Why Do Spammers Love Your Comments?<\/h2>\n
Spammers love the comment section. Why? Because it gives their garbage links visibility and can even help them with SEO (but not in a good way). These bots (and sometimes humans) post links or shady offers trying to get free attention.<\/p>\n
Here are some reasons they target WordPress:<\/p>\n
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- Easy access:<\/strong> Open comment boxes are an open invitation.<\/li>\n
- Automation-friendly:<\/strong> Bots can leave dozens, even hundreds of comments a day.<\/li>\n
- Backlink greed:<\/strong> Spammers hope someone will click on their junk link.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
But we\u2019re not going to let them win.<\/p>\n
Step 1: Use Akismet (It’s Your BFF)<\/h2>\n
One of the best anti-spam tools for WordPress is Akismet<\/em>. It\u2019s made by the same folks who made WordPress. What\u2019s cool is that it works automatically to catch spammy junk and toss it in the trash.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how to start using Akismet:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- Go to your WordPress dashboard.<\/li>\n
- Navigate to Plugins \u2192 Add New<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Search for “Akismet Anti-Spam”.<\/li>\n
- Install and activate it.<\/li>\n
- Connect it with your WordPress.com account for free or premium protection.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Once set up, it\u2019ll quietly catch those sketchy messages before they ever show up.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Turn On Comment Moderation<\/h2>\n
You don\u2019t have to let every comment go live right away. WordPress lets you hold them in queue until you approve them. This gives you total control.<\/p>\n
To set moderation:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- Go to Settings \u2192 Discussion<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Under Before a comment appears<\/strong>, tick the box \u201cComment must be manually approved.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Now, nobody gets through without your thumbs up. It slows conversations down a tiny bit, but the quality boost is worth it.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/icon-browser-dev-tools-css-files-wordpress-page-source.jpg\")
\nStep 3: Filter Out Trashy Trigger Words<\/h2>\n
Spammers tend to use the same fishy words: \u201cweight loss,\u201d \u201ccheap loans,\u201d \u201cmake money fast,\u201d or endless emojis and gibberish. You can automatically send comments with these words to the trash or hold them for moderation.<\/p>\n
To filter bad words:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- Head to Settings \u2192 Discussion<\/em> in your dashboard.<\/li>\n
- Scroll down to the section called Comment Moderation<\/strong> and Disallowed Comment Keys<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Add all the sketchy words and phrases you want to block.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Pro tip: Look through spam you\u2019ve already received and start building a list!<\/p>\n
Step 4: Say Bye-Bye to Bots with CAPTCHA<\/h2>\n
Bots hate CAPTCHAs. That crazy little test \u2013 \u201cselect all the pictures of bicycles\u201d \u2013 works wonders for keeping automated trash out.<\/p>\n
You can use plugins like:<\/p>\n
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- reCAPTCHA by Google<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Human Presence<\/strong><\/li>\n
- WPForms + CAPTCHA<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Users might get slightly annoyed at solving a puzzle, but it\u2019s a small price for a spam-free zone.<\/p>\n
Step 5: Limit Links in Comments<\/h2>\n
Spam almost always includes a link. Sometimes many links. You can limit how many are allowed in a comment, even if it’s just one or none.<\/p>\n
To do this:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- Go to Settings \u2192 Discussion<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Find the section that says Comment Moderation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Set \u201cHold a comment in the queue if it contains or more links\u201d depending on how strict you want to be.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Set it to 1<\/strong> to be tough, or 2\u20133<\/strong> for more relaxed vibes.<\/p>\n
Step 6: Use a Comment Plugin (Bonus Features!)<\/h2>\n
The default WordPress comment system is okay, but not perfect. Comment plugins can give you extra protection and cool features like upvoting, user logins, and better notifications.<\/p>\n
Some awesome comment plugins to try:<\/p>\n
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- wpDiscuz<\/strong> \u2013 Looks sleek, adds AJAX magic, and fights spam.<\/li>\n
- Jetpack Comments<\/strong> \u2013 From WordPress creators. Social login + spam tools.<\/li>\n
- Thrive Comments<\/strong> \u2013 Premium plugin with moderation workflows and engagement features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Just be careful not to install too many plugins. Pick one great one and stick with it.<\/p>\n
Step 7: Close Older Comments<\/h2>\n
Spam often attacks older posts that you\u2019ve forgotten about. Limiting how long comments stay open will keep spammers out.<\/p>\n
To close comments after a certain number of days:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to Settings \u2192 Discussion<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Check the setting Automatically close comments on articles older than X days<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Set it to 14\u201330 days \u2013 that\u2019s usually enough for real conversation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
This trick is easy and really effective.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/the-word-community-written-in-white-on-a-black-background-community-online-forum-blog-discussion.jpg\")
\nStep 8: Block IP Addresses<\/h2>\n
If you’re seeing lots of spam from the same user or region, you can block their IP. It\u2019s not foolproof (spammers can switch IPs), but it can calm the flood temporarily.<\/p>\n
How to block IPs:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- Find the spam comment in your dashboard.<\/li>\n
- Hover and click \u201cEdit\u201d to see the IP address of the comment.<\/li>\n
- Add that IP to your Discussion \u2192 Comment Blacklist<\/strong> or use a security plugin like Wordfence.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Step 9: Make Commenting a Privilege<\/h2>\n
You can limit who comments to people who\u2019ve registered. Or who\u2019ve had a previously approved comment. It makes things feel more like a community and less like a spamfest.<\/p>\n
In your settings:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- Check the setting Automatically close comments on articles older than X days<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Jetpack Comments<\/strong> \u2013 From WordPress creators. Social login + spam tools.<\/li>\n
- Find the section that says Comment Moderation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Human Presence<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Scroll down to the section called Comment Moderation<\/strong> and Disallowed Comment Keys<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Under Before a comment appears<\/strong>, tick the box \u201cComment must be manually approved.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Automation-friendly:<\/strong> Bots can leave dozens, even hundreds of comments a day.<\/li>\n