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Last year, ESPN.com caused quite a stir when the powers that be decided to switch from a proprietary commenting system to Facebook comments. As expected, the switch was met with a lots of anger and resistance. Also expected was huge drop-off in comments. Now that people have gotten acclimated to the new system, discussion on ESPN.com is arguably as vibrant as ever. However, Facebook comments have introduced an interesting element to the banter.
One of the reasons websites switch to Facebook comments is to make sure real people are commenting. (Of course someone can set up a dummy account specifically for outlets that use Facebook comments, but that’s too much effort for most people.) The idea is that people are less likely to leave spam and less likely to post viciously antagonizing comments if they’re posting as themselves. For the most part, this has worked over at ESPN.com. There’s certainly less spam (though you can always count on one of those “I make $xxxx a month working from home” posts) and the discussion is generally more civilized, but when things get nasty…damn.
Since ESPN.com posters can easily access Facebook accounts of other commenters, some of the replies can get nasty. The insults are more personal now that real information about posters is easily accessible. Facebook comments have led to insults about appearance, education, jobs, ethnicity, and more. While the trolling and hating has decreased, the insults have become way more personal.
As a frequent ESPN.com reader, I appreciate that spam has decreased through the use of Facebook comments. However, it makes me wince when I see bitingly personal insults over sports teams and sports stars. You can thank Facebook comments for that as well. It kind of makes me sad.
I know that many of you are also ESPN.com readers. Now that the site has used Facebook comments for several months, what do you think of the switch? Have you noticed any changes to the discussion? Leave a comment and let me know (please!).
I haven’t been on ESPN.com for a while (or whenever I am, I don’t read the comments), so I wouldn’t know if they’ve improved or not. Also, even though I do not have a Facebook account, I do make $89,372.12 a month working from home. It’s so easy! You can do it, too by going here: http://alturl.com/p749b
-M
Outstanding link job!