A couple of years ago I was forced to turn off the trackback feature in my sites.  I was getting hit 50 - 100 times a day by spammers using the system to increase their own ends.  Since then, I have been waiting for something that would block trackback spam.  It seems I have found it in Akismet, more specifically Akismet for EE.

The program, which started as a Wordpress plugin, basically runs all your comments through the Akismet servers, and if the comment author, URL, etc is listed in their database the comment is blocked.  If the system thinks there is something fishy with the comment, but it could be good, it sends it to a moderation queue for the admins to decide.  Every comment marked as spam is added to the database automatically, increasing the learning curve for the program.  Its works wonderfully, and since Akismet runs on over 20 different platforms, the spam database has a much larger pool of contributors than the EE Blacklist does.

Akismet came to EE via the hard work of Lodewijk, one of the many contributors to the EE community.  He developed the extension/module combo and over time has improved it.  The kicker for me was that he added trackbacks to the spam check routines, thereby effectively designing a trackback spam blocker for EE. 

Oh, its also completely free with the caveat that you go grab a Wordpress API Key (Also free)

So now to the point.  I installed this system last night and am currently testing it.  I have now turned off CAPTCHAs for non-members and have turned back on the trackbacks.  What does this mean for you the user?

Well to start with, the most notable thing you will see is that as you comment, certain “spam” keywords are highlighted in red.  I assume its just a warning to you, because my test comments passed through the system.  When you submit a comment, hopefully you will see no difference.  It will post just the same.  Should Akismet erroneously trap your comment, it doesn’t mean its gone, it just means it went to the moderation queue and I will approve it when I get the chance. Please do not re-submit the same comment over again.  Should the worst happen and your comment be straight up denied (you will know if this occurs), just drop me an email and let me know the issue, so I can pass it on and hopefully fix it.  Should you send a trackback, and it is erroneously blocked, please let me know.  There is no form of trackback moderation in EE yet, so Trackbacks are just denied and deleted.  I won’t know about the error.  Finally, site members bypass the Akismet comment system all together and shouldn’t have any worries at all.

I think thats it.  A bit long-winded, but I think I covered everything you need to know.  Now I need to ask a favor of a reader with a blog.  Could you please send me a trackback request so I can test the system and make sure the trackback code is properly inserted back into the templates.  The Trackback URL should be listed at the bottom of this article.  Thanks.

• Akismet - http://akismet.com/
• Akismet for EE - http://loweblog.com/archive/2006/11/14/akismet-for-expression-engine/
• Wordpress - http://wordpress.com
• Akismet came to EE - http://expressionengine.com/forums/viewthread/35740/
• Lodewijk - http://loweblog.com/freelance/
• Wordpress API Key - www.wordpress.com/api-keys
• email - http://www.ffpblog.com/index.php/ffp/ancillary/contact

Why did you have to pick a plug-in that is completely blocked for download by websense?

That’s what MWR is for!