How to deal with comment spam in WordPress?

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To deal with comment spam in WordPress, you can use a variety of methods:

  • Use an Anti-Spam Plugin: Install a plugin like CleanTalk that provides real-time protection, automated filtering, and blacklisting or whitelisting IPs.
  • Disable Anonymous Comments: Require users to provide identifiable information, which can deter spam and abusive behavior.
  • Moderate Comments: Limit the number of links in a comment or add a list of spammy words that send the comment to the moderation queue.
  • Implement reCAPTCHA: Add a test that asks users to prove they are human, which can prevent automated spam bots from commenting.
  • Use Third-Party Comment Sites: Integrate a service like Disqus to manage comments and spam filtering without affecting your server.
  • Prevent Trackbacks and Pingbacks: Disable the notification system that allows other sites to link to your blogs, which can be a source of spam.
  • Stop Imposter Comments: Use third-party comment sites or Facebook comments to ensure that only valid users can post comments.
  • Disable Comments Entirely: If you don’t want comments at all, you can disable them in the WordPress settings.
  • Turn Off Anonymous Comments: Require visitors to provide their name and email, making it harder for bots to leave automated comments.
  • Enable Comment Moderation: Manually approve each comment or set up a moderation queue based on certain criteria.
  • Create a List of Blacklisted Words: Block comments containing specific words or phrases that are commonly used by spammers.
  • Reduce or Ban Links in Comments: Limit the number of links allowed in a comment or ban comments with links entirely.
  • Allow Comments from Registered Users Only: Restrict commenting to users who are registered and logged in.
  • Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a WAF like Cloudflare to block and filter out bad proxy traffic and bots.

Each method has its own advantages and potential drawbacks, so consider your specific needs and the nature of your website when deciding which methods to use.

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