I’ve removed free comments. I think the most foolproof solution to comment spam long term is going to be to making images and links more expensive in comments. Such that if links/images are in fact improving the quality of your comment, you can expect to be tipped an equivalent amount and be rewarded by the algo.

Something like:

We’ll do this kind of thing slowly, cautiously, and with fair warning, but judging from other platforms who are forced to solve this with moderation, this is the best thing we can do without moderation.

Maybe also these things are cheaper for trusted users. Overall it seems like the move is to experiment with new tools rather than reinvent the broken wheel everywhere else uses.