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The One Feature Every Blog Needs: Subscribe to Comments.

7 years ago
blogging, wordpress
8 Comments

Dear Blog Author,

This is going to break your heart, but your blog isn’t my home page.

I might subscribe to your RSS feed using Feedly, or I might sign up for email subscriptions when you post new stuff, but that’s gonna be the only time I see your content.

So when I get excited enough about your work to leave a comment, I’m probably never going to see your response. Or anybody else’s response.

The solution is really simple: when I’m leaving a comment, give me a box I can check so I can get new comment replies via email. This isn’t spam – I want to see if someone replies to me. This lets me know I’m not your only blog reader, and that you reply to your readers, too.

Jetpack Subscription Settings
Jetpack Subscription Settings

If you’re blogging with WordPress, check out the free Jetpack plugin. It’s by the makers of WordPress. After installing it, click Settings, Discussion, and you’ll have checkboxes for Follow Blog and Follow Comments.

Sincerely,
Your Blog’s Reader

blogging, wordpress
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8 Comments. Leave new

  • thatjeffsmith
    January 26, 2016 9:13 am

    Plus 1! And if I notice someone HASN’T subscribed to replies, I send them an email letting them know I answered their question or left a follow-up comment. Which is a good reason to use a REAL address when leaving a comment, if you can.

    Reply
    • thatjeffsmith
      January 26, 2016 9:20 am

      And I use a WP plugin called ‘Send email only reply to my comment’ https://elance360.com/wordpress-plugin/

      Reply
  • Kendra Little
    January 26, 2016 2:14 pm

    I didn’t even realize I’d forgotten to set this up! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Brent
      January 26, 2016 2:15 pm

      Hahaha, you’re welcome, ma’am!

      Reply
    • Dustin Mueller
      January 27, 2016 10:04 am

      We all know this was directed at you now…

      Reply
  • Thomas Strike
    January 26, 2016 4:49 pm

    Thanks Brent, I just started getting ready to blog again and set this up.

    Reply
  • John Sterrett
    January 27, 2016 1:21 am

    Sweet I actually had this enabled. Apparently I am doing something right? Now, Brent go change your home page to http:\johnsterrett.com just in case I mess this up in the future 😉

    Reply
  • nportelli
    March 15, 2016 8:22 am

    Hey now-a-days it’s nice if blogs even have comments. Most seem to resort to twitter for comments…

    Reply

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Hi. I’m Brent.

That's me, Brent.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm on an epic life quest to have fun and make a difference.

I co-founded Brent Ozar Unlimited to help make your SQL Server go faster. I also maintain sp_Blitz® and the open source First Responder Kit repo.

My current car collection includes a Jaguar XKR-S, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356 Speedster replica, and a Ferrari 328 GTS.

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