Whenever I hear the word spam I think of the food spam. Devin actually likes canned Spam. I am going to be honest and say that I have never tried it, nor have I even seen it in person. I just know that most people I know think it is disgusting. I’m sure that as Devin is reading this, he has decided to fix this and we will be having Spam for dinner tonight. I’ll let you know what I think.
I already know what I think about comment spam. It is bad. And, tasting it isn’t going to change my mind.
New blogs are prone to spam comments. Obviously, you do not want to attract spammers. One of the VERY FIRST things you need to do when you start your new blog is activate the Akismet plug-in to protect you from SPAM comments. Akismet is a WordPress plug-in that filters your spam comments before they appear on your blog.
How to set up Akismet
Akismet comes pre-installed on WordPress (that’s how important it is!). To activate it, go to your WordPress dashboard and then Plugins – Installed Plugins. Akismet should be on the top. If there are any updates necessary, click update now.
To get started click Activate.
Once you get the response, Plugin activated, click the link Sign up for an Akismet API Key.
Then say goodbye to comment spam and click the Get an Akismet API Key, again. Lots of clicking.
This brings you to a screen to sign up for an account.
This is where I got slightly confused the first time I set up Akismet. Akismet uses a WordPress.com account to issue you an API key. If you don’t have an account set up already for your new blog, do so. You will also use your WordPress.com account to set up a Gravatar.
Next, will be asked to select your package. Akismet is free for personal blogs, and a small fee for small business blogs.
Once set up is complete, you will be given an Akismet API KEY. Don’t share this with ANYONE! That would defeat all efforts of protecting your site from spam comments.
Copy the key and then head back over to your WordPress dashboard.
Click the Akismet Configuration link under the Plugins tab on you WordPress dashboard. Paste your Akismet API KEY and then click update. You’re all set up!
If you have Jetpack set up, your Akismet options will be under that tab. If you don’t, Akismet will be under the dashboard tab. (Jetpack connects your WordPress dashboard with your WordPress.com account).
You can also see Akismet stats right on your dashboard page. Check frequently to make sure a legit comment hasn’t ended up in your spam queue (which is rare).
If you notice a specific spammer commenting every day, you can add them to your block list in the Settings – Discussion section of your WordPress dashboard.
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Hi Krisite
I am so grateful for your blog about to launch my website soon and your website is filled with great information! I am trying to install aksimet now and although you mentioned above that it is free, they seem to want to charge me for it? Any idea if they are charging for this service now?
I’ll need to go re-read their terms. It is free for personal use, but there is a small fee for services to use it. P.S. Great coming soon page! Can’t wait to see what you do with your new blog.
Hi,
I’m very grateful for your blog info, but I do have a question. I already have a WordPress and have installed the Akismet plugin, but when I try to log into my WordPress, it won’t let me. I accidently created another WordPress because of it. Did you have this problem too?
Thank you,
Heidi
Okay, so I feel a little awkward now realizing that the WordPress for my BlueHost is .org and the other is .com. My question is, if I’ve already started to upload things onto my .org, how do I connect them? Also, why won’t it let me use my own domain? They’re making me use theirs…Thank you for all the help you can offer.
Heidi
Hi Heidi, don’t be embarrassed, a lot of people actually have this same problem. I wish wordpress.com would change their name so it would stop confusing people!
Since you own your own hosting through blue host, you DO NOT need a blog though wordpress.com, you will need a wordpress.com account to set up akismet and gravatar, but it is not used for your blog.
Sounds like you still need to set up WordPress on your BlueHost account – not on wordpress.com
Skip down to step 4 on my start a blog series http://kristiehill.com/how-to-start-a-blog/ and install it.
Email me at kristie@kristiehill.com if you have any other questions or problems.
Question for you….do you recommend Askimet with Disqus?
No. If you have your settings right, it isn’t necessary. Are you having a problem with spam comments in your WP comments?
I’m setting up my blog next month and wanted to know if there was a way I could email with any questions and/or advice
Of course! Shoot me an email: kristie@kristiehill.com
I am just setting up my blog and trying to read all the information I can to help avoid costly mistakes. I knew nothing about this plug in and I am so grateful to you for taking the time to post about this.
It will help a lot, new blogs are prone to spam. Let me know if you have any questions for me while you set up your blog.