[pbradish]

I'm with T, I will reply every couple of comments and condense all of my responses into a single post.

[millzee11]

it is a good idea to reply because it creates more of a community atmosphere and lets the visitor feel like they are contributing to the blog.

[Cedric]

It is essential to reply someone's comment so that you will let your readers know that he/she is not wasting his time typing a long comments. If you reply those comments, you are actually connecting with them and hence people will tend to come back again seeing that they are treated well enough!

But of course, there are some reasons why some bloggers do not reply comments, first of all if that blogger receives like 200+ comments right after a post is made, to reply EVERY comment will be a tedious job, however I feel that this should not be an excuse, I mean these bloggers can make a general statement to thank the commentators.

Also, another reason why bloggers don't like to reply comments is because most of the comments are the same! You post about something and if 3 readers agree with you, the subsequent 4 or 5 who agree with you makes you run out of ideas to reply! But then again, general statement is still important.

[CompiledMonkey]

In the past I haven't normally responded to comments. Mostly because I didn't tend to my blog as I do today. Today I view my blog as a central piece of my online portfolio and personality. With the podcasting and writing I do, my blog is very important for people to get a quick sense of me before listening to a show or asking me to write for their publication. Now that my blog is that important to me, I'm just wishing for comments on my blog. :)

[HAWK]

I wouldn't say it was essential...

I reply if I feel that a response is necessary (like if a question is asked or if I need to cut the commenter down with my razor sharp wit).

[CompiledMonkey]

HAWK, I think many people feel that way. I generally think about it like this; how does the user feel after submitting a comment? If I'm the user, I generally like the experience of visiting a blog more if the comments I made are visibly acknowledged. Considering coming to the forum only to find nobody ever replies to your threads. It's just not as pleasant of an experience. In my opinion of course. :D

[HAWK]

Sure... within reason. It depends on the nature of the comment.

[ses5909]

Scenario 1:

Hawks Blog: I had a great vacation, etc etc etc...

My comment. I'm glad you had a good time!

That doesn't really warrant a response.

Now if my comment was..

Oh did you get a sunburn?

that probably would.

[Dan Grossman]

I respond to a lot of comments. I guess I treat them like a miniature forum at the end of each post, and I don't like seeing posts without responses in forums!

[jlee]

I try to if I feel a reply is necessary!

[millzee11]

I think some of the replies are right you have to reply to comments within reason. Obviously you can reply to every comment, and there are some that do not warrent a comment back.

[Jewel]

If somebody asks a legitimate questions, or says something that I feel I can respond to, I will reply to comments. If somebody says something that I can't really reply to with a good response, I won't.

[doorlight]

Yeah sometimes. Esp. if the comment needs an answer.

[dojo]

I do like to have comments on my blog and I also reply when needed. The blog is very small so far, so too few people actually comment, but when they do it makes me happy, I like the interaction.

[rodaniel]

I almost always do response to comments left on my blog. Just seems like the grateful thing to do. but sometimes I gang up responses to more than one commenter in a single reply.

[Glen Allsopp]

I try to respond to every single comment on my blog but of course i can miss some

Interacting with your readers is very important

[Calypso]

I respond to most comments, except spam and hate mail which I delete right off the bat. I figure if someone made the effort to track my blog down, read it, and comment, the least I can do is respond to them.

[deronsizemore]

I reply to everyone's comments. Usually in one post where I address everyone that has commented on the article. Even if the visitors comment doesn't warrant a response, I will still thank them for stopping by and encourage them to come back.

[malique]

its like replying to corporate emails. which is a must.
i think replying to comments will not only garner readership, but also that personal touch you will portray the site to be. Friendly, approachable and active.

[samwoodfin]

I reply too much. When I get a comment, TypePad sends me an email. Gmail notifier send me an alert, so I would've replied within five minutes, anyway. But with Snoop, I can tell by click patterns when someone is in the act of leaving a comment, and catch it before Gmail has a chance to notify me. Sometimes, I have to reel myself in with "Crap, crap, crap, Sam. Just give it a few minutes."

[SarahG]

I reply to every comment. I do tend to leave it a while, usually as I'm engrossed in work or something else. However I try to ensure the last comment on any post is mine.

If I post on another blog, there are simply a handful of comments and the blogger doesn't remark on any comments made then I tend to lose interest. I prefer to know my comment has been noticed. If there's no real need for a reply then I still take the time to say thanks for the comment.

[goldfries]

some comments don't need reply. some comments need reply, then i will reply. :) it's good to show that you are responsive to your readers.

[Prettyfem]

I reply to all comments left on my blog. I think it is ignorant not to.