Posted on Saturday 3rd of February 2007 at 11:21 in The Internet

Comment spammer for hire?

Reading an article on ProBlogger where he ponders whether an advertising agency is hiring comment spammers. The job description in question "will essentially consist of contributing to a variety of blogs and message boards. Candidates should write well and have the ability to think creatively on their feet."

Is it comment spamming?
I don't think so, not in the traditional sense. When I think of comment spamming I think of entirely unrelated content as if produced by a bot, I don't consider genuine interactions that remain on-topic but plug a product spam. Provided the contribution is on topic then I don't see why it's a problem. If there's a discussion on email marketing, a paid comment continuing the discussion and highlighting a product of choice.

What isn't acceptable
Is an off topic, shameless, generic plug of a product or service. That sort of thing should be deleted and never repeated.

A matter of opinion
Obviously your definition of spam is a matter of opinion, but as far as I'm concerned it's only spam if you'd consider deleting it. If it stays on topic and continues discussion, or just makes a valid point then it's not spam - whether the author was paid for it or not.

Besides...
SEO analyst types have been doing this form of "comment spamming" *SORRY* "link-building" for ages.

 

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