SEOClerks

Do you let new forum members have a signature line?



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Do you let new forum members have a signature line?

I don't let new members have forum signatures on the forums that I manage as that only encourages link spammers to sign up. However, if someone sticks around for awhile and contributes in a meaningful way to the forum, then I let them have a signature.

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Dayton
There's no reason for new forum members to have a signature line. That will only encourage spammers to sign up to your forum. You should limit when/how the forum member can have a signature. For instance, they might earn the right to a signature line if moved into a special category or for sponsoring the forum. That will encourage people to contribute money, especially if they want a backlink on the forum. Otherwise, just make the forum users wait a few weeks or until they have a hundred forum posts.



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angie828
Only after they have made so many posts, or else there is just way to much spam on them.



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evie
I will wait until they have at least 50 high quality posts.



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Dayton
I will wait until they have at least 50 high quality posts.



So long as they are 50 quality posts, I don't see a reason not to do this. If the posts are one or two words you will face quality control problems.



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evie
So long as they are 50 quality posts, I don't see a reason not to do this. If the posts are one or two words you will face quality control problems.


That is why I said high quality. One or two words are not high quality.



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Keith
Requiring a minimum number of posts before allowing signature line is a good idea. But it can lead to quick posting by spammers, such as copy/paste jobs where people borrow posts from other forums. And, then you start having duplicate content issues. That can really mess up your SEO and search engine ranking



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Caitlin
Or, make the member wait a month before earning signature line. This will discourage the quick posting you complained about. If the person knows they will not have access to the forum signature for a long time anyway, no matter the number of posts, they will just move on to an easier forum target where they can spam.



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America
Limit how many new responses or posts a user can make during their first month as a member. That will also stop spammers from rushing in and posting numerous discussions/responses in one day in order to earn a signature line.



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