Do Comments On Old Answers Help With Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Comments on old answers can indeed help with search engine optimization (SEO), but their impact is indirect and depends on several factors:

1. Freshness and Activity: Comments can make older content appear more relevant and active, which can improve its freshness score in search engine algorithms. This is because search engines favor content that is regularly updated or engaged with, as it signals ongoing relevance and user interest.

2. User Engagement: Comments contribute to user engagement metrics, such as time spent on a page and interaction rates. High user engagement is a positive signal to search engines, indicating that the content is valuable and relevant to users. This can indirectly boost SEO rankings.

3. Keyword Diversity: Comments can introduce new keywords and phrases related to the content, enhancing the page's keyword diversity. This can help the page rank for a broader range of search queries, potentially increasing its visibility in search results.

4. Community and Trust: A lively comments section can foster a sense of community and trust among users. This can lead to increased repeat visits and higher click-through rates (CTR) from search results, both of which are beneficial for SEO.

5. Quality and Moderation: The quality of comments is crucial. High-quality, relevant comments can enhance the perceived value of the content, while spammy or low-quality comments can harm SEO by diluting keyword density and potentially leading to penalties from search engines. Effective moderation is essential to maintain the quality of comments.

6. Backlinks and Authority: While comments themselves may not directly generate high-value backlinks, they can encourage discussions and sharing, which might lead to backlinks from other sites. Additionally, commenting on other websites can help build backlinks, although these are often "nofollow" and less valuable than "dofollow" links.

In summary, comments on old answers can help with SEO by keeping content fresh, enhancing user engagement, and introducing keyword diversity. However, the benefits depend on the quality and management of the comments. Proper moderation and engagement with commenters are key to maximizing the SEO benefits of comments.