When somebody links to your post on any website, usually being a blog… The WordPress software will explore that post and provide a little excerpt and store it inside of a comment. What I am questioning is the usefulness of them. I mean sure, they are showing your readers that “#” of people are linking to your content (Not to mention the update in your “Blog Links” inside of your WordPress administration area).
There are some pros and cons to allowing trackbacks to frolic in your comment area, and we will explore both today.
Pros:
- Shows Your Content Is Worthy Of Others Linking To You
- Increases Reader Confidence and R.S.S Subscriptions (Remember – The More You Have, The Higher The Chance Of New Subscriptions.)
Cons:
- Some May Be Spam Links, Just Including Your Link For “Filler Content” So They Can Make Money
- Could Decrease Visitor-to-Visitor Comment Conversations
- Makes the Visitor Scroll over more Comments To Leave Their Own Opinion
Ultimately, I will still include them on my blog, because new visitors will see that you have some stuff worth linking to, which might be a reason to return. Perhaps popular blogs that have 100 Trackbacks/post will get rid of them (Such as Problogger, Techcrunch, Etc).
What about you? Do You Enjoy Letting Your Visitors See Who Links To You?
9 Comments
I am still new at the blog and SEO game. I allow trackbacks and any other form of publicity and/or traffic building activity I can find. I have not had a problem with spam, but perhaps because I cannot seem to get above an average of 300 visits per day. Can anyone help?<a href=”http://www.theperfectsense.com” title=”Making Perfect Sense”>Making Perfect Sense </a>
Steve Kirk’s last blog post..Five Steps for Handling Elder Caregiver Guilt
I agree. Spam links are a nuisance.
OldSailor’s last blog post..Scuba Divers of Taiwan Provide Tips to Survive at Sea for 48 Hours
I keep them, but I changed the code, so it won’t take up the space of a normal post. Just one enter. I do get a lot of spammy pingbacks though..
Rik’s last blog post..?Iron Man? box office facts and rumors
It is important that you unveil the leading authorities.
I love allowing trackbacks.
With that being stated I use Akismet to weed out all the spam ones. Good thing cause just this am I had 55 porn sites in my spam folder.
Why they bother I have no idea. Like I would approve garbage like that LOL
Just a pain in the butt to browse them all in case there are a few good comments Would hate to ignore them or miss them
Wendy’s last blog post..Get Additional Entries in DatMoney’s “Get Traffic” Contest!
Yes, of course. But sometimes you can have your own posts as trackbacks. I use this plugin to prevent it (No Self Pings):
http://blogwaffe.com/2006/10/04/421/
Personally, I am mixed emotions on the trackback issue. I guess I haven’t used it enough to really appreciate it.
On comment spam however, I have a strong opinion. To me, all comments are good comments and I publish them all. Deleting comments is a form of censorship and I am THE opposition to any kind of control or oppression. I would expect spam censorship in Russia or China, but by God in the free world, let’s be tolerant. Even “spammer” are just trying to make a living.
If there are some “spam” comments, so what; how hard is it to scroll past them? My God people, let’s not be THAT spoiled.
I have seen some blogs that have them arranged and the pings are below the comments. I’ve been searching for a plugin, but have only found code alterations to do this. Since I have not messed with any coding yet, I am hesitant to try it. Most of mine are from other content I posted in article directories.
Excellent, thank you for your explanation on this. I am not sure if I will allow them but having pros and cons makes the decision easier!
One Trackback
[...] Trackbacks – Useful or Nuisance? – Bradblogging.com [...]