The $100 MBA Show
Episode: MBA2267 - Why Blog Comments Are Dead + Free Ride Friday
Host: Omar Zenhom
Release Date: March 17, 2023

Introduction

In episode MBA2267 of The $100 MBA Show, host Omar Zenhom delves into the evolving landscape of blogging, particularly focusing on the decline of blog comments. Alongside actionable business insights drawn from his extensive entrepreneurial experience, Omar also conducts the popular segment, Free Ride Friday, where listeners have a chance to win valuable business resources.

Why Blog Comments Are Dead

The Golden Era of Blog Comments

For over a decade, blog comments served as a cornerstone for online engagement. They allowed readers to interact, share feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions directly beneath blog posts. Omar reflects, “Blog commenting and comments under blog posts were the norm. It was the standard for years and it was for good reason” (04:15).

The Downside: Spam and Security Risks

However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Omar explains that advanced bots and malicious actors have exploited the comment sections, leading to rampant spam and security threats. “Spam. Bad actors, hackers, spammers... creating sophisticated bots to spam people's websites,” he states (05:00). These automated threats not only clutter comment sections with irrelevant or harmful content but also pose significant security risks, often overwhelming blog owners with the task of constant moderation.

Negative Impact on SEO

Contrary to the earlier belief that comments enhance SEO through keyword-rich interactions, Omar highlights a different reality. “It's hurting your SEO... commenting sections take a while to load, reducing your load speed for your entire page” (05:45). Slow page load times negatively affect search engine rankings, making blog comments a liability rather than an asset.

Resource-Intensive Moderation

Beyond technical issues, managing a comment section demands considerable time and effort. Omar notes, “You still have to moderate these comments and make sure that they are not nasty and that they're on brand with your business” (06:10). For many business owners, the return on investment from maintaining a comment section does not justify the resources expended.

The Rise of Social Media as the New Town Square

As blog comments decline, social media platforms have emerged as the new venues for audience engagement. Omar points out, “Social media has now become basically the town square where people have these conversations they used to have on blogs” (06:45). Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube offer more controlled environments for interaction, with built-in tools to manage and filter out unwanted content effectively.

Shifting Blogging Strategies

Emphasis on Quality Content

With comments out of the equation, bloggers are redirecting their focus toward creating richer, more in-depth content. Omar observes, “The best thing about blogging is the content marketing is getting people to come to your website through a Google search, finding the answers to their questions through your blog posts” (07:30). This shift has led to longer blog posts, often doubling in length from 700 to 1500 words, to provide comprehensive value to readers.

Monetizing Engagement through Private Communities

Innovative businesses are finding ways to maintain engagement without open comment sections by leveraging private communities. Omar explains, “Some are putting a paywall in front of this community... it's like a one-time fee to join the community or a very small monthly fee” (07:50). This approach filters out spammers and attracts serious, high-quality participants. By requiring a minimal financial commitment, businesses ensure that their community members are genuinely interested and willing to contribute meaningfully.

Benefits of Private Communities

Private communities offer several advantages:

• Enhanced Engagement: Members are more likely to participate actively and constructively.
• Value Exchange: A small fee creates a sense of ownership and commitment among members.
• Better Moderation: Controlled environments make it easier to manage and curate discussions.

Omar concludes, “We value what we pay for and I love this idea” (08:20), emphasizing the effectiveness of this model in fostering productive business discussions.

Exceptions: Media and Content-Centric Platforms

While most blogs are moving away from open comments, certain types of content still thrive with active comment sections. Media blogs, such as those focusing on news, sports, politics, or celebrity updates, continue to benefit from reader interactions. Omar notes, “If you're in the media, meaning you're like a news blog... commenting is still alive and well and the trade-offs are worth it” (09:10). Similarly, platforms like YouTube maintain active comment sections as part of their engagement strategy, aligning with the media-centric model.

Free Ride Friday

In the Free Ride Friday segment, Omar celebrates community members by announcing a giveaway. This week, Shamina Taylor wins a lifetime membership to Omar’s Automated Webinar Challenge, a 30-day course designed to help entrepreneurs build automated systems for generating leads and sales. Shamina’s enthusiastic review highlights the podcast’s impact: “Your beliefs around business and success will ultimately determine your outcome... I highly recommend it to anyone” (10:05).

To participate in future giveaways, listeners are encouraged to leave an Apple Podcast rating and review, entering the weekly draw for a chance to win valuable business resources.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Omar wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of adaptability in business. “Business, especially online business, is constantly evolving... when something's not serving you anymore, there's no reason to continue to do it” (11:20). He urges entrepreneurs to continuously evaluate their strategies, ensuring that their efforts and resources are effectively contributing to business growth. By shedding outdated practices like open blog comments and embracing new engagement methods, businesses can optimize their online presence and foster more meaningful interactions with their audience.

Key Takeaways:

1. Decline of Blog Comments: Increased spam, negative SEO impact, and resource-intensive moderation have rendered open comment sections less viable for modern blogs.
2. Shift to Social Media: Social platforms offer better-managed environments for audience engagement, replacing traditional blog comment sections.
3. Focus on Quality Content: Longer, more in-depth blog posts enhance SEO and provide greater value to readers.
4. Private Communities: Introducing paywalls for private communities can effectively filter out spammers and foster high-quality interactions.
5. Adaptability is Crucial: Continuously assess and adapt business strategies to align with evolving digital landscapes.

By addressing these points, Omar Zenhom provides a comprehensive analysis of the changing dynamics in blogging and offers practical solutions for entrepreneurs seeking to optimize their online business strategies.