Just two things I realized right now regarding building back links forum signature links. 1. Some of us were members of forums we dont visit anymore. For me, I just remembered I used to visit this freebie forum back when I was in college. I immediately went to that forum and placed signature links and it appeared on all my old posts. Of course, make sure they are not nofolllow. 2. When trying to get signature links from a new forum, I think its better to make the post and then after a few days go back to the forum and add the signature links. This way people dont think you are just spamming the forums. It is less obvious this way.
I've heard that many times not to add your signature right away or signature isn't allowed until a minimum number of posts are completed, just like this forum which is a smashing idea! I think it's an unwritten rule that any blog, forum etc. wants sincere content and posts on their space.
It is a two sided blade. It is to stop the spammers. because spammers can not wait for the entering the quality posts and get banned. You might have seen most of the members get banned at 24 or 30 or 50 posts. So it helps to keep the forums clean. On the other hand, the spammers will speed up the process by entering useless posts and will try to complete the posts to enable the signatures. What do you think?
It is depend on the post quality. Spammer normally just input some useless post to increase the link shown. If you are posting few quality post, i believed that member will know you are not spammer, and you signature link will generate some traffic to you as well
Signature links do actually generate some real time visitors, not to mention my website is receiving more then 80 unique visitors just from forum signatures.
It should also be noted that you should be using your signature only to forums related to your site. I don't think anybody from DP is going to be interested about Philippine education (my signature at this time)
Good points by OP. I don't agree with you on 'not nofollow' part. I wouldn't care if DP made it's links nofollow. Most active members are not active on forum for links. You can get plenty of traffic and business from the forum.
I always wait until I'm established on a forum before putting in a signature link (say a few weeks and 15-20 posts at least). I think moderators can take a dim view of new members sticking their links all over the place.
Forum post is great way of building backlinks. But you know these links won't do anything for you, because all forum posts PR=0. No need to spam forums, they will not value.