Spam, Moderation & Comments on MF

Sections: Site News Apr 29th, 2007 26 Comments

As with any website that allows for reader feedback, MotoringFile fights a daily battle against spam. And as the popularity of the site has grown, the spam issues has grown exponentially. What started as one or two spam comments a day has grown well into the 100′s.

When the issue blew up last year we were faced with three choices:

Shut down comments completely
Shut down comments on all posts after one week
Keep comments as they are and use some industrial strength filtering software to catch as much spam as possible.

As you might have guessed we went with the latter. For the most part it’s been pretty successful. In fact I’d be surprised if one of our users has actually seen comment spam on MF in the past year.

The downside to all this filtering is that some comments need to be moderated (due to embedded links or IP addresses) and others get lost altogether in the Akismet filtering sofware. We try to filter the filtering software to make sure that no real comments get snagged but enevitably at least one does every day.

Why do some comments get tagged as spam and others not? To be honest there’s an incredible amount of variables that go into the equation and if I tried to explain it not only would I go cross-eyed but you’d stop reading this post. Let’s just say smarter people than I built it and maintain it and for 99.5% of the time, it’s perfect.

So if you can’t figure out why your comment isn’t showing right away, don’t worry, we’re not singling you out. That’s just our filters being a little trigger happy. It’ll be there eventually.

Written By: Gabe

http://www.sebby.me.uk Sebby

I don’t usually post here, but I always read comments, and I must just say that you’re right – I don’t remember ever having seen a spam comment. It’s a nightmare these days for webmasters who happens to have some kind of form, a forum, etc etc. Whatever you’re doing to keep it at bay, you’re doing good.
b4mmy

Its a great site Gabe, you’re doing a great job. :)
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

I’ve never seen any spam comments on MF, so it is doing its job…but I have had a few filtered out, especially if I include a URL
Fred

I haven’t seen any spam, so thanks for that, and keeping us up-to-date on MINI developments. News and comments on Motoringfile helped me configure my MCS that I picked up in Schaumburg on Saturday : )

Now: where to motor? Could we have an article on MINI drivers’ favorite smooth, fast, and curvy motoring roads?
Ken

Fred Apr 29th, 2007 Link

I havenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t seen any spam, so thanks for that, and keeping us up-to-date on MINI developments. News and comments on Motoringfile helped me configure my MCS that I picked up in Schaumburg on Saturday : ) Now: where to motor? Could we have an article on MINI driversÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ favorite smooth, fast, and curvy motoring roads?

FRED, NOT in Illinois!
Bruce

It’s working great. Keep up the good work.
bluzeke

This is a test of the Akismet filtering software:

SPAM – Tastier than ever, NEW & ENLARGED. Now available in a handy resealable package! Why not order a CASE today?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

This is a test of the Akismet filtering software:

Because we’ve approved your posts in the past… you have free reign apparently :)
Vanwall

I’ve noticed a few times when moderation is indicated and sometimes not, and a few posts have vanished mysteriously, but I figure what the heck, it’s your site so keeping out the chaff can be a bit fuzzy now and then. Keep up the good work.
Fred

I havenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t seen any spam, so thanks for that, and keeping us up-to-date on MINI developments. News and comments on Motoringfile helped me configure my MCS that I picked up in Schaumburg on Saturday : )

Now: where to motor? Could we have an article on MINI driversÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ favorite smooth, fast, and curvy motoring roads?

FRED, NOT in Illinois!

Not much hope here in Iowa, either, Ken. Any suggestions, anyone?
Jon

As a system engineer for a large multi-state network I fully know and understand the battles your fighting Gabe. Fighting spam is a non-stop battle, glad you made the choice you did. You choose well with the Akismet it’s a decent package. Spam in a pain in the backside, it makes users grumpy, admins crazy and consumes way to much time.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Now: where to motor? Could we have an article on MINI driversÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ favorite smooth, fast, and curvy motoring roads?

Lake Shore Dr. up through Sheridan Rd. all the way to Lake Bluff. Along the lake the whole way and it’s the curviest road near Chicago. Doesn’t get much better. Just watch out for the frost heaves!
Fred

Now: where to motor? Could we have an article on MINI driversÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ favorite smooth, fast, and curvy motoring roads?

Lake Shore Dr. up through Sheridan Rd. all the way to Lake Bluff. Along the lake the whole way and itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s the curviest road near Chicago. DoesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t get much better. Just watch out for the frost heaves!

I should have gone east to the lake, instead of west to home! Thanks, Gabe. Others have ideas, maybe Missouri, Wisconsin, or Out West?
BillW.

Thanks for explaining this guys…I have posted here for a couple of years (sporadically) and had some filtered out last week…thought you guys might be big-leaguing us occasional posters. A much better explanation.
Bob

Hey Fred,

If you have the time… do the circle tour of Lake Michigan. It’s not a whole lot of curves but if you stay off the Highways, it’s a wonderful trip.
http://www.mongoosedog.net/ tony

If you’re motoring in Wisconsin, check out some of the Rustic Roads. They are pretty fantastic. The road near Holy Hill is also one to try.
http://miniac.blogspot.com Chrissy

I haven’t seen any spam on MF yet.

Please don’t close the comments!! The comments here are my favourite to read. And putting a 10 day limit on it would be sad too if someone finds an older article that they want to add something to.
Brendan

Just an idea, but maybe you want to have commenters login or add one of those images to verify a human is making a post. You know the ones that are usually alpha-numeric strings the user has to enter before commenting.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Just an idea, but maybe you want to have commenters login or add one of those images to verify a human is making a post.

Since we really don’t have a problem with spam at this point (with all the counter measures) I’m not sure if there’s a need to add another step in the commenting process. But we’ll surely keep that in mind if things get much worse in the future.
TSizemore3

A little while back I was getting caught in the spam filters from my work access but not from home. Now my comments seem to post right through with no problems.
Matt Korr

I too post very rarly, but have never been blocked. I have however just recieved this message:

**Error establishing a database connection This either means that the username and password information in your wp-config.php file is incorrect or we can’t contact the database server at localhost. This could mean your host’s database server is down.

Are you sure you have the correct username and password? Are you sure that you have typed the correct hostname? Are you sure that the database server is running? If you’re unsure what these terms mean you should probably contact your host. If you still need help you can always visit the WordPress Support Forums.**
Brian

Haven’t seen any spam either.
TSizemore3

I received the same error messages that Matt Korr received when I went to post on the new MINI Takes the States thread but my comment appeared to post. I went back later in the day to see other peoples comments and noticed that my comment had disappeared, even though my previous comment in this thread that was posted at about the same time from the same computer remains.

Repeat after me – Computers are our friends?
Derek

Gabe, Matt, Don:

Y’all rock.
PeterS

Any comments that I’ve included over the past few months have never shown up – I wonder if it’ll work this time…
PeterS

Hooray!

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