How to Setup Akismet WordPress Plugin (With A Free API Key)
If you’ve just started blogging, then you may not aware of comment and trackback spamming. These things can destroy your blog with spam comments and trackbacks. But you are lucky that there is a pre-installed plugin in WordPress named Akismet. It will help you to get rid of comment spamming.
One of the essential settings to configure after installing WordPress is to activate that Plugin. After activating Akismet, it will require an API key.
Many folks thought that they have to pay money to get the API key. But you can get it for FREE if you are going to start a personal blog, not a corporate blog.
To know how to setup Akismet WordPress plugin with a free API key, start reading this post.
Before going to the tutorial, here are some FAQ about Akismet.
What is Akismet?
Akismet is a WordPress plugin that filters comments and trackbacks spamming. It is founded by WordPress.com.
What Does Akismet Plugin Do?
Akismet checks blog comments & pingbacks and filters out the ones that look like spam. Then it lets you review the spam it detects.
Do I Need Akismet for WordPress?
Yes, you need Akismet if your blog comments are enabled. This plugin will help you to get rid of spam comments.
Is Akismet Worth It?
Yes, Akismet is worthy if you want to get rid of comments and pingbacks spamming. By the way, you can use Akismet for free for personal blogs.
Do I Need Akismet With Disqus?
No, Disqus has its own spam-fighting filters.
How to Setup Akismet Plugin With A Free API Key
Setting up Akismet plugin is very easy. Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Sign Up for WordPress
At first, you need to sign up for Akismet with WordPress.com. If you already own a WordPress.com account, just login with your account. Otherwise, you have to create a new account. Just enter your Email address, username & password and click on “Sign Up” button.
Step 2: Choose a Subscription Plan
On the next page, you need to choose a subscription plan. Select the basic plan to generate a free Akismet API key.
Step 3: Make Akismet Free for You
Then it will ask you to pay $36/year. You can make it $0.00/year. Just drag the pointer to $0.00/YEAR (1). And click on “Continue” (2).
Step 4: Get Free Akismet API Key
On the next page, you will get the free Akismet API key. Just click on the eye icon and it will show the API key. Your Akismet API key will be sent to your email address too.
Step 5: Add Your Site to Akismet
Then you need to add your site to Akismet. Now click on “Add Site” (1) from your subscription plan. A box will be popped up. Just enter your site and click on “Add Site” (2).
Step 6: Go to WordPress Dashboard and Enter API Key
Now login to WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins (1) > Installed Plugins (2). Then activate Akismet (3).
Then click on “Activate your Akismet Account”.
On the next page, enter your API key and click on “Use this key”.
If it works, it will show “Akismet is now activated. Happy blogging!”.
Step 7: Configure Akismet Settings
Akismet has two settings to configure.
The first setting is showing the number of approved comments beside each comment author. I’d recommend you to use this setting to figure out whether the comment author is regular or not.
And the second setting is strictness about showing spam comments. It depends on how much spam comments you are getting. If you are getting a lot of spam comments which is impossible to review, select the first option. But if you are not getting too much spam comments, select the second options. Because Akismet sometimes marks good comments as spam.
Save the changes. That’s it. You are done!
I hope this post helped you to get started with Akismet WordPress plugin. If you have faced any difficulties, feel free to let us know via comment. However, if you found this post useful, help me by sharing this post on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
[If you are new to WordPress, you will love our WordPress Guide for Beginnes]
Akismet is the best AntiSpam tool that can be used for Blogs.
Thanks for sharing nice and informative article..
Istiak,
Akismet is really a very useful plugin.Initially i didnot know of this plugin and faced lot of problems,but then one of my friends told me about this and i installed it.It is excellent tool to control spamming….
Hi Istiak,
Before reading this article i thought akismet was only a paid service. Thanks for letting us know how can we use it free without any cost.
Sarah
Thanks for the tip,Just did it,I thought i have to buy it therefore i never used it….
Thanks i am also using same Akismet Plugin and Thanks God that save my precious time from spam mails.
great article as usual…can I install this my site its on blogger now
see it please and tell me about it what to do get this
http://www.howtoread.co.in/
It’s a WordPress plugin. You can’t upload it on Blogger. In fact Blogger doesn’t support any kind of plugin.
Thanks for helpful tips
Yes! Akismet is absolutely a great anti spam plugin. But The free version is used only for Non commercial or personal use. Few days ago My blog was also bombered with hundreds of spam comment. So, I have put a captcha in the comment form and its helps me lot. now spam comments are down to zero.
I am looking for the Akismat API key for the self hosted WordPress Blog, As this is for the free WordPress blog.
You can get a free Akismat API for your self hosted WordPress blog by using the above method.
Thank you I have one question Hot To Add “Confirm you are Not a Spammer ” check box. Plus how your Subscribe to Roadtoblogging Updates is always checked ????
Use these two plugins:
https://roadtoblogging.com/newsletter-sign-up-wordpress-email-marketing-plugin/
http://wordpress.org/plugins/growmap-anti-spambot-plugin/
Thank You :)
Hi Istiak,
Thanks for sharing this two awesome plugin. I am also looking for it. Thanks :)
Dear, Istiak Rayhan
Thanks for ur Tutorial, this is very help me :-D
Glad I could help. Let me know if you need any other bits of help.
I have installed JetPack plugin and now wondering how to use Akismet, but after going through the article I found the answer…Thx
Thanks bro. Very to good info.
Thanks Istiak. Very helpful post :)