Members PM Advertising on your community

[Cedric]

It can be really annoying to receive unsolicited advertising messages, especially when we're just trying to enjoy the community and have conversations with our fellow members.

So, what do you all think about this? How do you handle it when members start sending you advertising messages? Do you have any specific tips or tricks that have worked for you in preventing this kind of thing?

Personally, I find it helpful to have a clear policy in place that outlines the consequences for members who engage in PM advertising. This can be as simple as a warning or a temporary ban, but it's important to have some kind of deterrent in place.

Additionally, giving members the option to report these kinds of messages can also be useful. This way, the moderators can keep an eye on the situation and take appropriate action if necessary.

Lastly, I think it's important to educate members about the proper use of PM's and the community's rules. A friendly reminder in the community's guidelines can go a long way in preventing PM advertising.

So, what do you all think? Have you had success with any of these tips or do you have any others to share? Let's hear your thoughts!

 

[Cory]

I would give the member a verbal warning at first and if they continued I would probably PM restrict them. If they continued after they were PM unrestricted, I would probably temp-ban them. It states clearly in my board rules that PM advertising is prohibited.

 

[Strawberry]

If it's against the guidelines, then I would expect my members to report the issue to allow staff to investigate. Users who have PM advertised should be issued with a reminder and/or warning for breaking the rules.

I think it's also important to be clear about where advertising is allowed and most forums usually have multiple options which would mean the member has absolutely no reason to be violating the guidelines by PM advertising.

• Making use of a 'Showcase' board to advertise their forum
• Creating an attractive signature linking to their forum
• Purchasing advertisement space on the forum with a banner advertising their forum
• Using their own user profile to post a 'status' with a link

 

[Mamberroi Jr]

Every Site brings in the options of the Profile a section called: Website and there you must add which one you want, otherwise go to the advertising forum and capture the address. Outside places whose Member advertises violates the Rules and must be warned

 

[Reverie]

On recent forums they did it once, they get a warning - they did it again it was an instant ban.

The only time I’m okay with pm advertising is if you know the person and want to tell them about it. If you don’t know these people and just randomly start messaging in hopes they join - it drives me crazy!

 

[Ravenfreak]

If the member is only sending me a link to their website then I'm fine with it. However, if they start to send the link to other members on the forum I will send the member a verbal warning, and if they continue to do so I will suspend them for a few days.

 

[Ken]

If that ever happens when I'm online or not at my forum will get a permanent ban on the spot. No excuses. No nothing.

 

[guyyanthony]

It's not tolerated, you will get a strict warning and if the behaviour keeps going it's a ban.