Here’s a question for discussion this weekend:
Do you use your real name when leaving comments on a blog or do you use ‘keywords’?
I was moderating comments last night here on ProBlogger and noticed almost a 60/40 split between these approaches (with 60% using ‘real’ names).
My personal preference is to leave my real name – that’s partly because I feel it is more personal and also because I guess inadvertently over the years my name has become a brand of sorts – so it makes sense.
My personal preference for people leaving comments on my blog is also for ‘real names’ – although I’ve not moderated comments based upon people using keywords.
A Spectrum of Approaches
There is a spectrum of approaches that I see people using when it comes to what ‘name’ they leave on comments:
1. Key Words Only – For example some people are obviously just using words that they are attempting to rank for in Google. In my mind when you leave a comment under the name of something like ‘Bad Credit‘ or ‘Interior and Exterior Painting‘ or ‘Steel garages sheds‘ or ‘revenue‘ (all names used here on ProBlogger in the last 48 hours) you’re coming close to looking like you are spamming and doing it purely for SEO, even when your comments are on topic and genuine. I don’t honestly see the point in doing this. Most blogs (including ProBlogger) have nofollow tags in their comments so your links and the words you use have no SEO benefits what so ever. I doubt you’d get many people clicking on words like those either.
2. Brands/Site Names – Also on the spectrum but more acceptable in my mind are people who use keywords in more subtle and in ways that help brand themselves or their blogs. For example ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy‘ who is a commenter on ProBlogger. I don’t mind this type of approach because it is more personal and is tied to his brand (rather than just being an attempt to rank well for certain keywords).
3. Brands and Personal Names – The next step along the spectrum is people who use their name AND a keyword of blog name. Examples including ‘Vered – MomGrind‘ and ‘John Hoff – eVentureBiz‘ and ‘Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)‘. To me this works reasonably well as it gives a personal touch as well as some branding benefits.
4. Personal Names – The lastly there are those who leave just their name. This is my personal favorite and I find myself much more drawn to reading and interacting with these comments. I can understand that some don’t like to use their name as they want some level of anonymity – but for me a name actually makes me feel like I’m interacting with a human being.
Of course there are other approaches. Some use pseudonyms or nick names – I’m sure others will tell us about other options that they use too.
The above spectrum and ordering are based upon my own personal preferences and approaches – but I don’t have a monopoly on the truth and am interested in your personal approach.
What name do you leave comments by and why?
I mostly use my real name (with a last name like Putz, that’s eye-catching itself!) and sometimes I’ll add the DeafMom Twitter handle as well. There’s not too many Deaf Moms out in the blog world, so I’m branding myself with that as well.
I use my real name in the name field. ;) Depends on the subject matter as to whether I would leave any KWs in my comment that are relevant to my blog.
(In this reply: no relevant KWs posted. ;) ).
I leave my regular, personal name. The reason being, I place a high value on my own personal brand, and the brand equity and name recognition that I can build.
So, leaving my personal name helps me accomplish that.
I prefer, like you, to use my personal name. The problem with that is I have a pretty common name. Lisa and Boyd are both common, and as I shared with a friend recently, there are at least 4 of us in my general area (much less the internet!) with the same first/last name.
So, I add in my blog name. Not because I’m trying to get people to come to my blog, but because it distinguishes me from all the other Lisa’s :)
I’d use my real name. Used to use the name + brand approach of “Daniel Richard | Winning Everyone”, but after it can get tiring after awhile. Anyways, the name is already associated with the brand / site, so it wouldn’t have mattered for me at all. :)
My personal name because it’s important for building online identity, brand and helps others connect with you. As you say it helps others see you as a human being and aids interactions.
Many of the edubloggers when they first start out initially feel uncomfortable using their real names and use pseudonyms. Which are really hard and often a mixture of numbers and letters. Try making responding back to a bunch of numbers and letters feel like a personal connection :)
I have nearly used my own name with a link to more info.
But I also started the concept of signing off
@NextInstinct ,
knowing Twittr was going to become ubiquitous.
:~))
You heard it hear first. (no really, I posted that idea here last year)
real name 90% of the time.
FIRST!! :D kidding..
I use my name since the textbox above says “Name” instead of “Brand”. Although, I don’t mind people using keywords when commenting on my blog.
Most times I use only my real name. Some times, I go for a name + brand combination like: Alex (Blogsessive), but never use keywords.
Even if the website has do-follow comment links.
It’s disrespectful. Just like going around on the street and seing people you know only from an industry they work in.
How about calling a guy from the other side of the street: “Hey! Hey, ‘s*x toys sale’! How are you doing today?”.
Pretty crazy right? Conversation is between people or people representing brands. Not between keywords.
I’ll never answer a comment on my blog if it uses a keyword for name. How to address that person? Better not address him/her at all.
I’ve always used my name, but since I’m a freelance writer, my name is my brand. I never considered using anything else. On my blog, most use real names, but one uses their blog name exclusively. It doesn’t bother me, because their blog is such a big part of who they are, that I consider it to be the same.
I also sign my comments with my name. I consider it to be an equivalent to email. Just because your name is known (either in the From: field of the email, or the comment field on the post) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t personally sign it. Common courtesy can be translated to online communications.
Kimberlee
Hi Darren,
I agree! Leaving your name is more personal and that is what I do. It gives for a better impression to the blog writer that you are there to really comment on their blog and not just go after the SEM/SEO benefits.
We have so many other avenues for that and if you are properly sourcing those avenues then leaving your name on a few blogs without the SEO benefits won’t hurt.
If a person really is thinking outside the box then email the blogger and ask if it is okay to link with their site. Now that really exciting, huh?!
The reason I use the above name is as follows:
1. It defines what I am attempting to do and what I would like to be.
2. Its a eye catching
3. It builds my brand (i.e. Problogger)
I never thought about the SEO aspects of it, but like you mentioned it really doesn’t affect anything. Either way, this article was informative and I really liked it.
I enjoy following you on twitter
Depends on the location, if it was hobby related then I use my nickname, otherwise I use my real name. Whenever possible I try to keep the two ‘identities’ separate, it is a bit like Facebook (friends, people from work I would socialise with) and LinkedIn (business, work colleagues and customers).
I always use my real name since I don’t try to build a brand, but instead try to promote myself as a person.
It is always a rule of thumb for me to use at least one name for every blog of mine, even if it might be a pen name. The web is moving towards human interaction and I guess most web surfers want to see a site with a face, or at least a name.
One clear example that Web 2,0 (even the comments section of blogs) is moving towards interaction between human beings will be the introduction of Gravatars in the comments by WP. See, we want names and face. :)
Wayne
http://www.AffBoom.com
Bugsy. It’s the name I live by. My real name is Justin, but I’ve been known as Bugsy my whole life from teachers, bosses anc coaches all the way back to elementary school.
Many of my college professors know me as Bugsy even. It’s just the way it is. And there may always be other Justin’s commenting, but odds are there is only one “Bugsy” which gives me a great chance to build my personal brand…. and years ago I started my website which is http://www.bugsyrocker.com.
One of these days when I’m rich I’ll buy bugsy.com
I use my real name because, as you pointed out, it’s more personal. I think of it as me, Emon, visiting Darren as guest. Not some entity trying to get his foot in the door and try to solicitate others guests.
Heh Heh Heh – I see more personal names now in these comments !
I always leave my first name when commenting and I use my first name when interacting with other bloggers as well.
I do it mainly because I happen to bump into many of them in real life.
It would turn many heads if someone saw me into the street and called out “Hey ! Raving Maniac !”
IMO, #1 is always a spammer. They are getting sneakier every time, and even thought it *seems* genuine and legit and even manually typed, the chances are good the site owner paid someone to sit there and leave that comment.
It’s a growing tread, and I always mark such comments as spam.
#2 & #3 are different, like you said. :)
I use my real name because I like to be identifiable online in different communties like blogs and forums as the same person.
Plus I have the fortune of having a unique name, if my name was Sarah Smith I think I would have created an online persona.
Using a keyword as your commentator name is just a tad naff and pointless in my opinion.
Sometimes I use my first name, sometimes a brand name (like here at Problogger). I think both are good (obviously!), but I am totally against using keywords.
I agree with all the points you made.
Using keywords only can look spammy, I agree. However, if there are only, let’s say 2 keywords, and they are related to the topic of the blog you’re commenting on, and if your comment is valuable, then it can be fine.
Still, I always use my real name, and that approach is my personal preference.
I feel Lisa B’s pain. Can’t get much more common than “Mike” around my area. But that’s usually the name I use, with no branding / KWs.
Then again, until recently, my site has mostly catered to friends and family and I hadn’t even THOUGHT about branding.
On the otherhand, if I’m posting to a blog/forum that is centered on video games, I tend to use “penitentman” as that is what I go by “in game”.
I always use my name. Whenever I see comments under someone’s blog name or keywords, I feel like it has less value. It’s almost like the only reason they’re leaving a comment is self-promotion.
I leave the name tacogirl for branding reasons. I use it on sites such as Ambergris Caye message board Stumbled Upon and Squidoo. If I was messaging someone direct though I tend to sign my real name.
I use personal name. I want to be popular!
il always leave my real name. I think it shows I’m willing to stand by my opinions and add value! When my business launches il add it’s name so people can associate me with it!
I always use ‘The Style PA’ as that is who I am on the web. My social networks all use this name rather than my personal name (apart from Facebook) so this makes sense.
I prefer that people use the name that identifies them best if they comment on my blog. It encourages me to network with them, but the thing that surprises me most is that some people who comment and have their own blog, don’t always enter their own web address. A missed opportunity I think!
I’ve always used my real name when commenting on blogs, regardless of which of my URLs I link.
When I started blogging 8 years ago (this month!) it was all about community and friendship. I “knew” my commenters by their real or screen names, not by keywords. I’ve edited commenter names on my blogs to remove keywords or to delink the keyword from the URL. (Not always, but when it’s a blatant attempt at SEO benefit.) It just seems rude, like coming to my party or backyard cookout and trying to sell my other guests encyclopedias or something.
Oh, and on forums, I use scorpy01. Not trying to hide my identity, just that my name is often already taken and that one isn’t.
Once again another straight forward yet so insightful article, you truly are the “pro” blogger. I never thought of this but of course I actually think about it all the time. I use mitch but i used to use miami mitch, I think people know me equally by either name.
I tend to always use my name unless it’s something that I definitely don’t want coming up in a routine search. In those rare cases, I use paintedfoot.
I use my first name and I have to say I agree with Nathan completely.
However, if my name were more common, I’d probably add something like a last initial or Joi from Kentucky, Joi keeps Starbucks in biz…
I leave comments with my blog name. Besides always being confused about who I am (if I were to do it differenty), I’m also trying to build a brand and need to keep it consistent.
It’s so interesting that you wrote a post about this topic because I was just evaluating my approach to how I leave comments on other blogs. Up to this point I have been using my real name, because I too feel that it seems more personal. However, I like the method you spelled out in point #3 (and I agree with Lisa B. @ simply His…my name is very common too!). Maybe I’ll try that in the future and see how it fits. For now, I’ll just stick with my name. :)
On the basis that people often look up names for recruitment or professional purposes, I often use my full name for comments I want to be associated with when people search my name on Google, for example related to professional work. For anything personal I only use my first name as it’s sort of anonymous but still genuine.
Nice post though.
Rizwan
http://www.urbansurvivalproject.org
I use my real name, many of my friends read the blogs that I visit and know me from Facebook and Twitter,
I want to be as transparent as possible and also be able to stand behind anything that I write.
When people comment on my blog I want to be able to respond to them directly, person to person thats why I love the widget by mybloglog, I get to see peoples faces.
I like what Ed said about signing off, I think I am going to adopt it from now on. Everyone knows what it means, I don’t have to shout “hey guys come and follow me on Twitter” and leave a clickable link, its a bit more discreet.
I am always looking for interesting people to follow and if someone makes a good comment I would take the trouble to check them out
@iandavidchapman
I am glad you posted this. I struggle with the question on my blog every day with regards to keyword names as posters.
Right or wrong, I do not allow these posts to get through. I just delete them. Someone with the name “replacement shutters” has no credibility in their reply because they are seeking first to help themselves through spamming keywords. Since that is their goal, their comments are usually weak and lack relevance.
I’d love to hear arguments against my philosophy.
BTW I use my real name.
im going to change my name to “Credit Card” soon.
=D lol
I never leave my keyword in a comment section. i only put my name or brand name.
Mostly my real name, otherwise I use my IRC nickname ‘d1g1t’ :P
I have to agree with the other commenter who said that she uses her blog name to distinguish herself from other people with the same first name (I don’t put my last name online). When I sign comments as Julia @ Hooked on Houses, then people know which Julia I am. Never thought about it for SEO or branding purposes, and it never occurred to me that some people might think I was only commenting for that purpose. You’ve made me think about this is an entirely new way.
(I’ve enjoyed following you on Twitter!)
I normally use my personal name only, but I just posted using my personal name and website. :) I guess on many blogs I post on, its not really necessary to to it this way. I think I will stick with my first name only.
99% of times my real name because i link to my personal blog itself. Dareen how about adding Gravatar feature in the comments section?
Interesting points there.
I don’t mind commenters on my blog leaving keywords as their name, but your right, it’s really not preferable and I tend not to engage those folks….mainly because I’m sure they’re only leaving comments to generate traffic to their site, not to contribute to the discussion.
For my commenting, it’s all about brand awareness. I have almost 75% more click-through’s when I use Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy as opposed to my name. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not commenting JUST to get click-thru’s, because I normally only comment if I have something to add to the conversation. Plus, my blog name is also a phrase that describes me. But the fact that people click on my name to go to my blog 75% more when I use my pseudonym means that it’s eye catching and sparks curiosity. Perfect Example…you used my name as an example in this post
Plus, it doesn’t help that my name is Matt. I just get lost in the shuffle of other Matt’s… ;-)
I use my real name, for the simple reason you mentioned above : ‘makes me feel like I’m interacting with a human being…’
I’ve always used my first and last name. I do this because I’ve been public about who I am on my blog, and because I think it’s more meaningful to be transparent when interacting in the blogosphere by leaving comments.
I use my initials, it is also my site name/brand so I guess I cover two bases at once.
I know on my blog if people are using their keywords I am more likely delete their comment unless it is really good. The whole keyword thing is just a little spammy IMHO. I have occasionally edited the name on a comment to Anonymous if they used keywords but I liked the comment, but the delete button is faster.
With Comments that I leave on this site I use my name beacause I am not linking to specific content on moneysaving mom when I leave a comment it is with a title I think she uses mister linky which agregates a list of links so the name is your only chance to define what the link is to
I try to use both as although i’m wholey against spaming anything, you have the opportunity for some branding.
You can either choose to brand your name or your site. For a relatively new blog it’s important to begin both. I say as long as it’s not offensive using both is fine.
Hmmmm . . . well you can see I’m using my blog name, which happens to describe me very well! I’ve never considered using my actual name (first and last). I have used Ann at One Bag Nation (my other blog) when I comment on productivity and simplicity sites where some people know me by that name).
This is an interesting topic; what about asking readers what prompts them to click thru to someone’s blog when they read their comments here or elsewhere?