Askimet is a spam commenting service designed to reduce comment and pingback spam. It checks the content of the comment anonymously with an online server, to determine whether it is spam or not.
All comments considered spam automatically placed by Askimet in a spam queue where it is held for a month and then deleted. You should check your spam screen weekly to make sure Askimet hasn’t captured any legitimate comments or pingbacks.
Setting up Akismet
- Go to Plugins > Installed in your Dashboard
- Click on Activate below Akismet
- You need an API key from WordPress.com to use Akismet. An API key is a string of numbers, letters and functions that act as a unique password so you can use this service.
- If you already have a WordPress.com account, your API key is listed on your profile page (Profile > Your Profile).
- If you don’t have an account on WordPress.com – Sign up for a username by going to http://wordpress.com/signup/.
- Go to your email account and click on the link in the email from WordPress.com to activate your username. Once activated you will receive second email which includes your API key.
- Copy your API key – remember don’t share your API key with others it is like a password (API keys shown here are examples only — they are not real API keys)
- Go to Plugins > Akismet configuration in your Dashboard.
- Paste in your WordPress.com API key, select if you want spam comments automatically deleted if older than a month and then click Update options.
- You should now see a ‘your key has been verified message’ – means Akismet is now activated on your blog
Checking your Spam Comments
You should check your spam screen weekly to make sure Askimet hasn’t captured any legitimate comments or pingbacks.
- Go to Comments in your blog dashboard
- Click on Spam to view all comments held in the spam queue.
- To approve any legitimate comments or pingbacks just hover your mouse the comment and click on the Approve action link.
