Blogger comments and engagement

Leave a comment on a Blogger blog from your Google account (that is, not anonymously), and you can be notified if someone replies to you.

That can lead to interesting exchanges, while enriching the blog.

But it has gotten harder to choose the "Google Account" option when commenting.

It's a case of some outdated technology in Blogger bumping up against modern privacy concerns.

Cookies

Blogger uses third-party tracking cookies (tiny bits of code stored on your computer) to identify you and connect you to your account when viewing a blog.

Today, though, third-party cookies are also used to track all kinds of information about you and your browsing habits. Browsers (including Google's own Chrome) block them by default.

The privacy concerns are entirely legitimate, but unfortunately this can break commenting on Blogger.

Someday Google (which bought Blogger in 2003) will revamp this entire blogging platform and solve the problem.

In the meantime, it is possible to whitelist (that is, give a pass to) Blogger on every major browser, with the regrettable exception of Safari (see below).

Unfortunately, the browsers all handle this differently. Some links below.

Limited use of tracking cookies

Chrome and Firefox both have options for whitelisting individual websites from the browser bar. You can toggle cookie blocking off to make your comment, then back on, easily.

• Chrome (scroll down on the page)
• Firefox (scroll up a few lines to begin)

On Safari, the only option is to turn third-party tracking for all websites on or off.

Microsoft Edge may ask you to allow tracking cookies temporarily, and has other options.

In all cases, you'll probably have to reload the web page for the new setting to be in place.

For other browsers, use a search engine to locate the instructions for third-party tracking cookies + browser name.

Some browser extensions, like UBlock and Privacy Badger, can also block these cookies. Just click on their icons in the browser bar and allow "www.blogger.com."

A permanent exception

On some of these browsers, you can block all third-party tracking cookies and create a site exception for "www.blogger.com" in browser settings.

That exception will allow you to comment using your account. It is permanent (unless you remove the exception).

Note well that the exception is for blogger.com, not blogspot.com. It's good for all Blogger blogs, even those on custom domains.

maky.orel/pixabay  

Privacy

The reason Blogger doesn't use cookies is not inherently nefarious. Cookies 20 years ago were another helpful web technology. Blogger is just behind the times.

Nonetheless, this is Google, about which people have feelings.

Allowing those particular cookies on my computer is acceptable to me. But you might reasonably feel differently. It's not my place to tell you otherwise.

All I'll say is if you want to be able to know when someone replies to you on Blogger, you can make this exception to your browsers cookie policies, temporarily if you like.

Then you'll be able to post from your account, and let the conversation flow.

I say it's worth it

If you want to engage online, it's nice to know if someone replies. It also facilitates conversation if others do it, too.

If you have a blog, and want comments that lead to conversation, it's a good bit harder.

Because, as you have no doubt noticed, this is a hassle.

Google is phasing out cookies, so perhaps the hassle will disappear. Today, all you can do is encourage your readers to post from their Google accounts, with all that entails.

If it is helpful, you can link to this post to tell them how they can do that.

PS Personally, I am grateful for all comments, including anonymous ones. Your choice.

I moderate them because of spam bots. Consequently your comments won't post right away. But I will get around to it!