<…> I have asked theymos for two report queues: one for important/urgent reports and another for sig spam or less important stuff because the report queue is getting filled with reports on sig spammers and it buries all the others so mods have to scroll through dozens and sometimes hundreds of reports just to find something that isn't sig spam related. There could either be two report buttons or a drop down menu with the most common rule infractions and that sorts them into importance somehow.
Topic: What constitutes spam and how best to avoid it - page 2. (Read 416 times)
Just to illustrate your point here, I read an interesting post created today by a Global Moderator (@hilariousandco), which goes to show the degree of reports that are created reporting spam, and how that can lead to saturating the report queue due to the sheer amount of reports of this nature:
As a member of BT, you would most likely have come across discussions on spam and ways to curb it. As a newbie you would have to understand what constitutes spam in order to best avoid it.
What is Spam?
Conventionally, it is used to refer to unsolicited messages sent out electronically and in bulk. Example would be emails in your spam folder which you did not request or authorize.
Here on the forum spam could be used interchangeably with low value content, poorly constructed replies/post, repetition of a particular idea, it could also be the use of a crude means to convert a text into a different language to post on a particular board. In essence, spam are contents which adds no value, reason why they are deleted by moderators on sight.
There are other consequences of spam, besides getting your posts deleted:
- Spam reduces the quality of your post history. Having a good post history is vital in growing an account. If an account repeatedly posts low value content, any post of value would be viewed with reservations by some members and some would be prompted to check for possible plagiarism.
- Repeated spam contents could get you on the ignore list of other forum members (and merit sources) reducing your chances of ranking up.
- Newbie accounts with less than 30 activities could get nuked for low value contents, and all posts deleted.
- In extreme cases, it could get you a temporary or even a permanent ban:
How to know if you are spamming?
Spamming is NOT heavily dependent on the length of your posts or replies, a one line which contains relevant points to the specific discussion is more important than a long, rambling post which may be off topic and offer zero value to the discussion.
If you reply to threads without going through the previous discussion with the sole aim of making a post to count in a bounty requirement or to boost your activity, then you very likely would be spamming or posting similar replies to what has already been posted.
If you reply to threads without actual understanding of the topic being discussed, then you very likely are spamming.
If you post in a language you don't have a fair command of (to be at the very least understandable), or use translators then you are spamming.
If you make posts/replies with the sole aim of increasing your post count. That would count as spam.
Accounts created to advertise for a website with links and repeated contents also constitutes spam.
Ways to avoid spam?
The most effective way to avoid spam is to read before you post: This could be previous discussions or external articles related to the discussion. It's best to read more than you post.
Use the SEARCH option before starting a topic. This way you know how your idea has been posted previously (if at all it has been) and how best to present your post in a new and relevant form.
Do not post in topics or boards you're not familiar with: the forum has numerous boards and also local sections to allow everyone to find a niche where they can be more helpful to the entire community. Find the sections that best suits you and stick to it.
Read the requirements of any bounty if you wish to join: almost all bounties has rules and regulations, ranging from how many posts to make in a specific period and what sections you should and should not post in. Only take up bounties which you can comfortably manage without the value of your content dropping significantly..
Avoid using multiple accounts: alt accounts are allowed on the forum for a variety of reasons, one of which is to alienate yourself (on one account) from an idea you might have and post it on another account. Using it for financial reasons could reduce the quality of your content and also increases the risk of your posting similar content on different accounts which could constitute plagiarism.
Do not make posts with the sole aim of agreeing or commending a previous post, with contents like: 'I agree' or 'Nice one'. That is the reason merits were implemented.
If you do not have any smerits at the time you could bookmark the post for later or suggest it on any of the forums merit giveaway threads, such as;
Merit for Crypto (and other) Knowledge (no guide threads)
Merits holding you back? Am giving them to most qualitative Newbie / Jr / Member
In addition to improving the quality of your posts, you can also help curb spam by reporting low value contents. Look up this thread:
[Guide] Reporting effectively
What is Spam?
Conventionally, it is used to refer to unsolicited messages sent out electronically and in bulk. Example would be emails in your spam folder which you did not request or authorize.
Here on the forum spam could be used interchangeably with low value content, poorly constructed replies/post, repetition of a particular idea, it could also be the use of a crude means to convert a text into a different language to post on a particular board. In essence, spam are contents which adds no value, reason why they are deleted by moderators on sight.
There are other consequences of spam, besides getting your posts deleted:
- Spam reduces the quality of your post history. Having a good post history is vital in growing an account. If an account repeatedly posts low value content, any post of value would be viewed with reservations by some members and some would be prompted to check for possible plagiarism.
- Repeated spam contents could get you on the ignore list of other forum members (and merit sources) reducing your chances of ranking up.
- Newbie accounts with less than 30 activities could get nuked for low value contents, and all posts deleted.
- In extreme cases, it could get you a temporary or even a permanent ban:
Campaign Participants:
Staff do not want to hand out bans for unconstructive posts but if we feel that you as a user are continually making very poor or unsubstantial posts due to your paid signature the following bans will be issued:
First offence: 7 days
Second offence: 14 days
Third offence: 30 days
Fourth: Permanent ban
Staff do not want to hand out bans for unconstructive posts but if we feel that you as a user are continually making very poor or unsubstantial posts due to your paid signature the following bans will be issued:
First offence: 7 days
Second offence: 14 days
Third offence: 30 days
Fourth: Permanent ban
How to know if you are spamming?
Spamming is NOT heavily dependent on the length of your posts or replies, a one line which contains relevant points to the specific discussion is more important than a long, rambling post which may be off topic and offer zero value to the discussion.
If you reply to threads without going through the previous discussion with the sole aim of making a post to count in a bounty requirement or to boost your activity, then you very likely would be spamming or posting similar replies to what has already been posted.
If you reply to threads without actual understanding of the topic being discussed, then you very likely are spamming.
If you post in a language you don't have a fair command of (to be at the very least understandable), or use translators then you are spamming.
If you make posts/replies with the sole aim of increasing your post count. That would count as spam.
Accounts created to advertise for a website with links and repeated contents also constitutes spam.
Ways to avoid spam?
The most effective way to avoid spam is to read before you post: This could be previous discussions or external articles related to the discussion. It's best to read more than you post.
Use the SEARCH option before starting a topic. This way you know how your idea has been posted previously (if at all it has been) and how best to present your post in a new and relevant form.
Do not post in topics or boards you're not familiar with: the forum has numerous boards and also local sections to allow everyone to find a niche where they can be more helpful to the entire community. Find the sections that best suits you and stick to it.
Read the requirements of any bounty if you wish to join: almost all bounties has rules and regulations, ranging from how many posts to make in a specific period and what sections you should and should not post in. Only take up bounties which you can comfortably manage without the value of your content dropping significantly..
Avoid using multiple accounts: alt accounts are allowed on the forum for a variety of reasons, one of which is to alienate yourself (on one account) from an idea you might have and post it on another account. Using it for financial reasons could reduce the quality of your content and also increases the risk of your posting similar content on different accounts which could constitute plagiarism.
Do not make posts with the sole aim of agreeing or commending a previous post, with contents like: 'I agree' or 'Nice one'. That is the reason merits were implemented.
If you do not have any smerits at the time you could bookmark the post for later or suggest it on any of the forums merit giveaway threads, such as;
Merit for Crypto (and other) Knowledge (no guide threads)
Merits holding you back? Am giving them to most qualitative Newbie / Jr / Member
In addition to improving the quality of your posts, you can also help curb spam by reporting low value contents. Look up this thread:
[Guide] Reporting effectively
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