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Anyone been UNBANNED from Akismet blog commenting?

by Ellen C Braun
8 replies
Hey,

I outsourced some blog commenting backlinks, and the folks obviously spammed some blogs. Now, Akismet, which is the most popular spam-blocker on Wordpress, has banned my URL. Any comment that I submit with any page of my URL in the 'website' field (or even if I use my email address associated with that URL) automatically goes to spam and does not show up live as a blog comment unless the blog owner manually approves it from within their spam.

If you google "Akismet is blocking my comments" you'll find that this has happened to numerous people, and the only way out of it is to contact Akismet, which I did 3 times over the past 3 weeks.

Problem is that I still have not heard back from Akismet.

This issue is even affecting blogs where I've been commenting for year, and even when I comment on my very own blog! I think they may have banned my IP as well, because SOMETIMES when I use a different URL, the comment does not show up, sometimes it does. (I have no problem with Blogspot, typepad, etc.)

Anyone ever hear back from Akismet in this type of situation?

Or, do you know where I can find an old-fashioned PHONE NUMBER for these Akismet folks?

Thanks
#akismet #blog #commenting #unbanned
  • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
    It could be because of the recent holiday break.

    If you've contacted them 3 times already, maybe it is worth giving them another week to reply.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
    This sounds frustrating. Here's a possible workaround...

    Buy another domain name that's similar to the existing one and create a permanent 301 redirect to your real site.

    For example:
    If Raising Small Souls is banned...
    get and 301 redirect http://www.raisingsmallsouls.net

    Use that new domain on comments.
    Use a new email based on that new domain (email@raisingsmallsouls.net) that forwards to your real email.
    Recycle your home IP Address. If you're using Cable/DSL, just unplug your router overnight and make sure the number that appears here (What Is My IP Address - Shows Your IP Address) is different the next morning.

    Use the new credentials to comment again.
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  • Profile picture of the author bgmacaw
    Originally Posted by Ellen C Braun View Post

    I outsourced some blog commenting backlinks, and the folks obviously spammed some blogs. Now, Akismet, which is the most popular spam-blocker on Wordpress, has banned my URL.
    Sounds like you need to sign up your competitors for this 'service' to help them out as well.

    That's why you shouldn't outsource this kind of thing to just anybody to build links to any site you care about. I guess that's a lesson learned for you.

    But, you may be able to get back your ability to post comments. Contacting them helps but it may take a while to get reinstated. Since you were actually spamming it might be difficult.

    I've had this happen with two of my blogs. In both cases it was the result of malicious activity. The first time was some who I disagreed with flagging my disagreeing comments as spam (fun with politics). This reinstatement was quick. The second time it was someone else using a service like you did to get my site flagged as spam. This took a while but it was eventually straightened out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ellen C Braun
    Thanks, I appreciate your responses.

    I'll try contacting them again.

    If I do a 301 redirect, then if I use a URL from my new domain (which is redirected to a page on my old, banned domain) in a comment - does that give me more backlinks to my page on the old domain??
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  • Profile picture of the author Rich Struck
    Originally Posted by Ellen C Braun View Post

    Hey,

    I outsourced some blog commenting backlinks, and the folks obviously spammed some blogs. Now, Akismet, which is the most popular spam-blocker on Wordpress, has banned my URL. Any comment that I submit with any page of my URL in the 'website' field (or even if I use my email address associated with that URL) automatically goes to spam and does not show up live as a blog comment unless the blog owner manually approves it from within their spam.
    Hate to be harsh but this is how it should be. I spend a lot of time cleaning up the mess made by people who outsource links like this. Banning is quite fair, you've earned it. Sorry but it is true.
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  • Profile picture of the author satrap
    Ellen, I hope you do hear from them, but good luck with that. In my situation, when I first started last year, I started commenting on blogs like crazy. I didn't use any software nor did I leave comments like "great post", I bookmarked you" and etc. But somehow (I guess because of the number of comments showing from url), I got banned.

    I contacted them many times, but never heard back. However, I do know a few bloggers who did hear back and got their account unbanned.

    But I can understand it. I mean, they ere dealing with hundreds if not thousands of spammers and of course a few legit ones will somehow get in there as well.

    I am actually very thankful to them for keeping my blog spam free (at least 90%).
    Anyway, if you want to contact them, here is the url; Akismet - Contact us
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  • Profile picture of the author Ellen C Braun
    Thanks, guys. I do understand Akismet's position, however I wish they would respond to me and give me another chance!

    I did unplug my cable modem overnight- but my IP has remained the same. What else can I do? I have comcast service.

    I am even getting comments that I post as the Admin on MY OWN blog going straight to spam, ROTFLOL!
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Ward
    I've also had 2 sites now be banned by Akismet, and I was just manually commenting with relevant responses to the blog posts. I emailed them over a month ago and got no response of any kind. What a huge pain in the... back.
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