Why Do Hub Authors Delete Comments?

How to be a better commenter
How to be a better commenter | Source

Tips From the Pros at HubPages

How to Tell If You Should Keep or Delete a Comment

If you're looking over your comments and trying to decide which ones to keep and which ones need to go, a good thing to ask yourself is this: Does the comment add value for your readers? In other words, would a complete stranger have a better experience reading your Hub because the comment is there? If not, it's much safer to delete the comment. Here are a few good general guidelines to check for when approving comments:

  • Is the comment about the Hub's subject? All comments that don't have to do with the Hub's subject need to go.

  • Is the comment written in proper English? Comments with very poor grammar or spelling, written in all caps, or that have other issues should be deleted.

  • Does the comment have substance? Comments that say "Great Hub!" or "Hey, I really enjoyed reading this!" are complimentary but don't add anything of substance. It's better to delete the comment and give the person who left it a private "thank you."

  • Is the comment promoting anything? Comments with links should almost always be deleted. Comments that invite you to check out the person's own blog, website, Hubs, or profile, or that push products should be deleted even if the comment also contains some useful info. You can always try sending the person a private message and inviting them to comment again sans self-promotion if you think they had some good insight to offer.

Great comments that add value include:

  • Comments from people who have made your recipe, followed your instructions, taken your advice, etc, and are talking about how it worked for them.

  • Comments that respectfully disagree with your viewpoint and provide thoughtful reasons about why (it may be ok to link to sources of information in this instance).

  • Comments that add or elaborate on points you made in the Hub in greater detail (probably also ok to let source citations remain).

  • Comments that ask questions you may not have thought to answer in the Hub.

  • Comments that demonstrate personal experience with your Hub's subject.

From: HubPages Weekly - April 13, 2016

Set your hubs globally to moderate comments before they appear:

Go to your account page, comments, show settings of Global Comment Capsule Settings
Go to your account page, comments, show settings of Global Comment Capsule Settings | Source

Hubs Are Not the Same As Forums

Once an author has published a hub, they continue to have full editorial control of that hub. The hub is also moderated by HubPages and may be edited by HP as well as the original author.

Hubs, unlike forums, are the personal creative creation of the author or authors. Most, but not all, hubs are the expression of the author's opinion. At the very least, the author is automatically biased in how they write and present their own hubs.

The readers may look upon a hub as an "opinion piece". It may be slanted toward their personal beliefs, opinions and views on life. Quite naturally, there will be individuals that do not have the same beliefs and opinions of a particular author.

The important thing to remember is that the author of a hub is deleting comments for a reason. You may not like it when your comment is deleted, but that should present you with an opportunity to improve your commenting skills.

Lashing out at the author is just going to put you in their "to be deleted" file.

Hubs Are Not The Same As Q&A Either

Pretty much the same criteria exist for an author's questions. If one poses a question here at HP, they still have full editorial abilities to moderate the answers and comments that are posted to that question.

Questions usually have a bit more leeway for commenters because the comments may be posted before moderation.

Hub comments can be set to not appear until they are approved by the author. Question comments will appear immediately, but may be deleted after they are posted.

Bad commenters are called Trolls
Bad commenters are called Trolls | Source

Here Is Why Your Comments Are Being Deleted:

I have certain criteria that I follow for deleting comments:

1. The comment must say something original or say it in an original way.

2. The comment must not be argumentative. The hub has a topic, comments should agree with the topic, but it may be OK to present a different view of the same topic.

3. The comment must not be intended to belittle or be offensive to another commenter. In other words "calling someone out", or calling another commenter a liar.

4. The comment must ADD to the specific topic of the hub. Not be repetitive.

5. The comment must not be off topic.

6. Certain commenters have lost the "privilege" of commenting on my hubs or questions by their actions in the past and present.

7. The person who writes the hub or question has full editorial control over deleting comments and may exercise that right at any time. They are the "author" of the hub or question.

8. The comment may be so grammatically poor that no one can understand the comment. Sometimes the comment is not in English.

9. The comment may actually break a rule posted in the TOU of HubPages.

10. The commenter may actually request that their comment be deleted.

11. Comments may be deleted in error.

12. Comments may contain copied, plagiarized text, or promotional links. Links that provide useful information are OK or not depending on the discretion of the author.

This is not an all-inclusive list. Comments may be deleted totally at the whim of the author of the hub or question. It is the author's right to do so.

Good commenters are a wealth of knowledge!
Good commenters are a wealth of knowledge! | Source

How To Be A Better Commenter

First off I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the best way to get your comment respected is to actually READ the hub or question! Read it several times if you think you don't understand the point that the author is trying to make.

  • Everyone wants their comments to be read and respected, but if you comment on someone's hub, then you should show the author the respect of actually reading the words they have written.
  • If your comment does not enhance the author's hub in some way, then why do you even want to leave a comment there? Are you just trying to get attention? If so, then you should write your own hub or question.
  • If you are leaving a comment just to ridicule the author or the hub's subject matter, again, it would be best to write your own hub or question.
  • If you are angry at the hubber or subject matter, it is best to either skip leaving a comment altogether, or wait until you can control your anger and then make a well thought out comment.
  • Never leave obscenities in a comment! That is the quickest and easiest way to get your comment deleted. Not only will the author delete it, but the moderator of the company's content will delete it.
  • Here is another limb to crawl out on - READ all of the other comments! The comment you want to leave may have already been left for the author. Nothing turns a reader off faster than repetitive comments.
  • Leave an intelligent, thought out, factual comment. If you comment that you think little green men are from Mars, then provide some type of authority to back that statement up. Don't copy and paste or plagiarize your comment, however.
  • And lastly, remember that your comment is public! You are being judged by your comments whether you like it or not.

Summing Up...

If a comment is:
Delete it?
Keep it?
Argumentative
Yes
 
Angry
Yes
 
Offensive
Yes
 
Repetitive
Yes
 
Unreadable
Yes
 
Obscene
Yes
 
Against TOU
Yes
 
Copied/Pasted
Yes
 
Plagairized
Yes
 
Promotional
Yes
 
Disrespectful
Yes
 
Has Factual Errors
Yes
 
Original
 
Yes
Agrees with topic
 
Yes
Respectful
 
Yes
Stays on topic
 
Yes
Insightful
 
Yes
Add to discussion
 
Yes
Factual
 
Yes

Are You A Good Commenter?

Have you ever had a comment deleted?

  • Yes, and I was quite angry about it.
  • Yes, and I didn't understand why
  • Yes, and I didn't think it was fair
  • Yes, and I'm sure it was just the author's way of being mean
  • Yes, but I left the comment while I was angry
  • Yes, but it was just an error
  • Yes, but the author has the right to delete comments
  • No, or not to my knowledge has my commenting ever been deleted.
See results without voting

© 2014 Austinstar

More by this Author


Comments 88 comments

Stephanie Henkel profile image

Stephanie Henkel 21 months ago from USA

Good list of reasons for deleting comments. I agree that the hub author has the right to delete any comments for his/her own reasons, too. I always delete comments that contain links to another site or hub because I feel that it's an attempt to hijack my hub.

Another thing that annoys me is when a commenter keeps coming back to have the last word, repeatedly commenting on my responses. Funnily enough, this has happened several times on my hubs with the most views making me wonder if it's a ploy by the commenter to get his name in front of a larger audience.

Your table should be helpful to anyone who has a problem with having their comments deleted as well as those authors who are hesitant about deleting comments.


Elsie Hagley profile image

Elsie Hagley 21 months ago from New Zealand

Nicely said, it is very true all you said.

I always try to comment on all hubs I view and say something constructive. I'm having a little bit of trouble here in reply to this article as you have said it all, so maybe I should not have commented.

Hope you have a happy new year and 2015 be all you hope for.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 21 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Hi Stephanie - I almost included that having the last word thing. But somebody has to have it.

Hi Elsie - Well, at least commenters should be as nice as you are!


Say Yes To Life profile image

Say Yes To Life 21 months ago from Big Island of Hawaii

Very useful hub. I'd like to add that it's ok to disagree, as long as you're respectful about it. At least, in my opinion - others may disagree with what I just said, and that's their right. LOL!

I have disagreed on some people's hubs. Fortunately I was respectful, because there were times when I've had to reconsider. I went back to the hubber and said so. Make sure your words are sweet, because you may have to eat them at a later date!


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 21 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

SYTL - That is very correct. Your words are public and they are reviewed by the author. If you are respectful, even though you disagree, your comments have a much better chance of being published :-)


Say Yes To Life profile image

Say Yes To Life 21 months ago from Big Island of Hawaii

Austinstar - I'd also like to add that it's best to avoid topics that you find personally sensitive. I've found a few hubbers here who went TOTLALLY off on certain subjects. It's one thing to talk about these things with people you know, and quite another to post on the web where people all over the world from all walks of life can read and misunderstand them. Awhile back, a hubber got a 3 day ban for posting hostile comments that could have been misconstrued as bigotry. He reacted by yanking all his hubs and leaving HubPages. I thought that was really unfortunate, because he had a lot of good things to say. If he had an issue with said group, he should have avoided articles that talked about them altogether.

Case in point: THE WEB IS NOT A CONFESSIONAL!!!


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 21 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Say Yes - You make me laugh! Maybe the web is not a confessional, but you wouldn't know it by looking at FaceBook!


Say Yes To Life profile image

Say Yes To Life 21 months ago from Big Island of Hawaii

You mean the ones who post pictures of themselves puking, or nasty messages about their jobs, etc? They're obviously fools. And then they wonder why they get fired, or don't get jobs in the first place...


stbrians profile image

stbrians 21 months ago from Vihiga County,Western Kenya

You raise a very good argument here and I do appreciate your reasons. However, I do disagree with you on deleting comments due to the fact that all comments go a long way in building you. You cannot know the truth by running away from the truth. I do think that we can learn from all views even ugly ones. I do not delete any comment


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 21 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

@stbrians - That is your right as an author. But all of the comments are certainly not truthful. If you let a comment stand that is a lie, then you are spreading the lie by letting others read it.


greeneyedblondie profile image

greeneyedblondie 21 months ago from Maine

I've had to delete comments before. They're usually people that say things like, "You're an idiot," or "It's obvious you don't know what you're saying." If it's contructive like, "Well, actually right here it says this but it's actually more like this..." then I'll leave it there.


jlpark profile image

jlpark 21 months ago from New Zealand

I've had my comments deleted for no apparent reason other than I disagreed with the hubber on...well...the entire premise of their hub (I even remember what it was - I'll tell ya if you want to know), but I had presented my disagreement in a respectful, logical manner - I just didn't agree.

Fair? No. Unexpected? No not really - given the topic of the hub, I wasn't surprised. Did my respect for said hubber decrease further? Yup.

Do I delete comments? Nope, not at present. I made it a point to make the idiots, bigots and otherwise have to live with their comments on display - if you wanna say it, be prepared for the public to see it. Will I be deleting? Maybe....haven't had too much trouble lately (since one or two of the commenters I had issues with got themselves banned for other reasons).

Thanks for this Austin!


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 21 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Of course I want to know! I know too many hubbers that delete comments for spite. I try to leave the comments up unless they are just too offensive. But I'll admit there are some people who have pissed me off to no end.


jlpark profile image

jlpark 21 months ago from New Zealand

The hub was about Homosexuals living a life that would be pleasing to God - basically by living a straight life. It still exists on Hubpages somewhere. I tried to be respectful but definitely disagreed with him. Oh well, it wasn't unexpected, but I'd have thought more highly of him had he not deleted it.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 21 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

It always saddens me when I hear about the misunderstanding and bigotry involving relationships that they have no business even talking about. It's just none of their business. And to delete your comment was just spitefull.


tillsontitan profile image

tillsontitan 21 months ago from New York

There you go, that old standby of "common sense". What you wouldn't want in your comments you should certainly not post to another's hub.

There are always people looking for an argument but how sad they need to do it here on HP.

Well done Austinstar. Maybe this should be required reading for newbies.

Voted up, useful, and interesting.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 21 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Hi Mary! You know I really hate to delete comments, but sometimes I just have to. Some of them would be banned by HP anyway as they violate the TOU.

Thank you for the kind words.


TheBizWhiz 20 months ago

Great Hub! I am sure this is on a lot of Hubbers' minds because we all run into this from time to time.

Two of my comments were deleted today by an author. I actually agreed with part of his article, but said the results of his article might be for another reason. He was polite in his answer, but did disagree with my assessment and kind of wrote it off. I told him how I came up with my answer and he soon deleted the entire dialogue between us.

I understand that a lot of hard work goes into writing a hub and that comments that don't totally support that hub might seem counterproductive, but I think in this case the author might hold himself as the sole expert in the subject and everyone else should just listen and learn. If you don't believe me, just look at my activity page and you will see the recently unapproved comments and you can connect the dots.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 20 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

TBW - I looked at your activity page and at your profile page. You might want to consider writing a few stellar hubs. This will get your hub score up in the range where people want to follow you.

Hubbers who follow newbies with low hub scores get a ding on their own hub score, so most of us will not follow anyone with a low hub score.

But it all depends on your goals here at HP really. Some people just like to hang out here!


TheBizWhiz 20 months ago

Yes, I definitely need to write a Hub. I signed up thinking I was going to have more time, but a few things flew into my pipeline, so for now I am browsing popular topics and writers. But I do see a light at the end of the tunnel, so expect something soon!

As for the Hubber that deleted my comments, I didn't really want him to follow me, so I don't think that explains why he deleted them. I think he has more of an ego problem than anything.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 20 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

TBW - There seems to be a lot of ego problems around here. I try to not delete comments, but sometimes, these people just go to far.


Lady Guinevere profile image

Lady Guinevere 20 months ago from West Virginia

I agree with you 100%. For those who do not understand what the team does, I had a hub where two p[eople were in an argument and my hub was reported for bad comments. While I was a sleep no less. Yes we do sleep, play, eat and do other things that takes us away from here. I eventually had to unpublish it and leave it that way. HubPages will monitor comments on hubs. I hae been there and had that done.

I delete when comments are aggressive and slanderous and are personal attacks. That is the only time that I delete comments.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 20 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

I didn't even know we could report a hub for bad comments. You would think the person doing the bad comments should be reported!


Jodah profile image

Jodah 20 months ago from Queensland Australia

Great advice here as to why authors sometimes delete comments. There are a few hubbers who search for hub titles that they disagree with and deliberately leave comments that disparage the author and the hub content. They are deliberately looking for debate and even if you thank them for their comment and say they are entitled to a different opinion they will continue to press in comments for an argument. I do not like to delete comments but they often give you no choice.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 20 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Unfortunately, there are some people who just don't know how to comment. Still, if they weren't so belligerent, their comment might remain. I used to have some sympathy for them and tried to moderate, but it is hopeless. The delete key works much better and it's faster too.


kittythedreamer profile image

kittythedreamer 20 months ago from the Ether

Very good points! I've found myself deleting a few lately and then felt somewhat guilty about it but in general the comment was somewhat rude to another commenter so I felt it was unnecessary to let commenters argue on my hub!


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 20 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Exactly so, kitty. I just as much for stimulating commenting as the next person, but petty bickering and actual fighting is just unproductive and rude. We all need some of those old fashioned manners :-)


Kristen Howe profile image

Kristen Howe 18 months ago from Northeast Ohio

Great work Lela on this hub. I've seen some comments that are for guest users who write about their needs and leave their personal information. I saw one yesterday that someone wrote who cares for the comment. Whatever happened, if you nothing nice to say (as in comments), don't say it at all. Voted up!


peachpurple profile image

peachpurple 18 months ago from Home Sweet Home

I had encounter twice the author deleted my comments, i don't think i had wrote anything disgraceful, maybe he or she doesn't like truthful comments


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 18 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

You can ether ask the hub owner why your comment was deleted, or you can simply stop commenting on that person's work.

There is no need to be offended when your comment is deleted. The writer of the hub or question has the right to delete comments at will.


Besarien profile image

Besarien 17 months ago

Hi Austinstar! Interesting topic for a hub! These are all great reasons to delete comments. I'm glad I haven't felt the need to do that yet though. I love getting them so much it would cause me pain to have to delete even one. I imagine that it would be possible to have so many comments the loading of the page might drag and make it more difficult to attract new traffic. Feel free to delete this comment if there is a need! By the way I have never known what to do with tables. You found an excellent use for one- kudos! Voted up!


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Hi Besarien - Tables are easy and good for comparing things side by side. Just takes practice. Write on!


Kylyssa profile image

Kylyssa 17 months ago from Overlooking a meadow near Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

I would add that off-topic comments dilute the topic and can confuse search engines as to what your page is about. Also, since Google "sees" all of the text on the page, comments written in poor English are included in the search engine's assessment of page quality. Text speak is another instant deletion for me and for the same reasons.

I don't feel that comments that disagree with the author's opinions should be deleted unless they are rude, disrespectful, full of profanity, or contain personal attacks or threats.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

These are some good suggestions! I should add them to my list. Thanks!


TheBizWhiz 17 months ago

Way to support your Hubbers, Kylyssa! Great job


Lady Guinevere profile image

Lady Guinevere 17 months ago from West Virginia

LOL I just allowed a comment on one of my hubs and she claimed that I delete all her comments because I do not agree with them. I left her comment there to show others what kind of comments she makes that I usually delete. They are rude.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

It's amazing how angry and hateful and rude people get when their horrible comments are deleted. All they have to do is stop leaving stupid comments and improve their writing.


Link10103 profile image

Link10103 17 months ago

I agree with Lady. It might not help out with the search engine things that Kylyssa mentions, but I find that leaving comments that completely and utterly destroy the person's own reputation to be interesting, especially when they are the ones trying to make a point about how bad the Hub poster is being when there is no indication of that anywhere.

Sure, its the internet. Sure, its only one site. Still, I would rather have an honest reputation on one site on the internet than a completely disgraceful one.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Good insight, Link. Yes, we do know commenters by the comments that they leave. If we leave them standing, it does tend to show others what that person is truly like, but it also encourages them to continue to be tool bags. They are too blind to see the error of their ways.


Lady Guinevere profile image

Lady Guinevere 17 months ago from West Virginia

No the other reason is that she is my stalker and no one believed me when I told them that she was spreading lies about me and them coming to my other blogs telling me that she is reporting me for being rude and making personal attacks. I knew and was waiting for her to comment on one of MY hubs. She did and so I left it there to prove that I am not the one doing those horrid things. Ya think anyone will believe me now? It is all in black and white and I did (it was removed) had her other alieas nasty notes on a FB group. Give them enough rope and they will hang themselves...all the time!


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Lady, it does seem to work that way often enough!


TheBizWhiz 17 months ago

Deleting comments can be a catch-22. These trolls will insult, rant, have absolutely no point, yet go on and on forever, so you feel the need to just delete the garbage so the comments can serve their purpose. On the other-hand, after the comments are deleted, they will go on and on how the author only did that because they were "proven wrong" and got "beat" in this pretend debate. They have the luxury to say this because there is no more proof for you or for them.

Some people just like to come on forums and argue. You can see it in their activity pages and the few Hubs they have, which are usually to speak negatively about another point-of-view. They have trolling down to a science, so the best thing to do is just not feed them so you get to the point that you feel you have to delete posts. It is a lose lose situation all around because the trolls seem to feed on it rather than be deterred.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Biz, I agree with what you are saying, but I would rather keep my hubs clean and clear of the trolls. I don't give 2 rips what they say or think.


TheBizWhiz 17 months ago

True. I recently had to delete some comments from one and he went on and on about how the only reason I did that was because he proved me wrong. I mean, he even wrote a question about it so he could go on and on. lol Some of the people need to get a life.


Lady Guinevere profile image

Lady Guinevere 17 months ago from West Virginia

I have the one that I mentioned above be immature and post nasty things about me or to me on OTHER peoples hubs or Questions. All you can do with those is ignore them because I do not have the option to delete them.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Biz, I have had that happen to m before also. These people are a tad on the "crazy" side, so we have to ignore them.

That is a problem for us, Debra. We can post a short disclaimer, I suppose. But still better to ignore these morons.


Link10103 profile image

Link10103 17 months ago

I personally don't see a problem creating questions based on discussions in hubs/forums, it broadens the audience and invites different viewpoints.

You obviously don't have much of a problem with it either Biz, considering you created 2 questions based off of one of Austin's viewpoints, and at least 2 about me to complain about my lack of hubs.

Naturally i would have assumed you wanted different viewpoints, but if i were to go by that last part you mentioned...


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Link, I agree with you and I would love to see you write more hubs. You're a good writer and I love your viewpoints. How is school going?


TheBizWhiz 17 months ago

I didn't say I had a general problem creating questions based on discussions in hubs/forums. I only thought this specific one was funny, hence the lol behind it.

Anyway, why are you getting so upset about this specific comment I made?


Link10103 profile image

Link10103 17 months ago

I took a hiatus from school Austin, debating now if I should go back this semester, and if I do what I should major in.

For a more exciting but depressing answer, I got temporarily laid off my job due to a Listeria contamination and am in the market for another job for probably the next 3 or so months. Fun days.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Wow. Did you work for blue bell ice cream? That is just insane. I'm looking into driving for uber or lyft. Too bad bubbles just totally died.


Link10103 profile image

Link10103 17 months ago

Jes i did, worked in one of the warehouses. Total recall of all products is not a fun thing.

Lyft and uber seems to be the more popular ways of getting extra money. If i had a car of my own i would have given it a shot by now.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

How about the temp agencies? I know a lot of people that find jobs that way because you can "try before you buy".


Link10103 profile image

Link10103 17 months ago

Most of the jobs I see from temp agencies are either desk jobs or more along the lines of "professional" temp jobs that I neither have the patience or the experience for.

Plus, I would prefer something local. I live right behind a plaza that I can walk to in 5 minutes. Would be good to have something there since it will hopefully last only a few months.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 17 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Good luck with your search! I knowhow hard it is these days.


Kathleen Cochran profile image

Kathleen Cochran 16 months ago from Atlanta, Georgia

Read, at your suggestion. As a journalist, I have a serious problem with censorship, so I don't delete even the most negative comments to my hubs. I own the hub (or the question), but once I post it I believe I'm asking for a discussion - wherever that discussion may go. But, to each his own.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 16 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

@Kathleen- boy your editors must just really love you!


Kathleen Cochran profile image

Kathleen Cochran 16 months ago from Atlanta, Georgia

When a paycheck is at risk, it's a different matter!


MonkeyShine75 profile image

MonkeyShine75 16 months ago from Los Angeles, California

I am so happy you took the time to explain this to everyone.

I had someone attack me for deleting their comments, and they even stated that they had a right to make the comments they did.

Thanks again for explaining this to them.

Great hub and I voted it up


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 16 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

There are some trolls here that just HATE to have their comments deleted. We are right to delete them and they do NOT have the "right" to make statements on someone's hub or answer.

They may write their own hub or question or even ask the forum. But if you own the space, they only get to comment when it is approved by the owner of the hub or question.

This is why they are called 'trolls'.


MonkeyShine75 profile image

MonkeyShine75 16 months ago from Los Angeles, California

That's another thing, I've been accused of deleting comments that were awaiting my approval because my hubs are moderated. When they learned they were in the wrong, I guess they were so ashamed they didn't return to apologize or to make any further comments


nicomp profile image

nicomp 16 months ago from Ohio, USA

I delete comments with email addresses, links, or spammy text just trying to sell stuff. Other than that it's all good.

It would be nice if HubPages emailed me when one of my comments was deleted, then I wouldn't think I was going loopy when it's not there any more.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 16 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

But what if you really are going loopy?


Colleen Diemer profile image

Colleen Diemer 14 months ago from Florida

Thanks for this information. I have had great conversations with most people I have shared comments with on hub pages. This has helped me a lot however. I am going to keep things short sweet and impersonal. I do have a question . How do you know if your comment has been deleted? Thank you again. Colleen


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

If you go to your account, there is a tab for 'activity' and it will list all of your comments you have made. But I suppose they would disappear if they are deleted, eh? You may have to make a copy of your comments and keep track of them manually if you feel you must.

If someone deletes my comments, I just stop going to that person's hubs or stop making comments where I get deleted. No big deal.


Colleen Diemer profile image

Colleen Diemer 14 months ago from Florida

Thank you very much. Good to know. There is so much to learn starting out I appreciate the feedback. Colleen


nicomp profile image

nicomp 14 months ago from Ohio, USA

I agree with AustinStar: when my comment is deleted I stop commenting on that person's hubs. And following. And stalking. And sending Christmas cards. And attending Fourth of July block parties.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Well, there have been times when I have left scathing comments that I wish I hadn't. I'm glad when they delete those! But, seriously, if authors are deleting your comments, then you need to change your tone and improve future attempts at communication because if you just keep repeating the same old comments and expect different results, then you are just insane.


nicomp profile image

nicomp 14 months ago from Ohio, USA

I am just insane. I thought that had been determined.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

nicomp - what's the address of your asylum? I'll send you a Fourth of July card or a get well soon one.


Peggy W profile image

Peggy W 14 months ago from Houston, Texas

Sometimes comments end up in the spam folder and are not discovered for some time. Most often they truly are spam and I happily delete them since they are off topic and have nothing to do with the article. On other occasions it is a mystery why it ended up there since it did address the topic. One thing is certain...it is always welcomed if it is a genuine comment and you know the person actually read the hub from top to bottom. You made excellent points!


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Peggy, there are some words that HP recognizes and categorizes as spam automatically. Curse words, little blue male fun pill names, and a few others come to mind. Comments that contain certain "spam" words are automatically pushed into the spam folders.


Say Yes To Life profile image

Say Yes To Life 14 months ago from Big Island of Hawaii

Colleen - in your activity folder, a deleted comment will say "unapproved".


nicomp profile image

nicomp 14 months ago from Ohio, USA

I think nicomp has been added to the spam word database.

Or it should be.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Nope, it as inexplicably NOT been added to the can 'o spam folder. Should I delete it all manually? But I like Spam! And it's cheaper by the case at Costco!


nicomp profile image

nicomp 14 months ago from Ohio, USA

I assume the HubGods are too busy counting words in my hubs, adding NOINDEX tags, and accusing me of having spammy elements.


jcsales profile image

jcsales 14 months ago

This is a very helpful hub for someone like me who is new to hubpages. Thanks.


nicomp profile image

nicomp 14 months ago from Ohio, USA

I unfollowed a hub this morning 'cause the author deletes me every time. My day is ruined.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Nicomp, follow someone else then! Quit stalking and lurking.


Glenn Stok profile image

Glenn Stok 14 months ago from Long Island, NY

I appreciate all comments in my hubs that are on topic. But if someone leaves a comment that is self-promotional, I delete it.

I also need to consider how Google reacts, so if someone leaves a link to a low quality site, or uses very poor grammar, I have to delete it.

I also clean up once in a while, deleting old comments from people who have been banned, or simply no longer exist. Dead profile links don't help.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Glenn, thanks for you comment. You are correct that we need to clean up dead comments from banned people. Comments ar eboth good and bad as far as hub rank goes. Some people take comment deletions so personally.


Sherry Hewins profile image

Sherry Hewins 14 months ago from Sierra Foothills, CA

As far as I know, I have only had one comment deleted. I did disagree with the hub. It was a controversial subject. If I write on a controversial subject I would expect some people to disagree with me, the comment would really have to be over the top for me to delete it.

I have one hub that has become somewhat like a forum. It has lots of comments from people outside of HubPages. Occasionally I get a generic comment from a hubber, and I know they are just trying to be nice and support me, but those comments just don't fit in. I feel bad to delete them, because I don't have hard feelings toward the posters, but I really don't want my target audience to have to wade through them.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Don't feel bad about deleting comments. Sometimes it just has to be done.


Perspycacious profile image

Perspycacious 14 months ago from Today's America and The World Beyond

I find myself deleting my own replying comments which for no reason that I can understand get posted twice when I click "Post Comment".....maybe I'm just getting spastic in my senior years?


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 14 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

No, you're not spastic. It's probably a computer glitch gremlin. :-)


wingedcentaur profile image

wingedcentaur 2 months ago from That Great Primordial Smash UP of This and That Which Gave Rise To All Beings and All Things!

Hi Austinstar! How's it going?

This is a very useful checklist of things to keep in mind before making comments online. As you say, one has to remember that what we type online exists forever; and, as you say, one is building his reputation, to a certain extent, in the way he expresses himself.

One doesn't want cheap satisfactions of "telling somebody off," when it might mean you get tagged as a "troll," or some kind of out of control person.

To my knowledge---as I indicated on your poll---I have been lucky and have never had a comment deleted.

Speaking of which, the Hub Pages management has deleted my immigration hub, which you were the first to comment on. They say that the hub contains either racist or personal attacks; and that if I want to have it republished, I need to remove all "racist" or "personal" attacks from the body of the hub as well as the comment section.

They may have taken exception to certain things said about another hubber....

Just thought I'd let you know first.


Austinstar profile image

Austinstar 2 months ago from Somewhere in the universe Author

Interesting. I have totally given up on HP moderators. But i do realize that if they can't sell ads on the hub, they will un-monetize it or ask that the whole thing be deleted. This is a for profit site. Sigh, I miss the good old days of HP.


wingedcentaur profile image

wingedcentaur 2 months ago from That Great Primordial Smash UP of This and That Which Gave Rise To All Beings and All Things!

You and me both, Austinstar! You and me both!

By the way, I'm sorry I had to let you know like this --- "publicly." There used to be a Hub Pages feature which showed a link, whereby you could email the Hub authors directly and secretly. Remember that? What happened to that feature?

Anyway, I guess things are going to be a little... sensitive for a while before everyone finds their feet.

Again, I'm really sorry about that.

Take it easy!

W.T. (wingedcentaur)

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