Quoting User's Comments

Is it ok to anonymously, publicly, quote user's comments without permission

[Made In Sheffield]

At the end of articles on my site I have a feedback form (nothing new there :-) and one article has received quite a few positive comments.

What do you all think about posting users comments without their permission. I've currently emailed them all to ask but most haven't got back to me. If I quote them without saying who they are, is that ok? From the point of view of are they likely to mind? Privacy?

[rcjordan]

I'd shy away from it. Consider, instead, putting sort of a catch-all on the form; "From time to time, xyz.com would like to use some of these comments and constructive criticisms in our testimonials. NO personal information will be included, of course."

Start with the ones that come in after that. It's been my experience that, with the proper wording, this works extremely well.

[RBuzz]

I wouldn't do it without permission. You might make people gunshy of giving comments later.

[Made In Sheffield]

Thanks that's pretty much what I thought. the catch-all's a good idea I'll do that.

Thanks both of you.

Nigel

[jeremy goodrich]

And you can also run the risk of upsetting your users, if you quote them without letting them know they'll be quoted first. :)

The disclaimer is a Great Idea -> as well as making sure that there is no personally identifiable information.

[txbakers]

I ask my users, show them either the ad or the image first, then get their blessing.

I put their comments in an animated gif on the home page - with their name and location.

But absolutely get permission

[Robert Charlton]

Even with the disclaimer... how much credibility would testimonials without attribution have? For all anybody knows, you could just be making them up.

[rcjordan]

>how much credibility would testimonials without attribution have?

Personally, I write off any testimonials that have generic attribution ala "by RCJ, North Carolina" unless, perhaps, it's a lengthy one citing specifics. I'm sure, however, that the general public isn't quite as cynical as I am, and I suspect they have a positive, though diminished, impact.

I've found that some organizations (museums, historic associations, state offices, chambers of commerce) are very happy to provide a testimonial w/ very generalized contact info. I usually write it up as it will be shown to my readers, then just ask them to approve it. When applicable, I link to their website and some have actually asked to have their email address listed.

[pendanticist]

Ditto Robert Charlton & rcjordan regarding testimonials [webmasterworld.com]

Pendanticist.