Best Comment Systems

Guide to Comment Systems

Comment systems are a type of online forum that allows users to post comments, questions, and opinions on various content such as blog posts and other articles. They can be used to engage readers by allowing them to provide feedback or ask questions directly from the author. Comment systems can also help facilitate conversation between readers and encourage collaboration.

Comment systems come in many different forms, from simple text boxes to more complex web-based applications. Some are integrated into websites for easier access, while others may require a separate installation process. Some comment systems have moderation features that allow admins to approve or reject comments before they appear on the page. Moderation allows admins to ensure that conversations remain civil and on-topic.

The most popular comment system is Disqus, which provides an advanced set of features including real-time commenting, threading, inline moderation, analytics integration, custom CSS styling options, user tracking and more. Other popular comment platforms include Facebook Comments Plugin (which displays comments collected via Facebook profiles), Livefyre (which allows users to log in with their social media accounts), and Intense Debate (which provides threaded conversations).

When using a comment system it’s important to consider the following: security measures such as requiring certain user information or approving comments before they go live; spam prevention techniques such as captchas or Akismet filters; privacy settings; notification options; linking capabilities; visibility controls (who can see what); formatting tools; mobile compatibility etc. It’s also important to monitor comments regularly so that any inappropriate content can be quickly removed or flagged for review.

In summary, comment systems offer users an easy way to participate in conversations about topics they find interesting or relevant. They enable authors to interact directly with their readers in order to foster community spirit among them and help generate ideas for future content pieces. Comment systems can also help websites receive valuable feedback and insights which can be used to improve the overall experience.

Comment Systems Features

• Comment Moderation: Comment moderation allows administrators to review and approve individual comments before they are posted to a website or blog. This is a valuable feature for controlling the tone of the discussion and preventing unwanted comments from appearing.
• User Profiles: User profiles allow users to create an account with their own username, and then access it on different websites. They can view their profile page which includes all of their previous comments, likes, follows, etc. This helps provide context for conversations and helps build familiarity between commenters.
• Threaded Conversations: Threaded conversations allow multiple replies in response to a single comment. This is helpful for more complex discussions where a single comment may receive multiple responses over time. It also helps keep long-running conversations organized and easy to follow.
• Likes & Follows: Most comment systems offer some kind of mechanism that allows users to show their appreciation for other people’s posts by ‘liking’ or ‘following’ them.
• Notifications & Alerts: Many comment systems include notifications to alert users when new comments are made that are relevant to them, such as when someone replies directly to one of their comments or mentions them in another comment thread.
• Social Sign-In: Some comment systems offer social sign-in options so that users can sign in using credentials from popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc., rather than creating another account specifically for the website in question.

What Are the Different Types of Comment Systems?

• Threaded Comment System: This type of comment system allows visitors to reply directly to other comments, thus creating a “thread” of replies. This is useful for continuing conversations and maintaining context over long periods of time.
• Voting/Rating System: With this type of comment system, users can upvote or downvote comments, allowing the best comments to bubble up and rise to the top.
• Filtering/Moderation System: Allowing user-submitted comments and posts without any moderation can be potentially dangerous, so having a filtering or moderation system in place is important. Moderators should be able to review user submissions before they go live on the site or app.
• Link Detection: Some comment systems have link detection built into them which automatically links URLs mentioned by users. This helps keep conversations organized, as URLs are easy to miss when reading through long discussion threads.
• Notifications/Subscriptions: A good comment system will allow users to subscribe to specific topics or threads so that they can get notified when new comments are added.
• Reply-by-Email Option: Some systems allow people to reply by email if someone has commented on a thread that they're subscribed to, eliminating the need for people to log into their account each time they want to participate in a conversation.
• Image Uploads/Attachments: Allowing people to upload images (or other file types) within their comments helps create more engaging conversations and encourages people to participate more actively in discussions. Many modern comment systems have this feature built-in now.
• Social Media Integrations: Allowing comments from popular social media networks like Facebook and Twitter to be embedded into the comment system makes it easier for people to join the conversation without having to sign up for a new account.
• User Profiles/Reputation Systems: Reputation systems allow users to build up their standing with the community by accumulating points based on how many helpful or interesting comments they post. This encourages engagement and also helps weed out spam or trolling comments.

Advantages Provided by Comment Systems

1. Increased Engagement: Comment systems allow for increased engagement between the author and readers of posts. This increased interaction not only increases the level of engagement with content but also encourages user feedback which can improve the post’s content and accuracy.
2. Improved User Experience: Comment systems help to make content easier to digest by providing a space where questions and concerns can be addressed by other users or the author directly. This can ultimately lead to a better user experience overall and more satisfied customers.
3. Moderation Tools: Most comment systems come with moderation tools that allow administrators to review comments before they appear on the page. This helps to ensure that comments are appropriate, inoffensive, and on topic.
4. User Interaction: Comment systems allow for direct interaction between authors and users. Authors can respond directly to users’ comments, as well as see what other readers are saying about their work, which can lead to greater user engagement with the post or article.
5. Community Building: Comment sections create an online community where users can share their thoughts and opinions on various topics in real-time. This acts as an incentive for people to stay engaged with the website or blog long-term.
6. Improved SEO: Comment systems allow for increased user engagement, which can lead to more website visits, higher search rankings, and increased social media shares. This can ultimately help with search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.

Types of Users that Use Comment Systems

• Casual Observer: This type of user may be curious about a particular topic, or simply idly browsing comments. They don't tend to leave comments themselves, but they enjoy reading the thoughts of others.
• Lurker: This type of user tends to read posts and comments without leaving any content themselves.
• Commenter: This type of user often leaves genuine comments on discussion threads, providing thoughtful feedback and engaging in conversations.
• Troll: This type of user is usually more disruptive than constructive. Their aim is usually to stir up trouble by posting inflammatory or controversial remarks with the intention of inflaming an argument or provoking an emotional response from other users.
• Flame-warriors: These types of users pick fights, engage in verbal sparring with other users, and can be very confrontational with their responses, sometimes even getting personal.
• Passionate Advocate: These types of users are passionate about a given topic or cause, voicing their opinions frequently and encouraging others to join them in supporting their views.
• Storyteller: These types of users share stories or anecdotes related to the topic at hand and interact with other participants by asking questions or offering advice based on their own experiences.
• Influencer/Celebrity/Expert: These types of users normally have some sort of authority within the community they are participating in; people look up to them for guidance, opinions, and wordsmithing skills that lead conversations toward meaningful dialogue rather than random banter.

How Much Do Comment Systems Cost?

Comment systems vary greatly in cost depending on the type of system and the features that it offers. At the most basic level, there are simple, free comment systems available online, but they offer limited functionality. For example, you won’t have access to analytics or moderation features.

On the other hand, more comprehensive comment systems can be more expensive. They may include features such as deep analytics to understand user behavior and sentiment, moderation tools to ensure your comments adhere to guidelines and standards, customization options for layout and design, integration with other platforms such as social media accounts or e-commerce stores, etc. Depending on the feature set and complexity of the platform you choose, pricing can range from several hundred dollars per month up to tens of thousands of dollars annually.

What Software Can Integrate with Comment Systems?

Comment systems can integrate with a variety of different types of software, including content management systems, customer relationship management software, ecommerce platforms, and analytics tools. Content management systems enable users to create and manage digital content in an organized manner, such as through web pages or blogs. Customer relationship management software helps businesses better interact and communicate with customers by managing customer interactions over multiple channels and providing them with targeted services. Ecommerce platforms provide a platform for companies to set up online stores where customers can purchase products or services directly from the website. Analytics tools are used to monitor website performance and visitor behaviors in order to gain valuable insights that can be used for further optimization. All of these types of software have the potential to integrate with comment systems in order to add additional features that can improve user experience and help businesses deliver relevant services more effectively.

Recent Trends Related to Comment Systems

1. Social Media Integration: Many comment systems are now integrating with popular social media networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, to allow users to comment using their existing accounts. This makes the commenting process easier and more accessible for users, as they don't have to create a new account for the website or comment system.
2. Improved Moderation: Comment systems are now integrating better moderation tools, such as the ability to flag comments for review, which allows moderators to quickly identify and remove any inappropriate comments.
3. Threaded Comments: Most comment systems now include the ability for users to reply directly to other comments (known as threaded comments), allowing for more complex conversations and further engagement between users.
4. User Profiles: Many comment systems now include user profiles, which allow users to store their information in one place and see any comments they have made across the website in one place. This helps build loyalty and engagement with the website.
5. Live Commenting: Many websites now offer live commenting, which allows users to comment on an article or video as it is being streamed or read in real-time. This has been seen most prominently on news websites and YouTube channels.
6. Mobile Responsiveness: As mobile usage continues to grow, many comment systems are optimizing their design for mobile devices, making them easier and more enjoyable to use on smaller screens.

How to Select the Right Comment System

Utilize the tools given on this page to examine comment systems in terms of price, features, integrations, user reviews, and more.

Choosing the right comment system for your website can be a daunting task, but there are several factors to consider that will help you make the best decision.

1. Determine what features are important: Think about how you want your commenters to interact with your content and what features would enable those interactions. Some popular features include allowing users to rate comments, reply to comments, link their social media accounts, and upload images or videos along with their comments.
2. Consider budget: Comment systems vary in cost so it’s important to determine what budget you have available before making a selection. If you have a limited budget, an open-source system may be the most cost-effective option.
3. Review third party integrations: It’s important that any comment system you choose integrates easily with other tools on your website such as social media platforms or analytics systems. Check out the integrations offered by each platform before making a decision to ensure they meet all of your requirements.
4. Look at customer reviews: Read customer reviews from websites who have used similar comment systems as yours to get an understanding of how well they work and if there are any common issues that could affect your own use of the platform.

By considering these factors when selecting a comment system for your website, you should be able to find one that suits both your needs and budget for successful user engagement and interaction.