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 use my real name, as I have here. I agree with the “personal” feel it gives. Also, when I leave my real name, it makes me feel like I actually care about what I’m commenting on and what I’m blogging about.
I’ve been tracking this blog for a while, and this is the first time I’ve commented. It “feels” like you care about what you blog about. That’s why I keep coming back to this blog. You have great insight on the blogging world, and I think it shows through your interest in what you write.
So yeah, real names work best for me!
More often than not, I use my full name for many reasons: local familiarity (if it’s a Raleigh-based blog or site) and the additional credibility.
With that said, I’m not one of those folks who runs around online spouting off awful comments without thought, so I’m not worried about tarnishing my reputation.
Otherwise, I often use “ncsulilwolf” which is my “registered username” on many sites, similar to my AIM screenname, etc. for familiarity and branding, too.
I will most likely use my business name in conjunction with my real name (as the principle owner of the business) in the professional arena.
Great topic for discussion!
All of a sudden your comments links are filled with personal names ;)
I use ‘Andrew’, I am trying to establish myself as a single-namer in the same way as Madonna, or Sting.
I don’t like Keywords or even site names. It seems false to me when people do that they just create barriers.
I would say 99 percent of the time I use my real name, over the years I might have tried a keyword or two but mostly my middle name.
My parents were cruel. This is my real name. Ah, not really.
Either Rhys or Rhys – Retro Garden. Nothing new there, it’s a pain that I have a “Brandable” name (in a bad way). Some guy thought I was a product just commenting under “Rhys”, so that explains the name!
I use my real name, which is my blog name. If people choose to cick on my comment they know who it is they
will come across. Although I think the name “Joe the Plumber” will start showing up a lot more for a couple of weeks. Speaking of keywords
Gary McElwain
I used my first name initially, but decided to change to the name of one blog as I have a number of family reasons for making personal identification less likely. Also, I find that with a common first name, the blog name gives better continuity of recognition if/when I have a break from blogging. Agree with you that the personal touch is more desirable, and am considering going back – maybe with a gender specific nickname. Sometimes I sign my name ‘at VV’.
I’ve always use the shorthand / full nickname which I also use on other web sites. The only problem is a lot of people think I’m a guy when they saw the nickname. :)
I almost always use my own name while leaving comments, like you said, majority of the blogs are nofollow anyway so it just doesn’t makes any sense to use keywords.
I always sign with my name, my name is my brand in the internet, of course i have a site, but i do not like it to use the url as a name, is strange e not very personal.
My first name always–unless I’m at a site that prompts me to login with my username, which is not my first name. It feels more personal and real to me when others do likewise.
Real name. Makes much more sense and feels more authentic and personal.
I use my first name. I hate the human comment spammers that leave keywords. They usually end up being deleted or, if they leave a decent comment, I’ll strip out their url.
From the years reading your blog Darren, I use my real name. As you have stated many times your name is your identity and you should have an “About (Insert Your Name)” page on your site. If you want legitimacy, while using common sense and courtesy when posting online you shouldn’t be afraid to use your name.
I do a mixture, as I do have a common name. As others have said, it’s kind of a pain being mixed up with all the other people who have the same first name.
Some places when I comment, it’s name only. Other times it’s name – website name. No focus on keywords. I really don’t like the spammy look of that.
It’s mostly a matter of how I’ve gotten into the habit of referring to myself for a particular site. No solid rhyme or reason to it.
I use a “hybrid” of my name + my business name.
I used to just leave my business name, especially when I was on an “all boys club” blog. Then, I got “banned” from commenting because the blogger told me I was trying to “SEO Optimize” for keywords.
SNORT!!! My business name hardly qualifies as a highly searched keyword! Then again, this guy’s blog was an “all boy’s club” and when I commented on earlier posts (using another blog where my email was “info@”) it wasn’t a problem. (Oh, and the other blog’s name was FULL of highly desired keywords – Niche Marketing! ) Seems that when he saw I was a girl, THEN it was a problem.
I’ve since decided that anyone who has a problem with my gender doesn’t deserve my RSS subscription. There are too many great bloggers out there to fight with the few jerks!
I always leave my full name, always have, always will!
I think it’s more polite that way, I’d never go into someones house and introduce myself as “wordpress plugins” lol!
My nickname, Kin, was bestowed upon me 10 years ago by my flower girl and now online and offline I’m often known as Kin – even Aunty Kin to my nieces and nephews.
Kin is also part of my brand at kinshome.net and kinsmoney.com
I reserve my real name on the internet for paid work related purposes.
My name. Always. It’s more personal.
And besides, if anyone googles it, they’ll probably end up at my website, anyway, so what’s the diff?
MC
When I can teach my Blog to comment intelligently on other’s Blogs, I will allow it to use its own name :) I prefer to use my name, because a comment is personal. Likewise, I fill-out the website link in case my comment has piqued someone’s interest and they want to find out more about me. Marketing has a place, and in general we’re not nearly conscious enough of the times when it is not appropriate.
I used to use my name and branding
Ryan @ Smarter Wealth
by now I just use my name Ryan McLean
I want people to know me and my name and that is better branding than anything else
I’m always use my name….
Its make me more human……
I have always been reluctant to leave my real name. But the bottom line is If I have nothing to hide what difference does it make, And besides I’ll bet there’s at least one more Rick out there.
I leave my real name. You know I have never thought of using keywords or a tag line. Hmm, maybe I should think of that – no just kidding.
You would be surprised at how many “SEO” firms are still telling clients that comments on blogs help build links and search engine capital. Google, Blogger, WordPress, and Typepad did away with that over a year ago!
Personally I like the tag line too as branding is a part of who you are.
So in that vein…
Signing Off,
Nancy McCord
http://www.mccordweb.com
Where the focus is on your success!
I use my name mostly. There is no point in commenting with keywrods here because you don’t have the dofollow plugin installed.
I like blogs that use keyword luv. (You can enter Your Name@Your Keywords) and the result is Name from Keywords said: with “Keywords” being the link.)
I leave my real name because I want people to know who I am because I have too many projects going on… can’t just change names everywhere.
I don’t think I’ve ever left a comment without “Chris M” in my life and I’ve been blogging since about 1997 :)
My website is iMod.co.za, so I often thought that perhaps I should leave my name as Chris iMod, which is clever I guess, and if the person doesn’t have nofollow setup, it would help in SERP rankings.
I use a combination of my first name and my blog name. Mainly though because I know of several other ‘Deb’ bloggers so I want to distinguish myself so people know who’s commenting. :)
Great post – I’d never really even thought about it this way before!
Always my real name “Rob O.” – just with the last name abbreviated for brevity – and I got tired of encountering webforms that choked on the apostrophe. Albeit that was long ago, I occasionally still find some of those flaky input forms.
I usually leave my twitter/plurk name. People know me by that online and it let’s others know what I blog about (not many fence bloggers out there).
Certainly something to consider.
Keith
Ok, now this post has me thinking. A couple other Mike’s already posted. I may have to start using my blog name!
Ooh.. I know. I’ll use my blog name in the “name” field, but then hand sign my comment!
So there!
-Mike
I leave my site name because it’s more recognizable as me. My “real real” name isn’t on my blog because of my day job (teacher), so everywhere on the web, I’m either Geek’s Dream Girl or E.
Darren, I’m so glad you’ve done this article on using names or keywords in comments. It annoys the H*** outta me when people use keywords instead of their name.
For a very brief time, I would email the keyword commenter and ask for their name and refer them to my comment policy if they had any questions. Lately I don’t do that anymore. I’m much more willing and LIKELY to delete as spam without hesitation, even if the comment is relevant.
It’s getting harder and harder to detect real people leaving comments vs the spam bots (or jerks who only comment on Do-Follow blogs), and I’m fed up with trying to decipher it all the time.
And as you said very eloquently, using real names makes it much easier to build relationships of trust with readers/visitors, that keyword names do not accomplish.
I use my name – like you, I tend to view comments with keywords as spammy.
Being that we are a blog which deals in anonymous tips and rumors, and being that the blog itself is run by multiple contributors and editors, many of whom would rather not face a retaliation by those whose secrets we reveal, we found it best to band together under our brand, MLS Rumors or MLSR when posting to other blogs. Our blog itself is a niche within a niche within a niche. An sports site which specializes in Major League Soccer anonymous rumors so its best that we build the overall brand rather than any one particular contributor, though some of our contributors have signed off on their individual posts, they are all under shared MLS Rumors or MLSR accounts.
I have been using my real name. In part because I want to brand myself. I have considered using keywords and actually adding a signature with my real name in the post itself.
Since many blogs I comment on are follow blogs this would help. Also when I check links in Google webmaster tools it shows nofollow links. I wonder if Google’s algorithm actually gives some credit for “NoFollow” links that they believe to be legitimate.
Ned Carey
I always use my real name, but I always put the “–” in front. Partly because that’s the way I always sign my name–whether typed or handwritten, I put a dash before my name; partly to differentiate myself from all the other “Deb”s out there. Besides, I leave comments on a variety of blogs and link back to one of three possible blogs of my own, depending on the type of blog I’m commenting on. By always writing my actual name correctly, if I goof and fill in the wrong web address, at least the blog-owners where I regularly comment can figure out it’s me!
I personally like the name plus blog name/brand, especially on a blog like this that has people covering all kinds of topics. It gives you a mini preview of what that person’s site is about and you can find others with similar interests. Plus, it feels like you are conversing with a real person.
I don’t mind if you are using a pseudonym or some other name or nickname that you are known by, cause you still feel like you are responding to a person.
What I don’t like is comments that just use keywords, cause I’m not responding to them and tend to not even let them be published. Most of them are spam anyway, so it doesn’t happen often.
But, what I really don’t like is the leaving of signatures at the end of a comment. Your name is already a link and I don’t think you need a second one, let alone a tag line and salutation. This isn’t an email or a forum post. Adding 2-5 extra lines to each comment just expands the page more than is needed in my opinion.
I used to leave my the keyword as my name or rather is this not even a keyword. And now-a-days I use my nickname. But, this is because I started doing so. But, I plan to change it to my personal name i.e., “Rahul”.
I leave my name on the comment field. I leave the brand or promotional excessive, at my blog.
When I put down my comment on any blog, I am interacting with the owner which happen to be a human being and a person.
It is the blog’s owner decision to click or visit my blog from the comment I leave because I don’t intend any comment I leave as a promotion or linkback to my blog.
Darren your name is a brand to itself. So it makes sense to use it. My name means nothing to anybody…except possibly on a good day, my mother and my wife.
I use “Potato Chef” becasue it tells people what I’m about and it is a name that people stop at when they see it. If thier choice to notice the name “Bill” or the name “Potato Chef” I guarentee that Potato Chef wins out.
Also because the name is descriptive people click on it out of curiousity.
I leave my own name :) as left here in this comment itself.
I always use my own name. What use is trying to build brand and community if you are trying to be anonymous.
Own your thoughts, own your comments, own your brand.
I always use my name and my blog name. I feel like it brands myself as an individual and my blog. The book bloggers are a pretty tight niche community but many of them have the same name. I always have two Trish’s, two Sarah’s, two Jen’s leave comments quite regularly and at a glance I can never tell who is who. When I am blog hopping and see that they have left a comment. I’m always asking myself, now which Trish is that? I finally had a Rebecca realize that there was another Rebecca and when she started branding her blog name I was ever so grateful.
I use my real name. Why not? I find it more personal and when people see that I have commented on their site they head over to my site and check it out.
Besides I like to stay #1 in google for my name ;)
Real Name and Real Website.
http://www.DilipShaw.com/
Though I agree in some posts I do use my other website keywords.
I mainly use my real name to comment.It makes the blog owners feel like they are interacting with human.
I have enjoyed reading the comments almost as much as reading the post! I use my nickname with a swoosh~ (or whatever that’s called!) It is my name and my branding. And just like another commenter I have more than one blog I may choose to link to, so by making my name distinctive people know it’s me!
I think that it is very interesting that while you say your commenters split about 60/40 on the real name/keyword, in this comment thread it looks like very few who use keywords for names are commenting!