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 Your comment is longer than post itself.

Depending on the situation and topic context, the maximum comment length should be no
more than one-third of the blog post. This has been the rule of thumb since the dawn of
blogging 20+ years ago.

If you expect your comment is likely to end up a long one, consider reblogging the post and
make your case as your own post. This also has the advantage of giving your own blog
good SEO factors for fresh content.

In all my 20+ years of blogging, it’s hard for me to miss the commenter who leaves a
lengthy comment is also the one who gets tons of responses from others to STFU and
GTFO.

 Your comment is too short — worse, it’s a one-word comment. Just as bad
is the video comment with no words to go with it.
Don’t leave one-word comments. Say what you have to say. We’re not mindreaders — don’t
expect anyone can figure out what your thoughts might be from just one word or one
video.

So what the hell does your six-minute YouTube thing mean? Is your view represented at the
0:10 second mark or the 1:00 minute mark, or what?

YOU DON’T ACTUALLY HAVE A RIGHT TO ‘COMMENT’

 Commenting as though you have a right to do so, and then complain that
your “freedom of speech” had been infringed if the admin removed your
comments.
Don’t get ‘clever’ with this. — Freedom of speech isn’t unlimited (even in the USA). It is to
limit the government from limiting your ability to express your views about a matter of a
public complexion. The blogger — be it an individual or an organisation in the private
sector — isn’t obliged to provide you with a landing space and soapbox. You are in his/her
house and you follow the house rules (written or unwritten).

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU

 You treat the blog piece like it’s asking for your preferences, thoughts or
recommendations — worse, that yours was the only one that mattered.
We all have to operate on some realistic level. Operate on the idea that the blogger wrote
the post for others to read (or to ignore) but not asking for anyone’s views (unless
otherwise indicated). The blogger most certainly wasn’t asking for YOUR views specifically.

So avoid leaving a comment that you don’t like using split infinitives and think those people
who do are uncouthed. Fine — just keep it to yourself. We all have our own preferences.
This is called “breaking wind” in the blogging word.
Some years ago, I wrote a mega roundup of electric guitar brands giving their histories, a
general description of their product line, their generic performance and a few tidbits. The
comments received were mind-boggling and mostly uncalled for in their ‘attitudes.’ Who
the bloody hell cared if that commenter said “But I love my Fender instead”? Who the hell
give a damn about another commenter who gave a long, detailed commentary about
specific performance issues of some random guitar brand?

HOLD THE MAYONNAISE AND MUSTARD

 Pointing out spelling or grammar mistakes in the comment.


The comment section is the wrong place to bring up copydesk matters, unless the typo
materially affects the validity of the whole blog piece.

A misnamed organisation or legislation is a valid comment for highlighting a correction.


Telling the blogger that a split infinitive shouldn’t be used is not.

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