Rules forum practices, spam, the "report post" button & suggestions

Discussion in 'Support & Feedback' started by PhilipSEO, Dec 19, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hi, fellow SEOs,

    I am brand-new to this forum, and I have enjoyed some of it and see that it has great potential. However, having been active in other SEO forums for some time now, I notice that this one does not succeed in keeping down the volume of spam. Spam is everywhere, of course, but here it is overwhelming. My first impression is that the vast majority of postings are spam. People will post one line of any nonsense or simply statements like "Good post!!!!!" over and over and over again -- just so they can post a link in their sig. Or, on a more subtle note, "Create great content and add quality backlinks..." in response to any query.

    So first, a question: is the use of the "report post" button appropriate and encouraged to report such spam?

    And a suggestion: add a clear "report spam" button, in addition to the "report post" button, like some forums do. It works! Pernicious spammers really should be banned.

    Another suggestion: show the poster's number of warnings and ban status in every post where applicable.

    Third, in some forums you can bump-off people's reputation for spamming, and once their reputation is negative they lose the ability to post links. This really encourages them to work harder on their posts. But here, you loose a reputation point if you bump off someone's reputation. Change that.

    Thanks for your attention!
     
    PhilipSEO, Dec 19, 2009 IP
  2. sawz

    sawz Prominent Member

    Messages:
    8,225
    Likes Received:
    808
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    360
    #2
    one size fits all, here ya go [​IMG] use it don't abuse it. we read every report.

    keep track of your infraction in your Settings panel.
    want one so you can see it? :D

    on the reputation, the rules say you cannot have an overall red rep. i'm all for deleting threads in BST started by a member who shows red rep.
     
    sawz, Dec 19, 2009 IP
  3. PhilipSEO

    PhilipSEO Notable Member

    Messages:
    467
    Likes Received:
    48
    Best Answers:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    225
    #3
    Thank you. What constitutes abuse? I would like to report every meaningless one-line report made for the sake of posting a .sig link or reaching the minimum post count. I think all others who care should do it too, till we run out of steam. Is this abuse?

    Ditto!
     
    PhilipSEO, Dec 19, 2009 IP
  4. sawz

    sawz Prominent Member

    Messages:
    8,225
    Likes Received:
    808
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    360
    #4
    we'll let you know when it happens, believe me it does happen.
     
    sawz, Dec 19, 2009 IP
  5. new

    new Peon

    Messages:
    1,433
    Likes Received:
    45
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    I think dp is very lenient to users who just link spam the forums

    there need to be more tight rules regarding the 'shameless link plugs'

    posting links to own services/website should be disallowed other than reviews/BST sections
    best would be to nofollow the links in posts

    example of link plugs
    http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showpost.php?p=13143251&postcount=1
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2009
    new, Dec 19, 2009 IP
  6. PhilipSEO

    PhilipSEO Notable Member

    Messages:
    467
    Likes Received:
    48
    Best Answers:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    225
    #6
    When you let me know, is it going to cost me? :confused:

    An articulated guideline would help, otherwise I suspect users will be discouraged from reporting spam (assuming the mods are interested in reducing it!) ;)

    Thank you for your time.
     
    PhilipSEO, Dec 19, 2009 IP
  7. sawz

    sawz Prominent Member

    Messages:
    8,225
    Likes Received:
    808
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    360
    #7
    it might, it all depends on the circumstances.

    when you report a post, it says on the report post page:
    This is ONLY to be used to report misplaced threads, spam, advertising messages, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts.

    PM me type posts are considered problematic, someone posting to say thanks and a myriad of other useless responses falls into the same category. use your best judgment.
     
    sawz, Dec 19, 2009 IP
  8. PhilipSEO

    PhilipSEO Notable Member

    Messages:
    467
    Likes Received:
    48
    Best Answers:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    225
    #8
    Thank you, this does make sense! :)
     
    PhilipSEO, Dec 19, 2009 IP