Signature Links on BAF - Feedback & Suggestions Please!

[Fergal]

Spammers who make a large number of low quality posts, with the sole objective of promoting links in their signature, is something that most forums have to deal with at some time or other. Thankfully the majority of our members make good quality posts, however at times we have seen some of this kind of posting.

Imposing limitations on member signatures can help to combat this kind of spam and maintain high quality posts. These limitations can help all members and include the following policies;

1. Only allowing text in signatures, i.e. not allowing links
2. Adding no follow tags to all signature links - hence members and visitors still see signature links, but there is generally less spam because the links are no follow and do not help with Page Rank
3. Charging a small fee to members who wish to have links in their signatures, spammers generally won't pay even a very small fee for this service
4. Only allowing signature links to members who have say over 50 posts
5. Not allowing signatures until is a member has been registered for say 30 days.

What are your views on these approaches and do you think that any of them could help BAF? Do have any other ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!

[seanstevens]

It is a tough one. Personally I think 3 & 4 are a better fit. Either a one off fee per year (even if only a $, you'd probably make a decent amount to pay for little things around the site) or introducing a high level of quality posts to be able to have a link in the signature (any spammer who wants to just post 50 x 3 word responses would I am sure get a message at some stage telling them to improve their posts)..

Best of luck with it.

Originally Posted by Fergal

Spammers who make a large number of low quality posts, with the sole objective of promoting links in their signature, is something that most forums have to deal with at some time or other. Thankfully the majority of our members make good quality posts, however at times we have seen some of this kind of posting.

Imposing limitations on member signatures can help to combat this kind of spam and maintain high quality posts. These limitations can help all members and include the following policies;

1. Only allowing text in signatures, i.e. not allowing links
2. Adding no follow tags to all signature links - hence members and visitors still see signature links, but there is generally less spam because the links are no follow and do not help with Page Rank
3. Charging a small fee to members who wish to have links in their signatures, spammers generally won't pay even a very small fee for this service
4. Only allowing signature links to members who have say over 50 posts.

What are your views on these approaches and do you think that any of them could help BAF? Do have any other ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!

[Sahil]

Hi Fergal,

That would surely be a good decision. I have couple of suggestion, that may be important:

1. Allowing Just 4 Signature Links.
2. Allowing just specific number of BB Code in Sig to limit the signature links.

It really important to stop spam.

Thanks

[Fergal]

Thanks for the feedback Sean and Sahil.

I've also been thinking of modifying number 4 a little. We could disallow signatures for the first 50 posts, however, when a member reaches 50 posts they are not automatically entitled to a signature. They would have to apply for signature rights. If their posts are spammy they would be refused and if their posts are helpful they would get signature rights.

Or we could even do it the other way round, remove signature rights from members who are seen to be spammy and ask them to re-apply for a signature once they've made 50 more helpful posts.

Any further suggestions on member signatures would be welcomed.

[EvanP]

Hi Fergal

I like the idea for having to make 50 good posts then applying for Signature rights.

I think, personally, this is the best option to use.

Evan

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Fergal

Thanks for the feedback Sean and Sahil.

I've also been thinking of modifying number 4 a little. We could disallow signatures for the first 50 posts, however, when a member reaches 50 posts they are not automatically entitled to a signature. They would have to apply for signature rights. If their posts are spammy they would be refused and if their posts are helpful they would get signature rights.

Exactly. You got it Fergal, this is the perfect one and this can surely help in decreasing spam signatures.

Thanks

[EvanP]

Agreed.

I suggest that to be used.

[realitybites.in]

For members who have more than 50 post can have do-follow link will be good

And there is great suggestion sahil and other members

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by realitybites.in

For members who have more than 50 post can have do-follow link will be good

Then there will be more spam. And also it would be hard to do such settings except Fergal does full forum a do-follow.

[Fergal]

I'm happy for members who make good quality posts to have do-follow links in their signatures, my wish is to keep the spammers out, hopefully without penalising members who make helpful contributions on the forum.

[EvanP]

Thanks Fergal.

[Fergal]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions, which were very helpful in formulating a solution for this issue. We will try the solution below for some time and see how it works out. If it helps protect us from spammers we will keep it and if it is not working we will make changes in the future.

"Post has no value / Increasing post count" warnings will be given to members who make posts that don't add value to the discussion or that are being used primarily to promote the member's signature links. A member who does not listen to these warnings and continues to make these posts will temporarily lose their right to a signature here on BAF and may have their account disabled.

Hopefully this will maintain the quality of our business forum, to the benefit of all our members.

[DEADMAN]

I too believe Signature should be available to the members having 50 posts or more. Spammers won't reach 50 post, even they do they'll be noticeable and eventually banned. I believe 20-30 post to be accomplished for using Signature space is also better and worth.

As long as there is active moderation, I believe Signature is not a big deal. You may try to have a rule of - 10 Quality Post to use Signature Space, for now.

[Fergal]

Thanks DEADMAN, we've started using an infraction system to disable signatures and eventually ban persistent spamming offenders. Infractions can be given as follows;

"Post has no value / Increasing post count" warnings will be given to members who make posts that don't add value to the discussion or that are being used primarily to promote the member's signature links. A member who does not listen to these warnings and continues to make these posts will temporarily lose their right to a signature here on BAF and may have their account disabled.

We'll see how this works out, before introducing minimum post count requirements before signatures can be used.