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Books for Thought is where I post a discussion topic related to books, reading, writing, or something pertaining to one of the three. I hope you’ll join in, and discuss today’s topic of

commenting back

Once upon a time, I did not comment back. Now, I have always replied to comments (regardless of how long it may take me), but I didn’t start commenting back until about a year and a half ago. And I did it because I found that when I commented on a blog, and then that blogger came and dropped a line on my blog, I felt appreciated. Which is why I comment back now.

When you comment on someone’s blog you’ve taken the time to read the post, to think about the post, and to take those thoughts about the post and put them into written form. That is time and effort, two of the most precious things we have. So when someone gifts me with their time and effort by leaving a comment on my blog, I want to gift them back. I want to say: hey, I really appreciate that you came to my blog and left a comment. So here’s my appreciation.

I know that some people think that commenting back is a “meaningless” comment, but not to me. I do not leave meaningless comments. Ever. (Except when this blog was, like, one week old and I didn’t know how it worked.) I will find a blog post that I am genuinely interested in reading, and that I think I will have thoughts on. And then I leave a comment on it because I want to. I want to give something back to the person that gave me something. If I really didn’t want to do this, then I wouldn’t be someone who comments back. Simple.

Personally, I feel super appreciated when I leave a comment on someone’s blog, and they come over to my little sanctuary to leave one for me. I feel like there’s an extra level of interaction and mutual blogger love. I don’t judge when people don’t come back over to my blog, but when they do I certainly take more notice of them. (Let us not touch on when bloggers neither reply nor comment back because what are they even doing.)

So there you go. I like commenting back because I like to give something to someone who has given something to me. And who knows, maybe they’ll feel the same way that I do when someone comes by my blog after I’ve been to theirs. I might be making someone happy, if only for a moment.

spike smile

(source)

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What about you? Do you comment back? Why? Why not?

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Posted on: August 30, 2016 • By: Chiara

39 Responses to Why I Like Commenting Back

  1. Kayla says:

    I like to comment back and then, at the very least if I don’t have time for that, I’ll reply to the comment on my blog. Most of the time, the comment had something worthy of discussion in it anyway, and it always makes things more interesting when you have other opinions to consider and people to discuss things with!

    • Chiara says:

      Discussion is one of the best things about book blogging, which is why I always love to reply to comments on my blog. I know some people prefer to just comment back, but I feel like I should answer people, too!

  2. Spuds says:

    Hi! I actually agree with your post! I think it is quite important in replying to a comment made on your post, and to visit their blog and comment back. It’s good to keep friends rather than have unresponsive number of followers.

    I love your blog design btw! It’s very pleasing to the eyes. :)

    • Chiara says:

      Awesome! And I agree with you, too. I’m always a little wary of blogs that have no interaction!

      Thank you so much :D

      (I tried to visit your blog, by the way, but nothing is loading!)

  3. I wasn’t very good about commenting back when I first started. Probably because I dived right into blogging without ever reading another book blog before. But once I started. it was a lot of fun and very informative and I felt like I grew as a blogger because of it.

    So now I comment on everything posted on my blog and make sure I comment back on theirs when they do. While I always look for the most recent post, if I have nothing to say about it, I’ll go search for another post of theirs that does interest me and comment on that…even if it’s a couple months old. You can always say so much more than “great review” I think if you give a little effort :)

    • Chiara says:

      I was the same! I didn’t know how blogging worked, so comments where an entirely new thing to me (only having been on Tumblr before). I’ve definitely grown as a blogger since I started to understand commenting, too!

      I reply an comment back on everything, too, although it can take me a really long time sometimes (especially if I’m in a blogging/commenting slump :/). Totally! I try to find a post that I know I’ll be able to leave a meaningful comment on.

  4. This is how I feel too!! Every time someone comments on my blog I get this huge rush of HAPPY FEELS because like no one has to comment. The fact that anyone is going out of their way to chat with me is huge and kind and just glorious. :D I’ve heard people say that commenting back is just a mentality of “you only give what you get” but I don’t think it’s like that at all! I think it’s polite and it’s thankfulness. Like if someone IRL said hello to me, you say hello back, right?! I’ve found so many epically glorious blogs from commenting back. :’)

    • Chiara says:

      SAME. Receiving comments on my blog is one of the best things ever, and it reassures me that I’m doing this for a reason! And YES. I love returning the favour because if getting comments on their blog makes them as happy as it makes me then I’m doing something worthwhile.

  5. Inge says:

    I will at the very least take a look at their blog — I’m not much into commenting these past few months, but I do try to return the favour (in a meaningful way, of course). It means something to me when someone takes the time and effort to comment on something I’ve written!

    • Chiara says:

      I’ve been terrible with commenting this whole year, TBH. I’m still trying to catch up from posts that I posted in the early months of 2016 :( It is really awesome when someone leaves a meaningful comment – it makes me so happy!

  6. Mitchii G. says:

    I usually comment on blogs that I love regardless of how old the posts are! Sometimes I missed it but I still eager to give my thoughts about it. And I’m happy whenever I received notification that comments I left was also commented by the blogger/s. Right now, most of the blogs I love are gone, stagnated and that is making me feel sad! I really need new blogs to follow! So I can give them some love! <3

    • Chiara says:

      I used to LOVE commenting on old posts of blogs that I love! I haven’t done it recently, though, but I think that’s mainly because I’ve lost a lot of my commenting mojo >.< Awh, no! It's so sad when awesome blogs disappear. A few of my favourites are gone, which makes me sad :( I hope you find some new favourites soon, Mitchii!

  7. I agree with all of this!! I try my best to always, always comment back – usually I reply as well, but I definitely go to people’s blogs and return the favour. Plus, it’s a good way to find new blogs to read :)

    I am in awe at the amount of comments I see other people leave, though.

    • Chiara says:

      I try to reply and comment back at the same time, just so I know who I’ve visited! I definitely think it’s an awesome way to find new blogs – I’ve found some of my favourites through commenting back :)

      Oh, totally! I wish I was as good as some people are, haha.

  8. Sometimes I forget to comment back when someone visits my blog, but I’m getting better at remembering. It makes me happy to recieve a comment because it makes me feel appreciated, so I want to spread around that happy feeling. It’s also how I’ve found some of my favourite blogs. But it sucks sometimes when people comment with a simple ‘I read that too’ or ‘agreed’, especially when it’s followed by a link to the person’s latest post. I don’t mind the link most times but the fact that they didn’t say anything to continue a conversation makes me feel like they didn’t care about my post and then I feel awkward in responding (because how do you respond to 2 words?) But I’ll still try to comment back on their blogs with something insightful if I can.

    • Chiara says:

      Spreading the happy feeling is what it’s all about! It’s why I love commenting back so much :D

      Ah, yes. Those comments are always tricky because sometimes I feel like the person may not have read my post at all :/ But maybe that’s just how they comment, too. So I do the same as you, I go and try to leave a meaningful comment on their blog in return.

  9. Monica says:

    YES! Especially as a smaller book blogger it always makes me feel really happy when I comment on a big book blogger’s post where I feel my comment is lost in the sea of hundreds and they take the time to comment back on my blog! It makes me feel less like I’m shouting into the void of the internet and more like I’m talking to actual people.
    -Monica @ Tomes Project

    • Chiara says:

      Exactly! Feeling like a member of the community is such a great feeling, especially when a blogger you love comes and visit your blog :D Commenting back really does make it a bit more personal, which I think is a great thing.

  10. Valerie says:

    I LOVE COMING BACK TO YOUR BLOG AND COMMENTING. Your blog is obviously one of my faves, so I can’t not come back. And actually, I love commenting back too! I think it makes a difference when you have something to say, rather than forcing yourself to think about saying something.

    I always tell myself to continue checking out new blogs to comment on, but I have so little time to, that I rather focus on the ones I love for now.

    • Chiara says:

      ME, TOO. Ah, that seriously made my day, Valerie *hugs* I’m so glad you like my blog. Sometimes, just reading that makes it all worthwhile. And I absolutely love visiting yours, as well. There is always something for me to read, and I love reading your posts <3

      Ah, I'm the same! I used to spend hours finding new blogs, but I've been terrible with that lately. Hopefully we can both get back on track with that soon!

  11. I completely agree 110%! Commenting is your way of meeting new people and finding new friends, and isn’t that the reason we all started blogging in the first place? Thanks for sharing Chiara and, as always, fabulous discussion! <3

  12. I agree! I do try to comment back because it’s just nice. It makes me feel good to get comments, and I want to return that. But I don’t do comment-for-comment exactly. The first time someone visits, I go to their blog. But if someone starts visiting more regularly, then either I also visit their blog regularly if I like it, or I try to visit every so often at least, not to completely neglect them. But sometimes I visit a new blog and I really just cannot find any post that I’m genuinely interested in or can relate to or feel I can leave a meaningful comment about. And in those cases, I’ll usually save the blog and try to visit back at another point, but if there’s still nothing then it sucks, but I can’t like every blog.

    • Chiara says:

      I find that if someone comments on my blog regularly, and I comment back it’s just an easier way of keeping track of my favourite blogs, haha XD I totally understand that sometimes a blog may no appeal to you, especially if they read different kinds of books or have different content! But I think it’s great that you save it and try to see if there’s a post in the future you might be interested in.

  13. Sarah says:

    Commenting back is something I only started doing in the last few months. I found it makes me feel more connected with me readers, and also through it more friendships have started to form. I agree with you that comments themselves also make me feel appreciated, and I want to return that feeling to my readers as well :)

    Brilliant post!

    • Chiara says:

      I’m glad you like commenting back, Sarah! I definitely agree that it makes you feel more connected with your readers. And feeling appreciated and wanting to pass that on is something that is awesome :D

      Thank you very much!

  14. I DO comment back. My blog isn’t set up well for replies, because I don’t have a reply underneath each individual comment. If someone asks a question though, I try and email them the answer or add a p.s. to a comment on their blog (after actually leaving a thoughtful comment). I’m sure I’ve left comments that don’t say a TON, but I do try my best to really write something when I comment on people’s blogs because I love when I get comments. It means a lot to me to see what people thought about my posts/blog and I do think it makes you more connected to other bloggers because you start a conversation and really get to know each other. I just think it’s thoughtful and something to try and strive for if you can. I know some blogs get WAY too many comments, but in that case, I still like when they comment back when they can and not necessarily every time you comment on their blog.

    -Lauren

    • Chiara says:

      Have you thought about installing Disqus or a similar comment app on your blog? I think it’s great that you email or try to contact a blogger if they ask a question, though!

      I think you leave great comments, Lauren! And I totally agree that commenting back opens up a connection between bloggers because you get to know a blogger so much more if you’re frequently visiting their blogs. I have found some of my favourite blogs by commenting back!

      Oh, totally. I don’t know how some people handle the amount of comments they get, but if they do try and comment back once or twice, it’s super nice of them!

  15. Rinn says:

    Commenting back is definitely not meaningless! What would our community be without it?

    I’ve been pretty bad at it since I went back to uni two years ago though. I used to comment on loads of blogs every day before then. Now I’m trying to get back into the swing of things by using Feedly. :)

    • Chiara says:

      Totally! I absolutely love commenting back, and how it connects bloggers and blogs.

      I feel you. I haven’t been amazing at commenting for the last two years (honours and post-grad D:), but I’m trying to get back on top of it. I’ve got about 12 posts left to do! I hope Feedly helps you get back in the swing of things, Rinn :D

  16. Chrystal says:

    I’m like you. I used to comment here and there, but then I realized that I loved having comments on my blog, so I started making sure I left good comments. Sometimes I don’t leave a comment, but I try to visit blogs of people that comment on my posts and find a post that I want to comment on.

    This was a great topic to bring forward. Right now, I find that I check out more blogs and comment on them instead of writing on my own blog. That’s only because I have a newborn so I don’t have as much time to write my own posts, but I can check out others from my phone/tablet while feeding her. :)

    PS Love the Spike GIF :)

    • Chiara says:

      Having people leave meaningful comments on your blog is the best! It always makes me feel like they’ve really read what I’ve written, and taken the time and effort to write something thoughtful in response.

      I think having a passion for commenting is an awesome thing to have! Especially if you don’t have as much time to write your own blog. I used to dedicate hours and hours to just finding blogs and posts that I wanted to comment on, but I haven’t done that in a while. I kind of want to get back into it, because there are so many amazing blogs out there!

      I’m glad you like it, Chrystal! I cannot resist a Spike GIF, haha :D

  17. What beautiful reasons for commenting back, Chiara. Alas, though I reply to every single comment on my own blog (except perhaps when I am out of spoons & the only comments are on posts that deal with tough topics for me – mental illness & the like), I always find it difficult to find time to comment back on others’ blogs. I certainly have a list of blogs that I regularly comment on no matter whether the bloggers read Six Impossible Things or not, but I think that commenting back on others’ blogs when they do so for mine is a goal to work towards for the future. I truly admire you for doing so, my love. <3

    • Chiara says:

      Commenting back can be a really draining task, so I completely understand why you might not have the time for it, lovely. It can also add to the stress of just replying to the comments on your blog, because then it feels like you have an obligation to immediately visit theirs. I think that having it as a goal to work towards is a lovely thing, and I wish you so much luck in it! Thank you, darling <3

  18. Same with me! I always try to find a post that I want to read, rather than a review of a book I’ve no interest in reading. And I do notice that you always comment back, you excellent person <3

    • Chiara says:

      It’s definitely easier to comment on discussion posts! And reviews of books you’ve read/are interested in, as I feel like there’s so much more to say, haha. Ah, thank you! <3

  19. Jennifer says:

    I’ve had the opposite issue. Hardly anyone commented on my old blog posts. (Though, now, I’m guilty of not posting anything in about 8 months *tries not to think about it*.) It got to the point where I wondered why I was even blogging in the first place. Since then, I’ve struggled to come back and reconcile with the idea that people may not be interested in my posts at all.

    It’s a work in progress; I mean, it’s been 8 months since I last logged in. What am I to do?

    • Chiara says:

      I think you’ve really got to just dedicate quite large chunks of your time to get around to other blogger’s blogs, and comment on their posts in order for you to get comments back on yours! To be honest, when I’m not getting around the blogosphere as much, the comments on my own posts are much lower. And you definitely shouldn’t base the worth of your blog on the number of comments your posts receive! I know that blogging can be such a numbers game sometimes, but I think as long as you’re proud of what you’re putting out then you should be proud of your blog.

  20. Romi says:

    Wowwwwww this post is popular, Chiara! *hurrahs for you* And I mean, the commenting discussion is one we tend to talk about A LOT, but it was still really neat to read your thoughts on this and see in a different way why you choose to comment back and what it means to you. It was really beautiful, actually, and the way you speak (wrote?) about appreciation made me smile.

    The thing with commenting back, for me, is that it’s about fostering a friendship/rapport, and it can do such a good job of that which I love. You and I wouldn’t be friends without commenting back, probably, and that’s amazing to think about (and a little scary because blogging has so much more power than we realised *gasps dramatically*) – but commenting back can feel like a chore, and that’s why I’ve toned my blog presence down, or only read and comment when I’m feeling it (like now), because otherwise I know I’m not giving my best thoughts and ideas and appreciation, and it’s important to me that my thoughts are genuine, and they are things I am sharing because I want to, not because I feel I have to. Commenting is a choice we make, and when you make the choice to be invested and care I think it shows something that’s really lovely about a person, especially when your comment is involving and passionate.

    Also: SPIKEEEEE.
    xx

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