Managing WordPress Comment Systems

This article explains how to manage the comment system on your WordPress website hosted on Web60.

Enabling or Disabling Comments

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Click on Settings in the left sidebar
3. Click on Discussion
4. Find the checkbox labeled Allow people to submit comments on new posts
5. Check this box to enable comments, or uncheck it to disable comments on all new posts
6. Click Save Changes

This setting only affects new posts. Existing posts will keep their current comment settings.

Turning Off Comments on Individual Posts

1. Go to Posts and click All Posts
2. Click on the post title you want to edit
3. In the post editor, look for the Document panel on the right (if you don't see it, click the settings gear icon)
4. Scroll down to find Discussion
5. Uncheck Allow comments to disable comments on this specific post
6. Click Update

Setting Up Comment Moderation

1. Go to Settings > Discussion
2. Under Before a comment appears, you have two options:
   • Comment must be manually approved: Every comment waits for your approval
   • Comment author must have a previously approved comment: First-time commenters need approval, but return visitors' comments appear immediately
3. Choose the option that works best for your business
4. Click Save Changes

Managing Existing Comments

1. Click Comments in the WordPress sidebar
2. You'll see all comments with different statuses:
   • Pending: Comments waiting for approval (yellow background)
   • Approved: Comments visible on your website
   • Spam: Comments marked as spam
   • Trash: Deleted comments
3. To approve a comment, hover over it and click Approve
4. To mark as spam, click Spam
5. To delete permanently, click Trash

Reducing Spam Comments

1. Go to Settings > Discussion
2. Check Comment author must fill out name and email
3. Check Users must be registered and logged in to comment (this reduces comments but also makes it harder for legitimate customers to comment)
4. Under Comment Moderation, add common spam words like "casino", "poker", "viagra" (one per line)
5. Set Hold a comment in the queue if it contains X or more links to 2 or 3
6. Click Save Changes

You can also consider installing an anti-spam plugin through your WordPress plugins section.

Removing Comments Completely from Your Website

If you want to hide the comment section entirely:

1. Disable comments on new posts (see first section)
2. Go to Posts > All Posts
3. Select all posts by checking the box at the top
4. Choose Edit from the bulk actions dropdown
5. Set Comments to Do not allow
6. Click Update

For pages, repeat the same process under Pages > All Pages.

If you're still stuck with comment management or need help with spam issues, contact Web60 support for assistance.

FAQ

Q: How do I stop getting email notifications for every comment?

A: Go to Settings > Discussion and uncheck "Email me whenever anyone posts a comment" and "Email me whenever a comment is held for moderation."

Q: Can I approve comments from my phone?

A: Yes, you can access your WordPress admin dashboard from any device by going to yourwebsite.com/wp-admin and logging in.

Q: What's the difference between marking a comment as spam versus deleting it?

A: Spam comments go to a spam folder and help WordPress learn what spam looks like. Deleted comments go to trash and can be restored within 30 days.

Q: Why are legitimate comments going to spam?

A: This usually happens if your comment moderation settings are too strict, or if the comment contains words you've added to your moderation list. Check your Discussion settings.

Q: Can customers leave reviews instead of comments?

A: WordPress comments are basic. For proper customer reviews with star ratings, you'll need to set up a dedicated reviews system using plugins.

Q: How do I reply to comments on my website?

A: In your Comments section, hover over any approved comment and click "Reply." Your response will appear as a threaded reply under the original comment.

Q: Can I change who gets notified about new comments?

A: By default, only the site admin gets notified. You can change the notification email address in Settings > General under "Administration Email Address."