How to Remove Spam Comments on WordPress Sites (No Plugins Needed!)

Hello Reader,

I am back from our family trip to New York City. There were lots to eat and see and extended family to hang out with. I also sweated in areas of my body that I forgot could sweat. It was incredibly hot and humid; our kid did very well, despite the hellish weather. Now she wants one of these neck fans. (Too late, kid! We’re back in LA!) 😬

I once had a client that let anyone comment on their blog posts. Their web developer didn’t bother to ask the client if they wanted comments turned on. So any bot was able to register and spam every post. By the time they hired me, I discovered this: they had about 58,000 spam comments auto-approved. FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND SPAM COMMENTS. (Ask me which state this web developer is from. This is why my right eye twitches whenever I see agencies based out of this state do business.)

I’m going to share this tip on removing spam comments from your site from Alison Monday of Tiny Blue Orange. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Alison on a client site, and she’s someone to add to your “to hire” list, if you have a WordPress website.

Here is a simpler way of removing existing spam comments, without adding another WP plug-in. (From Alison Monday)

1. Go to Comments + review your pending list
2. Mark any spam comments that you see
3. Make a note of words or phrases that are used in the spam comments on your site
4. Go to Settings > Discussion
5. Scroll to Disallowed Comment Keys and put those words + phrases on individual lines within the white text box
6. Save your changes
7. Repeat these steps every week or month depending on how many comments you get

For step 5, for example, your Disallowed Comment Keys might look like this:

• bitcoin
• SEO
• high-quality
• off topic
• wow

Here are some other suggestions from Alison on her blog.

It’s too late for my client with the 58,000 spam comments. I have to use a plug-in to remove them all. But it’s not too late for you! OR… turn off all comments, especially if you don’t have the time to moderate or respond back.

Funding Opps

• ​O’Dell Women’s Center Foundation – Springfield, MA – Due 9/13/24 – Springfield’s first ever women’s center will award $5,000 – $50,000 grants to amplify the efforts of local non-profit organizations that advance educational and career opportunities for low-income women. Non-profit organizations that address obstacles facing low-income women, such as food insecurity and childcare access, will also be eligible for grant awards. Applicants are encouraged to attend a Zoom information session and Q&A on July 31st at noon.
• ​Access Granted – City of Frederick, MD – Due 8/12/24 – Frederick has allocated $400,000 to deploy as grants via ACCESS GRANTED. This funding is provided as part of a Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA-SLFRF.) ACCESS GRANTED is a grant initiative designed to support and empower small minority and/or women owned businesses. The program is available to both start-up and established businesses in need of capital for a defined project that will grow their business.

• ​Fast fashion… “more than 26 million tons of clothes are thrown away each year [in China]. I bet it’s just as high with the US. Doesn’t everyone wear old swag t-shirts as pajama tops?
• California already passed a bill for Right to Repair, and it looks like Minnesota followed suit!
• TikTok sees K-culture (Korean culture) double in spend $76M to $143M by 2030. Get on that Korean skincare, everyone!
• I had my first period when I was 13. I’d read about of Toxic Shock Syndrome regarding tampons from YM magazine around 14. I’m 48. Have menstrual product companies not learned to figure out how to make non-toxic tampons? You’ve had more than a lifetime! I recommend June menstrual cups.
• The history of the George Forman Grill is amazing!

I’m in the thick of the EMI program (Economic Mobility Initiative) for Los Angeles County, under LEEAF. It’s been an awesome experience. I’ve been teaching 5 marketing classes and I’m up to teach 2 workshops (social and AI) soon. This month, it’s been traveling to a couple of universities to teach in-person and teaching online. We’ll see where I end up next month!

I’m also back with the Entertainment Community Fund in late July, teaching a 2-day Content Creation Deep Dive for people who may want to pivot their creativity into becoming content creators for themselves, brands, and applying for new roles. This was born out of a need and urgency to create an income stream during the strikes last year. I’m excited to be invited back to teach this year!

On that note, stay cool and hydrated. Please let me know if you end up turning off Comments on your sites!

Chris

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