What is it with people on this forum ...

[bryanon]

... jumping on threads, new AND old, and literally repeating what has already said several times by others?

I mean look at this thread: http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackh...9826-site-making-600-per-month-want-sell.html - someone was asking what's the best marketplace for selling his website and after 4 people had already pointed him towards Flippa, some guy with a post count of 6 jumps out of nowhere and posts:

Flippa is the best option for selling web site.

And like that wasn't enough, a little while later some other guy (this time someone with a post count of a whopping 31!) comes along and posts:

I would try my luck with Flippa.

And this thread was only one example. This kind of posts seem to have become a trend across the whole forum.

I mean sure, I understand that often people need a second opinion and as such, it's a good thing if more than one people give the same suggestion in the same thread - after all, the OP can then be more confident in the quality of the suggestion. But there are two issues:

a) No offence towards newer members (I realise full well that they are the lifeblood of the forum) but the opinion of someone who has joined yesterday literally carries zero weight. It could be different if the opinion was properly clarified, references made, etc. or if it added something extra (such as, "Whilst I agree that Flippa is the best marketplace, look out for this and that") but a random person repeating "flippa is the best marketplace" adds literally zero value to the discussion.

b) I have seen similar behaviour on some other forums (most of you guys here know which ones I'm talking about!) and the most likely scenario in 99% of cases where posts that look like the ones I've quoted above are made is the person simply trying to increase their post count to get whatever perks a higher post count allows them.

As such, I would personally recommend a zero-tolerance for 100% fluff posts like this. Similarly to how "hello dear sir please help me how make $100000000 tomorrow THANKS YOU" posts are deleted at sight, posts that repeat what's already been posted above in the same thread, add nothing new to the discussion and are made by new accounts should also be deleted and users warned on the first occurrence and banned on the 2nd.

/end rant

Bryan

 

[Zapdos]

Post count. That's it. To make themselves look more legit or get to 15 to be able to pm.

 

[TheGreyMatter]

I agree. But if you check the timings of the first two replies, you will see that they were made exactly at the same time. So, while one was posting the reply, the second person didn't saw it since it wasn't posted and both of them pressed the submit button on the same time and suggested the same thing.

But the posts which were made later again and again said the same thing instead which I believe they must have shared their opinions and reviews if they had any with that marketplace they suggested.

 

[ChEcKeD]

Post count. That's it. To make themselves look more legit or get to 15 to be able to pm.

Post count. That's it. To make themselves look more legit or get to 15 to be able to pm.

 

[UrsuAke]

This happens on all forums you can profit from.

It sucks for the community and it doesn't help the poster that much.

But, it won't stop anyone from doing this, that's the saddest part.

Sure you can harden the rules but that will eventually result in a mod dictatorship and posts that are not made to increase post count will get deleted too. I've seen that happen on other forums.

 

[verilix]

People don't always have time to read through all the comments to see whether or not a specific method has already been suggested or not. If they have an answer, and don't feel like reading through everyone else's opinions, then they should post it. Regardless of whether or not it's already been posted.

I personally don't care about my post count. I often point out that I find it funny how a higher post count makes people seem more "pro" and how absurd that is, but I've done the same thing you've mentioned before, simply because I was working and thought I'd throw my 2c in - just in case nobody else had mentioned it. Does that make me a horrible spammer? In my opinion no. But hey, that's only my opinion.

I understand low post users spamming in threads with little to no purpose at all, and I agree that is annoying, but complaining about someone posting the same thing several times is a little ridiculous. I get that you're one of the "pro/popular" guys around the forum, and as such, your opinion makes a lot more difference than my own - but, I just thought I'd point this out.

Regards,
~ver.

 

[bryanon]

This happens on all forums you can profit from.

It sucks for the community and it doesn't help the poster that much.

But, it won't stop anyone from doing this, that's the saddest part.

Sure you can harden the rules but that will eventually result in a mod dictatorship and posts that are not made to increase post count will get deleted too. I've seen that happen on other forums.

Yeah, there's a fine line between over-moderating and taking adequate action.

But starting to delete stuff like this (perhaps not proactively but based on reporting, as doing it proactively would require substantial manpower), if done carefully, shouldn't cross the line. At the end of the day, spam (and I believe it's correct to consider posts like this spam) is an increasing concern and needs to be taken care of. Sure - there will be false positives every now and then and a legitimate post will get deleted, but c'est la vie - having your post deleted and an infraction added isn't the end of the world. Moderators have acted based on far more serious false positives before and will do it in the future, and that's unavoidable.

I agree. But if you check the timings of the first two replies, you will see that they were made exactly at the same time. So, while one was posting the reply, the second person didn't saw it since it wasn't posted and both of them pressed the submit button on the same time and suggested the same thing.

But the posts which were made later again and again said the same thing instead which I believe they must have shared their opinions and reviews if they had any with that marketplace they suggested.

I won't go back to check but I'm sure there were at least 5 mentions of Flippa in the thread, none of which added any additional insights. Several of them were also with large time gaps between them.

With that said, this particular thread was just an example, and perhaps a trigger. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been noticing something like this over and over and over again in various sections/threads for quite some time now.

 

[rettaibi]

It is not always with the intention to increase post count.

I remember from myself, one time a guy asked about which site is the best to analyze backlinks.

a guy already said Ahrefs, and because I also used ahrefs and I like the way they present the stats. I also said ahrefs. not to increase post count but to confirm that ahrefs is the best way to go.

you have to see it like a poll. If one guy already voted for one thing, wouldn't you vote because somebody already voted what you wanted?

But I agree that most of the times it is to increase posts.

 

[SkyrocketSEO]

Thanks for the post SIR, + rep and thanks, I subscribed to this thread......

 

[bryanon]

People don't always have time to read through all the comments to see whether or not a specific method has already been suggested or not. If they have an answer, and don't feel like reading through everyone else's opinions, then they should post it. Regardless of whether or not it's already been posted.

I personally don't care about my post count. I often point out that I find it funny how a higher post count makes people seem more "pro" and how absurd that is, but I've done the same thing you've mentioned before, simply because I was working and thought I'd throw my 2c in - just in case nobody else had mentioned it. Does that make me a horrible spammer? In my opinion no. But hey, that's only my opinion.

I understand low post users spamming in threads with little to no purpose at all, and I agree that is annoying, but complaining about someone posting the same thing several times is a little ridiculous. I get that you're one of the "pro/popular" guys around the forum, and as such, your opinion makes a lot more difference than my own - but, I just thought I'd point this out.

Regards,
~ver.

Just a quick FYI verilix (since you commented in that same thread that I mentioned in my example) - no part of my rant was aimed at you.

Like I said in my OP, I have no issues with established members seconding something that has been suggested before, as it only adds credibility to the initial suggestion, but what bothers me is brand new members repeating other members' opinion without adding any extra value to it (and they don't add credibility either, as they haven't proven themselves to the community yet).

I understand that you may have taken personal offence as your post in that thread is similar to the ones I've quoted, but again - an important aspect is that contrary to the 6-post guys that I pointed my finger at, you're an established member and therefore your opinion carries certain credibility.

It is not always with the intention to increase post count.

I remember from myself, one time a guy asked about which site is the best to analyze backlinks.

a guy already said Ahrefs, and because I also used ahrefs and I like the way they present the stats. I also said ahrefs. not to increase post count but to confirm that ahrefs is the best way to go.

you have to see it like a poll. If one guy already voted for one thing, wouldn't you vote because somebody already voted what you wanted?

But I agree that most of the times it is to increase posts.

Same thing that I said above applies here.

It's important to differentiate between an established member seconding someone's opinion and a brand new account doing the same thing.

It's also not very difficult to post along the lines of "I also think Flippa is the best option because [insert here what makes you believe so]" and voila - the post turns from spam into a value-adding comment.

 

[Young Learner]

I know that you're talking about, this for example...

First guy says it's good, second dude exactly the same message..

 

[bryanon]

Thanks for the post SIR, + rep and thanks, I subscribed to this thread......

Haha. Exactly.

I think I should also write in my rep comment that I've pressed the thanks button as well because otherwise you might not notice

 

[IamBlackhatter]

Not just with one thread there are many similar topics popping in frequent interval.

Some of the hall of fame repeated threads

Google adsense
Best indexing service
How to build tier backlinks
paypal banned my account
original/duplicate content for teir1
which is the best seo tools
how to rank 1 in google
youtube banned me
google adsense ctr
google adsense banned me
where do i sell my websites ?? flippa lol
how to backlinks
what is teir backlinks
how do i get accepted into cpa
how to earn with website
how long it takes for google to index websites/links
is there any millionaire or billionaire here in BHW lol
how to make $$$ in 24hrs ? [even a pro needs more time to think about that :d]
what have you brought with your IM money [much concerned :d]
what is seo
who is the best A/B lol or AB :d
i cant post signature
i cant post BST


And there are some who don't start with this kind of threads but they just start with "We are providing seo" or content or graphics [WTH].Also posts that were posted before ages are bought alive by some

From now i will try mostly to avoid replying to these kinds of threads but i am not an exception in replying to these earlier.

New members don't find patience to do a quick search of what they wanted instead go open a thread in any section that they wish making extra work for mods/admins.May be from now new posts from new members below a certain post count must be moderated with the help of more additional mods.Or somehow refrain from posting the same again and again making it murkier and irk others.

 

[steelballs]

Is it worth suggesting that all newbies have to post a minimum of 30 words in say the first 100 posts they make...

Maybe that sort of control can be set in the user profile, then after 100 posts the 30 word post restriction is removed and they can post like everyone else...

At least that would slow down the spam posts with newbies...

Because they would have to engage the brain to write 30 words...

 

[Duffers5000]

I would love to add a funny reply but I will restrain myself. I see the same thing, op asks a questions....gets a good reply...maybe get 2-3 second opinions or confirmation of the first reply.......2 hours later the the thread has 27 replies. In rare instances theres a conversation going on but 90% of the time its a post count thing and is close to impossible to police.

 

[verilix]

Just a quick FYI verilix (since you commented in that same thread that I mentioned in my example) - no part of my rant was aimed at you.

Like I said in my OP, I have no issues with established members seconding something that has been suggested before, as it only adds credibility to the initial suggestion, but what bothers me is brand new members repeating other members' opinion without adding any extra value to it (and they don't add credibility either, as they haven't proven themselves to the community yet).

I understand that you may have taken personal offence as your post in that thread is similar to the ones I've quoted, but again - an important aspect is that contrary to the 6-post guys that I pointed my finger at, you're an established member and therefore your opinion carries certain credibility.

Hey bryanon,

Yeah I gathered that. I also agree that low post members repeating what has also been said is pointless. When I search for something, I, on average, and if possible, look for what established members have to say with regards to my search, so I understand your point.

However, my point about them not reading the already existing replies still stands. This could be due to laziness, whether or not they're busy, or just to increase their post count.

Regards,
~ver.

 

[SmartMan]

Their main goal is to increase the post counts to look more popular/legit. Some of them keep posting crap even if they don't know what they're talking about.

Here's http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/black-hat-seo/566278-checking-rankings-without-knowing-keywords.html#post5573754 I came over a few days ago.

And that's how you increase post count without hitting the radar.

 

[bryanon]

Not just with one thread there are many similar topics popping in frequent interval.

Some of the hall of fame repeated threads

Google adsense
Best indexing service
How to build tier backlinks
paypal banned my account
original/duplicate content for teir1
which is the best seo tools
how to rank 1 in google
youtube banned me
google adsense ctr
google adsense banned me
where do i sell my websites ?? flippa lol
how to backlinks
what is teir backlinks
how do i get accepted into cpa
how to earn with website
how long it takes for google to index websites/links
is there any millionaire or billionaire here in BHW lol
how to make $$$ in 24hrs ? [even a pro needs more time to think about that :d]
what have you brought with your IM money [much concerned :d]
what is seo
who is the best A/B lol or AB :d
i cant post signature
i cant post BST


And there are some who don't start with this kind of threads but they just start with "We are providing seo" or content or graphics [WTH].Also posts that were posted before ages are bought alive by some

From now i will try mostly to avoid replying to these kinds of threads but i am not an exception in replying to these earlier.

New members don't find patience to do a quick search of what they wanted instead go open a thread in any section that they wish making extra work for mods/admins.May be from now new posts from new members below a certain post count must be moderated with the help of more additional mods.Or somehow refrain from posting the same again and again making it murkier and irk others.

That's a whole different issue, and mods and members alike are doing a great job minimising it, by pointing newer members towards the search button, deleting threads that pop up too frequently, etc.

As for making all posts by new members subject to moderation - not only is this never going to happen on a forum as large as BHW (it would literally require a team of full time moderators working shifts!) but it would also be an incredibly horrible thing to do user-experience wise, as the beauty of a public forum is that you can make your posts LIVE and get replies from other members quickly.

I know a few small forums that have tried something like this and it never works.

Is it worth suggesting that all newbies have to post a minimum of 30 words in say the first 100 posts they make...

Maybe that sort of control can be set in the user profile, then after 100 posts the 30 word post restriction is removed and they can post like everyone else...

At least that would slow down the spam posts with newbies...

Because they would have to engage the brain to write 30 words...

Now that's a fine suggestion!

And tbh - while it would probably not stop the majority of those people from posting, if they are actually forced to write longer posts (and therefore use their brain, rather than the CTRL, C and V buttons on their keyboards) there's the chance that many of those meaningless posts will actually turn into valuable posts.

 

[WPRipper]

I wonder what mods are doing. No offence to them, we know they are doing a great job here, but expect approving BST's and issue bans i cant see what else they are doing (maybe im wrong). They should filter somehow these comments and also filter members too. Bryanon point is good, now lets see what mods can do about that.

 

[fibo202]

Most people read the o.p then jump right dovvn to the bottom to make a comment.

read some of the drop shipping posts. OP didn't post for about 3 years and people still ask for a "catalogue" lol.