The libertarian blogs raged over the weekend about my revised comments policy. Many said my traffic would suffer as a result of it, which i confess I thought a somewhat egocentric view.
Yesterday was the first week day with the new policy in operation. About half of all comments were rejected — an increase from about 10%.
And traffic was 20% up on the previous week and 15% above a normal Monday. There was no especial reason for this — my Comment is Free piece not driving traffic, for example.
I call that a success: it looks like people would really rather not have those comments on this site. And that contrary to the libertarian view, they are really not the epicentre of all that happens on the web. Much as the rest of us always thought.
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i’m visiting MORE now the garbage has been taken out.keep up the good work
I agree that this is a positive development as well. When I read some of the particularly hysterical postings I invariably switch off and pay little attention to any further comments from that person. Richard, I also think that it detracts from your message when you get drawn into tit-for-tat arguments.
As you have said – if people don’t agree they can set-up their own blog. If people want to post on your blog – they can play by your rules.
CAFC
Thanks for your comment
It seems to have two options with scarce time. I can promote ideas or I can spend all my time defending what i have written against those who will never be persuaded by them anyway,and whose approach is, as a commentator on the Guardian noted recently, sarcastic and condescending – which is a style hard to engage with constructively.
I would rather do the former than the later, it being a much more fulfilling activity.
Richard