Download: Forget Spam Comment Plugin
This is a free anti-spam plugin exclusively for the default commenting system of WordPress.
How does it works
Alternatively, for advanced user below is the manual method
The default commenting system of WordPress has two major problems.
- Attracting spam comments.
- Not sending follow-up email to the comment author (Will discuss in a while).
Let’s talk about its solutions.
Preventing Spam Comments
Instead of directly allowing anyone to make POST request at /wp-comments-post.php we can add some logic to prevent spam comments by 100%.
Step 1. Restrict Comment POST request Path over Query Parameter
I am going to share three ways, use one method.
Apache
- Yoast > Go to Tools > File Editor
- RankMath > Go to General Settings > Edit .htaccess
- FTP/SSH > Check
/var/www/html
# If Query string doesn't matches return 404
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} .wp-comments-post\.php
# You may change 45jpfAY9RcNeFP to something else
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} !^45jpfAY9RcNeFP
RewriteRule (.*) - [R=404,L]
</IfModule>If you’re on LiteSpeed, it also support .htaccess file. You must restart after implementation.
NGINX
location = /wp-comments-post.php {
if ($query_string !~ "45jpfAY9RcNeFP") {
return 404;
}
}
Cloudflare
- Login to Cloudflare Dashboard
- Go to Firewall > Firewall Rules
- Create a new firewall rule with below expression
| Field | Operator | Value | |
| URI | contains | wp-comments-post.php | And |
| URL Query String | does not equal | 45jpfAY9RcNeFP |
- Choose Action: Block
At the end, you will see expression
(http.request.uri contains "wp-comments-post.php" and http.request.uri.query ne "45jpfAY9RcNeFP")Step 2. Correct the Comment POST URL on Scroll event
- Add below function using Code Snippets plugin or theme functions.php
- Make sure to use correct domain and form ID.
function correct_comment_url_on_scroll() {
// Check if Comment is enabled
if(comments_open()) echo '<script>
let commentForm = document.querySelector("#commentform, #ast-commentform, #ht-commentform");
// Load new comment path on the scroll event
document.onscroll = function () {
commentForm.action = "https://www.example.com/wp-comments-post.php?45jpfAY9RcNeFP";
};
</script>';
}
add_action('wp_footer', 'correct_comment_url_on_scroll', 99);Alternatively, if you’re a GeneratePress Premium theme User you can add above JS part directly using Elements module.
<script>
let commentForm = document.querySelector("#commentform");
commentForm.action = "https://www.example.com/wp-comments-post.php";
// Load new comment path on the scroll event
document.onscroll = function () {
commentForm.action = "https://www.example.com/wp-comments-post.php?45jpfAY9RcNeFP";
};
</script>- Add a new hook
- New Hook Title: Change Comment URL on the Fly
- Hook: WP Footer
- Priority: 99
- Location: Posts – All posts
- Publish
How to check if it is working?
- Generally WordPress return 405 response for GET request at /wp-comments-post.php
- But after above setup, you should see Access Denied.
- And, the URL should only load in the presence of special Query String
45jpfAY9RcNeFPthat we added for preventing spam comments. You may change this query string to something else in all above configuration. - The source code will typically show
wp-comments-post.phppath but if you inspect element after scroll you will notice a query string added.
Result #1: No Spam
Result #2: Spammers getting blocked
Bonus tip to make default Comment System even better
- By default WordPress commenting system doesn’t send follow-up e-mail to the Comment Author. To fix this issue, you can use Comment Reply Email Notification plugin by Arno Welzel.
If you like this information, please pass to your friends. 🙏
♥ thx a trick.
I choose waf+function.php it worked.
now I deleted lazyComment & Akismet. XD
When I install the plugin and activate it, I can’t comment myself. It says Spam Deleted. I wonder if there is a need to set up more features like above, or is it enough to just install the plugin?
Thank you so much Sir Gulshan Kumar! I really appreciate your guide, and this has saved me tons of headache. Implemented via Cloudflare WAF plus Generatepress Elements Module.
Glad to hear. Thank you!
By the way, how do you know if legit users won’t get blocked? Before this, I’ve been using a CF firewall rules that will blocks or challenge anyone who visit wp-comments-post.php but actually by doing so, legit users also got blocked. How this one different? Is it because of the string “45jpfAY9RcNeFP” that will differentiate which request is from bot and which request is from legit users? If legit users, they should’ve the string, if it’s spam, they don’t have that string. Am I understand it correctly?
You need to implement exactly as per instructions to prevent users from blocking.
Does this plugin / method will stop website from having spam comments once and for all or do we still receive it but it’s automatically filtered from the real comments (like Akismet)?
There is no filter. It just stops spam.
That is so cool! Will try it. Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuu
You’re welcome!
The best plugin to filter the spam.
Hi Gulshan.
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been using your plugin for a few weeks now and it is brilliant. Genuine comments still get through but all of the spam, and I mean ALL of it, is filtered out. Excellent job!
Well done and thank you so much for sharing it for free so that hobby bloggers like me can make use of it.
thank you very useful
Hy! I just installed your plugin but Google Console show me tons of errors:
https://prnt.sc/wnhkbd
How can I solve this? Thanks!!
Hi,
I am also using plugin at this blog. It works perfectly fine here.
If you want to me look into this issue, please provide your actual site URL where I can see live.
Thanks!
Brilliant! Thank you so much!
I have question
Where can I get value code like 45jpfAY9RcNeFP
You can use MD5 generator or write any random text. I’d recommend using plugin for set and forget experience.
Good plugins for stopping spam.
I have use this plugin earlier. It is working perfectly.
Wow! This is great. Thanks a lot. Gonna give a try to this trick.
Glad, this is not a spam comment. Just kidding!
Thanks Huzaifa!😊