Every WordPress site comes with the Akismet plugin pre-installed, but it’s not activated by default. You might be wondering, “What is Akismet, and should I activate it on my WordPress site?”
In this article, we'll dive into what Akismet is and why it's crucial to start using it immediately.
What is Akismet?
Akismet is a powerful tool for filtering out spam comments on WordPress websites. Developed by Automattic, the same company behind WordPress, Akismet was founded by Matt Mullenweg, one of WordPress's co-creators.
This plugin uses advanced algorithms to scan your blog comments and filter out spam. Akismet’s algorithm continuously learns from its interactions and improves over time. For instance, when multiple websites report similar content as spam, Akismet learns to identify that type of content as spam in the future.
As of today, Akismet has filtered over 523 billion spam comments, and this number keeps growing.
Why You Should Use Akismet?
On high-traffic WordPress sites, spam comments can make up to 85% of all comments. This means that for every 100 comments, 85 might be spam. Manually filtering these comments can be extremely time-consuming.
That’s where Akismet comes in. The plugin automatically catches spam comments before they even reach your moderation queue. This saves you countless hours and lets you focus on moderating genuine comments from real users.
When Akismet marks a comment as spam, it doesn’t just put it in the moderation queue. Instead, it moves it directly to the spam folder, so you don’t see it unless you choose to review your spam folder.
How to Set Up Akismet in WordPress?
To get started, you need to install and activate the Akismet Spam Protection plugin. If you need help with this, check out our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Once activated, go to Settings » Akismet Anti-Spam from your WordPress dashboard. Click on the ‘Set up your Akismet account’ button.
A new tab or window will open with the Akismet pricing page. Akismet offers both free and premium plans. If your site isn’t commercial (i.e., it doesn’t have ads or sell products/services), you can choose the Personal plan. Otherwise, opt for one of the commercial plans.
For this guide, we’ll use the Personal plan.
The default price is $36 per year, but you can adjust the pricing slider to any amount between $0 and $120 per year, based on what you feel Akismet is worth to you.
You’ll also need to check boxes to confirm that your site doesn’t have ads, isn’t selling products or services, and isn’t promoting a business.
Complete the checkout process by selecting your preferred price and clicking ‘Complete Checkout.’
Next, you’ll receive an Akismet API key. Copy this key.
Go back to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings » Akismet Anti-Spam, and click ‘Manually enter an API key.’
A field will appear where you can paste your API key. Once you enter it, Akismet will begin protecting your site from spam comments.
You can also adjust Akismet’s settings to display the number of approved comments next to each comment author, review or automatically discard spam comments, and show a privacy notice under comment forms. After making any changes, click ‘Save Changes.’
To review spam comments, go to Comments in your WordPress dashboard and select the ‘Spam’ tab. If you find a legitimate comment marked as spam, click the ‘Not Spam’ button under the comment. You can also delete comments permanently or click ‘Empty Spam’ to clear the spam folder.
We hope this guide helped you understand what Akismet is and why it’s essential for your WordPress site. For more tips, check out our guide on how to create a free business email address and explore the best live chat software for small businesses.
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FAQs: People also ask on Akismet
What is the purpose of Akismet?
Akismet filters out spam from comments, trackbacks, and contact forms. It works by using data from all participating sites to recognize and block spam based on established rules.
Is Akismet a good plugin?
Yes, Akismet is highly effective. It employs sophisticated algorithms to detect and block spam, keeping your site secure from unwanted content. It's also user-friendly and easy to set up.
Does Akismet work without an account?
No, you need an Akismet API key to use the plugin. Signing up provides access to Akismet’s services and ensures smooth operation by monitoring and managing spam filtering.
Should I activate Akismet?
Absolutely. Spam comments can make up to 85% of all comments on busy WordPress sites. Activating Akismet helps you filter out this spam, so only legitimate comments reach you.
How do I use Akismet?
- Search for “Akismet” in the WordPress plugin repository.
- Ensure the author is Automattic and click “Install Now.”
- Once installed, click “Activate.”
- After activation, go to Settings → Akismet Anti-Spam to configure it.
Is Akismet better than reCAPTCHA?
Yes, Akismet offers broader protection compared to reCAPTCHA. While reCAPTCHA can secure individual forms and pages, Akismet covers your entire site, blocking spam from comments, forms, and more.
Should I pay for Akismet?
Free Akismet keys are only for personal sites. If your site includes ads, affiliate links, sells products or services, or is related to a business, you’ll need a paid plan.
Can I delete Akismet?
You don't need to delete your WordPress.com account to stop using Akismet. Simply cancel your Akismet subscription to discontinue its service.
What are some alternatives to Akismet?
- CleanTalk – Offers real-time protection against spam and malicious traffic.
- Antispam Bee
- Titan Anti-spam & Security
- Stop Spammers
- Spam Master
How do I know if Akismet is working?
To test Akismet, submit a comment with the text “akismet-guaranteed-spam.” Check if the comment is automatically moved to the Spam tab under Comments → Spam in the WordPress admin panel.
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