It has been quite some time since we last addressed our comments guidelines. To give you an idea, the last time we discussed comments, the iPhone 5 was yet to be launched, Android enthusiasts were still using Jelly Bean, and Facebook had just gone public. In nearly five years, many things have changed, yet our commitment to our readers has not. With that in mind, we want to clarify some aspects, answer your questions, and set forth our standards for the comments section and our social channels. Grab a seat and read on to understand our comments and community approach.

Why Do We Have a Comments Section?

Comments sections often get a bad reputation; it’s no secret that many people advise against reading them. However, we have seen some truly engaging discussions in our comments, ranging from personal gadget experiences to in-depth technical analyses. We value having a platform for our readers to share insights that enrich our articles, uncover new perspectives, or help us correct inaccuracies.

While many publications have closed their comments sections or limited them to social media, we've decided to keep ours open. We recognize the importance of this space for our readers, which in turn makes it significant for us as well. To ensure constructive interactions, we have meticulously crafted our commenting guidelines.

Commenting Basics: Features and Functions

Let’s get into some technical details. The process of logging in and posting comments remains largely unchanged, but we have introduced a few new features worth mentioning:

• Editing and Deleting: You can edit or delete your comment via a drop-down menu that appears when you hover over the upper-right corner of your comment. To report someone else’s comment, hover over their comment’s upper-right area.
• All Links Require Approval: Any comment containing a URL will be held for moderator approval. This measure helps us prevent spam, although it may cause delays.
• Banned Words: We maintain a list of banned words that will automatically remove a comment. Although you cannot see this list, it primarily includes insults and profanity.
• Notifications: If you prefer not to receive email notifications about likes or replies to your comments, you can turn this off in your profile settings.

Commenting Basics: Behavior

Our primary rule is simple: "don’t be a jerk." Civility is essential, even when discussions become heated. Please refrain from being rude or confrontational. Everyone comes to engage with the community, not to be insulted.

Be patient and considerate; treat others with respect, including fellow commenters and our staff. We encourage civil discourse and mutual respect.

What to Do About Offensive Comments

If you encounter an offensive comment, please report it. You can find the report button by hovering over the upper-right corner of the comment. All reported comments are reviewed by moderators, and those that violate our guidelines will be removed.

Issues with the Article

If you notice an error in an article, such as a typo or incorrect information, please let us know by commenting with articleerror. This will flag your comment for our moderators.

Issues with the Comments Section

For technical issues with the comments section, please contact us via email at commentsupport@engadget.com with as much detail as possible.

Comment Deletion Reasons

While we prefer light moderation, certain behaviors will lead to comment deletion, including:

• Spam in any form.
• Profanity aimed at others.
• Discriminatory or hateful comments.
• Threats or encouragement of violence.
• Name-calling or insults.
• Unconstructive criticism directed at our team.
• Political or incendiary comments meant to provoke.
• Off-topic comments.

Articles Without Comments

We are not required to have comment sections on every article. While we prefer to keep comments open, there may be instances where closing them is warranted due to previous violations or contentious discussions. Treating each other with respect is crucial for maintaining an open comments section.

Censorship and Feedback

Commenting is a privilege, not a right. We strive to foster engaging discussions, and if comments are deleted, it’s to maintain a constructive environment. We welcome feedback but expect it to be respectful.

Banning Users

Users who consistently engage in trolling, harassment, or offensive behavior will be banned. This includes hate speech, personal attacks, and threats of violence.

In Conclusion

We are committed to improving the comments section for all users. By adhering to our guidelines and reporting inappropriate comments, you can help us create a positive community. We want our comments section to be a compelling reason to visit Engadget, not something to avoid.

Source: Engadget News