Do you let new forum members have a signature line?

Charlotte Level 1

June 4, 2013, 5:24 pm

8

Write the reason you're deleting this FAQ

I don't let new members have forum signatures on the forums that I manage as that only encourages link spammers to sign up. However, if someone sticks around for awhile and contributes in a meaningful way to the forum, then I let them have a signature.

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Dayton

Dayton

There's no reason for new forum members to have a signature line. That will only encourage spammers to sign up to your forum. You should limit when/how the forum member can have a signature. For instance, they might earn the right to a signature line if moved into a special category or for sponsoring the forum. That will encourage people to contribute money, especially if they want a backlink on the forum. Otherwise, just make the forum users wait a few weeks or until they have a hundred forum posts.

14 years ago

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angie828

angie828

Only after they have made so many posts, or else there is just way to much spam on them.

14 years ago

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evie

evie

I will wait until they have at least 50 high quality posts.

14 years ago

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Dayton

Dayton

I will wait until they have at least 50 high quality posts.

So long as they are 50 quality posts, I don't see a reason not to do this. If the posts are one or two words you will face quality control problems.

14 years ago

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evie

evie

So long as they are 50 quality posts, I don't see a reason not to do this. If the posts are one or two words you will face quality control problems.

That is why I said high quality. One or two words are not high quality.

14 years ago

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Keith

Keith

Requiring a minimum number of posts before allowing signature line is a good idea. But it can lead to quick posting by spammers, such as copy/paste jobs where people borrow posts from other forums. And, then you start having duplicate content issues. That can really mess up your SEO and search engine ranking

14 years ago

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Caitlin

Caitlin

Or, make the member wait a month before earning signature line. This will discourage the quick posting you complained about. If the person knows they will not have access to the forum signature for a long time anyway, no matter the number of posts, they will just move on to an easier forum target where they can spam.

14 years ago

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America

America

Limit how many new responses or posts a user can make during their first month as a member. That will also stop spammers from rushing in and posting numerous discussions/responses in one day in order to earn a signature line.

14 years ago

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