On WordPress, the scourge of spam is a well -known drawback … These unwanted messages can transform your comments section into real advertising panel!
Fortunately, there are several solutions to prevent spam in the comments on WordPress. Head on tools and good practices to secure your website and keep spammers away…
Use an anti-spam plugin for comments
First solution to implement: Install an anti-spam plugins. These extensions analyze and filter unwanted comments posted on your WordPress by relying on a database of behaviors known to be linked to spam or by following rules that you define. This automates the detection and deletion of polluting messages, without manual intervention.
Anti-spam plugins to try
AskiMet : It is the default anti-spam plugin by WordPress. It automatically filters suspect messages and places them in the basket.
Antispam Bee : A good WordPress plugin to avoid spam in the comments. It has very many sorting features to allow you to limit unwanted comments.
Cleans : an anti-spam plugin for WordPress which is not limited to comments. It avoids commands for WooCommerce, the use of comments or contact forms for robots.
Our tip to improve the performance of your anti-spam plugins: Test the sensitivity settings to avoid blocking real comments.
The advantages of anti-spam plugins
- Easy to install and use, without requiring advanced technical skills.
- Use advanced algorithms to detect and block spam effectively.
- Some plugins, such as Akismet, Antispam Bee or Cleantalk offer robust protection with regular updates.
The disadvantages of anti-spam plugins
- Risk of false positives, where legitimate comments are wrongly identified as spam.
- Dependence on an external plugin can make your site vulnerable in the event of a breakdown or security flaw
Configure a captha to fight against spam
Integrate a CAPTCHA into your comment section adds a layer of verification, which distinguishes humans from spams. Many solutions, such as Google Recaptcha, settle in a few clicks on your WordPress site to prevent spam.
Captcha plugins to try on WordPress
Advanced Google Recaptcha : The most popular Captcha plugin with its now classic “i'm not a robot”.
Really Simple Captcha : an extension of confidence captha designed by the contact creator Form 7.
Hcaptcha for wp : probably the most “strong” Captcha extension.
The advantages of Captcha
- Effectively blocks spams by adding a layer of human verification.
- Easy to integrate with plugins like Google Recaptcha, without requiring advanced technical skills.
- Can improve the overall security of the site by preventing automated attacks.
The drawbacks of Captcha
- Effectively blocks spams by adding a layer of human verification.
- Easy to integrate with plugins like Google Recaptcha, without requiring advanced technical skills.
- Can improve the overall security of the site by preventing automated attacks.
Activate the moderation of comments to prevent WordPress spam
This approach is to review each comment before it is published on your site. Manual moderation ensures that only legitimate and relevant comments appear, giving you the possibility of approving, rejecting or marking a comment as spam.
The advantages of comment moderation
- Offer total control over published comments, allowing spam to be manually filtered.
- Helps maintain the quality and relevance of the comments on the site.
- Reduces the risk of unwanted or inappropriate content published publicly.
- Add a touch of responsiveness to the responses to be given to legitimate and relevant comments.
The disadvantages of the moderation of the comments
- Perhaps time-consuming, especially for sites with high traffic with many comments.
- Delays in the approval of comments can discourage users and reduce engagement.
- Requires constant monitoring to prevent spam comments from being published before being detected.
Filter keywords or expressions
By defining a list of keywords or expressions often used by spammers, you can automate the rejection of unsolicited messages. Among the terms associated with unwanted behavior, we can cite: “Visit my site”, “Click here”, “free”, “Super article! (often followed by a promotion) “…
The advantages of filtering keywords
- Allows you to automatically filter a large part of the inappropriate comments, by targeting keywords or expressions commonly used by spammers.
- Offers personalization to meet the specific site needs.
- Allows you to save time by blocking spam without requiring manual intervention.
The disadvantages of filtering keywords
- Requires regular maintenance to keep filters up to date with new spam tactics.
- Risk of blocking legitimate comments containing keywords similar to those used by spammers.
- Spammers can adjust their language to bypass filters based on keywords.
Limit links in WordPress comments
By limiting the number of links authorized in the comments or by completely prohibiting them, you reduce the attraction of your site for spammers. This strategy decreases the volume of spam focusing on the creation of backlinks.
The advantages of limiting links in the comments
- Reduces the motivation of spammers because they cannot insert links to unwanted sites.
- May help maintain the safety of the site by avoiding malicious ties.
- Simplifies comment management by reducing the risk of unwanted content.
The disadvantages of limiting links in the comments
- Limits the capacity of legitimate users to share useful resources by including links.
- Some spammers can bypass this restriction using other means to promote sites.
- Can negatively affect the user experience by limiting their freedom to share external references.
Customize discussion parameters
WordPress allows you to adjust the discussion parameters to force commentators to be saved and connected, or require a valid e-mail address. These measures increase the effort threshold to post a comment, thus discouraging spammers and preventing automatic submissions.
The advantages of limiting discussion parameters
- Offers flexibility in the management of comments by making it possible to define specific rules.
- Can discourage spammers by making them more difficult for them to comment.
- Allows you to adapt the parameters according to the needs and preferences of the site.
The disadvantages of limiting the discussion parameters
- Can limit the participation of legitimate users if the parameters are too restrictive.
- Internet users can be discouraged to comment whether they should register or provide additional information.
- An incorrect configuration of the parameters can lead to unwanted consequences, such as reducing visitors' commitment.
Use black IP lists to prevent spam in WordPress comments
Blocking the IP addresses used by spammers is a proactive measure to prevent them from accessing your site. By adding these addresses to a black list via dedicated plugins or directly in the .htaccess file, you create an additional barrier against unwanted comments.
The advantages of using black IP lists
- Specifically blocks the IP addresses of known spammers, thus reducing the impact of spam to its source.
- Can be effective in blocking persistent spam sources.
- Offers an additional protection layer in addition to other methods of fighting spam.
The disadvantages of using black IP lists
- Spammers can change IP address or use proxies to get around the blockages.
- Risk of blocking legitimate IP addresses if they are shared or used by other Internet users.
- Requires regular update of black lists to remain effective against new spam sources.
Disable comments
Radical, but simple and effective method. Disable comments naturally prevent the arrival of spam on your WP site. To do this, just go to the options of your site.
Disable comments on the entire site
In Settings > Commentsin the section Default publication settingsjust uncheck the option Authorize comments on new publications. To deactivate them on old publications, you will have to go to the articles concerned.
Disable comments on specific articles or pages
Do you wish to deactivate the possibility of leaving a comment on a particular article which is affected by spam or on your old articles?
Just go to the page in question and uncheck in the options Comments.
Our advice to choose the WordPress anti-spam solution adapted to your site
Among all these methods to prevent spam in WordPress comments, which one to choose? First assess your specific needs and your level of tolerance at the risk of false positives or restrictions for legitimate visitors.
The ideal is to find a balance between safety and user experience, with the use of an anti-spam plugin and a captcha (not very complex not to hinder real comments), coupled with manual moderation. You thus ensure a dynamic and secure dialogue and discussion space for your visitors.
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