Suggestion - Introduction post count limit or exclusion

[Sephrata]

I know this was discussed before, but I tried to find the thread and failed miserably.

Anyway, I was looking at some new JrVIP and I've seen some of them have them have been clearly abusing the Introduction Forum to meet the 100 post count requirement.

Take this guy for example:
https://www.blackhatworld.com/search/member?user_id=948184 His posts have been about as much use as a chocolate tea pot. He's clearly abused the post count system so he can get his JrVIP membership to create his MP thread (I also think his whole posting history is suspicious).

We could argue until the cows come home about defining 'quality posts', but what can someone post in an introduction forum that is of quality anyway?

Is it possible to limit the post count to a single post when a thread is created?

 

[TheAlmightyDada]

I agree with you @Sephrata - Confession time, I wanted the Jr. VIP for the blue (Jesus, the ego on this guy - right?!). I honestly thought that there would be some verification process, whereby somebody checked through my posts. So it took me a while, as I wanted to provide some quality information for the forum.

It's clear that some people just spam the forum to get to the 15 posts to PM or the 100 posts for Jr. VIP. I report these people when I see them. Could we make it a requirement that when somebody joins the VIP ranks, they have to post an introduction? That way, members could give the persons posts a quick audit.

EDIT: Where these the two threads you were thinking of... One - Two ?

 

[Zwielicht]

but what can someone post in an introduction forum that is of quality anyway?

Some members, although admittedly not most, do post long, helpful responses to help a member get started on the forum.

That guy you're referencing was definitely engaging in post count inflation, but nobody reported it.

68 posts were like this. I need to look into his account, but if I don't find anything else, he'll be issued an infraction.

 

[TheAlmightyDada]

Some members, although admittedly not most, do post long, helpful responses to help a member get started on the forum.

That guy you're referencing was definitely engaging in post count inflation, but nobody reported it.

68 posts were like this. I need to look into his account, but if I don't find anything else, he'll be issued an infraction.

@Zwielicht , out of interest, has he changed his name and avatar since becoming a Jr. VIP? Or have they always been as they are?

 

[Zwielicht]

@Zwielicht , out of interest, has he changed his name and avatar since becoming a Jr. VIP? Or have they always been as they are?

I'll need to contact an admin about that one.

 

[Sephrata]

It's clear that some people just spam the forum to get to the 15 posts to PM or the 100 posts for Jr. VIP. I report these people when I see them.

Yes, I report them daily also. It's usually clear when someone posts 15 times within a short space, stops posting and is seen browsing WTB/HAF.

Could we make it a requirement that when somebody joins the VIP ranks, they have to post an introduction? That way, members could give the persons posts a quick audit.

I think that's a good idea.

Some of the value of JrVIP is lost by people who use it as nothing more than a means to save on the $500 Market Place seller's fee or to post in HAF/WTB. There are JrVIP sellers who make zero contribution outside of the Market Place, although you could always argue that providing a product/service is a contribution in itself.

I do think there should be some alternative membership (other than the $500 Market Place seller) for people who want to do nothing more than sell on here. I guess Premium Membership could be used in this way, with an additional fee to then create a sales thread. You could still retain the $500 Market Place seller accounts by adding some benefits, like faster sales thread review etc.

EDIT: Where these the two threads you were thinking of... https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/boosting-post-counts.925597/ - https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/request-remove-posts-in-introductions-from-counting-towards-post-count.990584/ ?

Yes, the first one is the thread I'm referring to. I did recall some discussion about quality of posts also, but it's a difficult one to judge.

@Zwielicht , out of interest, has he changed his name and avatar since becoming a Jr. VIP? Or have they always been as they are?

He changed his user name (see the second quoted post) - https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/social-media-panel-youtube-views-0-50-k-facebook-twitter-instagram-vine-soundcloud-api.737555/page-52#post-8727503

 

[davids355]

Could introductions just be changed so they don’t contribute towards post count (like lounge posts)?

 

[Sephrata]

Could introductions just be changed so they don’t contribute towards post count (like lounge posts)?

I think this is the solution.

I imagine it would save a fair bit of moderator time also.

 

[TheAlmightyDada]

Could introductions just be changed so they don’t contribute towards post count (like lounge posts)?

I would be happy with this, It would make me feel less guilty about replying there also. I think the counterpoint that was made last time was that spammers will find somewhere else to spam, at least it's easy to spot in the Introductions.

It's amusing to see him spam his way to 100 posts, then immediately stop and we don't hear a word from him until his BST is approved!

 

[blogzandstuff]

Could introductions just be changed so they don’t contribute towards post count (like lounge posts)?

It was discussed before, but nothing happened. The argument was that people wouldn't welcome others. But I agree, some target that section with " welcome " just to boost post count.

 

[Sephrata]

The argument was that people wouldn't welcome others.

I don't really buy this argument because I don't believe the majority are post-count conscious.

Some JrVIPs use it as a way to utilise their banner advertising with a simple, quick post. I doubt this would change if you limited the post count in Introductions.

 

[MisterF]

I'd posted about this many moons ago too;

https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/boosting-post-counts.925597/

 

[TheAlmightyDada]

Here's another one: https://www.blackhatworld.com/search/21766675/ [REPORTED]

 

[Sephrata]

Here's another one: https://www.blackhatworld.com/search/21766675/ [REPORTED]

What's the user's ID?

 

[TheAlmightyDada]

What's the user's ID?

SpicyCode

 

[Sephrata]

This was another one - https://www.blackhatworld.com/search/member?user_id=1110623

Although mostly outside of the Introduction Forum, he posted over 96 times in less than a week and all his posts were a handful of words:

 

[Sephrata]

Sorry to resurrect this, but is there any update on this?

I am forever reporting people who post count bump in Introductions and some are slipping through the net. Take this guy for example:

100 of his counted 116 posts were in Introductions and he's upgraded to Jr VIP after this...

 

[MisterF]

Being a Jr VIP or above doesn't prevent members being removed etc, but anyone who is just posting short, spammy comments just to boost their post counts, please do continue to report them guys.

 

[easyclick0]

Seems like if you removed a welcome post from someone's post count it would just be less reason for people to introduce themselves and be friendly. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Xalion]

Didn't want to open a new thread for this so maybe this is the right thread for it.

Maybe its a good idea to stop counting the post counts in this subforum?

https://www.blackhatworld.com/forums/proxy-lists.103/

I'm sure it will stop the forum spamming.