Reply To Comments

Hi Rebecca,

FAA / Pixels search takes into consideration many different factors when determining the sort order of the images.

It takes into consideration:

1. The relevance of your image keywords
2. The number of times an image has been sold
3. The number of times an image has been favorited
4. The number of times an image has been commented on
5. How long an image has been on the site
6. The number of times an image has been featured in a group
etc...

There are more than 25 different criteria that the search engine evaluates.

There are far better ways of using your time. For instance marketing yourself off this site to try and get sales.

We don't count your replies on your own work. Only other people's. So replying is up to you.

Even if it is not a benefit I just think it is nice and polite to say "thanks" when someone comments on my photographic artwork.

I think replying has two benefits, even though the person who commented is not notified. Firstly it's, as John says, nice and polite, and should the person who commented ever come back to the image at least they won't feel ignored. Secondly, it sends the image to the Activity queue at https://fineartamerica.com/activity.html and so the image may come to someone else's attention.

They are notified, under activity.

https://fineartamerica.com/controlpanel/activity.html?filter=artworkihavecommentedon

I always say thanks for a comment. Here and on social media. They took the time, and I appreciate it!.

My thank you is not pasted in because I mention their names.

Every comment deserves a thank you.

I'm sorry, I used to, but now, because of time and tiredness, I'm not very good in replying.

I do comment on other artworks, though, and I think it is appreciated. I know I appreciate much more to receive a comment at one of my artworks than a thank you.

Although, it's true, good manners are always nice...!

Thank you for understanding, I do what I can!

I respond to comments if they seem informative; for instance, maybe an observation that might add new key words. If someone just comments 'lovely' or 'wonderful', I do not respond.

Sometimes when I comment on other's work, I ask questions to better understand their art, or location, etc. Occasionally, my questions are ignored (but most of the time, the artist responds).

RE:....4. The number of times an image has been commented on


Because of the above, I'm reluctant to comment directly on an image page.

Although not as strong as in the early days here on FAA, what I call "Comment Phishing" still exists.

And I don't want to encourage it.


When an image does "Knocks my Socks Off".. I will comment on it here on this forum....And at times I put my money where my mouth is, and buy a print and even at times, buy the original

What Gill said.

@ David, I have seen the first 6 but would love to see the others :)

@ Gill, so true and I spend a lot of time marketing elsewhere. I only have so much time and energy in a day and that is why I asked. If it made some sort of difference I might try to fit it in.

@ Abbie, thanks for the definitive answer.

@ John, I think it is nice to say thank you or respond to real comments. You can tell who the heart felt commentors are & I try to respond to those comments even though I know that they will likely never even see my response. For those participating in the C4C discussions, leaving the "lovely", "nice work" comments, etc, I know that most have not even really looked at my work, I really don't have time for thank you comments. BUT I would find the time if it made a difference. In that case we are there on business.
No matter what I am doing and someone's work catches my eye, makes me stop and really look or touches me in someway, I always leave a more in depth comment to say so.

@ Jessica, I try to always respond to comments on social media. I feel generally those are sincere, thoughtful comments even if it's just "lovely".

@ LA Feldstein, Ditto unless I am participating in a C4C discussion and even at that, what I said to John on those threads applies.

@ Roger, exactly! if an image knocks my socks off, I will definitely make a real comment.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

I agree that commenting on comments from the regular everyday folks isn't necessary... with the exception to the one or two who actually looked into the image and pulled out those fine details and pointed them out.

A better use of time is to move onto another task that is more beneficial. And the promotional participators are doing that... with a few exceptions.

I agree too with responding to commentary on Social Media. I always do. Acknowledgement weight in that world is a different animal.

Balance is always the key.

I'm with Jessica, John, and others who reply to all comments. When comment is simple, so's my thanks. When comment is more elaborate, my thanks will probably, too. It really doesn't take very long and I think it's the thoughtful thing to do.

I would love to have the time to respond. I just don't, and then, when i do, i forget. Occasionally i get time and remember... That's when you may get thanked 6 months in the future.

If i could turn off commenting i would. Rather that than to be told I'm rude for not answering.

I agree with what various people here have said. I don't participate in the C4C threads anymore mainly because I found myself often leaving very simple comments like "nice shot" or "great work". When see those types of comments on my own work, I assume they're there for the same reason, and I don't reply to them. But on the other hand, when I see an image that really catches my eye, I'll leave a more substantial comment that at least lets the artist know that I looked at the image. Similarly, if someone leaves such a comment on my own work, I'll reply.

One thing I can't recall ever doing is looking at my activity feed, so I've never seen a notification when someone replies to a comment I left, whether it's a comment on their image or a reply to one of my replies on my own image.

Abbie, but everyone knows how busy you are, I'm sure nobody would think you are rude! :)

I don't reply to the "congratulations your image has been featured on...." types of comments. I do reply to comments from others. If they took the time to leave a comment I feel I should be willing to take the time to thank them for it.

I spent years commenting on every single comment made on my images, but eventually it just became much too overwhelming to try to keep up with that. Now I only respond when I'm so inspired. That isn't likely to ever be in response to a generic comment and definitely never a "congrats on your sale" fishing expedition.

I am wondering however, why some people think that regular comments are worthy of a response but those made by the group admins who work tirelessly as volunteers to publicize your artwork do not. That logic confuses me. And no I am not an admin, nor have I ever really been one (I only filled in very briefly as one once).

I doubt it's enough to make a significant difference, otherwise they wouldn't let people game the algorithm like they're attempting to do.

I try to say thanks for most comments and many times I'll comment on their work in return, but I don't expect the same from others. I know it can be time consuming and I may not have time for it in the future.

I always reply to each comment I get, both here and on social media. I don't think it helps with visibility on this site but I think it's the polite thing to do since they took the time to comment. It also looks bad if a potential buyer gets the impression that you don't appreciate those who appreciate your work.

I quit participating in the C4C threads for the same reason that John mentioned. I made this decision when I felt that the comments weren't really promoting my work. Most of the images I sell have never been commented on and I felt it was not the comments that were getting my image seen. I also quit promoting other people's work when I didn't even have the time to promote my own work in the way it should be promoted.

I have never, ever traded a comment with anybody. I have never, ever done a follow-for-follow. Doing that tells you nothing about the quality of your work, it only provides a false sense of security. People who comment on work in the sole hope of receiving a comment on theirs don't help the matter. I need to know what I get right so I can keep getting better at what it is I does and I do what I can not to interfere with those numbers.