Are you searching for the top plugins to enhance WordPress comments?
Comments are great for boosting user interaction and building a community. The basic WordPress commenting system is okay, but it’s pretty simple. Luckily, many plugins can make your comment section more engaging.
In this article, we’ll show you some of the best WordPress comment plugins to enhance the default comment section and increase interactions on your site.
Why Use WordPress Comment Plugins?
The standard WordPress comment system lets users leave comments and reply to others. While this is useful, it can be improved. If you’re a WordPress blogger wanting to grow your audience, you’ll need extra tools to make commenting more fun, exciting, and user-friendly.
You might need tools to stop spam comments and protect users from harmful links. Or, you might want to direct commenters to another page to keep them on your site longer.
We tested these plugins by installing each on our test site to explore their pros, cons, and features. This helped us recommend only the best WordPress comment plugins.
Let’s explore the best plugins to enhance your WordPress comments and improve user experience.
1. Thrive Comments
Thrive Comments by Thrive Themes is the best comment plugin we tried. It offers easy moderation features and post-comment actions that can turn commenters into leads or customers.
- Pros:
- Keyboard-controlled moderation to manage comments quickly.
- Post-comment actions to keep users on your site longer.
- Engagement features like upvotes, likes, and reward badges.
- Users can subscribe to comment replies.
- Cons:
- No free version.
Why Thrive Comments: It has everything needed to build an engaged and interactive community on your WordPress site.
2. Comment Moderation Role by WPBeginner
This plugin creates a ‘WPB Comment Moderator’ role in WordPress, allowing specific users to moderate comments without accessing other admin areas.
- Pros:
- Free and easy to set up.
- Grants access to the Comments page only, keeping your site secure.
- Cons:
- Limited to comment moderation.
Why Comment Moderation Role: Perfect for teams needing a specific comment moderator role.
3. SearchWP
SearchWP helps users search through long comment threads to find information. It adds a search form to your comment section.
- Pros:
- Multiple ways to add a search engine.
- Accurate search results.
- Search analytics to track popular search terms.
- Cons:
- The main plugin is not free.
Why SearchWP: Makes blog comments searchable, improving user navigation.
4. Uncanny Automator
Uncanny Automator creates automated workflows for post-comment actions, like sending notifications or coupons.
- Pros:
- Easy drag-and-drop workflow builder.
- Many customization options.
- Integrations with 150+ plugins and apps.
- Free version available.
- Cons:
- Higher costs after the first year for paid plans.
Why Uncanny Automator: Automates post-comment actions, keeping users engaged.
5. Better Notifications for WP
This plugin allows you to send email notifications to commenters about new replies.
- Pros:
- Easy to set up notifications.
- Customizable rules for email recipients.
- Cons:
- Possible email delivery issues.
Why Better Notifications for WP: Boosts engagement by notifying users of new replies.
6. WP Mail SMTP
WP Mail SMTP ensures your WordPress emails, including comment notifications, are delivered successfully.
- Pros:
- Free version improves email deliverability.
- Integrates with top mail service providers.
- Easy setup for Gmail SMTP.
- Cons:
- Initial setup can seem complex.
Why WP Mail SMTP: Ensures comment-related emails are received, increasing engagement.
7. Akismet
Akismet is a popular anti-spam plugin that filters out spammy comments.
- Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Automatic spam deletion.
- Detailed spam blocking stats.
- Cons:
- Sometimes flags genuine comments as spam.
Why Akismet: Effectively combats spam, maintaining a positive user experience.
8. Comment Link Remove and Other Comment Tools
This plugin removes the ‘Website URL’ field and hyperlinks in comments to prevent spammy links.
- Pros:
- Easy setup.
- One-click comment deletion options.
- Premium features for added functionality.
- Cons:
- May not work if your theme modifies standard comment functions.
Why Comment Link Remove: Removes spam links easily without coding.
9. Comment Edit Core
Comment Edit Core allows users to edit their comments within a specified time limit.
- Pros:
- Customizable timer formats.
- Theme options for comment editor.
- Pro features for more customization.
- Cons:
- Limited support for the free version.
Why Comment Edit Core: Enhances user experience by allowing comment edits.
10. Comments Extra Fields
This plugin adds custom fields to the comment form, making it more interactive.
- Pros:
- Beginner-friendly interface.
- Multiple field options.
- 10-day money-back guarantee for the premium version.
- Cons:
- Free version has limited field options.
Why Comments Extra Fields: Adds custom fields to make the comment section more engaging.
11. wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz is an AJAX-powered comment plugin with unique features like inline commenting and live notifications.
- Pros:
- Real-time comment notifications.
- Performance optimization features.
- Various add-ons.
- Cons:
- Live updates can slow down sites on shared hosting.
Why wpDiscuz: Powerful free option with unique engagement features.
12. WP Reactions
WP Reactions adds emoji reaction buttons to your comment section.
- Pros:
- Easy drag-and-drop editor.
- Animated emojis.
- Dashboard analytics.
- Cons:
- Free version has limited emojis.
Why WP Reactions: Easy way for users to engage with your content without typing comments.
13. Super Socializer
Super Socializer adds social login options and social commenting to your WordPress site.
- Pros:
- Multiple social login options.
- Customizable social icons.
- Social sharing features.
- Cons:
- Can slow down your site.
Why Super Socializer: Makes commenting faster and easier with social logins.
14. YITH WooCommerce Advanced Reviews
This plugin enhances WooCommerce review sections with features like photo uploads and helpful review markers.
- Pros:
- Review upvotes/downvotes.
- Customizable review section.
- Cons:
- Dependent on other YITH plugins.
- No free version.
Why YITH WooCommerce Advanced Reviews: Optimizes product reviews for better social proof.
15. Lazy Load for Comments
This plugin adds lazy loading to your comment section, improving page load time.
- Pros:
- Free and simple to use.
- Supports popular themes.
- Translation ready.
- Cons:
- Only useful for lazy loading.
Why Lazy Load for Comments: Simple solution for faster page load times with many comments.
16. Comment Hacks
Comment Hacks enables a comment policy and other moderation features.
- Pros:
- Comment policy feature.
- Minimum/maximum comment length settings.
- Redirection for first-time commenters.
- Cons:
- Only warns about comment length after posting.
Why Comment Hacks: Helps maintain a positive comment section by enforcing rules.
What Is the Best WordPress Comment Plugin?
Thrive Comments is the best overall WordPress comment plugin. It offers moderation, interaction features, and conversion tools. Though it’s paid, it’s a great investment for bloggers wanting an engaged audience.
Try out the various plugins to see which best fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are comments important for SEO?
Yes, they show search engines that people like and engage with your brand, adding value to your articles.
Is it okay to disable your comment section?
If you aim to build a following, keep it enabled for better user engagement and SEO.
Is the Disqus comment system good for SEO?
Generally, yes, but Disqus has issues with inserting unauthorized affiliate links and sponsored comments, which can hurt your SEO.
