So you want to leave someone a comment, tell them how amazing their quilt is, that they've used your favourite fabric and the colours dazzle, you type it all in, click Publish and there it is:
!!! the word verification screen !!!
We've all been there. It's so hard to read. How are you supposed to type what they're asking for?
The characters you entered didn't match the word verification. Please try again.
Frustration building?
Do you try again?
Do you delete your comment and forget it?
Do you struggle through, publish your comment and swear never to leave a comment on that blog again?
I felt all those things, and then three weeks into having my own blog, I read an article about word verification, and it was then that I made a terrible discovery - I had word verification switched on for my blog, too! I was horrified; I was one of those bloggers who make life more complicated than it needs to be. You don't send messages to yourself, so you'll never know unless someone tells you you're an offender.
How had this happened?
When you set up your blogger account, word verification is automatically set to Yes by default, meaning it's turned on. I set about turning it off (No) straight away and can confirm for anyone who's feeling a bit nervous about doing this that, to date, I have yet to be hit with a shed load of spam and/or robot comments.
When you set up your blogger account, word verification is automatically set to Yes by default, meaning it's turned on. I set about turning it off (No) straight away and can confirm for anyone who's feeling a bit nervous about doing this that, to date, I have yet to be hit with a shed load of spam and/or robot comments.
It's so simple to change it, so here's the tutorial bit:
You can get to your Design screen if you already have a blogger account. Once you're there, select Settings, and you'll be offered a list of options that includes Posts and Comments. Select this option, and below is a printout of what will appear on your screen. Just turn your word verification option from Yes to No and click Save settings.
That's it, all done, nothing too technical or painful, and I'm sure there's a whole heap of very grateful bloggers out there feeling much more inclined to leave you a comment ;)
A late post add-on:
I've had so much feedback on this post that most people aren't aware that word verification is switched on for their blog. If we come across it, why not leave the person a message telling them so, and then they can sort it out? It can feel uncomfortable to say it, but they may be grateful to be told.
Please feel free to pin this post to your Pinterest walls or share it on your blog - let's get the message out there :)
Click this link to see all my Tutorials, Hints & Tips.
A late post add-on:
I've had so much feedback on this post that most people aren't aware that word verification is switched on for their blog. If we come across it, why not leave the person a message telling them so, and then they can sort it out? It can feel uncomfortable to say it, but they may be grateful to be told.
Please feel free to pin this post to your Pinterest walls or share it on your blog - let's get the message out there :)
Click this link to see all my Tutorials, Hints & Tips.
