(Suggestion) Restrict new users from creating topic.

nirajjoshi · Dec 31, 2018

I am seeing lot of spam posts from brand new accounts. The only and simple way to stop it is to restrict new users from creating topic.

A new user can only create topic if :
1 : Atleast a week old account.
2 : Minimum 50 posts and 20 Thanks
3 : Topic limit "3" a day for 1 month after the account qualify above 2 points.

This simple thing will prevent new accounts from spamming the forum.

Stavro · Dec 31, 2018

Most WTB/HAF threads are from relatively new members, as are a lot of threads with questions, journeys, etc. Plus new members are encouraged to post an intro thread. Eliminating all of these would severely reduce the activity on the forum.

The spam is not being typed in by an overly-dedicated person, it's coming from a bot. Adding arbitrary limitations doesn't mean the spam threads will be reduced, it just means the bot will spam a couple dozen irrelevant threads instead. Adding effort-based barriers means nothing to a bot, it only punishes innocent people.

rft120 · Dec 31, 2018

By now, BHW should have a good amount of data on spam/genuine threads. Add IP to it. You should have a solid base for building a anti-spam bot.

At the very least, we can blur out call-to-actions (phone,email,etc). Should reduce the incentive.

jazzc · Dec 31, 2018

rft120 said:
By now, BHW should have a good amount of data on spam/genuine threads. Add IP to it. You should have a solid base for building a anti-spam bot.

At the very least, we can blur out call-to-actions (phone,email,etc). Should reduce the incentive.

There exist anti-bot measures in place. What you see is what manages to go through.

davids355 · Dec 31, 2018

nirajjoshi said:
I am seeing lot of spam posts from brand new accounts. The only and simple way to stop it is to restrict new users from creating topic.

A new user can only create topic if :
1 : Atleast a week old account.
2 : Minimum 50 posts and 20 Thanks
3 : Topic limit "3" a day for 1 month after the account qualify above 2 points.

This simple thing will prevent new accounts from spamming the forum.

Thread moved.

I agree this would work, but I feel like the negative impact to the forums usability would outway the benefit.

EliG_SEO · Dec 31, 2018

It would be sad for people who come here in good faith.

Posting on BHW, scrutinized by veterans (especially the cocky ones), is stressful enough.

If newbies are forced to post 50x on existing threads, they risk to be perceived as annoying. They'll bring back lot of "does it still works" to get out of the 50 post trap.

Also, if the spammers can't post new threads, won't they adapt and post in old threads ?

nirajjoshi · Dec 31, 2018

Also, the reason behind the suggestion is to save time of moderators for looking over actual scam and fraud. Deleting these stupid magic threads wastes the time and there is no gain for either party.

EliG_SEO said:
It would be sad for people who come here in good faith.

Posting on BHW, scrutinized by veterans (especially the cocky ones), is stressful enough.

If newbies are forced to post 50x on existing threads, they risk to be perceived as annoying. They'll bring back lot of "does it still works" to get out of the 50 post trap. BHW should launch its own digital currency. So everyone can track the transaction in case of marketplace fraud.

Also, if the spammers can't post new threads, won't they adapt and post in old threads ?

Those 50 posts should get atleast 20 to 30 likes.

Actually, there should be a reputation system in place. Many users are just commenting "thx for method", "oh great method" but there is already a system in place to thanking the OP. A reputation system will give access to certain features like posting links, sending certain no of PMs, able to rate users ect. Hell, even credit system could be implemented so users can use those credits to thank, donate and buy something from marketplace. A user with high reputation will be able to buy, receive credits and use them.

All this will only help forums gain more income and prevent server load.

webis · Dec 31, 2018

I think that they are already too many restrict measures for newbies and the forum admin army is very fast to take actions.

jazzc · Dec 31, 2018

nirajjoshi said:
Actually, there should be a reputation system in place.

There was one. It was so much abused that we took it down. It's not coming back.

jazzc · Dec 31, 2018

webis said:
I think that they are already too many restrict measures for newbies

The key here is balance. Legit new users should be penalized hard for the actions of non-legit accounts but at the same time without restrictive measures the forum would be a spam swamp.

nirajjoshi · Dec 31, 2018

jazzc said:
There was one. It was so much abused that we took it down. It's not coming back.

Oh man! It's crazy to think people can abuse a reputation system too. No words.

jazzc · Dec 31, 2018

nirajjoshi said:
Oh man! It's crazy to think people can abuse a reputation system too. No words.

Well, it would have been shocking on Choir Kids World but this is a Black Hat forum after all

TheMarquis · Dec 31, 2018

nirajjoshi said:
I am seeing lot of spam posts from brand new accounts. The only and simple way to stop it is to restrict new users from creating topic.

A new user can only create topic if :
1 : Atleast a week old account.
2 : Minimum 50 posts and 20 Thanks
3 : Topic limit "3" a day for 1 month after the account qualify above 2 points.

This simple thing will prevent new accounts from spamming the forum.

I think 50 posts and 20 thanks are a bit exagerated. A resonable thing could be 25 posts and 10 thanks ( most of newbies are struggle to get even 1 thanks ) - a half from what you've suggested. Agree with points 1 and 3.

EliG_SEO · Dec 31, 2018

Ricky.Montana said:
Most of newbies are struggle to get even 1 thanks

So true. Earning thanks means you're proficient. Newbs aren't. I wasn't until I lurked for some time, asking evident facts to veterans.

nirajjoshi · Dec 31, 2018

Ricky.Montana said:
I think 50 posts and 20 thanks are a bit exagerated. A resonable thing could be 25 posts and 10 thanks ( most of newbies are struggle to get even 1 thanks ) - a half from what you've suggested. Agree with points 1 and 3.

Half would be okay too.

EliG_SEO said:
So true. Earning thanks means you're proficient. Newbs aren't. I wasn't until I lurked for some time, asking evident facts to veterans.

Earning likes or thanks is not just about sharing methods or tricks. A high quality reply may get you a thumbs up.

Eg.
Low Quality : Thx mannn, oh thanks!, super, lololllol, thq soo much.. <---- This is pure leeching and working to raise post count.

High Quality :
Thanks a lot for sharing this method! I am glad I was able to learn something new from this forum.

Hey, thanks OP for sharing this method. It will be very useful for everyone looking to earn some starting bucks.

Some forums don't even count posts in lounge and introduction section.

OlafRustle · Dec 31, 2018

Maybe reduce the amout of new threads that are creatable for new accounts. So eg. 1 thread a week until 30 posts/likes.

Xalion · Dec 31, 2018

Simple. Threads made by users with a post count under 50 can only go live by approval of mods/admins

(Suggestion) Restrict new users from creating topic.

nirajjoshi

Power Member

Stavro

Senior Member

rft120

Junior Member

jazzc

Elite Member

davids355

Super Moderator

EliG_SEO

Regular Member

nirajjoshi

Power Member

webis

Regular Member

jazzc

Elite Member

jazzc

Elite Member

nirajjoshi

Power Member

jazzc

Elite Member

TheMarquis

Elite Member

EliG_SEO

Regular Member

nirajjoshi

Power Member

OlafRustle

Senior Member

Xalion

Elite Member

Main Menu

Marketplace

Making Money

BlackHat World