跟 = 'to follow',
帖 = 'post'. Functionally synonymous with
回帖 'to reply', but
跟帖 emphasizes joining a chain of replies behind the OP rather than directly answering — closer to 'to chime in.' On news portals like
网易 and
新浪, the comment section is typically labeled
跟帖. Sina even branded its comment system
跟帖评论.
