Now that Akismet is charging…
Author: Babs
- Image by fullo via Flickr
Long recognised as an essential plugin for WordPress blogs and websites, and something we’ve encouraged you to activate, Akismet does a good job of halting spam comments. Indeed each time we install a new WordPress blog, we’ve include the activation of the Akismet spam filter as standard- it’s always seemed sensible, being pretty good at what it does, and already sitting there ready for it’s API key (which makes it work, basically).
But last weekend, for the first time, on popping to the Akismet site for said key, I found that they’ve started charging for any but personal blogs. Now this is fair enough, in the grand scheme of things – a good service is provided and they’re not running a charity, after all.
Now we need to know if it is still the best option for those of us running business or even non-profit WordPress websites or blogs (though they do offer the latter a discount). Is Akismet worth the $5 per month? Should we pay it anyway out of loyalty for a service well provided?
I did ask the fine folk at Akismet what will happen to existing accounts but have yet to receive a reply – it may be that we’ll simply find out in due course, perhaps when their next update is due, or they may just let it go – there are a lot of us! In the meantime we’re reviewing the alternatives and considering the best service to halt the waves of comment spam. It’s unlikely that any free service will remain so if the mighty, omnipresent Akismet is now charging, so that needs to be taken into account before changing providers.
We’ll update you further as we are able. And if you have thoughts, suggestions, ideas for this, please share them…
Babs
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thanks Babs, I was oblivious to this.
It's a fab plugin and does a terrific spam filtering job, I have yet to see better. Saying that I don't use it on all of my blogs, will have a look and see what I use instead.
Unusual or good marketing to charge per month? rather than outright buy the plugin? That I am not sure about.
[Reply]
Hi Babs,
I replied to the question you sent to Akismet support, perhaps you didn't receive my response. I'll include it below. We haven't changed our terms or pricing – Akismet has always required a paid subscription for commercial use.
Free API keys are still available – just click the Free API Key tab near the top:
https://akismet.com/signup/#free-api-key
The terms are the same as before. That is, free API keys are provided for personal and hobby sites; commercial use needs a commercial subscription.
[Reply]
Thanks Alex – your reply here is most welcome (email not received, indeed).
And thanks for clarifying that – I can quite understand Akismet making it more obvious now as it was easily missed before by many – even those of us that should know better!
I'm sure that $5 a month, as most of our readers here will come under, is well worth it.
Thanks again for clarifying.
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Oh dear, I am about to let my secret cat out of the bag. I don't use Akismet on my WordPress blog. Instead I opted to use the WP-Spam Free plugin. It has lots of options that give me more control over how spam is handled on my site and is packaged with a spam protected contact form as well.
Been using it for several months and really like the way it performs.
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Thanks Joella – this is just the kind of info we need – you really are an angel
I'm testing a few out on different blogs of my own, but having your feedback is useful.
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well it's more the service we pay for rather than the plugin. I am glad that it's now very obvious to new subscribers, and to be honest they're not running a charity, so why should it be free? Perhaps if bigger organisations charge a fair rate then the rest of us mere mortals will feel empowered to do the same
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