Do comments count as page content, as it relates to the length of content on a page?

[bizzer]

I understand Google likes long content, and I make all my pages at least 500 words of unique and good content. But there is something I am curious about. Do they also count comments as content?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm considering creating a Q&A site, where I'd control the questions, making sure they would be good ones and not duplicates, and then have people add answers. In reality, I'd be populating most the questions as first, and most definitely supplying a very good and long answer to questions.  The answers would likely be in the form of comments, with highest ranked answers at top.  So, I'm wondering what Google would think of a 100 word question, with a several hundred word answer in a comment, often followed by some other comments after that. Would it be a 100 word page or a 500+ word page?

[kellymandingo]

If the content is followed then yes they will count this, as how will Google know what is a comment and what is not

Its a great way of creating content just be careful you vet what people write as you dont want that content full of foul language and lost of external linking

Good luck i just hope you can keep up with the spammers

[bizzer]

Now that is interesting, I'd never heard that. I thought dofollow or no follow only had to do with passing link juice.

Anyone else concur with this?