Today’s post is for my WordPress blogging friends.

If you’ve been blogging for any length of time, you’ve struggled with comment spam.

 

STOP Comment Spam NOW

 

There is nothing I have disliked more than having to check the spam in my comment queue and dredge for the few true readers’ comments.  In a blink of an eye there could be hundreds of spam comments.

Several months ago I shared a fix that worked for me.  It took a total of three plugins to almost stop my comment spam.

There was one problem with my “fix.”

It also included turning off the comments to blog posts that were more than 90 days old.

Generally that isn’t a problem.  However, I discovered that I had plenty of old posts I wanted to share at link parties.  But, if I did, I’d get comments on my “about page” and who knows where, because comments were closed to those older posts.

I finally threw up my hands and searched for a solution.

And I found one.

Here is the description: “A powerful, user-friendly, all-in-one anti-spam plugin that eliminates comment spam & registration spam. Includes spam-blocking contact form.”

It’s a single plugin that I’ve been using for a few weeks and I have had NO spam to deal with.   Okay…two got through…but those completely fooled me at first… as well.  I love that my spam queue is always empty.  Yippee!!

And what makes me even happier, is that I also gave up two or three anti-spam plugins that I had been using.

Just in case you don’t know…the fewer plugins you use, the better it is for your website.   Plugins are usually where the hiccups happen.

 

Here’s my solution to Stop Comment Spam…

 

the WP-SpamShield Anti-Spam plugin.

And a screen shot.

WP-SpamShield Anti-Spam - Screen Shot

 If you don’t know how to add a plugin, here’s what you do…

  • On your WP Dashboard…
  • Scroll down to Plugins.  
  • With your cursor there, you’ll see a box to your right with more selections….click Add New to be taken to the Add New plugins page.
  • At the Add Plugins page…see the Search box at the right.
  • Type WP-Spamshield in the Search box and hit Enter.
  • The WP-Spamshield box will display at the left…
  • Click the Install Now button.
  • A pop up box will appear and ask if you want to install….click YES…the pop up will go away.
  • Look for the words successfully installed.
  • Once you see the words successfully installedclick Activate Plugin.
  • That’s it!  You’re now protected against comment spam!

 

Now who’s doing the dance of joy?

 

Thanks for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

If you enjoyed this post….please pass it on to your friends.

Wishing YOU an extraordinary day!
Diane

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Comments

  1. Thanks for the tip. So, is this the only spam blocking plugin you are using? I have been getting lots of spam since I moved away from Genesis. Nothing ever gets through, but I still have to filter through them and delete.

    • Diane says

      This is the only plugin I use. That’s what I love most. What are you using instead of Genesis? Are you happy with your new platform/theme?

      • I have Akismet still. Should I deactivate that? And I’m confused by all of the settings for the new plugin. How did you set yours up? i am currently just using the WP general theme. I haven’t had any problems with it.

        • Diane says

          I deactivated Akismet. I just installed the new plugin and was good.
          Watch to see how your search engine numbers are compared to when you had Genesis. Genesis is supposed to be particularly good for SEO.

  2. Susan says

    Hey Diane, what is Project Inspire{d} Link Party and how do I access it?

    I enjoy your emails so much; they give me such peace at the most appropriate time. If I had a bad day at work and I open my emails and there is always something from you that is a wonderful inspiration. Thank you so much for this….and for your DIYs……

    • Diane says

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Susan. 🙂 You just made my day!
      The Project Inspire{d} link party is a virtual party where bloggers meet up to share their creativity and latest posts with other readers than their own at someone else’s blog. In other words, I co-host a party with 3 other bloggers. The party appears on each of our blogs. But bloggers can link up to the party from any one of our blogs….but the same links can be seen at all 4 blogs for lots more readers to see. (Does that answer your question?) To access the latest party…click here: https://anextraordinaryday.net/olka-dots-and-spiders-project-inspired-88/ and then at the bottom you’ll see all the little thumbnail photos. Each time you click on a photo, you’ll be taken to a new blog where there is a post about that thumbnail photo. You can get lost in time doing that. Heehee!!! Have fun!!
      And best wishes for an extraordinary day!

  3. Suzan says

    and now I have to find one for blogger – this almost makes it worth it to do the switch !!!
    xxx

    • Diane says

      Sometimes we just need a nudge. Maybe this will be it for you to move to WP, Suzan! 😉 WP is all I’ve ever known….but I do like it tremendously.
      Blessings!

  4. Emily says

    I probably shouldn’t admit to it, but I have never had a problem with comment spam. I do have Askimet though. Will try this out– thanks!

    • Diane says

      I used Akismet as well, but I still had pages of comment spam that I needed to wade through in order to find the comments that really weren’t spam. Now my folder is always empty. What a relief!

  5. Digging these tips Diane. I closed comments on my blog due to spam volume plus all the worthless bot traffic of non-humans on Blogging From Paradise but if open, these tips rock. I also found engaging genuine humans increased legit comments and alerted many spammers to stay away; not even worth their time they saw because only legit comments popped up on my blog.

    Ryan

    • Ryan, I’d miss meeting many wonderful people if my comments were closed. After all this time, I still love WP-Spam Shield Anti Spam. However… there are still a handful of “real” people trying to “game” the system so to speak to their advantage. But… there’s always the satisfaction of hitting the “trash” button in those rare cases. {wink}

      All the best!

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