New Section 3 Rule: 3.15 Restriction of Contact Information
- Thread starter PetraAnn
- Start date
- Mar 10, 2010
- 42,697
- 107,138
Please open a dispute resolution thread.
- Mar 2, 2020
- 1,258
- 327
Hello!
Today I reported at this thread
https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/g...lid-dollar-spent.1775389/page-6#post-20583644
As you can see op continue to post contact information that lead outside the forum.
Unfortunately my report was rejected: nothing against the rules.
So as far as I understand, I can post contact information that lead outside the forum. Can the mods explain in which cases I can post such information in sales thread
Today I reported at this thread
https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/g...lid-dollar-spent.1775389/page-6#post-20583644
As you can see op continue to post contact information that lead outside the forum.
Unfortunately my report was rejected: nothing against the rules.
So as far as I understand, I can post contact information that lead outside the forum. Can the mods explain in which cases I can post such information in sales thread
- Nov 12, 2024
- 1,426
- 4,054
It was just a mistake on our part. They happen. The post's been deleted and the member has been warned.
marouan daoudi
BANNED
- Dec 14, 2017
- 97
- 47
Pls try to keep the environment clean so that customers can feel secure using the service
- Sep 19, 2019
- 702
- 113
Hi,
With all respect. This rule is not good for us or for everyone.
We sell Hosting Services and specific products. We pay to be in marketplace and to announce our products which is not only 1 or 2, are many and is not a single page, there are many pages and products related, services, support.
This not make any sense, we respect this decision, but you should review this for Hosting Providers, how it is supposed to be happy with this rule if we launch a new service, we need to ask users to visit first thread post? Not make sense, sorry..
We understand there are some people abusiving of it or not respecting the new rules to sell products that aren't allowed, but this is really bad for us and for Hosting Providers, doesn't fit and also is something that we are worried about. We tried to respect the rule and we will be doing, but are we sure that this could be called Marketplace?
Maybe this justifies for more abusive business, but not with our business niche where the support and all legal aspects needs to be correct.
Best Regards,
Alexhost
With all respect. This rule is not good for us or for everyone.
We sell Hosting Services and specific products. We pay to be in marketplace and to announce our products which is not only 1 or 2, are many and is not a single page, there are many pages and products related, services, support.
This not make any sense, we respect this decision, but you should review this for Hosting Providers, how it is supposed to be happy with this rule if we launch a new service, we need to ask users to visit first thread post? Not make sense, sorry..
We understand there are some people abusiving of it or not respecting the new rules to sell products that aren't allowed, but this is really bad for us and for Hosting Providers, doesn't fit and also is something that we are worried about. We tried to respect the rule and we will be doing, but are we sure that this could be called Marketplace?
Maybe this justifies for more abusive business, but not with our business niche where the support and all legal aspects needs to be correct.
Best Regards,
Alexhost
- Mar 10, 2010
- 42,697
- 107,138
Isn’t the first post in a sales thread supposed to be the strongest?
I would always start with my most compelling post in the initial opportunity to get a client.
- Sep 19, 2019
- 702
- 113
Hi.
Sure it will be for new users. For others that commented or already saw the first one it won't.
Best Regards,
Alexhost
- Nov 1, 2024
- 1,185
- 4,415
Thank you for your feedback.
Right now we are sticking with the rule as it stands. However, when you bump your thread, you may link to the 1st post. You may also DM those who claim they're interested in your thread with information directly.
This way those who are truly interested still get the information they need.
SerpPirate
BANNED
- Aug 18, 2025
- 7
- 1
Finally something that makes sense. Off-site chats were a mess and always end up in disputes. If people actually follow the first post and link the thread in DMs, the forum might calm down a bit. Not perfect, but I’ll take fewer Telegram headaches.
- Sep 19, 2019
- 702
- 113
Hi, dear @PetraAnn
You don't understand that this is bad for the community, us, people who paid and the forum?
Under the current policy, only a link placed in the thread’s first post is permitted. That first post spans more than ten pages and is primarily visible only to users who have not yet entered the thread. Requiring prospective customers to navigate back to page one and locate a single link introduces unnecessary friction that has resulted in a measurable decline in referral traffic and conversion opportunities for Alexhost. Most users do not return to the first page of a multi-page thread, and the additional steps significantly reduce the commercial effectiveness of paid vendor threads.
This rule effectively places the burden of others’ behavior on paying vendors and undermines the intended function of VIP sales threads. Alexhost requests that the moderation team reconsider this restriction or implement a reasonable alternative that preserves forum safety while restoring fair commercial functionality for paying vendors. for example: permitting a single, clearly labeled vendor link within each vendor’s posts; enabling a verified vendor profile page with a persistent, accessible link; or providing approved link placement guidelines that address moderation concerns without removing commercial utility.
This is bad for us and for everyone who have services in THEIR website and the only way to purchase it is THROUGH website:
This is not only our opinion, this are facts. We pay to have our own Marketplace thread when you disable and remove the most and high important feature, linking to our services new, old, changed!
I think this is not the right way and this process should be reviewed better. There are many ways to avoid scams and phishing and other thing and limiting without causing trouble to those who never did anything wrong.
Best Regards,
Alexhost
You don't understand that this is bad for the community, us, people who paid and the forum?
Under the current policy, only a link placed in the thread’s first post is permitted. That first post spans more than ten pages and is primarily visible only to users who have not yet entered the thread. Requiring prospective customers to navigate back to page one and locate a single link introduces unnecessary friction that has resulted in a measurable decline in referral traffic and conversion opportunities for Alexhost. Most users do not return to the first page of a multi-page thread, and the additional steps significantly reduce the commercial effectiveness of paid vendor threads.
This rule effectively places the burden of others’ behavior on paying vendors and undermines the intended function of VIP sales threads. Alexhost requests that the moderation team reconsider this restriction or implement a reasonable alternative that preserves forum safety while restoring fair commercial functionality for paying vendors. for example: permitting a single, clearly labeled vendor link within each vendor’s posts; enabling a verified vendor profile page with a persistent, accessible link; or providing approved link placement guidelines that address moderation concerns without removing commercial utility.
This is bad for us and for everyone who have services in THEIR website and the only way to purchase it is THROUGH website:
- Loss of potentional new clients
- Loss of Interest due to time of going to 1st thread initial post
- We pay for nothing, this is supposed to sell and not to be blocked because some users or companies doesn't respect the rules
- We are a company registered and we use Paypal with is a strong indicator of less scams.
- This is bad for new services that we have, how users will know? They won't.
- This is bad for the whole community and paid VIP Membership in this forum.
- Loss of Traffic, Clicks
- Not possible to announce new products (with new links)
- Not possible to direct the customer to the right way (support, sales contact etc)
This is not only our opinion, this are facts. We pay to have our own Marketplace thread when you disable and remove the most and high important feature, linking to our services new, old, changed!
I think this is not the right way and this process should be reviewed better. There are many ways to avoid scams and phishing and other thing and limiting without causing trouble to those who never did anything wrong.
Best Regards,
Alexhost
- Sep 19, 2019
- 702
- 113
Hello,
That’s wrong; perhaps you’re saying that because you don’t run a business or aren’t a member who sells here.
This affects sales in other niches where scams and fraud are non-existent or virtually non-existent; your opinion is incorrect. You’re lumping everyone together. Do you think that’s fair? You get scammed because you want to be, and depending on the type of service you’re selling, it’s sometimes blatantly obvious that something’s going to go wrong.
But let’s talk about us and for our sake. This rule affects us as companies selling servers. We’re a company that’s been in the market for over 10 years. We use PayPal (there are few scammers); people use PayPal because of its rules and the ability to resolve issues by opening a dispute on PayPal.
Now, with this rule, we cannot:
- Advertise new products with links
- Show evidence on our website
- Tell users where to find product X or Y on our website
- Publish new promotions that are exclusive to forums or hidden from the website and only available via a link
- Send support links
- If we have to change the URL of any page, we cannot post it here
- Exclusive promotions and discounts on products? We cannot post them here.
- New pages, a new website, new services that are not visible on social media or on the homepage – we cannot post them here.
PS: There are other companies adding the link of their websites in the thread... and no one of moderators are checking.
Do you think this is right? We get paid to sell, yet we ARE RESTRICTED from selling because of other niches that aren’t ours!
Example: It’s the same as if you paid for a licence for paid software and they told you, “You can use the paid software, but you can’t make use of its features – you can only look at it!”
Or a better example: You bought a licence at the market to sell your products from a stall in the middle of the street. You paid for that and to be there selling your services. Then someone comes along and says you can be there, but you can’t sell anything. Yet you paid to be there and could have been there, but they’ve decided you can’t sell because someone else is breaking the rules…
Does that make sense? No, it doesn’t.
We have every respect for the forum and its rules, but this affects us and other businesses in our niche.
As for Telegram, I agree they can ban it, but at least let us post links to our website… and just ban sales via Telegram.
They should review this and apply only in where scams, frauds happens more frequently and also allow only companies legally registered to publish their website links
This is what they can do:
- Only legally registered companies may post links
- Only companies that have been registered on the forum for more than 6 months as members may post links in their threads
- Only Category X may post niche links
- Only companies with a PayPal account may post links
- Only companies that have been registered for more than 2 years may post links
There are various things that can be done without harming others. We are being harmed, and many aren’t even following the rules. We don’t want to name names. But ‘Selling Hosting’ is exactly that – it involves selling servers and posting links. How are we supposed to sell if links are banned?
There are no excuses; there are countless ways to avoid and prevent scams and fraud. There are countless ways to do this without harming forum users. I can list several – I’ve already listed a few – but many more can be devised and put into practice.
We pay for VIP membership to sell and advertise on the marketplace – but what exactly are we advertising and selling?? If we’re limited and completely restricted? What on earth are we paying for, after all?
We respect the rules, but unfortunately this is killing the niche. So much so that not even the rules for threads are being followed by others – we are, though; you only need to look at the ‘servers and web hosting’ threads.
Alexhost
- Nov 12, 2024
- 1,426
- 4,054
We have an anonymous reporting system here on BHW. You could use this to name them so you can work on a playing field you currently perceive to be uneven. Yet I don't recall seeing any reports from you, although I'm happy to be corrected on this.
- Nov 1, 2024
- 1,185
- 4,415
So, just a few things here:
1. Advertise new products with links: nobody should be advertising new products w/o approval.
2. Show evidence on website: you can edit your sales copy to include it.
3. Tell users where to find x, y, z on website: you can edit your sales copy and include this info.
4. Publish new promotions that are exclusive... : discounts, vouchers, promo codes can be included based on whether or not they include any in the opening post. Just no link other than links to the opening post.
5. Send support links: again, should be in the sales copy.
6. If we have to change the url of any page: see above.
7. New pages, website, service... : again, new products or services need approval.
When you reply to your thread, include the link to the 1st post or your DM so buyers can inquire. You can always link internally to BHW locations.
All of the MP rules are here: https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/the-blackhat-world-r-marketplace-rules.1295700/
Editing and updating specifically here: https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/the-blackhat-world-r-marketplace-rules.1295700/#post-13962695
P.S. if you see other threads/replies breaking the rules report it.
- Sep 19, 2019
- 702
- 113
Hello.
I think I have been clear in what i said.
We paid for membership VIP for marketplace to SELL. We are restricted to share our website link in our new posts! This doesn't make sense. Our last post says everything.
All your points aren't valid since we pay for what? We gave two examples. This is unfair, because most of scams are done without website and just telegram or a small website without any legal company registration.
This could be avoided and there are many ways to prevent that, now we need to be restricted because someone decided that it applies to us and everyone is a "scammer"?
Why we can't post our website in our new posts? No one looks at first post, only new users that never watched our thread...
What you say about this?
This is a joke right? We respect you, but also have respect from who paid the bills for long time.
Best Regards,
Alexhost
Hi, dear SettingSun77. We know that, but we shouldn't want to do that. But you can check the threads and you will see.
- Nov 12, 2024
- 1,426
- 4,054
Which threads? If you don't report them we can't help you or anyone else. It's a big forum and we are a small team. We rely on the community alerting us to issues. If you refuse to engage with this system then you can't complain if action isn't taken by staff.
devkareem
Power Member
- Sep 15, 2016
- 563
- 217
I think there is a much better middle ground solution than completely cutting off all external communication, which I've been doing for a while now.
The issue is not communication itself the issue is making sure there is a clear record of the agreement, payment, and terms. That can easily be solved by keeping the final deal confirmation/payment part inside BHW chat, while allowing the actual discussion and project planning to happen normally elsewhere.
BHW chat is currently very limited and not really designed for detailed project discussions. It is slow, not very interactive, and makes conversations like website design, revisions, requirements gathering, etc. unnecessarily difficult.
A better workflow would be:
This gives BHW the proof and protection it needs without forcing every conversation to happen through an outdated chat system that hurts both clients and sellers.
The goal should be securing transactions, not making communication unnecessarily difficult.
I also think it is important for them to understand that you can never fully enforce your way out of scams.
No matter how many restrictions you add, a bad actor will always find another way if their intention is to scam. The best protection is a combination of platform accountability, clear records, reputation systems, and clients learning how to evaluate who they work with.
Completely restricting external communication does not solve the core problem. It just makes legitimate transactions slower, more frustrating, and less efficient for everyone.
I understand the intention behind reducing scams, but this approach still creates a disadvantage for the freelancers this website is supposed to serve.
The forum is literally called "Hire a Freelancer", not "hire a registered business."
A large percentage of freelancers operate as individuals. They do not have a company website, a domain email, or a formal business setup because they are individuals offering their skills, not running a full agency.
Forcing freelancers into website/email-only communication effectively pushes the platform toward a business-oriented model and excludes many legitimate independent workers.
Most freelancers communicate through instant messaging apps (e.g Telegram) because that is how freelance work actually happens without needing to create a whole business identity first.
The issue is not communication itself the issue is making sure there is a clear record of the agreement, payment, and terms. That can easily be solved by keeping the final deal confirmation/payment part inside BHW chat, while allowing the actual discussion and project planning to happen normally elsewhere.
BHW chat is currently very limited and not really designed for detailed project discussions. It is slow, not very interactive, and makes conversations like website design, revisions, requirements gathering, etc. unnecessarily difficult.
A better workflow would be:
- Client finds provider through BHW.
- They discuss the project normally, go over requirements, scope, timeline, revisions, etc.
- Once everything is agreed, they move back to BHW chat and post a final confirmation message containing only the official deal details.
This gives BHW the proof and protection it needs without forcing every conversation to happen through an outdated chat system that hurts both clients and sellers.
The goal should be securing transactions, not making communication unnecessarily difficult.
I also think it is important for them to understand that you can never fully enforce your way out of scams.
No matter how many restrictions you add, a bad actor will always find another way if their intention is to scam. The best protection is a combination of platform accountability, clear records, reputation systems, and clients learning how to evaluate who they work with.
Completely restricting external communication does not solve the core problem. It just makes legitimate transactions slower, more frustrating, and less efficient for everyone.
I understand the intention behind reducing scams, but this approach still creates a disadvantage for the freelancers this website is supposed to serve.
The forum is literally called "Hire a Freelancer", not "hire a registered business."
A large percentage of freelancers operate as individuals. They do not have a company website, a domain email, or a formal business setup because they are individuals offering their skills, not running a full agency.
Forcing freelancers into website/email-only communication effectively pushes the platform toward a business-oriented model and excludes many legitimate independent workers.
Most freelancers communicate through instant messaging apps (e.g Telegram) because that is how freelance work actually happens without needing to create a whole business identity first.