Some comments look like odd, vague comments… but they’re spam.

Here’s a spam comment at a blog that I set up but didn’t fill in, yet.  Yes, these people are commenting at the default WordPress post that says it’s a sample post.

Hi there,
Not sure that this is true) but thanks

Jinny

Here’s another one:

Hi.
It’s better to put reference link
Good Luck!

Steve

And another:

Hi there.
It’s uncommonly, very interesting thoughts

Thanks.  Anne

What do they have in common?  The phrasing is a little odd. These comments don’t add anything helpful to the conversation.  Also, despite different names, all of the commenters’ homepages are the same website.

They may have been posted by the Internet equivalent of sweatshop workers.  Or, they may have been posted by a computer program that randomly posts comments at WP blogs on a specified list. Then again, some eager spammer may be posting these by hand, on his or her own.

Why would people do this?  Simple:  They know that WordPress allows people to post comments (that appear immediately) if you’ve already approved a comment or two from them.  So, future comments are likely to be obvious spam… which you may or may not notice, if you’re as busy as I am.

So, when in doubt, don’t approve a comment.  Well, not unless you have time to check every comment before it appears at your website.

Also, use Akismet and keep it current.  It’s included with WordPress as a plugin.  It catches at least 90% of spam at my sites.

You can also add a list of spam words to your WordPress control panel.  If Akismet doesn’t block the spam, this list will.  It’s at the WordPress Codex. [Link]