One of biggest mistakes bloggers make today is the widespread use of no-follow links on blog comments and trackbacks.   Supposedly, no-follow links are designed to fight spam – deterring would be spammers from leaving comments on your blog.  Why be lazy – why not fight spam and reward a quality blog commenter with a Do-Follow link?

Successful bloggers know that quality blog comments – just as quality blog posts – are a great way to learn, network, spread ideas, build authority, share information, etc.  These are the ingredients of a successful blog.  If do-follow links increase the activity on my blog – I’m all for it.

 Sure, do-follow blogs will attract some spammy comments – however, if you’re looking to build a quality blog – aren’t you moderating your blog comments in a manner that only allows quality posts anyway?  If not, shouldn’t you be?  I do.

From my point of view – the readers of my blog and those who leave comments are my customers.  As long as my customers follow the comment policy – I want them to feel good, actually feel great about leaving a comment.  Who likes to get a link?  Everyone enjoys receiving a do-follow link to their site.  Personally, I enjoy leaving a comment – regardless of the type of link follow – providing that comment makes a contribution to the discussion.  When I get a do-follow link at the same time – I feel like an appreciated customer.   

It’s interesting to note a trend toward do-follow links on blogs – including a “do-follow” community of bloggers who only use “do-follow” links on their blog comments.  Perhaps this trend will continue – providing a higher quality environment for bloggers – while shifting the focus more toward fighting spam with more practical solutions.