Just as discoverability with books for sale is a big issue, so also is finding readers for my blog. I don’t think I have a lot of readers, nor do I get many comments.

Let me rephrase that: Nor do I get many legitimate comments.

Back when I started the website and blog, in 2011, it was of course unknown. Then, after a few days, I started getting comments. They were spam. I didn’t immediately do anything about them. Then, suddenly, 250 comments posted one day. They were all spam.

I still get a few spam comments every day. What kind? Here’s a sampling, about 1/3 of spam comments over two days.

From “Hairstyles VIP” to a post from Aug 2014: “Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!”

That’s innocuous enough, and the English is okay, but why would Hairstyles VIP suddenly find one of my posts from Aug 2014 and comment on it?

From “Julie Autry”, whose e-mail address looks nothing like that, on a post from Feb 2010: “Give your new site a boost, submit your site now to our free directory and start getting more clients https://1mdr.short.gy/submityoursite.”

Kind of humorous.

From “2004 pt cruiser PCM” on a July 2020 post: “Great info. Lucky me I ran across your website by accident (stumbleupon).
I have saved as a favorite for later!”

“pt’s” e-mail address has “Jewell McConnan” in the name. He/she includes a website URL about that infamous 2004 PT Cruiser.

And, one more for good measure. From “Best Hostings Coupons” on a May 2021 book review: “Magnificent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.”

BHC’s e-mail address has Jaime Heppeard in the name. Something is rather lacking with Jaime’s English usage.

Why these spammers found my website I don’t know. Back in 2011 I immediately changed comments to be moderated before going posting to the blog. I spent quite a while deleting those 250 that had already posted. So if you wonder why you write a comment and it doesn’t show up on the blog, that’s why. It’s waiting for me to moderate it. I get to them every couple of days.

What’s even more surprising is why these guys think anyone would allow their posts on the host’s website. Surely other bloggers, once they realize these are nothing but spam posts, will do what they can to prevent them. Or are people so desperate for comments that they allow spam comments and then say, “Wow! See how popular my blog is!”

Help a guy out, here. After reading this, please leave a comment, even if nothing more than “Hi.” I wonder how many comments I’ll get.