What to do with users like this? Advertising in posts

Lucius

legendary

Activity: 3234

Merit: 5637

Blackjack.fun-Free Raffle-Join&Win $50🎲

Quote from: cabalism13 on November 07, 2019, 09:52:35 AM

I think I'm also guilty on this kind of feature

If we look strictly at the rules, one might say that you do not strictly follow them, but I don't see that in your case it could be seen as a negative thing. You don't do it for a reason and in the way others do, it is enough to look at the posts of those who abuse the forum in such a way.

What I do not like is the way how such cases are handled, just deleting such threads/posts does not stop those who want to promote their links in this way. Yesterday I report user BitOffer, or to be exactly one of his thread which is deleted, but everything else is still there, and he continues with his work today.

Harlot

hero member

Activity: 1806

Merit: 672

Quote from: cabalism13 on November 07, 2019, 09:52:35 AM

I think I'm also guilty on this kind of feature
...

Quote from: cabalism13 on November 04, 2019, 11:29:37 PM

Ads:

Support:
Bitcointalk Charity Program

As far as I remembered, it is the third time I've done that. Is this still counted or should I stop it already?

On my own opinion I couldn't count this one as some kind of direct advertising especially if this involves a good running charity that is posted here in Bitcointalk unlike other shillposters who post external links to their websites and also doesn't really want to get involve with their own topic. But with the example you have given I don't see any kind of connection on the “what if” thread you created to the link for the charity you included so I think its inappropriate in this matter.

cabalism13

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Activity: 1428

Merit: 1166

🤩Finally Married🤩

I think I'm also guilty on this kind of feature
...

Quote from: cabalism13 on November 04, 2019, 11:29:37 PM

Ads:

Support:
Bitcointalk Charity Program

As far as I remembered, it is the third time I've done that. Is this still counted or should I stop it already?

Lucius

legendary

Activity: 3234

Merit: 5637

Blackjack.fun-Free Raffle-Join&Win $50🎲

target, did you report that user maybe? I just report them, let's see what happens.

Some use a different strategy without direct links, but they certainly make sure they mention what they promote as many times as possible. For example, here's a user who just woke up after several months of hibernation, and in just a 3 days he made 10 posts about his service or better to say - how to make a fortune from trading by using my site Roll Eyes

Post History

target

legendary

Activity: 2282

Merit: 1041

There are number of them that only promotes their crypto news site. Although they spark the conversation here its not much healthy if they just keep doing it without replying back to the thread. If they are going to be posting links like they are spamming, they might as well be buying a copper membership for that privilege otherwise they are going to abuse this. For SEO purpose, dofollow links in the forum is very much useful for them to rank.

This user had been doing it since last April of this year https://bitcointalksearch.org/user/harrydose-2474729

Pearls Before Swine

sr. member

Activity: 1190

Merit: 306

I just came across a member I think is doing this. This is the Op of a thread he started:

Quote from: jane mario on October 30, 2019, 10:01:35 PM

Here are 6 of my reasons, what about your thoughts

1.80% of day traders give up within the first two years;

2.Among day traders, only nearly 40% of the day's trading was within a month only;

3.Within three years, only 13% continued trading. After 5 years, only 7% were left;

4.The average individual investor is 1.5% less than the market index;

5.Active traders' performance drops by 6.5% annually;

6.Traders with up to 10 years of experience continue to trade.

If you are interested in electronic payment systems, please click on this link: https://vakaxa.net/he-thong-thanh-toan-tien-dien-tu/ otherwise you should ignore it.

The advertising is in the last sentence. This member also started another thread which was *very* much like another one. I reported both of them. The trading rules thread isn't a straight plagiarism but it is very close.

Lucius

legendary

Activity: 3234

Merit: 5637

Blackjack.fun-Free Raffle-Join&Win $50🎲

Quote from: actmyname on October 31, 2019, 10:10:25 AM

I think it's pretty clear this crosses the rules. These "article" threads shouldn't be posted around, either. If anything all of them should be moved to the Press section.

As Welsh says in his comment, not all moderators have the same point of view in such cases, how else to explain that someone has been doing this for months and that he was not properly punished. Although it is possible that such users first get only warning, then temp ban and maybe another one before perma ban.

Press board has much higher criteria then such posts, and personally I have not yet seen any moderators move anything there because it is also a very problematic board where in recent months, some have literally privatized that board for signature spam and as people paid to post links of certain so-called crypto news outlets.

Upgrade00

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Activity: 2114

Merit: 2248

Playgram - The Telegram Casino

Quote from: Thirdspace on October 29, 2019, 06:53:47 PM

he is promoting the site! making backlinks to boost his site
check his post history, all of his post always linking out to coinpedia.org pages

This is obviously a marketing strategy, to boost his websites visibility on SERP. Search engines has optimized to reduce the effect of this self promoting.

Quote from: libert19 on November 01, 2019, 12:49:21 AM

what pisses me off however is that, users keep commenting there keeping the thread up.

Such low quality threads provides a good opportunity for other users to make posts without any real effort. Some newbies simply start threads and leave, return a few hours or days later and start another. I usually put such members on ignore.

libert19

hero member

Activity: 2520

Merit: 952

I report such posts as promotional as well, what pisses me off however is that, users keep commenting there keeping the thread up.

actmyname

copper member

Activity: 2562

Merit: 2510

Spear the bees

Quote from: Lucius on October 31, 2019, 08:54:44 AM

My report is still unhandled for that user, but as you say he is maybe warned via PM, or he is maybe get temp ban. The user in question has not been active for the past two days, but I have no doubt that he will return to old habits sooner or later.

I found another one using the same method to advertise his site, although this one has only recently woken up after hibernation. I think his intent is pretty clear, but just two posts this year may not be enough to report.

harshvasistha post history

Given that:

Quote

24. Advertisements (including signatures within the post area) in posts aren't allowed unless the post is in a thread you started and is really substantial and useful.[9][e]

I think it's pretty clear this crosses the rules. These "article" threads shouldn't be posted around, either. If anything all of them should be moved to the Press section.

Lucius

legendary

Activity: 3234

Merit: 5637

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My report is still unhandled for that user, but as you say he is maybe warned via PM, or he is maybe get temp ban. The user in question has not been active for the past two days, but I have no doubt that he will return to old habits sooner or later.

I found another one using the same method to advertise his site, although this one has only recently woken up after hibernation. I think his intent is pretty clear, but just two posts this year may not be enough to report.

harshvasistha post history

Welsh

staff

Activity: 3304

Merit: 4115

Quote from: Lucius on October 30, 2019, 05:25:49 AM

I know there are just a few mods, and they need to handle a huge number of reported posts, but in this case, they seem rather hesitant to do something. This user is doing the same thing for months, and I think my report is not the first one.

Yeah, you're probably right. I had 4 reports against this user handled as good within a few hours. I can't remember what sections they were in now so could well have been a dedicated moderator who dealt with them. Global moderators are definitely more experienced than me, but my personal stance would be a temp ban. The user may have possibly been warned via a personal message though so the user may have already been warned.

Maybe I'm a little too strict when it comes to these sorts of posts though. I tend to favour quality discussion, and take the advertisements in a post without being substantial quite seriously which other moderators might disagree with.

Lucius

legendary

Activity: 3234

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Quote from: Welsh on October 29, 2019, 09:26:45 AM

The global moderators probably deal with 1000s of reports a day, and it might take them a little while to get through all of them. Especially, when handling bans.

I know there are just a few mods, and they need to handle a huge number of reported posts, but in this case, they seem rather hesitant to do something. This user is doing the same thing for months, and I think my report is not the first one.

Quote from: dkbit98 on October 29, 2019, 09:29:40 AM

I don't think this post you reported is promoting anything, that news website is not his probably,

That's your opinion, but think about what a forum would look like if everyone was doing the same thing as the mentioned user? Not only that it is a spam, but also advertising against forum rules.

Quote from: Bightening on October 29, 2019, 02:42:16 PM

I’ll like to read this post, and boost my knowledge but when you click the link, it says, ‘The topic or board you are looking for appears to be either missing or off limits to you.’

I reported this post, and the whole thread is deleted, that's why you only get that message.

Thirdspace

hero member

Activity: 1232

Merit: 738

Mixing reinvented for your privacy | chipmixer.com

Quote from: dkbit98 on October 29, 2019, 09:29:40 AM

I don't think this post you reported is promoting anything, that news website is not his probably,
and no need for all members to write long and boring posts as they would mostly be edited copy/paste.

how can you say he is not promoting... he is promoting the site! making backlinks to boost his site
check his post history, all of his post always linking out to coinpedia.org pages

Quote from: Welsh on October 29, 2019, 09:26:45 AM

I'd say temp ban due to most of their posts being of low quality, and obviously trying to push a website with their low quality posts too.

agree, he makes it look like he creates a legit thread for a discussion on something
but his true intention is to create many backlinks to improve his site's seo rank and get visitors/pageviews
I support a temp ban for a warning, then a permanent ban if he repeats it again

hosseinimr93

legendary

Activity: 2380

Merit: 5213

In my opinion, users like Prateek_sharma should be banned.
There is no problem if someone makes a post and refer to a news website, but when all of the posts are referred to specific websites, that's abusing bitcointalk. Because they are using bitcointalk for another purpose.

Harlot

hero member

Activity: 1806

Merit: 672

Quote from: Bttzed03 on October 29, 2019, 12:22:00 PM

Quote from: Harlot on October 29, 2019, 11:40:38 AM

I don't say that I lile what we have now but I think site promotions regarding sites related to articles, news, blogs are harmless as long as it's relevant and not about the main purpose of the thread.

At least they can tell a little about what's in the article and then write something like "you can read the full article at website xxx".

That's really how you can contribute and be relevant to the forum without having the real intentions of just promoting your website here. I've seen different ways of this people on how they want to advertise/promote their website mostly the ones sharing articles are having a conversation with their thread, the ones promoting their services are not and is more interested in answering questions regarding their business rather than what the other things they have posted just to promote their link on the post.

Bightening

member

Activity: 66

Merit: 18

I literally do byte.

Quote from: Lucius on October 29, 2019, 09:22:27 AM

Another example of how to promote exchange by posting something relevant and useful :

Breaking Down FUD on Halvings/Promoting My Exchange

I’ll like to read this post, and boost my knowledge but when you click the link, it says, ‘The topic or board you are looking for appears to be either missing or off limits to you.’

By the way, The Forum already has created a good feature to advertise your website, and that’s SIGNATURE You can decide to advertise your website there.

tmfp

legendary

Activity: 1932

Merit: 1737

"Common rogue from Russia with a bare ass."

Quote from: hugeblack on October 29, 2019, 11:54:47 AM

Quote from: tmfp on October 29, 2019, 10:06:21 AM

I actually left that account negative trust due to the scams it was promoting in these sneaky posts.
At the same time another legendary was meriting them.
WTF.

I do not think that you will search the history of user posts before sending Merits.

I do.

Quote from: Jet Cash on October 29, 2019, 12:06:18 PM

Unfortunately being a merit source is quite an onerous and unpaid responsibility, and we don't have time to research all of the posters we review.

Make time, or don't leave it.

JeromeTash

legendary

Activity: 2338

Merit: 1261

Heisenberg

I remember that chap so well... almost every post he makes, they are low quality and always directing people to read more from his website including scams. That's why i even had to leave a negative feedback to his profile despite several warnings.

Quote from: dkbit98 on October 29, 2019, 09:29:40 AM

I don't think this post you reported is promoting anything, that news website is not his probably,
and no need for all members to write long and boring posts as they would mostly be edited copy/paste.

But maybe he should move some of his previous post to proper sections.

Look through his post history again... There is on particular website he keeps mentioning

TalkStar

copper member

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Merit: 737

✅ Need Campaign Manager? TG > @TalkStar675

Quote from: Lucius on October 29, 2019, 09:22:27 AM

Reported post : Bitcoin Price Analysis: What Has Triggered 30% Surge?
User Post History : Prateek_sharma

Yep you are right, this user is using the link of "Coinpedia.org" from the beginning and i found something interesting this after checking his post history. Its clearly intentional and most probably he is the owner of this website. Every single time he used the same website link.

Here is some post link:

1. https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.51136458
2. https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.51089232
3.https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.51147953

Another interesting thing is that he also advertised an exchange website which is not active now.

Here is the exchange link: https://airfio.com (Inactive now)
His post link where he encouraged others to use this exchange;

1. https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.50980719
2. https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.50993601
3. https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.50920599

Bttzed03

legendary

Activity: 2114

Merit: 1150

https://bitcoincleanup.com/

There are some users doing the same in boards like Altcoin Discussion.

"I was looking for.......and then I saw website xxx"
"My friend told me about website xxx"

or something like that.

Quote from: Harlot on October 29, 2019, 11:40:38 AM

I don't say that I lile what we have now but I think site promotions regarding sites related to artivles, news, blogs are harmless as long as it's relevant and not about the main purpose of the thread.

At least they can tell a little about what's in the article and then write something like "you can read the full article at website xxx".

Jet Cash

legendary

Activity: 2814

Merit: 2472

https://JetCash.com

I think OgNasty may have awarded the merits because he thought the thread might create interesting discussion, and that is something that merit sources should do. Unfortunately being a merit source is quite an onerous and unpaid responsibility, and we don't have time to research all of the posters we review. The only thing that we can do is to put the posters on ignore, but something has to trigger that action ( such as all caps titles, or quote pyramids

).

hugeblack

legendary

Activity: 2702

Merit: 4002

If he writes that news and the wording in the subject is good, I don't think that can be considered spam.
Therefore, the ruling differs from one user to another and it is better to give a temporary ban as mentioned by @Welsh.

Quote from: tmfp on October 29, 2019, 10:06:21 AM

I actually left that account negative trust due to the scams it was promoting in these sneaky posts.
At the same time another legendary was meriting them.
WTF.

I do not think that you will search the history of user posts before sending Merits. that topic (alone) does not seem to be a Spam topic> Maybe those who gave Merit admired the content of the article.

Deathwing

legendary

Activity: 1638

Merit: 1329

Stultorum infinitus est numerus

Quote from: dkbit98 on October 29, 2019, 11:28:30 AM

Well I proposed not allowing newbies to post outside links or create topics, but I was attacked by some oldtime members...
like it would some kind of members right violation or something idk

No. This would kill almost all of the announcements threads. The whole problem is not Newbie's posting links. There are a lot of helpful newbies helping each other out there. The problem is some websites, mostly news and/or site that you can purchase coins from with a lot of commission do this. The best way to deal with this is just nuking these specific accounts who keep doing this.

Harlot

hero member

Activity: 1806

Merit: 672

I don't say that I lile what we have now but I think site promotions regarding sites related to artivles, news, blogs are harmless as long as it's relevant and not about the main purpose of the thread. But for posts with links involving money then this should be heavily moderated as they are illegaly promoting something outside of the signature area. Yes website links for articles are also promoting their site but as long as it's relevant to Bitcoin and crypto I think that we should give them a pass.

dkbit98

legendary

Activity: 2212

Merit: 7064

Well I proposed not allowing newbies to post outside links or create topics, but I was attacked by some oldtime members...
like it would be some kind of members right violation or something idk

Deathwing

legendary

Activity: 1638

Merit: 1329

Stultorum infinitus est numerus

There are a few of those in the Turkish section and every time I see it, I immediately report them. It is so damn annoying to see, several lines of somewhat comprehensible information and just a read more link to their own website.

They have levelled up recently though, I've seen one of the sites giving a tutorial on how to buy Bitcoin/Ethereum etc. with Credit Card (very short, few lines and sites with no detail whatsoever) and then linking their own site so that you can purchase there.

If there were to be rule implemented to combat this, I would be all for it.

tmfp

legendary

Activity: 1932

Merit: 1737

"Common rogue from Russia with a bare ass."

I actually left that account negative trust due to the scams it was promoting in these sneaky posts.
At the same time another legendary was meriting them.
WTF.

Welsh

staff

Activity: 3304

Merit: 4115

Quote from: dkbit98 on October 29, 2019, 09:29:40 AM

I don't think this post you reported is promoting anything, that news website is not his probably,
and no need for all members to write long and boring posts as they would mostly be edited copy/paste.

But maybe he should move some of his previous post to proper sections.

It doesn't have to be their website, though. These posts are still very low quality. Some of his posts are literally "Alright". Although, apparently the user has written up a review on the website that they're constantly posting about;

Quote from: Prateek_sharma on September 13, 2019, 07:34:28 AM

Hey Everyone!

I wrote up a nice Lbank review. I would love to hear your thoughts on the lbank exchange and their features.

Take A quick look at: Lbank Review

Please let me know if you have any questions about the Lbank review!

Almost every single post is pushing that website, and for the ones that aren't promoting the website they are very low quality posts. Plus they aren't even participating in the threads that they're posting. Thus, I would deem that as the only reason for posting; to advertise the website, and would fall under this guideline:

Quote

24. Advertisements (including signatures within the post area) in posts aren't allowed unless the post is in a thread you started and is really substantial and useful.[9][e]

dkbit98

legendary

Activity: 2212

Merit: 7064

I don't think this post you reported is promoting anything, that news website is not his probably,
and no need for all members to write long and boring posts as they would mostly be edited copy/paste.

But maybe he should move some of his previous post to proper sections.

Welsh

staff

Activity: 3304

Merit: 4115

I'd say temp ban due to most of their posts being of low quality, and obviously trying to push a website with their low quality posts too. Its up to the global moderators what they deem temp ban worthy though. If they were at least putting some major effort into the posts before linking their website then I could understand this not being so black, and white. However, that certainly isn't the case here.

The global moderators probably deal with 1000s of reports a day, and it might take them a little while to get through all of them. Especially, when handling bans.

Lucius

legendary

Activity: 3234

Merit: 5637

Blackjack.fun-Free Raffle-Join&Win $50🎲

I often see users promoting their websites by posting one line of text, or others who do the same thing by posting a wall of text with their links in it. I report them to moderators as advertising, especially if it's a forum user who does this systematically.

Three days ago I reported one user who is doing promotion of his news site for months on this forum, report is still unhandled and this is a bit odd when looking at the post history of this user. I wonder why things like this aren't punished instantaneously and with temp bans? This would certainly be a clear message that such behavior is not acceptable.

Reported post : Bitcoin Price Analysis: What Has Triggered 30% Surge?
User Post History : Prateek_sharma

Another example of how to promote exchange by posting something relevant and useful :

Breaking Down FUD on Halvings/Promoting My Exchange Edit: // thread deleted.

Topic: What to do with users like this? Advertising in posts (Read 494 times)