New: Minimum of 100 Posts Before Ability to Post Links!

[Tyler]

I just finished implementing an AWESOME new rule that will dramatically cut down on spam. I've already implemented it on several other forums I run, and so far they hasn't received any spam since adding it!

Now members must be a Green member or higher in order to post links of any kind on the forum.

Technically though, they don't actually need to be a Green member, as the Green usergroup has a prerequisite of 100 posts AND being registered for at least 30 days. In this change, they need to have at least 100 posts before being able to post links on the forum (there is no minimum date range).

This change prevents the posting of links in any format (Ex. http://www.yahoo.com, Yahoo.com, Yahoo). Some spammers may try something like w--w--w.y--a--h--o--o-.-c--o--m, which would go through, but it'd be so blatantly obvious as spam, and wouldn't benefit them as they wouldn't gain any backlinks from it (which is their whole reason behind spamming in the first place).

I've updated the Usergroup "Colour" Promotions sticky thread with this rule.

Keep in mind that this change does not act retroactively, so any existing spammed posts with links will still exist.

Spam will still get through, but now 99.9% of them will not contain any links in them (unless they somehow were able to post over 100 posts+ before being identified as a spammer). In some ways, this will make spam a bit more difficult to identify, but that's a small trade-off for the benefit this will bring.

This change will likely result in an absolute DRAMATIC reduction in spam!

[Sunfrogolin]

Good one!

[jonnyhiboy!]

I'm noticing it already since i reported a spammer not so long ago. Great idea.

[TacticalNeuralImplant]

Marvellous.

[Claireofthemoon]

GREAT idea.

[Pelicula]

100 is a nice amount, I don't think many can be bothered to stay and post 100 times just to link/spam.

[jonnyhiboy!]

Originally Posted by Pelicula

100 is a nice amount, I don't think many can be bothered to stay and post 100 times just to link/spam.

Exactly and then if they can be bothered to stick around they will most likely be caught out. Although poor Dr Pepper

[busta]

I love the sound of this. Thank you

Got to love them bots...lol