International Trade

Online magazine Suite101 implemented a feature that enables readers to post comments. Since then, page views for our international trade site are up about 9%.

In the 18 day period after comments went live, international trade received 59 comments. As the feature writer for this site, I've allowed 27 comments to be posted while deleting 32.

Guidelines for Comment Moderation

Creating a comment doesn't necessarily guarantee online publication.

Management has given us explicit instructions to delete comments that are spam, sales pitches, libelous, multiple postings, or contain abusive language. That code of conduct also requires that Suite101 writers act as professionally and diplomatically as possible when encountering contentious material.

Bear in mind that typically Suite101 writers will not respond to your comments. Also, comments must be text-only so links are images are excluded.

Examples of Good Comments

We received the most positive affirmations for Brazil's Trade Buddies. Comments range from "This article gives some trade information about Brazil - which is what I have been looking for, thanks" to "Very good! I Learned alot from reading this! thank you very much."

We also received compliments on how informative our international trade site is.

Constructive criticism is also welcome. For example, one reader tactfully pointed out that our article on Eastern European Dental Tourism did not address the quality or durability of dental materials used in low-cost countries.

Examples of Bad Comments

We will instantly delete any comments that are rude, insensitive or obscene. Can you imagine a newspaper editorial page including swear words or random rantings? We also delete meaningless comments like "wow i dotn no what to say" since these add little to the content or professionalism of our site.

UPDATE: We disabled comments on May 14, 2008 due to profanity.