New members - gratuitous bumping

[aZooZa]

I wouldn't want to discourage members signing up here, but there are a lot of gratuitous posts lately that bump others' threads and contain useless comments.

Maybe something could be formulated to include in the 'welcome' email to suggest new members don't adopt this annoying behaviour.

I know some of us older members do it now and then, but perhaps that's not unreasonable on the odd occasion given that we also contribute serious content.

Maybe I'm being picky but I'm finding it increasingly aggravating.

 

[newguy]

It wouldn't be so bad if the reason for posting was relevant, but often it seems to be four or five words which don't really add anything of value. A look through their other posts leaves you no further forward as to what they have contributed elsewhere, or if they even have any domain names, or have bought or sold any. Still, I suppose it's hard to do anything about it, unless it starts getting totally ridiculous.

 

[rob]

Make all links nofollow from here and public name-and shame list of 'companies' who spam.

 

[monaghan]

You could make the facility for new users to post links and put a homepage link by request to admin, this would hopefully deter spammers whilst leaving those who contribute free to continue as normal.

 

[Admin]

I actively watch for obvious spammers but its a constant battle.

Admin

 

[Systreg]

A couple of examples are these spamming or dragging up old posts for post count:

http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/members/jessygirl88.html
http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/members/hostmajors.html

 

[rob]

I actively watch for obvious spammers but its a constant battle.

Admin

One thing I have found is handy is to create an extra manual profile field, call it 'pets name' or something.

Most spammers, manual or automated will fill it in. Its then easier to pick out spammers, be it raw mysql or viewing a users profile.

The ICQ field works for that as well

 

[stender]

Why not charge to have a signature? You can let the regulars off.

 

[grantw]

Make all links nofollow

Totally agree with this and don't think it would make much difference to the forum at all, maybe just a few less replies that are only posted for a cheap backlink anyway!

Grant

 

[Skinner]

People wouldn't realise and spammers would still hit it.

I set one of my busy wordpress sites to nofollow and it still gets 50+ spam comments a day.

 

[grantw]

People wouldn't realise and spammers would still hit it.

I set one of my busy wordpress sites to nofollow and it still gets 50+ spam comments a day.

Maybe, but I think not appearing on lists like this would be a big plus for starters:

http://www. reviewerofsites.com/dofollow-non-nofollow-forums-list

Grant

 

[Admin]

Totally agree with this and don't think it would make much difference to the forum at all, maybe just a few less replies that are only posted for a cheap backlink anyway!

Grant

Won't regulars complain if their signatures become nofollow?

 

[grantw]

Won't regulars complain if their signatures become nofollow?

I certainly wouldn't. Personally I'm here for the excellent posts and to be part of it rather than a link building exercise

Grant

 

[Admin]

A couple of examples are these spamming or dragging up old posts for post count:

http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/members/jessygirl88.html
http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/members/hostmajors.html

User hostmajors has been flushed from AD, IP banned, account deleted.

I have set the forum to close all threads with no replies after 30 days.

Admin

 

[newguy]

People wouldn't realise and spammers would still hit it.

I set one of my busy wordpress sites to nofollow and it still gets 50+ spam comments a day.

Same here. I had to shut off comments on a relatively new blog which was nofollow. It received so much spam, it was impossible to find the legit comments amongst the crap.

Won't regulars complain if their signatures become nofollow?

Why not just set the number of posts needed to post a sig to a really high amount. As in a couple of hundred. Nobody is going to post that long to get a sig link, and if they try, it will be very easy to spot their nonsense one line comments, amongst the genuine contributions and they can be banned.

 

[aZooZa]

I certainly wouldn't. Personally I'm here for the excellent posts and to be part of it rather than a link building exercise

Grant

I agree. If anyone's that interested they'll copy and paste signature URLs.

 

[Skinner]

Can signatures be made, to be the only links that are NOT nofollow ?

Maybe Have to be a member for 8 Weeks + and have 100+ Posts, before you get a signature, then only signatures are followable, all other links are no follow ?

I'll admit, I have used my signature to help get a site indexed quickly, just means I'd have to hit gumtree instead.

Anyone got a hazmat suit I can borrow

 

[alex]

I like the idea of only allowing a signature once a larger number of posts have been submitted and time passed. However, it may reduce spammers linking to sites etc, it won’t stop people actually posting general crap. Although my main reason for using AD is for the community and information, it is useful having signatures with links for indexing purposes. It wouldn’t stop me using the forum by any means if I didn’t have them, but it is a nice bonus.

A page naming and shaming companies is a good idea, but I guess you have to be careful about defamation.

Maybe the best way to deal with crap comments is for us to make admin/moderators aware and for them to send a warning with a guide to appropriate and inappropriate posting. If they contnue they’re banned!

 

[monaghan]

A page naming and shaming companies is a good idea, but I guess you have to be careful about defamation.

I guess a carefully crafted page with companies that have advertised in a way considered to be spam could be produced. (on a page SEO'd to the max of course )

 

[newguy]

Maybe the best way to deal with crap comments is for us to make admin/moderators aware and for them to send a warning with a guide to appropriate and inappropriate posting. If they contnue they’re banned!

Maybe we can have a section only accessible to members with a set number of posts or certain reputation (or the exisiting paid members area), where offenders are pointed out or. Some people are probably hesitant about pointing out issues they see in an area viewable by all people. Either that or they simply don't know how best to inform others.