Websites using Disqus

Okay, let s break down Disqus:

What is Disqus?

Disqus is a popular third-party commenting system that allows website owners to easily add a robust and feature-rich commenting platform to their site. It aims to enhance user engagement and community building. Instead of managing comments directly within their content management system (CMS), website owners embed Disqus s code, which handles comment storage, moderation, and display.

Key Features of Disqus:

• Comment Threads: Nested replies, making conversations easy to follow.
• User Profiles: Users can create profiles, follow other users, and see their comment history.
• Moderation Tools: Built-in tools for moderating comments, including flagging, banning, and filtering.
• Social Integration: Users can log in with various social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Google), simplifying participation.
• Notifications: Users receive email or in-app notifications when someone replies to their comments.
• Analytics: Provides basic analytics about comment activity.
• Mobile-Friendly: Works well on various devices and screen sizes.
• Advertising: Disqus can display ads in the comment section.
• Community Building: Aims to foster engagement and create a sense of community.

Disqus Revenue Model

Disqus generates revenue primarily through two main channels:

1. Advertising: This is their primary revenue stream. Disqus displays ads in the comment sections of websites using their free service. These ads can be both text and display ads.
2. Disqus Pro (Paid Subscription): Disqus offers a paid plan, Disqus Pro which provides premium features like:
   • No Ads: Removing the ads from the comment section on your site.
   • Priority support: Dedicated customer support.
   • Advanced Analytics: More detailed reporting features.
   • Advanced Moderation: Additional moderator tools and options.
   • Custom Branding: The ability to add your own branding.

Alternatives to Disqus

There are numerous alternatives to Disqus, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Here s a look at some of the popular options:

• Native Commenting Systems: Many CMS platforms (like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla) have built-in commenting systems.
  • Pros: Fully integrated with your site, can be faster loading, no third-party reliance.
  • Cons: May lack advanced features, requires more maintenance, can require developer work.
• Facebook Comments: Allows users to comment using their Facebook profiles.
  • Pros: Easy for users to log in, leverages social network, good reach.
  • Cons: Limited customization, users need a Facebook account, privacy concerns.
• Commento: A lightweight, privacy-focused open-source commenting system.
  • Pros: Privacy-respecting, developer-friendly, open-source.
  • Cons: Requires server setup, less feature-rich than Disqus.
• Remark42: Another open-source, self-hosted alternative with a focus on privacy and performance.
  • Pros: Privacy-focused, self-hosted, feature-rich.
  • Cons: Requires server setup, might not be as user-friendly as Disqus.
• Hyvor Talk: A newer, privacy-conscious commenting platform.
  • Pros: Privacy-focused, fast-loading, user-friendly interface.
  • Cons: Paid plans can be more expensive than Disqus.
• GraphComment: A real-time commenting system with a focus on speed and efficiency.
  • Pros: Real-time updates, user-friendly interface.
  • Cons: Can have limitations in free plans.
• Coral: An open-source commenting platform developed by the New York Times.
  • Pros: Open source, good moderation features, designed for news publications.
  • Cons: Can be more complex to implement.

Disqus Pricing

Disqus offers a free plan and a paid plan (Disqus Pro).

• Free Plan: This is the most widely used plan, which is supported by displaying ads within the comment section. This plan provides the core commenting features like threads, basic moderation tools, and social login options.

• Disqus Pro Plan: This plan removes the ads, provides advanced moderation and analytics, priority support and custom branding, along with some other features. The pricing varies depending on the website s page views and specific features required.

• Pricing Changes: As of October 2023, it has been reported that Disqus is in the process of switching over to a metered pricing system based on website traffic. The pricing starts at around $12/month and scales up depending on traffic. It s recommended to check their official website for the latest pricing details as they can change frequently.

Disqus Customer Care/Support

Disqus provides customer care through a few channels:

• Help Center: A comprehensive online knowledge base with articles, tutorials, and FAQs that aim to answer common questions.
• Community Forum: A forum where users can ask questions, share their experiences, and receive assistance from other users and the Disqus team.
• Email Support: Disqus offers email support for both free and paid users, but response times might vary.
• Priority Support (Disqus Pro Users): Pro users get prioritized access to the support team and often receive faster responses.

Considerations When Choosing a Commenting System

• Website Traffic: If your website has low traffic, you may not need to pay for Disqus Pro. But, as traffic increases, the free version may not be adequate.
• Budget: Consider how much you re willing to spend and evaluate if paying for a paid service is worth the benefits.
• Features: Think about the features you actually need (moderation tools, user profiles, social login, etc.).
• Customization: How much control do you want over the look and feel?
• Privacy: If you re concerned about user privacy, explore alternatives focused on data protection.
• Loading Speed: Some commenting systems can slow down page load times so consider this when testing various alternatives.

In Summary

Disqus is a widely used and feature-rich commenting platform. It s a convenient option for website owners looking to easily add a robust commenting section without extensive development. However, consider its advertising model, pricing, and potential alternatives before making your decision. Always check their official website for the most up-to-date details on pricing and features.