Why Is It Called Spam Anyway?
Posted By Kristabella on February 22, 2009
Am I the only one who goes through their spam comments? I usually do it every time I log in. They get automatically deleted after a period of time, but every now and then some actual non-spam comments get put into my spam folder. So I usually go through just to make sure I didn’t miss any real comments.
WordPress has a pretty good spam filter. It catches most everything. Very few things slip through. The comments that do, are very hard to tell whether they are spam or not. Like maybe Jason from some sort of blog review site really does read my posts and enjoys my site. I mean, he did comment “congratulations!” on the post when I mentioned I’m buying a house.
But then Jason commented “congratulations!” on the post where I was pissed at my insurance company. With a link to a different website. And then all of a sudden Jason was INSINCERE in his well wishes for me and my new condo!
Who are these spammers? Why do they think that putting 300 links to your cheap online drug sites is going to get through a spam filter? I mean a comment with 300 different links to drug sites isn’t just throwing up a red flag. It’s like lighting that flag on fire and throwing it into a building full of gun powder.
Then there are the people who tell me what “impressive site” I have. And that they’ve been looking so long for a site like fullofsnark.com. And where did I get a domain name like that? And that they’ve been looking for months for a site that talks about exactly what I’ve been talking about. Really? You’re been searching the internet for a crazy cat lady spinster who talks about acid reflux? Really? You’ve been searching for someone who goes on an on about a folder named Bacon who predicts the future? Really? Well, that is AWESOME! And I’m happy that you have found me.
Or there are the comments that are a page worth of ??????????????? with links to something. I’ve never clicked through because if you don’t know what it is, what do I care?
The ones that get me are the ones that seem like real comments. They seem like the commenter has taken the time to read your post and showcase their reading comprehension skills by leaving a semi-intelligent comment. That is until I realize their name isn’t Chris or Stephanie, it is Chovhfrioenvjdfkl. Which really? Not even close to real. If you’re going to go to the lengths of leaving a not-outwardly spammish comment, couldn’t you save some time and call yourself Joe? Or Sue? Less keystrokes, spambot.
Many times, the spam comments will, make me laugh. Like this one, that was from Water Barrels:
Most people don’t realize that large pieces of coral, which have been painted brown and attached to the skull by common wood screws, can make a child look like a deer.JackHandeyJack Handey.
The best is I don’t even know what they were shilling. It wasn’t Viagra. Or Alli. Or some other drug. It wasn’t some sort or dirty, kinky girls website. But with that kind of unexpected, funny comment, I’d almost me tempted to click through. Or approve your comment.
Is this spam commenting a good paying job? Because I’m sure I could be good at it. I could make people out there think twice whether I’m a spammer or just a really weird commenter. Which is pretty much what most people think when I comment on their blogs anyway.
About the author
There are two different theories on why it is called “spam”:
1) It’s a reference to the Monty Python skit where the word “spam” is repeated over and over again
2) The messages are the electronic equivalent of throwing a chunk of SPAM into a fan and watching it spatter all over the place.
I personally think #1 is more accurate, but #2 is more poetic.
And I am not making this up.
Matts last blog post..In sunny Florida
All of my spam comes from Russia; I find that incredibly bizarre. How do Russian spammers find MY blog of all things?
Most of my spam comes from a lady named Tatiana. Or Krystal. In my mind, they’re both whores.
Rhis last blog post..Enquiring Minds…
you are way cooler than i because i think i have only had one spam comment ever.
alexa – cleveland’s a plums last blog post..lots of randomness rolled into one
My spam comments are always about dieting/diet products. I’m starting to take it personally.
Mariannes last blog post..Busy Busy
Grrrr. That Jason makes me so mad!
tmcs last blog post..Shut Up! You’re ruining everything for me!!
I never get spam comments. I’m not popular enough for people to want to use marketing on my site.
slynnros last blog post..Because I Read My Google Search Terms, I Know What You Want.
let’s just say i’m a big fan of askismet. maybe even its biggest fan. just not in a freaky kathy bates ala misery sort of way. at least i don’t think. heh.
alis last blog post..an awfully big adventure (or: bomb. dropped.)
Surprisingly, the ones who are the most annoying like “WOWowwowo wowo wowlrd of warcraft” are the easiest to pick out
It’s the ones that are well written and hard to tell if they are spamming or not that I tend to reject.
Honestly, if they don’t write a response in ANYTHING I said in my post but is more general like “I think you’ll like this new site that tells you a lot more about etc..”
then I delete it.
Fabulously Brokes last blog post..Review: Garmin GPS nüvi® 255W
consider it flattery. Someone is reading your blog!!!
Sheris last blog post..Sickety Sick Sick
The “?????????” comments slay me every time! Because…WHAT THE HECK?
Angellas last blog post..The Office
I’m tired of this snuffling and sneezing,
Bronchitis and head colds with wheezing,
I don’t like to suffer,
I wish I were tougher,
But bring on some spring, ’cause I’m freezing!
I think spam is to comments like actual spam is to meat. It smells like meat, but when you examine it, it consists of lips and assholes, and will give you acid reflux.
witchypoos last blog post..GIST6
Spam Spam Spam Spam (singing)
I’ve only gotten one or two. They’re all Oh, this is a great topic, by the way we posted about this topic on Iamwhoringforbloghits.com
I try not to visit the blogs of those people.
Saras last blog post..Zorro the hippo finds home in sanatation plant
I have a feeling that you would be very, very good at writing comments profound enough that they wouldn’t be readily identified as spam. And honestly, do the drug pushers really think that that one comment regarding ED or arthritis will be the one where we decide to go to their website and order up some drugs from someone we don’t know?
TUWABVBs last blog post..Us
Have you noticed a huge (LIKE HUGE) uptake in the amount of spam you get? I used to check all the time for real comments, but now? I think there’s hundreds of new ones every day and it makes my eyes cross….
Rees last blog post..Mute Monday – History
In case I haven’t mentioned this lately, I LOVE THAT YOU HAVE A TAB LABELED BACON. Truly, it makes my day, every time.
Mooses last blog post..Things That Have Amused Me Recently
I rarely get Spam mail (thanks, Typepad!), but I do love to read it. It’s always so riduculous that it makes me laugh. And hey, people might actually have been waiting their whole lives for someone with a folder named Bacon…you never know! 🙂
La Petite Chics last blog post..On Ever After
When I bother to look through my spam I notice that it is very, very strange. And only a couple get through, they seem to be the clever ones.
nancypearlwannabes last blog post..Testing… Testing…
You must be getting good blog traffic to have regular spam coming in. I know it can be annoying, but it’s a compliment… in a way.
Stacy Quartys last blog post..SEPTEMBER- End of Summer