Comment section is a place where bloggers and their readers gather around and interact with each other to strengthen their relationships. Obviously, it's the popular way of getting feedback for your content directly from your audience which then converts into further conversations. Sometimes this conversations go viral and end up leaving lengthy comment section and goes beyond the author-reader relationship. That's where your readers becomes more loyal and engage with your blog actively.
In Blogger, by default, you have a built-in comment form for each of your posts and pages to grab your readers' feedback. We have already discussed about setting up who can comment on your blog and a lot more topics under commenting. So I hope you already know how Blogger default comment system works and its capabilities. But let me ask you this - Have you ever thought of switching to another comment system?
In Blogger, by default, you have a built-in comment form for each of your posts and pages to grab your readers' feedback. We have already discussed about setting up who can comment on your blog and a lot more topics under commenting. So I hope you already know how Blogger default comment system works and its capabilities. But let me ask you this - Have you ever thought of switching to another comment system?
What's Wrong with Blogger Comment Form?
Blogger default comment system has been getting attention lately and enriched with new features. Now it has threaded commenting feature too. Blogger developers behind the platform working on improving it. If you are almost satisfied with what it offers, then you don't wanna hunt for a new comment system after all. But when it comes to me, there were few things I was concerned and wish it had.
Anonymous Commenting - My blog is open for public and anyone could able to comment on my posts. Yeah, Blogger let anyone comment on my blog. But its Anonymous option really freaking me out. It's not even optional and I have to keep it though I need it or not. So lately I've seen increase in spammy comments made via Anonymous option. Absolutely I can make use of Blogger comment moderation feature before approve them too. But I need more flexibility.
No Avatars - Am I kidding? Avatars available for Blogger users, but not for most other users. So I feel like that all other commenters are not familiar to me and have no identity unless I read their names.
After Comment Redirection - Blogger it now using latest technologies with enhanced user interface. But comment form it not improved much yet. Each time I publish a comment the page needs to refresh. It's kind of annoying for me.
Can't Post Codings - This is another major downside of Blogger comment form for blogs such as mine where mostly deals with HTML codings and users always seeking help with it. Sometimes users post comments with HTML coding and they just disappear after being published.
Word Verification - I found it's annoying for me when it comes to comments eventhough it was there for preventing bots from commenting on you blog. However it's optional and Blogger let you disable this feature.
What is Best for Blogger?
There are numerous comment platforms which compatible with Blogger and you can easily implement and configure them if you are ready for it. But as I go through 3rd party comment platforms, I found some incompatibilities related to Blogger platform. It's actually not about commenting, but about how it deals with Blogger platform and existing comments.
As we jump to another comment platform, we have to think what if we needs to come back to default one someday. If you have implemented a 3rd party commenting platform on Blogger rightaway without identifying its incapabilities, you will stuck in the middle and you have to get hard decisions later. So before you go, I did it for you. Oh... Let's say I did it at least for me.
As we jump to another comment platform, we have to think what if we needs to come back to default one someday. If you have implemented a 3rd party commenting platform on Blogger rightaway without identifying its incapabilities, you will stuck in the middle and you have to get hard decisions later. So before you go, I did it for you. Oh... Let's say I did it at least for me.
When I was considering comment platforms, I've had few absolute features in my mind that I need so badly. I think you may agree with them too.
The new comment platform,
● Should be able to import existing Blogger comments without any error and able restore all comments back if I need to go back to Blogger comment form
● Should be able to easily migrate with comments to another platform or if wanna go self-hosted, without lots of to-dos
● Should have automatic spam prevention capability
● Should have threaded commenting feature
● Should be able to view HTML and such codings
● Should be lightweight and able to view on mobile devices
● Should be able to show avatars for most of users and provide more login options preferable for users including guest commenting
● Should be able to notify new comments and commenters could be able to subscribe for comment replies
● Should be stylish and have no redirections after publishing comments
● Should be able to display comment form on all pages and disable it on specific pages
● Would be better if it supports smilies or emotion icons
As I research more about comment platforms last week with above mentioned criteria in my mind, I've come across few really interesting free comment platforms - Facebook, IntenseDebate, Livefyre and Disqus. I know Google is working on comment social plugin as Facebook did. But yet I can't see it coming. Now even you can count on Google+ comments too.
As you might know, I can't afford premium plugins and compare here. Yeah, I can find sources and compare, but I can't purchase them all and try out. I don't have faith in writing them without trying them out either. So I didn't. Let me know if you have another interesting platform for Blogger too. However my last favorable choice was Disqus.
As you might know, I can't afford premium plugins and compare here. Yeah, I can find sources and compare, but I can't purchase them all and try out. I don't have faith in writing them without trying them out either. So I didn't. Let me know if you have another interesting platform for Blogger too. However my last favorable choice was Disqus.
Why Disqus?
The primary reason that I'm not fond of Facebook, IntenseDebate or Livefyre is that they are lack of reliable comment importation and migration capabilities. Even IntenseDebate has such features, the time I write this post, they are buggy and unreliable as I found. However I don't like its look and feel either. It's bulky. So not for me, yet. But they are great if you are starting out with your new blog, don't think of existing comments and / or not gonna switch your domains. Else you might have to struggle more and blame others for your choice.
Disqus was able to fulfill most (Around 90%) of my requirements I listed above. Especially comment importation, migration, avatar and anti-spam features impressed me. I don't think you want me to run on them again in detail. However except for my fulfilled requirements, here I would like to list out additional Pros and all Cons I've found.
Pros
○ Able to add more moderators and moderation features include blocking users, detecting comments with links or specific words and editing their comments
○ Can have additional spam protection with Akismat in addition to Disqus automatic spam prortection
○ Support media attachments such as images and online videos in comments
○ In addition to import, it will sync future comments with Blogger
○ You can export comments in XML format
○ In addition to import, it will sync future comments with Blogger
○ You can export comments in XML format
○ Comment form appearance is mostly customizable with available options
○ Commenters can mention other commenters in their comments
○ People can like or dislike comments and pages individually
○ Search for mentions of your posts in Twitter and display as reactions
○ Disqus made available to works even with Blogger mobile templates.
○ Disqus made available to works even with Blogger mobile templates.
Cons
○ If you have already enabled Blogger mobile templates for your blog, Disqus doesn't integrate with your mobile comment form and mobile users will see Blogger default comment form. So you have to get rid of mobile templates.
○ If you were using Blogger threaded commenting feature on your blog, then after importing existing comments to Disqus they will not displayed as threaded anymore, but list them all one after another based on time it was made.
○ Eventhough Disqus won't integrate with static pages, you can enable it manually for all static pages. But that way you can't disable comment form on a specific static page. (Still working on it and update this post if it's possible in anyway)
○ Blogger avatars on existing comments will not show up after importation and will be replaced with default avatar.
○ You can't preview comments before posting as you did on Blogger, but you can edit them anytime after posting. Guest commenters can't edit their comments later if they logged in with different IP address next time.
○ No smilies or emotion icons available.
So I hope now you can find why I've selected Disqus for my blog. If you wanna try it out, you may take all those factors into consideration before you step in. In addition to above features, Disqus has comment analytics, ranks, realtime updating and more add-ones if you would like to pay for them. If you wanna add more add-ons for your comment platform, you can check out other Disqus add-ons packages. However I'm happy with Disqus on my blog now.
Before You Go:
* Make sure your blog has set up for anyone to comment. If you don't know how to, read How to Set Up Who Can Comment on Your Blog in Blogger.
* If you are using Google+ comments on your blog, you need to revert it back to default comment system before you install Disqus comment platform.
Steps:
1. Register your blog with Disqus and enter your personal information to create an account for you at Disqus sign up page. Then click Continue button.
Note: If you have already signed up for Disqus, click on Already have a profile? link under Primary Moderator to login with your existing account and register your blog.
2. Now you will be directed to the installation page. Click on Blogger icon.
3. You will get Install Disqus on Blogger page. As you have already finished with first two steps, jump to 3rd step on the page and click Add site "Your Site Name" to Blogger button.
4. Right after, you will get a new browser tab or page to add Disqus widget to your blog, click Add Widget button to add Disqus widget on your blog layout and your Blogger comment form will be replaced by Disqus widget immediately.
5. Now view an individual post in your blog and see if Disqus is in action.
Notes:
* If you have any problem with displaying Disqus comment form on your blog, you may see Blogger Installation Help, try Disqus Support or feel free to shoot me a comment.
* In case if you can't see Disqus working for you, don't jump to next steps. Continue with next steps after you confirm that Disqus is rendering on your posts.
* If you have any problem with displaying Disqus comment form on your blog, you may see Blogger Installation Help, try Disqus Support or feel free to shoot me a comment.
* In case if you can't see Disqus working for you, don't jump to next steps. Continue with next steps after you confirm that Disqus is rendering on your posts.
6. If you have existing comments on your blog and wanna import them to Disqus, follow steps below. And also you can synchronize new comments made via Disqus with your Blogger account too.
Note: If you are not interested in any of those features, you may skip this step. But I highly recommend enabling comment synchronization feature eventhough you don't wanna import existing comments.
Import Blogger Comments to Disqus
This process will import your existing comments to Disqus and they will start to appear with Disqus on each post after completing importation.
i. Come back to Install Disqus on Blogger page and navigate to Tools tab.
ii. Jump to Import tab and click on Blogger.
iii. Now click on Import Comments from Blogger button.
iv. Now Disqus will need you to grand access to Blogger. Click Grand Access button on the page and it will import your existing comments and will let you know via email at the end of the process.
Notes:
* Usually they claim that it will take up to 24 hours to complete comment importation process. But for me it was about 18 hours and if you have small number of existing comments it may be even quicker. If it takes more than 24 hours, you may check Disqus System Status to see if something wrong with Importer.
* Don't try to import again once after you requested to import and wait until it finishes if you wanna import again. Else it will takes more time to complete the process.
* Usually they claim that it will take up to 24 hours to complete comment importation process. But for me it was about 18 hours and if you have small number of existing comments it may be even quicker. If it takes more than 24 hours, you may check Disqus System Status to see if something wrong with Importer.
* Don't try to import again once after you requested to import and wait until it finishes if you wanna import again. Else it will takes more time to complete the process.
Synchronize Disqus Comments with Blogger
This will sync your new comments made via Disqus with Blogger. So you will be able to access all comments via Blogger Comments tab too. However deleting a comment from Blogger Comment tab won't reflect in Disqus, and vice versa.
i. On Install Disqus on Blogger page and navigate to Tools tab.
ii. Jump to Import tab and click on Blogger.
iii. Click Enable Syncing button to keep comments on Disqus synchronized with Blogger.
Note: You will have to grant access to your Blogger account.
7. Now navigate to Settings tab.
8. Go through available tabs and make necessary changes as you preferred. Settings are quite understandable. If you have no idea about a setting, go through help documentations before make changes. Changes will be reflected on your implemented Disqus comment system.
General - Here you can changes basic settings, add/remove features, change permissions and email notifications, and delete your site from Disqus.
Notes:
* If you wanna enable Akismat feature for additional reliable spam protection, you need to grab an Akismat API key. Akismat is free for personal blogs. Go to Akismat sign up page, select Personal plan (You can select other plan if you wish to enhance spam protection) and provide your details while settings contribution to $0.00. After submission, you will get an email with Akismat API key to use with Disqus.
* If you wish to gain extra control over Facebook login on Disqus, you can provide your own Facebook Application ID or API key. Read How to Create a Facebook Application for Your Site to create new app and grab API key.
* If you wanna enable Akismat feature for additional reliable spam protection, you need to grab an Akismat API key. Akismat is free for personal blogs. Go to Akismat sign up page, select Personal plan (You can select other plan if you wish to enhance spam protection) and provide your details while settings contribution to $0.00. After submission, you will get an email with Akismat API key to use with Disqus.
* If you wish to gain extra control over Facebook login on Disqus, you can provide your own Facebook Application ID or API key. Read How to Create a Facebook Application for Your Site to create new app and grab API key.
Moderators - Here you can add or remove moderators and set up settings related to comment moderation.
Blacklists - Here you can restrict publishing comments with specific words where moderator needs to approve them. Also you can block suspicious commentators and allow trusted ones using their email, IP address, username or domain.
Appearance - Here comes favorite part. You can change theme of your comment form and various attributes related to Disqus comment form including avatars, position, date/time formatting, threading and more.
More Information:
* If people comment using Guest commenting option and not signed up for Gravatar yet, ask them to sign up for Gravatar and upload their profile image to show up as their avatar when commenting. Gravatar is a widely used platform to populate avatars for users when commenting on sites.
* If you wanna disable commenting on a specific post page, you won't find specific option at Disqus settings. As it's integrated with Blogger, just follow same old method to disable comments on post pages. Read How to Enable or Disable Comments in Blogger.
* Did you find that comments are posted via Blogger comment form, instead of Disqus. It happens if you enabled mobile templates and Disqus not integrated with it. Now Disqus integrates with mobile templates for new Disqus installations. But if you find it's not working with your mobile templates, you need to do a simple tweak which is mentioned here ~ Manually enable Disqus in Blogger mobile templates.
* Disqus comment form may not appear on your static pages. But you can enable them manually. However it will appear on all your static pages and you can't disable it for specific static page. (I'll update this post if I found a solution)
Enable Disqus Comment Form on All Static Pages
i. Navigate to Blogger Dashboard.
ii. Click on your Blog Title.
iii. Jump to Template tab.
iv. Click Edit HTML button underneath your blog preview.
v. Now search for the word disqus in your template.
vi. You will find several matches and find a code snippet similar to below around the matches,
vii. Now replace first line of the above code snippet with the one below,
viii. Save your template.
i. Navigate to Blogger Dashboard.
ii. Click on your Blog Title.
iii. Jump to Template tab.
Note: Before editing your template, you may want to save a copy of it. Read How to Back Up Your Template.
iv. Click Edit HTML button underneath your blog preview.
v. Now search for the word disqus in your template.
vi. You will find several matches and find a code snippet similar to below around the matches,
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "item"'>
<style type='text/css'>
#comments {display:none;}
</style>
<style type='text/css'>
#comments {display:none;}
</style>
vii. Now replace first line of the above code snippet with the one below,
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType != "index"'>
viii. Save your template.
* You can install Disqus on multiple blogs and manage via same user account. Just register your new blog and follow steps from the scratch.
* Navigate to Disqus Dashboard and click on your blog name from left pane to moderate comments, find related tools and widgets, and to access settings for your blog.
Note: Also you can access basic moderation options for each comment while on the comment form. Just click Moderate link appears beneath the comment after hovering it and a pop up will appear with basic options.
* If you are experiencing any issues with Disqus on Internet Explorer, you can resolve the issue by following this tutorial - Resolve Blogger Compatibility Issues with Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Mentions:
* Thanks Vinay Prajapati and Michael Hazell for adding further information at the comment section on improving this tutorial.
Enjoy :-)
