Do You Still Require Word Verification in Blogger? Tutorial

Before I begin......even if you are POSITIVE you do not have Word Verification turned on, please go and CHECK.  My mail is proving that most people who have it don't even know it!  (Must have been a default setting???)

I just had to add this plea to all my new friends online, many of whom still use Word Verification in their comment section.  I'm wondering if you guys heard/read that Blogger added some amazing Spam software that has ELIMINATED ALL my spam comments?  As in, EVERY S.I.N.G.L.E. one!!!

Now, I do still get that spam comment in my email, notifying me it exists BUT Blogger has stashed it in the new Comment Spam section.   Therefore, I have had NO need for word verification, unlike last year when all comments came through.

Now, here is why I care if you have Word Verification:  


A.)  I have ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and I rarely remember to stop and check to see if there is Word Verification when I leave a comment.  Do you know how many comments didn't go through????  It slows the process down by DOUBLE, at least.    

B.) I know many bloggers who will leave a comment but when they see Word Verification, they just leave and don't "finish".  Some have a lower irritation trigger.  lol  Me, however, I WANT to communicate, I want to share thoughts and comments, so I wondered if we could do a test.

How about ALL of you who currently use Word Verification turn it off for one month or one week.....and report back if ANY spam comments get through????  I bet you will be VERY surprised.  I'm sure you turned it on for a reason, but since then....Blogger has added a really great, fully functioning feature. Here is what it looks like in the Dashboard:

Click Comments in the tabs across the top and you will see a new feature - SPAM:

I will tell you the MAJORITY of spam comments show up on much older posts....on pages I'd never visit again.  But the spam function catches them!

Here is how you adjust your comment settings (in case you've never done this and just have default settings....)

OK First, look up in the upper right corner and click DESIGN:

Then, click Settings and then Comments:

One of you first choices is WHO can comment?  Did you know you can block Anonymous users or only allow members or only Google account holders?  Decide here:

Scroll Down to the Comment Moderation area:

Next, would you like to receive an email every time a comment is left on any post?  Comment Notification is great for older posts on previous pages that you might not notice otherwise.  Definitely enter an email and turn this feature ON.

OK, Now click Save Settings in the orange box and you are DONE. 

Please please please, pretty please will my new wonderful friends please do a trial on turning OFF word verification to see if the spam filters work for you??  I promise you - you will be SHOCKED at how great they work.   

Please let me know if you do this trial and how it works.  I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to leave more comments........please just try, OK?

Hope you don't mind the overkill on photos, but I am VISUAL learner and for me, photos make all the difference.  Hope it helps you.

UPDATE

Hey, guys......I'm getting emails from folks who don't know they HAVE Word Verification (and are commenting on how much they hate it....)......so I'm wondering if it is a default setting?  So with that info, why not go use my tutorial to DOUBLE CHECK and make sure you don't have it turned on??  Seems many people don't even know!!  Thanks!