How Do I Add an HTML Comment Box to My Website?

Updated

You add an HTML Comment Box by logging into a Google account, copying the generated HTML snippet, and pasting it into your website's HTML where you want comments to appear. The key condition: log in before copying the code, because that account becomes the moderator for that comment box. The widget is hosted, so there is no backend to build — you paste one snippet and configure the rest through options tabs.

Step-by-step setup

1. Log in first (this sets the moderator)

Log in to your Google account before you copy the code. The page states this directly: "To be the moderator for this comment box, Log in to your Google account before you copy the code."

If you copy the code while logged out, you won't be attached as the moderator for that box. Decide which account should own moderation before you start.

2. Copy the HTML code

After logging in, copy the generated HTML code. The page notes you must agree to the terms to copy. This snippet is what carries the widget — you don't need to install anything else.

3. Paste it into your website's HTML

Paste the copied code into your website's HTML at the point where the comment box should render. The product's own instruction is simply: "Now paste the copied code into your website's HTML!"

What to expect: the box appears at that location on the page, and visitors can submit comments there. If you're on a CMS or site builder, paste the snippet into an HTML/embed block rather than a rich-text field, since the snippet is raw HTML.

4. Watch the tutorial if the paste step is unclear

The page offers a tutorial video ("Watch Tutorial Video") for the installation flow. Use it if your platform handles embedded HTML in a non-obvious way.

Configuring the widget options

Options are organized under tabs. The available settings, as listed on the page:

Option What it does
Skin Choose a display style: Unstyled, Twitter Bootstrap, Skeleton, Simple, Scratch
Show comments at once Displays comments immediately rather than behind a click
Webpage Url Identifies the page; changing it resets your comments
Email field Don't show / show / require
Comments Put Comment Box At Top (newest first); Collapse Comment Box (shows an "add your comment" link to save space); Show Submission Date; Show RSS Feed; Prevent New Comments
Show entire site's comments Aggregates comments across the site — e.g. a "recent comments" feed on your homepage
Profanity Filter Filters many curse words from submitted comments
Allow Replies Visitors are mailed replies — best with the email field on
Other Options Use watermark labels (faded labels in text fields); Show website field beside the comment box; Allow Subscriptions (visitors mailed updates — best with email field on)

The two settings most likely to cause trouble

Webpage Url. The page warns explicitly: "changing it resets your comments." If you move a page or change its URL after comments exist, expect to lose the existing thread. Set the URL correctly before you go live.

Prevent New Comments. Use this to close a thread. It's the right switch for locking an old post while keeping the existing comments visible.

Practical choices for common situations

  • You want a "recent comments" sidebar or homepage feed: enable "Show entire site's comments."
  • You want to reduce spam and abuse: turn on the Profanity Filter, and consider requiring the email field if you also use replies or subscriptions.
  • You want replies and update notifications to work well: turn on the email field, then enable Allow Replies and/or Allow Subscriptions — the page notes both work best with email enabled.
  • You want to save vertical space: enable Collapse Comment Box so visitors see an "add your comment" link instead of the full box.
  • You're closing an old thread: enable Prevent New Comments rather than deleting the box, so existing comments stay readable.

Pricing and related widgets

The page references choosing your pricing with a free plan available, but it does not list specific prices or payment details, so check the pricing page for current figures. The same platform also offers other widgets — Customer Reviews, Feedback, Contact, Like/dislike, Blog, Public Chatroom, Customer Chat, Availability Calendar, Simple Pools, and Timer — several marked "Try it for free." If your goal is broader than comments (reviews, feedback, support chat), one of those may fit better than a comment box.