Below is my reaction to a comment here at Simply Blog. I’m not trying to throw anyone under the bus but wanted to use this situation as an objective lesson.
So, I will withhold the name and blog site of the commenter.
Hey XXX (so and so) You have a nice looking site my friend. I’m sorry to tell you this but I couldn’t approve your comment at Simply Blog dot net.
Just in case you forgot what you wrote:
here it is: balkjldjfldjflajdlfja come check us out! (again, I’m not trying to blast anyone)
First, you’re a first timer (visitor) and the only thing you did was plug your own site about a contest you’re throwing. This is known as spamming. By the way, best wishes with regard to the contest.
Second, you never responded to the blog post. When commenting on another blog (with the hope of someone returning the favor) try to add something to the discussion or simply share your opinion on the topic at hand. For example, Do you agree or disagree, why?
Third, if you ever, I mean ever- want someone to visit your site as a result of a comment, aka “Comment Marketing” you need to give a better effort than that. What do I mean by effort? Interaction, ask questions or share experiences that relate to the post. 
Lastly, thanks for visiting and I hope this helps you in your pursuit of online success as a young blogger. If you don’t understand my advice and need help with something- feel free to contact me. Cheers!
-Miguel
Blogging Ethics: Rules 2 & 3
2. Return a comment- in this case I did but via email. This is a given- you should reply to as many comments as time will allow. Consider dropping a comment on the reader’s site. Especially, if they’re a new visitor. Here’s an opportunity to learn about others in the blogosphere.
3. Leave a quality comment- contribute to the post or discussion because if you don’t it’s spam, and you don’t want the reputation of a spammer because you will be both ignored and exposed.
Have your say!
How do you handle weak comments? Share your methods and feedback.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t you hate when people do that? Sorry but that’s a slam-dunk delete right there.
Contest or no, in my book all they had to do was say something about the post in question, give a response of some kind and if necessary to include a URL, do it in your URL field… that’s what it’s for, silly people!
Sometimes the blogosphere can give me a headache!
Hi Miguel,
Good post. So far I have only had a positive experience with comments on my blog…including yours, thank you! I have a page dedicated to this subject. I called it “Blog Ethics and Participation Requests.” Pretty obvious stuff, but I have been told it helps clarify the commenting protocol.
As a blogger, it is exciting to receive comments and I like the interaction. I wish more readers would feel comfortable commenting and offering their point of view.
I think it is a lot like dancing at a party, no one wants to be the first one on the dance floor, but once somebody gets up, a bunch follow!
Luci Weston’s last blog post..Holiday Stress…Breathing Through Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa
Bobbi
Oh yeah, I should add that the person wrote back and apologized for everything. I was impressed because the individual handle it well- he or she was a good sport.
I agree, the blogosphere hands out headaches but it mostly enhances my blogging experience because of the amazing friends I’ve made and the helpful resources shared by many of those same people. Thanks for visiting and commenting! 
Luci
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the commenting experience here.
Blog Ethics and Participation requests, okay- I’m checking it out now. You’re right, I don’t mind being the first to comment but I’m sure people feel more inclined to comment once others have all ready done so. Yes, dancing… I used to be extremely shy as a child but those days are gone! 
Thanks for visiting!
-Miguel
Sounds like you’ve been Comment Burned one too many times! And you’re not going to take it any more!!!
Yeh, its quite comical sometimes. People seriously think that their irrelevant ‘PLUG’ is actually going to show up… But when a comment is blatant self-promotion, I feed it to Akismet.
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Shirley
For example, blatant self- promotion, crafty pop-ups and phony get rich quick if you only sign up for my new launch or course on how to make money. It makes me sick to see so many people talking about the same damn subject. It’s dull, boring and disgusting. They’re feeding off the dream of making money online, talking about how to make money with the aim of making money. Sounds wacky- did you follow that? No worries if you didn’t, I’m not sure I did.
Thanks again for visiting.
-Mig
Hi, I came here through Robust Writing.
I once got a comment on a blog post of mine that said ‘Lol!’.
What I don’t seem to understand is why people leave a spammy comment like the one you got. There’s always an option to leave a link. And with widgets like commentluv its easy to get a little exposure.
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Samar
Okay, welcome!
I believe it… yeah, there’s a lot of things I don’t understand at times, about the actions of those in the blogosphere. Commentluv is pretty neat plugin- I’m a fan! Thanks for visiting and dropping a comment.
-Mig
Hey Miguel,
I know what you are feeling when you received such a comment. It is pretty common and we couldn’t really blame them on this. There are simply too many blogs on blogging niche telling readers that blog commenting is a good way to drive traffic without telling them the proper ethics. Thus they focus on quantity rather than quality commenting. Good to have you step up on this issue.
Cheers
Wei Liang
Wei Liang | Earn Money Online’s last blog post..Lesson 21: Blog Carnival
Hi Wei,
You’re right, this is one reason why I can’t see myself writing about how to make money- I’m not saying that won’t ever happen here or there but to solely focus on making money as the overall aim for my blog, not for me.
That niche is extremely crowded and with the masses wanting traffic so badly, people are willing to do anything- like dropping comments on as many sites as possible (a focus on quantity rather than quality). Joanna from Confident Writing is a good example to learn from when it comes to quality comments.
Lastly, I realize that taking on this issue will not make me popular or wealthy but that’s not why I’m here. I appreciate your support and feedback.
-Mig
I find my way to your blog through http://thoushallblog.com/.
I don’t approve all comments on my blog due to this same very reason. Some people are only commenting just to get backlinks and their name out there.
I often get mindless ‘looks nice’ “nice post”, “lol” comments and well that’s straight going to my bin.
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Hey Salwa
Thanks for visiting and sharing about your spammy experience!
I think I responded to your comment on another post by mistake. I was in Chicago the last seven days before today. Crazy fun… I there with you- I don’t have to approve every comment if I consider it to be spam. 
What will you do if you get a comment in another language, but the commenter didn’t spam your blog with any URL either in the location for website or in the comment box?
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Hi Smallblogger
What’s your name? I went to your blog, read the about page and still don’t know anything about you?
I would try to translate it- there’s services or even plugins out there that help you deal with situations like this accordingly. 
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
-Mig
HAHA… I laughed when I read this article.
I just delete those type of comments because I consider them rude and inappropriate. If it’s just an obvious attempt to add nothing more than a website plug, it’s not worth anything in my opinion.
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