Couple questions I couldn't find the answers to in the rules

Hi, thanks for taking the time to read and answer this, mods.

1. Are we allowed to use link shorteners to post links on DP? (ie. bitly) are there any exceptions to this? (ie. shorteners that show interim pages/ads)
2. If we are launching a new website or service and would like to let the DP forum members know about it, is there a place we can post about it, if it has no niche forum on its subject area already?

Thank you!

 

1. No. You may only use URL shorteners in your signature.

2. No. You may not post just to share a link to your site. That would be link spam. The closest would be the website reviews section where you could ask members to review your new site. But if you do, know that you're inviting both positive and negative feedback on it, so don't complain later if you don't like the reviews. If you just want to promote your link, put it in your signature.

 

Thanks.

Is an exception to #2 possible if you are posting about a unique new website that offers a service, say something innovative, helpful, free, and useful to users?

 

Problem is, everyone thinks their site is unique, new, innovative, and helpful....

 

Not really, unless you're selling it, I suppose.

 

the short time I have been here. I have seen people who are offering a free gift on there site. Be allowed to post that in Freebies.

That might be the only exception..

But, I'm new here!

 

If you're giving something away for free, you can post it in freebies. But if it looks like it's basically just a post to link to your site, it's still link spam. So if you're giving something away, make sure that you at least take the time to describe it thoroughly in the post. We don't want you linking off to your site just to do that, without other members knowing exactly what they're going to when they click.

 

Thanks for explaining that to me..

Thanks Very Much!

 

Thank you for the answer regarding general 'free' things.

To be a little more specific, I currently focus some of my development efforts on web services.

There are some which I plan to release shortly that currently do not exist on the internet (at least not through all my searching), and my question was specifically regarding that sort of thing. For example, if I were to come here to tell people about Bit.ly before anyone knew about link shorteners. Something to that degree, which is surely useful, and a free web service. Where would that go?

 

In my opinion, I would think it would go in the "freebies" section.

 

If you're just announcing a site, there's really no appropriate place. It wouldn't be allowed. If you're offering a free product, then post it in freebies. Just because a site type is new doesn't mean freebies is an appropriate place for it. If you're ready to launch and you're able to give more specifics, you could PM a mod at that time and they'll tell you if they think it's ok for freebies or not. But playing with hypotheticals isn't going to get a definitely answer. I would guess most free services would be fine. The only issue would be if it appears to be more link spam than an honest freebie for members.

 

Just to clarify, what about "Come read my nifty new post!" threads. For example since it's handy:

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1640967

 

That would be link spam.