MainWP Comments Extension

Moderating comments across a network of sites means reaching the ones that do not fit in the query

With ten connected sites, opening each one's comment list is a repeating task. Gathering them in one table seems to solve it, until the table shows only part of them.

Across a network of sites, centralized moderation is won with filters: each query returns a maximum number of comments per site, and whatever you do not filter stays unloaded.

MainWP Comments Extension loads the comments of the sites, groups or clients you choose into a single table in the MainWP Dashboard. From there they are approved, unapproved, marked as spam, edited or sent to the trash, one by one or in bulk. The extension manages the comments WordPress already stores on each child site, and it is WordPress, on each site, that carries out every action.

What it lets you do from the Dashboard

• One comments page: under MainWP > Sites > Content Operations > Comments, you load those of the selected sites, groups or clients.
• Filters beforehand: status (approved, pending, spam or trash), keyword and date range.
• Individual moderation: approve, unapprove, mark as spam, edit or move to trash from the actions menu.
• Trash and spam: those in the trash also get Restore and Not Spam, and those in trash or spam can be permanently deleted.
• Bulk actions: one action for several selected comments. They run in small batches to use fewer resources on large installations.
• Result per comment: with a recent MainWP Child, the result of a bulk action lists the changes WordPress completed.
• Recent comments widget: it shows the latest approved and pending ones on the dashboard.
• Network activity: approve, unapprove, spam, unspam, trash, restore and delete are recorded in Network Activity under the comments connector.
• REST API v2: it lists comments and moderates them through action routes.

A weekly review of pending comments, as an example

Think of an agency that reviews the pending comments of several client sites at once. One possible setup:

1. You select the sites, the group or the client.
2. You filter by pending status and, if needed, by date range.
3. You mark whatever is spam in bulk and approve the legitimate comments one by one.
4. You review the result of the bulk action and reload the list before retrying whatever stayed the same.

This is a suggested use; adapt it to your network of sites.

Limits of centralized comment moderation

• By default, the Dashboard returns up to 50 comments per child site on each search. In the REST API, the maximum parameter raises it to 500 per site.
• The length at which each comment is displayed is changed with a code snippet.
• Logging in Network Activity is optional and is turned on in the MainWP settings.

First steps with MainWP Comments Extension

1. Install the extension on your MainWP Dashboard. Child sites only need MainWP Child, with no third-party plugins.
2. Open MainWP > Sites > Content Operations > Comments.
3. Select the sites and define status, keyword and dates.
4. Click Show Comments and moderate from the actions menu or with bulk actions.
5. If you want the log, turn on Network Activity under MainWP Settings > Network Activity Settings. For the REST API you need a MainWP API key, sent as a Bearer token.

MainWP extensions for maintenance and reports

For maintenance tasks across the same network, look at MainWP Maintenance Extension. For client reports, MainWP Client Reports Extension.

Answers about MainWP Comments Extension

Can I moderate comments from several sites at once?

Yes. They load in a single table and are moderated in bulk.

Do I need to install anything on the child sites?

Only MainWP Child, with no third-party plugins.

Is there a record of what I moderated?

Yes, if you turn on Network Activity. Actions are recorded under the comments connector.

Can comments be moderated through an API?

Yes. REST API v2 lists comments and offers moderation routes.