HuffingtonPost cut off anonymous comments yesterday and is forcing anyone who wants to comment to use their Facebook ID. Is this a good decision?
The far-out hyperbole found in the comments section of the HuffingtonPost website skyrocketed the website to fame. After all, a reason to view HuffingtonPost is the comments. In fact most of their stories are echoes of articles published on other websites but the comments provided lots of different perspectives.
Prior to the change, the number of comments could easily reach into the tens of thousands. Over the past 24 hours, comments for stories are not even reaching into the high three digits.
Has HuffingtonPost killed the golden goose? Will people now abandoned the Huffington Post website?
Maybe not. Maybe this will add legitimacy to their comment section and convince others to register. I just don't like having to use my Facebook ID.