There's A Big Difference Between Likes and Comments

If you're like me, you've probably wondered why there are so many posts that say "comments and likes welcome" or "please comment."

Why do people want to know what we have to say about their post? 

There's a big difference between likes and comments: Likes don't put your thoughts on the table. Comments do. It's easy to give a thumbs up without saying anything at all. To know your engagers you need to find those that go deeper than just a surface level like. 

The difference between likes and comments

The difference between likes and comments is the difference between a wave and a handshake. Likes are quick, easy to do, but don't say much about you. Comments go beyond the surface level of liking something on social media, they show that you have an opinion and want others to know it, too. It's not just about liking what someone posts; comments also show support for their opinions as well! 

So when we're looking at how many people like your post versus how many people comment on it, likes can be deceiving because anyone can click "like" without having any real interest in what you're saying. Commenting requires more time and effort from followers because it takes them out of their feed-and for some reason showing personal interest.

 What's the best way to get more comments on your posts? 

That's a question that all marketers are trying to figure out.

The quick answer:

• Share content that is relevant to your audience, including things they enjoy reading about or have an interest in. Readers can't comment if they don't understand what you're writing about. 
• Publish blog post updates regularly so people know when something new has been published and it keeps them coming back for more information as well as keep their attention longer than just one article at a time. 
• Ask readers questions in the body of each post (have a clear call to action) so they feel like they're participating with you and that you want to hear their opinions and/or input.

Why you should care about the number of comments on your posts

It's been said that "comments are the lifeblood of blogging." But what exactly does this mean and why should you care?

Comments can be interpreted in two ways. First, they're a sign of engagement on your site. If there are more comments than posts, it means readers have found something worth discussing (or arguing over) with other people. Second, commenting is an opportunity to build relationships with readers - if they like what they read and want to see more from you in the future! 

What do you think about these observations?

Are there any additional benefits or drawbacks we've missed? Let us know in the comments below! (See what we did there?). Actually, email us info@stampede.social :)

Remember: It's not just about the likes.

Comments are an important metric to pay attention to on social media, and they can be a better indicator of your engagement with followers than simply looking at how many people like an update or photo. When you post something new, take note of how many comments it gets in comparison to the number of likes - this will give you a good idea if something is resonating well with your audience.

The more conversation that takes place around what you're posting, the better! Want to learn more? Email us.

Stampede Social is the only social engagement tool that gives brands and agencies meaningful, manageable, and insightful experiences on  Instagram. To learn more about Instagram and Facebook DM automation and more visit our home page / pricing page.  Agencies... contact us for a demo at info@stampede.social