Wham Bam - Say “No Thank You Spam!”
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Heck, I spend a week or so away from a computer due to personal issues and what do I find on my blog but flaming SPLOG [Spam+Blog=SPLOG] from gambling sites, online pharmacies/perscription sites and a few nutters I won’t even bother to mention!
What the hell is going on with this worthless pieces of junk polluting the Blogosphere.
Thankfully, I moderate all comments before allowing or deleting them, as the case may be. Who in their right mind wants a plague of useless comments about the same useless web site that has been sent with some kind of Auto Comment Blogging Software?
Yeh, right!
There are of course many ways to combat Spam Comments. One thing I would NEVER allow is for comments not to be moderated before publishing on my blog. Believe me, some of the stuff these idiots write is incomprehensible and downright offensive!
After reading the post at TeleRead regarding Blog Spam I found that the very best methods to combat Splog is to use a good Spam plug-in or use a ‘Turing Test’ as suggested by Garson Poole.
Ah well another day in the grand ole Blogosphere…
An rare rant from me.
Blog Finder - New Blog and Post Searches at Technorati
Technorati have recently introduced a new search called Blog Finder. Users can not only search for blog posts but also blog sites. If you are interested in adding your blog to the service you will need to select appropriate categories. You may want to read the comments from Darren Rowse at Pro Blogger for some feedback.
Derek Powazek’s article explains the aims and concept of Blog Finder in full at the Technorati blog. The latest updates and fixes have been implemented with the help of blogger feedback here.
Josh Hallett’s review highlights some glitches in the system. I’m sure the service will be useful to us bloggers and we should hope to see further developments which will benefit bloggers. You should register you blog with Technorati to take full advantage and promote your blog. Read my list of blog directories to promote your blog for free.
Recommended Resources:
Simple Rules Of Blog Etiquette and Avoiding Splog - Comment Spam
There would be little point making a post about Comment Spam without following up with some simple to follow instructions of what to do and what not to so on blogs. Did you know that there is so much abuse of blog comments that some search engines directories do not index blog comments at all?
The main post has the meat and potatoes of each article, so that will suffice. Anyway, back to basics. I will provide the rules for commenting for my own blog.
Please DO:
Link back to a post that is SIMILAR to your own or would be of interest to your own readers. You can do this by referencing my post in a ‘Hyperlink’ from your site. You can also use the ‘Trackback’ feature. Just click on the ‘Trackback’ and copy and paste the url from your browser into your blog software and I will automatically receive notification of your link.
This is good for you and me and any other sites you link to. I highly recommend placing both a Hyperlink in your main post in addition to using the Trackback feature. As of ‘ ‘November 2007 WE DO FOLLOW’ thanks to Kimmo Suominen’s DoFollow Plugin 
Some people have left comments on my blog and by personal email to let me know how much they liked a particular post. This is fine and very much appreciated!
DON’T EVEN GO THERE:
Don’t use automated software to leave blog comments just for the sake of blatantly advertising your stuff. I get a few people with the idea that a line saying buy stuff from my cheap drug store, come and gamble, blah, blah blah. Will it get my approval? I don’t think so.
Don’t make several posts with nothing more than link backs to your sites. Give a summary of thoughtful notes that other readers can share and benfit from. I could request readers to register their details before they can make a comment but I want to keep things simple. At present all comments are reviewed before being approved, or deleted as the case may be!
So go ahead and make a comment by clicking on the ‘Add a Comment’ link to the discussion. That’s what keeps the blog going with two-way communication which makes great reading!
About The Fight Against Blog Spam
Many blog owners have complained about the people leaving pointless comments to plug their poker site, pills and other. Check out The Splog Fighter’s post on the horrendous onslaught of Spam comments received at their blog. Simon Goodway provides some good tips on fighting excessive blog Spam.
Simon Goodway shares some of his own strategies to reduce the incidences of Comment Spam on his own blog.
P.S.
Adding your web site url field and a good comment will be of interest and value to blog readers. You will find that my readers are more tuned into good commenting with positive information and will be more likely to click through to your site, giving you free publicity. Seldom do people click on a comment like, and I quote:
“Go there guys buy prescription medications that are used to relax your body, relax your muscles on a post”
on a post relating to “Sites to Ping Your Latest Blog Posts (XML-RPC)“ or
“Cheap pills no prescription” on a post relating to “More Blog Directories to Submit Your Blog & RSS Feeds“
Maybe some people get so carried away that they make genuine mistakes here and there, who knows. One thing is for sure I cannot read your mind and vice versa so try to be as clear as possible.
Thanks to Akismet a HUGE majority of Spam is eaten automatically so if you have a blog install this VALUABLE PLUGIN right away!
Happy Blog Commenting!
Nancy P Redford
P.S.
I reserve the right to change or amend the comment system if continually misused and abused. Let’s hope we don’t have to resort to this!
Two More Innovative Ping Services - KingPing & Pingoat. Alternatives To Ping-O-Matic
I thought I had seen all the ping sites until I read Fred Giasson’s solution to some bad experiences with the Ping-O-Matic service. At his own Fred On Something blog he describes his discontentment with Ping-O-Matic and has since gone on to develop his own ping service at King Ping.com. Currently there are 18 sites to ping your blog updates manually, by entering your blog title and url, then selecting the appropriate services for your blog.
Denise Wakeman gives her appraisal of the recently set up Pingoat service. There are a whopping 64 sites to announce your new blog posts to. Depending on the nature of your blog you can send updates notifications to the relevant sites. I’ve never come across such a large resource all in one place! I’ve added the Pingoat service to my blogging software so that each new post I make sends automatic notifications without me having to visit the site.
General = 30 sites
Non English Services = 27 sites
Special Services = 7 sites
This site has only been in fruition from 21st July 2005 but I can see it will be hugely popular for bloggers. Let’s hope the site will be around for a long time. Remember not to abuse these sites with fake pings. The result of this will most certainly lead to suspension of your right to use the service, or even worse, withdrawal of the automatic XML-RPC server.
Have you used the site before? Let me know your experiences after using the King Ping and Pingoat service.
All Blogged Out, The Demise Of iFulfill
Just what is going on at iFulfill.com?
This is a third party processing company that takes care of your order fulfillment needs. From storing your goods on site, packaging, shipping, invoicing - all you need, without having to hire your own staff and your storage units yourself.
There appears to be a blog set up for by the owner Paul Purdue, to provide information about the current state of his company. The usual channels of communication for current vendors have been forwarded to the blog. This is a highly unusual way to inform the world about the demise of your business. After all Paul Purdue must have known that he would receive countless complaints from disgruntled customers. All out in the open for all and sundry to read, gasp and gloat over.
The iFulfill blog [now offline] has an odd mix of company information, including an online quote, though I would be doubtful if any company would want to do business with them, statements of regret and cartoon captions. Stephen Baker also makes references to the iFulfill at Business Week Online.
Take a look at the blog and read what happened to find out for yourself. Let’s hope this is the first and last blog dedicated to the collapse of a company.
B.B.L Ochman of whatsnextblog.com, a personal friend of Paul Purdue, sympathizes with the companies predicament. Nevertheless, the feedback from reader comments argue that he should it’s the clients who are also suffering from iFulfill’s demise because they businesses have been hit severely with not enough warning to find an alternative company to transfer to, in order to keep their operation running.
Whats Going On With The Fight Against Blog Spam?
What’s all the fuss about Blogger.com and other free blogging services?
Well there is talk of banning such free blog site from the major blog search engine directories (MSN, IceRocket and others) due to the increasing levels of Blog Spam from some users. This is not good news for legitimate blog users who will also be excluded regardless of their good integrity.
The Splog Reporter set up by Frank Gruber aims to encourage blog owners to report "Splog" (Blog Spam) on their new site, as of August 2005.
I have to agree with Toivo Lainevool about how easy the Splog Reporter’s "Report A Splog" web form could be high jacked by unscrupulous Spambot programs and ruthless people who may report legitimate web sites just for the fun of it. On the other hand I welcome any person or organization working to fight against Spam.
Maybe with a lot of feedback Frank will be able to develop this site into something extraordinary. This is a mammoth task to undertake and with time should prove to be a huge success in the online community.
You can read more about the attack of Splog Mark Cuban’s blog.
More Blog Directories to Submit Your Blog & RSS Feeds
All Blogs
Fill the online form to add your blog to this directory.
Submit your blog to the All Blogs Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
A selective blog directory where as a registered user you can search and add feeds to your account. If you would like to include your blog follow the “suggest a feed” instructions. Send your blog details by email for review. Subscribe to my Practical Marketing Tips by clicking the Bean Rocket button above.
In order to add your blog to the BlogFlux directory you will need to register first. Registration is free and will allow you to interact within the site, such as adding comments, adding subscriptions and of course adding your blog. Use the online web form to submit your blog details.
Submit your blog to the Blog Flux Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
Requires free online registration prior to using the blog submission service. Higher priority is given to sites that link back to Blogger Find.
(Added 28th August 2005)
BLOG HQ
Registration is required prior to submitting your blog.
(Added 23rd August 2005)
Blog Pulse
Submit your favorite blogs, that’s your own for you to be considered for a Blog Pulse listing. Enter your email and a list of blog url’s. That’s all!
Submit your blogs Blog Pulse
Blog Ratingz
Find blogs and rate them in this evolving blog directory. Then, encourage your readers to rate your blog in order to qualify for the “Most Rated” and “Best Rated” lists for better visibility.
Don’t Forget to rate my blog listed in the “Business” under “N” for my blog title “Nancy P Redford’s Practical Marketing Tips”. I’d appreciate it very much!
Submit your blog to the Blog Ratingz Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
Blog Rolling
Blog Rolling is where you can vew all of your favorite blogs that your read in one place, as well as adding them to your blog as I have to the right of each page=>>
Update your blog here…
Registration is required prior to submitting a blog.
Submit your blog to the Blog Search Directory
If you feel there is no relevant category then use the “Suggest A Category” link for further approval. You must provide the url of your reciprocal link on the submission form.
Submit your blog to the Blog Sweet Directory
(No Longer in Service)
Surf for credits to get targeted visitors to your site. A very generous 1:1 ratio.
(Added 28th August 2005)
Browse Ireland
Strictly Irish themed site or site relating to Irish interests only. Search the directory to find an appropriate sub category then click on the “add site” and fill out the form with your details.
Desk Feeds [OFFLINE]
Search the directory on their home page first to find a suitable category before completing the submission form.
Submit your blog to the DeskFeeds Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
EASY RSS [OFFLINE]
Add your RSS feeds to be indexed.
(Added 28th August 2005)
eMarketing Blogs
Check the guidelines before submitting your blog for review. If you consider your blog to be Internet marketing, Network Marketing, Work At Home themed then proceed to the submit form. If you have an RSS FEEDS for your blog you MUST include [RSS] at the end of your description.
Submit your blog to the eMarketing Blog Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
Fast Buzz
Free sign up before submitting feed url. Plus a free RSS Reader download. Drag to browser for one click subscribe to feeds. Create a free Fast Buzz account here…
A free web based aggregator to search and view the latest additions to your favorite online publications.
Follow the step by step instructions before submitting your blog. Once accepted you can encourage visitors to rate your blog by inserting code into your page. Don’t forget to rate this blog at the bottom of each blog page!
How to submit your blog to the FindingBlog Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
Add your blog to the Fyber Search Directory
(Added 23rd August 2005)
IceRocket
Add your blog url or XML feed to the IceRocket Search Engine Directory.
P.S.
I give you forewarning here because there are a list of celebrity blogs at this site. Even I got a little carried away
you’ll find Bruce Willis, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson and others. Health Warning: Very addictive reading for some celebrity addicts!
Add your business related blog to the Industry Blog Directory.
Search the directory to find the category which best matches your blog theme. You can select more than one category as described on their “How to submit your blog” guide to the LSBlogs Directory
Very simple to use online form to add your FEED URL to their growing database.
Submit your blog to the Plazoo Directory
One click to validate and add your FEED.
Submit your blog feed to the Postami Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
Reader Rocket
Add feed and information. Place our Quick Launch button on your site. When a user clicks it, the Rocket RSS Reader is instantly launched, immediately displaying your content as the default channel.
Add your feed to the Reader Rocket Directory
Subscribe to my Practical Marketing Tips at Reader Rocket here… 
(Added 28th August 2005)
Search4RSS
You need to complete the free registration form before adding your feeds.
(Added 11 Aug 2006)
The Free Dictionary is a portal for RSS feeds and an online dictionary as well as a valuable source of free information and fun activities such as hangman, word of the day, article of the day and more. Users can customize the look and feel of their web page by editing the color similar to ‘Wiki’s’. Get listed today and steal a slice of some of its millions of visitors!
(Added 28th August 2005)
Technorati is more than a blog directory it hosts an index of links between millions of blogs. Create a free account to add your picture, set up a profile and “Watch List” of all the blogs you are interested in.
Add and update your blog at Technorati
(Added 28th August 2005)
Add your blog to the Truth Laid Bear Directory
(Added 28th August 2005)
The Weblog Review
Place a reciprocal link before submitting your blog. The complete the free online registration.
Submit your blog to the Weblog Review Directory
Top Tip
I hope you enjoy more traffic to your blogs by adding your site to this list of Blog Directories. You should place a reciprocal link somewhere on your blog as courtesy and to increase the number of inbound links to your blog.
Either use a graphic, text link. If you have subsmitted to lots of directories why not write a post about them and include link backs. This will add valuable “content” to your blog for your readers and will look more attractive than a very long list of links on your sidebar.
Happy Blogging!
Top 40 Blog Directories to Submit Your Blog & RSS Feeds
For all owners of blogs, online diaries, journals and news feeds you can submit your rss feeds and blog sites to the following online directories. Follow each sites guidelines and provide a link back if requested and to increase your link popularity.
1. Bitacoras [OFFLINE AUG 2006]
Spanish blog directory
2. Bitadir
Spanish blog directory
3. Blog Africa
If your blog is realted to African issues or you are based in Africa add your listing here.
https://allafrica.com/commerce/afdb/blog_catalog.html
4. 
Fill in the submission form to add your site to the Blogarama directory.
http://www.blogarama.com
5. 
Worldwide listings for all blog categories. You can recommend a category if necessary.
http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/submit_blog.html
6. Blog Critics
Specialst blog directory listing the most recent news feeds on their home page.
7. BlogDex [OFFLINE AUG 2006] Submit your url and contact email address for inclusion.
8. Blog Digger
Submit using the online form.
http://www.blogdigger.com/add.jsp
9. 
Comprehensive blog directory.
http://www.bloggernity.com/cgi-bin/add.cgi
10. Bloglines
Comprehensive and highly popular Blog Directory with supporting multiple language interface.
11. Blogit
You need to sign up to create an account before submitting to the Blogit directory.
Monthly subscription is required to gain access to posts, comments, to support your favorite writers and write your own blog. Blogit represents a community of online blog writers allowing members to earn referrals by introducing friends to the service.
http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Authentication/SignUp.aspx
12. Blog Search Engine
Submit your blog here. Also provides an on-site link to a free blog service via tblog.com.
http://www.blogsearchengine.com/add_link.html
13. Blogs4God
Strict guidelines for inclusion to the directory consider Christian themed sites only. Your blog is reviewed for suitability before a listing is granted.
http://www.blogs4god.com
14. Blo.gs [OFFLINE AUG 2006]
Listed "Most Popular Blogs" and "Recently Added" blogs on their home page. Submission by automated pings when you update your blog posts or use the online form.
http://blo.gs.com/ping.php
15. 
At BlogStreet readers can easily get their favorite news feeds sent to them via email. Also includes Top 100 popular blogs.
http://www.blogstreet.com/bin/add.cgi
16. Blogtree
Complete the online submission form.
http://www.blogtree.com/signup.php?
17. Bloogz
Enter the full RSS feed or if you do not show the rss feed directly you need to enter the FULL url. More details found on the submission page.
http://www.bloogz.com/man_en/add_your_url.php
18. Blog Universe
To add a site to our directory go to the home page and click on the category that matches your site and click
"Add Site" in the selected category.
Then you will can fill in the submission form. You must provide a link back to Blog Universe using their image links or your own text link.
19. Blogwise
Add your blog site to Blogwise. No HTML pages allowed.
http://www.blogwise.com/submit
20. BoingBoing
Remember to include a description of your site or you will not be considered for a listing. You need to add the url to a Blog Post POST NOT a blog. Go to the site for full details.
Example Below Added 8th August 2005
e.g. I could submit the following blog post:http://www.miriadz.com/blog/?p=26
Links directly to the post "Top 10 Blog Exchange & Blog Promotion Sites"
I would not submit the blog url as this will DEFINATELY NOT not be indexed. Read the full submission guide.
http://boingboing.net/suggest.html
21. British Blog Directory
Directory for listings from UK based blogs.
http://www.britblog.com/register
22. Diarist
Listings are only accepted from non-commercial blogs and online journals only.
http://www.diarist.net
[Top Tip: Add your own banner, text or button - free exposure]
23. Eton Web Portal
Submit your blog by completing the online form. Their home page lists blogs by category, country and language.
http://portal.eatonweb.com/add.php
24. Feedster
Add your url to Feedster for indexing.
http://www.feedster.com
25. Genecast
As a member you can read your news feeds online and get the latest news in your Usenet news reader such as Outlook Express.
http://www.genecast.com/news/create.jsp
26. 
1. Go to the Main Page of GetBlogs.com and click on the category that best describes the theme of your blog. Check for sub-categories and click the appropriate one you wish to submit your blog to.
2. At the lower right hand side of that page, you’ll see an "Add Your Site" link. Click on it and you’ll be taken to the submission form for that category. Your blog will be indexed within 10 days.
However if you provide a link back your blog is indexed within 2 days!
27. Globe Of Blogs
Lots of information to add to the registration form but well worth the effort.
http://www.globeofblogs.com/register.php
28. Guardian Unlimited
No direct links to web feeds. You can only suggest a link to your own or someone else’s blog site by email.
It is essential that you include the following:
• Full and correct url of the blog
• Your name
• A short description about the blog
• Include the purpose or theme of your blog
4 main specialist subject areas:
1. Newsblog
2. Gamesblog
3. Guideblog
4. Onlineblog
Info on how to email Guardian Unlimited below:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/about_newsblog/2004/10/how_to_email_newsblog.html
29. My MSN Directory
This directory of RSS feeds is available to all registered MSN users. Log into your account to review your favorite feeds. To submit your blog you can use the Moreover ping service. Due to a merger between MSN and Moreover submission is much easier.
http://my.msn.com
http://moreover.com/ping
30. NewzFire
Add the url of your RSS feed here:
http://www.newzfire.com/suggest.aspx
31. News Is Free
NewsIsFree offers thousands of news feeds and blogs. Get your blog listed in their extensive category listing using their ‘Suggest a News Source’ link.
http://www.newsisfree.com/contact.php?ctmode=suggest
32. Ping-O-Matic
Submitting your blog through the Ping-O-Matic service will notify several other directories automatically.
33. Popdex
The web world’s popularity index site. Priority is given to sites providing a link back to Popdex.
http://www.popdex.com/addsite.php
34. 2RSS
Use the ‘Suggest’ form located near the bottom of the home page to add your blog feed.
35. Syndicate8
Another major directory containing thousands of RSS feeds.
http://www.syndic8.com/suggest_start.php
36. Technorati
Just type your blog url into the main search form. That’s it!
Technorati also provides a simple to use ping service.
37. Topix
Mainly comprised of high quality US content split into multiple geographic locations.
Supports RSS, XML and HTML news index pages
with links to topical news stories.
38. WebLogALot
Set up automatic pinging in your blog software. You can also enter your full feed url using the submission form.
39. Wil’s Domain Blog Directory
All submission to the directory must provide a reciprocal link which will be checked before approval of your site. Their policy states that if you remove your reciprocal link you will forfeit your listing and be added to a permanent "Blogger Blacklist".
To avoid any mistakes read the submission policy before you make a request to add your site.
http://www.wilsdomain.com/add-url.html
40. Yahoo Search Directory
One of the largest and well known major search engine sites. Getting your site and blog indexed in the Yahoo direcotory will expose your site to a potential hundreds of thousands of news readers.
How To Suggest Your Site on Yahoo:
http://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.html
Yahoo News
For sites providing daily news updates only.
http://add.yahoo.com/fast/help/us/news/cgi_feedback
Recommended Resources:
How To Make Money From Blogging Without Writing A Single Word
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