Why All The Top Commentator Contests? They’re Not Worth It!

Written by admin on October 1, 2008 – -

I visit a lot of blogs and I’m cool with a bunch of people but I don’t agree with those that have a “top commentator” contest or reward each month on their site. But let me explain.

First, contests are a good way to get traffic, increase your readership, etc but usually it’s a temporary thing. Just look at my previous contest and since then I had a bunch of people that just unsubscribed shortly after. But that’s just fine with me because we all know that happens. But knowing that fact, why would someone hold a top commentator contest, I think that’s a worse idea than a regular one.

Here are my reasons that I don’t agree with having a top commentator contest:

Attracts spammers and Fake Traffic

Oh, yes, how we love spammers. If I knew someone was giving away $50 cash to be a top commentator for a month, I could essentially go to that blog and make 100 comments just so I can steal that $50 away. Or even a better idea, I could pay someone $0.10 per comment for 100 total comments and spend $10 total and make a net profit of $40.

I spend $10 and make $50, perfect!

Is it really fair? I don’t think so!

See, people comment because they want to. If I really wanted, I could just pay someone to make a bunch of comments and that’s essentially what people are doing with their top commentator’s contests. Having these contests takes away from your loyal readers’ comments because you’ll have a couple of people that will comment as much as they can to try to get that top spot.

Is that fair? Nope! If I’m a loyal reader that’s subscribed to your RSS Feeds but I don’t have the time to comment and comment and comment, then I lose out.

It’s a turnoff as a loyal reader

Yup, I haven’t visited specific blogs as much as I normally would because of this. I don’t want someone commenting just to comment, I want someone to comment because they want to and it’s related to the post. I hate to see my comment mixed in with 10 other comments from the same person about nothing.

Now, everyone has their own reasons whatever that may be but still, at least make it a random pick from your top commentators list rather than that one person who has more time than others.

That’s just my opinion. What do you guys think?

Posted in Random Ramblings |

10 Responses to “Why All The Top Commentator Contests? They’re Not Worth It!”

By Sherry on Oct 1, 2008 | Reply

I know there’s another contest which is $50 to win the comment contest. I bet many blogger will take part. I haven’t take part yet.

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By Pangeran | PANGERAN.ORG on Oct 1, 2008 | Reply

From what I see…
Shoemoney are giving away 2 MAC BOOK AIR for his monthly top commentators…

But I bet he monitored his commentator strictly…

It’s a good idea of having those… But as a participant… I really hate spammers…
By Danny Cooper on Oct 3, 2008 | Reply

Most of the time top commentators contests are to increase current reader activity, not bring new readers, which is what they do.

For example, I comment on a lot of blogs, whether or not there is a prize, however when there is a prize it seems like a reward for my efforts.

Danny Coopers last blog post..October Case Study: Blog Commenting
By Danny Cooper on Oct 3, 2008 | Reply

Oh and also, although Shoemoney has great prizes he doesn’t really give a shit how crap the comments are.

Danny Coopers last blog post..October Case Study: Blog Commenting
By Starting Blog on Oct 3, 2008 | Reply

Umm, If you’re a webmaster, you should make a contest like that at your own risk. Maybe he has some reason for making a contest like that. But just like you, I don’t like it either.

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By Tom - StandOutBlogger.com on Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

I would rather hold a contest for new subscribers that commenters! I can get a lot of comments per post.

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By Blog for Beginners on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

You are right. They’re simply not worth it and can be easily gamed. Though I am rewarding my top commentator every month, I don’t shout about it on my blog as I don’t want to invite artificial comments (aka spams). Each month, I will give the surprise package for the top commenter and I have been doing it since I started my blog.

Yan

Blog for Beginnerss last blog post..The Biggest 70,000 EC Contest
By Dot Com Dud on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply

I don’t mind this sort of contest (although I haven’t had one) because you don’t have to approve the rubbish comments. As long as you can control the qaulity of what gets posted, I don’t see the problem.
By titan on Dec 2, 2008 | Reply

ehm..i always run that top commentator contest. Nothing wrong with that and i get what i want.