Should you add keywords to the name field when you leave comments on a blog?

Darren Rowse at Problogger asked that question of his readers last week.

Asked another way, should you just do what makes by far the most sense to me, should you you key in your name in the comment field labeled ‘name?’

People leaving keywords such as the name of their blog, which is full of keywords itself, such as Russia Law Blog or Missouri Injury Lawyer, is a real turn off to me as a blog publisher. Shows me the commenter is more concerned about getting SEO for their blog than leaving a comment of value to the discussion.

Looks like I am not alone in my feelings. Here’s a sample of comments to Darren’s post.

• If you leave keywords instead of your name, it looks like all you’re interested in is improving your search rankings instead of contributing to a discussion.
• It immediately turns off the reader from reading your wonderful prose and insightful analysis. Although it might increase viewership, it’s unnecessary and in my opinion unwanted.
• I can’t see any difference from SPAM comments and leaving a keyword in the name field.
• To leave keywords is the closest way to say: ‘Hello! don’t read my comment, I’m just another spammer!’
• As a webmaster that immediately comes off as spam to me, even if the comment is good or even insightful. I usually end up editing or deleting those types of comments.
• Comments are supposed to be for user contribution and opinion. There are plenty of places to build links, but spamming comments with keywords is not one of them. I hand edit the majority of my keyword-spammed comments, and believe everyone else should too.

Don’t be lame. Leave your name.

And from now on, no more comment spam by keywords in the name field around here. I’ll edit to insert your name, if I know it, or delete the comment if I don’t.