What are spam comments and messages? What can I do about them?
A spam comment is one posted by a machine which automatically posts irrelevant comments. These may contain advertising or links to other websites. The same comment posted in many different places where it isn't wanted can also be spam.
When you delete a comment, you'll be given the option of reporting it as spam. You can do this by checking the box labeled Mark this comment as spam. This will send a report to the people who deal with spam, who will review it and then take action to block the spammer if appropriate.
You can also report spam when reading private messages in the Inbox. Use the "Mark as Spam" link near the "Reply" link before deleting the message. If you discover that your inbox is a frequent target of spam and/or other undesired messages, you can change who is allowed to send you a private message.
If you receive a lot of spam comments, you may want to block comments from anonymous posters or people not on your access list. You can also require some or all commenters to pass a test, called a CAPTCHA, proving that they are not spambots. You can change CAPTCHA settings in the Privacy section of the My Account Settings page. You can decide whether only anonymous commenters, everyone not on your Access List, or everyone needs to pass the CAPTCHA test by selecting the appropriate option for the Anti-Spam setting.
If you enable the CAPTCHA test on your journal, you have the option of choosing either a text-based test or an image-based test for commenters in your journal. The text-based CAPTCHA is better if you have commenters who access your journal with a screenreader or commenters who have low vision. The image-based CAPTCHA is better if you have commenters who don't speak English or who have cognitive accessibility needs.
Comment screening can also be used to reduce spam. It won't prevent the spam comments from being made, but it will prevent anyone else from seeing them. This includes search engines. When the spammer realizes that their comments aren't showing up in search engines, they will likely reduce their spamming. You can learn more about comment screening in What is comment screening?.
When you delete a comment, you'll be given the option of reporting it as spam. You can do this by checking the box labeled Mark this comment as spam. This will send a report to the people who deal with spam, who will review it and then take action to block the spammer if appropriate.
You can also report spam when reading private messages in the Inbox. Use the "Mark as Spam" link near the "Reply" link before deleting the message. If you discover that your inbox is a frequent target of spam and/or other undesired messages, you can change who is allowed to send you a private message.
If you receive a lot of spam comments, you may want to block comments from anonymous posters or people not on your access list. You can also require some or all commenters to pass a test, called a CAPTCHA, proving that they are not spambots. You can change CAPTCHA settings in the Privacy section of the My Account Settings page. You can decide whether only anonymous commenters, everyone not on your Access List, or everyone needs to pass the CAPTCHA test by selecting the appropriate option for the Anti-Spam setting.
If you enable the CAPTCHA test on your journal, you have the option of choosing either a text-based test or an image-based test for commenters in your journal. The text-based CAPTCHA is better if you have commenters who access your journal with a screenreader or commenters who have low vision. The image-based CAPTCHA is better if you have commenters who don't speak English or who have cognitive accessibility needs.
Comment screening can also be used to reduce spam. It won't prevent the spam comments from being made, but it will prevent anyone else from seeing them. This includes search engines. When the spammer realizes that their comments aren't showing up in search engines, they will likely reduce their spamming. You can learn more about comment screening in What is comment screening?.
Last Activity: September 2nd, 2017 (karzilla)
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