The first rule about comment responding is that you...always respond to comments. People like to be acknowledged, and if you’re lucky enough (and that’s certainly what it is) to get a comment, that person deserves a response. Of course, there are also exceptions—like when a commenter is abusive or using your comment section to spread spam. In these instances, occasionally, it’s perfectly okay to delete comments, but do so carefully. Screenshots may have been taken, and if it looks like you’re deleting comments just because you don’t like them, that tears down your reputation.
Otherwise, when it comes to responding to comments, there are a few guidelines to follow. You don’t want your reply to top the list of the worst comments of the year (especially when 2015 is just starting). It takes practice, a little patients, and self-control in order to respond optimally. Whether it’s your personal blog or you’re responding as the voice for a company, keep these rules in mind:
1. Be genuinely happy to receive comments
Thanking the person for taking the time to comment is a no-brainer—yet it’s often overlooked. Nobody “has” to post comments or try to engage with you. Just like smiling when you’re talking on the phone makes it seem like you’re happy, being in the right mindset when replying can work wonders. In fact, Mind Body Green has a few things to teach you about happiness, and it might be a make or break for your comments section.
2. Size matters
Sometimes short and sweet (like a simple, “Thanks!”) is all that’s really required. Sometimes a longer, thoughtful response is in order (like when a commenter asks you a question). However, remember that this isn’t a two-way street. A lot of other people are often reading these comments as lurkers. Respond to the commenter, but also make sure your reply will be well-received by any passive viewers.
3. Respond ASAP
People are used to instant gratification, and they know you’re probably notified instantly when they send a comment. Make it a rule to reply within the same day at least, and preferably within a couple of hours. Is it really that time consuming to fire off a response for your comments section? Probably not, and a quick response makes your readers feel valued.
4. Don’t link in comments
There’s a time and place for links, such as in the blog or article people are commenting about. However, links are basically citations to back up an opinion or news coverage. Links also take people away from the page they’re on. Once you get comments rolling, you don’t want to send readers and commenters away. That’s like someone trying to start a conversation with you, and you telling them they should go talk to someone else across town.
5. Spellcheck, spellcheck, spellcheck
It’s natural to spend plenty of time re-drafting and checking for typos when writing a blog. But what about with the comments? One embarrassing mistake can hijack the entire thread and instantly cost you your authority and reputation. Just because you technically can reply in under three seconds doesn’t mean you should (especially if you occasionally must answer from your iPhone. Think: autocorrect, yikes!). The comments are part of your piece.
When you post a blog, it’s not complete. It never is. The comments are the icing on the cake, so make sure it stays fresh and sweet.
About the Author
John Rampton is an Entrepreneur, Writer, Full Time Computer Nerd, Founder at Calendar, a productivity app. Follow me on Twitter @johnrampton.
FAQs
A simple, "I am grateful for your perspective" or "Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts" can go a long way - as long as it is not followed by a 'but...'.
What is a good reply to a comment? ›
A simple, "I am grateful for your perspective" or "Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts" can go a long way - as long as it is not followed by a 'but...'.
How to respond to unwanted comments? ›
If speaking up feels like the right action, here are some tips to help you be more effective in your communication:
- Explain rather than accuse. ...
- Express the comment's impact on you. ...
- Ask questions. ...
- Call it out. ...
- Ignore, change the subject, or walk away. ...
- Take action with an authority if possible.
Yes – responding to comments shows engagement and interaction, which the TikTok algorithm rewards with higher rankings and improved visibility. The more effort you make to engage with your community, the better your chances of appearing on the For You page.
How to respond to Instagram comments? ›
Click the Reply icon at the bottom of the instagram comment to reply to the comment. On the Reply window, select Direct Message as the Message Type. Enter your response in the text field. You can add Image, Video, Link, Text Template, Custom Link, Content Placeholder and Emojis to your response.
What is a good best response? ›
You can respond in a friendly and casual manner. For example, you could say, "Not much, just chilling. How about you?" or "Everything's good on my end. How's it going with you?" This opens up the conversation for further interaction.
How to respond to patronizing comments? ›
Consider following these steps when presented with such a scenario:
- Keep in mind that it is a purely professional situation. ...
- Identify the elements of their behavior. ...
- Consider the level of truth in their remarks. ...
- Keep a positive attitude. ...
- Respond in a calm manner. ...
- Speak to them about it. ...
- Ask them to elaborate on their comments.
Ask questions. Especially if the comment was ambiguous, it can be effective to respond with a question, like “What did you mean by that?” You might even ask the person to simply repeat what they said, which may prompt them to think through what they meant and how their words might sound to others.
How do you respond to belittling comments? ›
Use Humor. Try deflecting belittling behavior with humor. Respond with humor or exaggerate the belittling comment and make a joke out of it. Doing this could help someone to realize the outrageousness of what they have said if it is not based on solid facts or evidence.
Should you reply to all your comments? ›
always respond to comments. People like to be acknowledged, and if you're lucky enough (and that's certainly what it is) to get a comment, that person deserves a response.
Buffer Reply is a powerful tool that helps you manage and respond to all your social media conversations in one place. With Buffer Reply, you can save time and stay organized by having all your messages, comments, and mentions in a single inbox.
How to reply for real? ›
“for real” is another expression of “seriously?” or “are you sure”. So the best respond for that is, “yes.”
How to reply to hype comments? ›
Give a short, gracious, and positive answer.
Acknowledge the kind comment, and encourage the person since they took the time to reach out. Use an upbeat and friendly tone.
What to reply in comments? ›
Courteous replies for comments on Instagram
- Much appreciated. ...
- Love you, my dear friend, you're the best.
- Thank you for your valuable feedback.
- Thanks, fan.
- Wow, could you keep them coming?
- Your opinion matters to me, so that's nice to hear.
- I appreciate you taking the time to express that.
- I'm glad you liked it.
Responding to a compliment like "Why so pretty?" can be done graciously while acknowledging the compliment. You might say something like: "Thank you, that's really kind of you to say!" "I appreciate the compliment, thank you!"
How do you respond to a nice comment? ›
“Thank you, I really appreciate it.” “Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to me.” “I'm pleased to hear you say that.
How do you give good replies? ›
After you've considered what was said to you and you've thought about what you want to say, speak clearly and confidently. Don't use vague or contradictory language to try to sound smarter or clever. People appreciate sincerity, so give them a genuine response that shows them that you care and that you understand them.
What are positive replies? ›
A positive response to something indicates agreement, approval, or encouragement.
How do you say respond in a nice way? ›
- replying.
- answering.
- reacting.
- retorting.
- commenting.
- returning.
- rejoining.
- explaining.
