No link posting for new users

[peteyt]

I have noticed this week 2 suspicious posts in the Website Showcase forum with new users posting what looks like dodgy websites.

The interesting thing is each user has only one post and it looks like the user signs up, posts and then never comes back on.

What I'm suggesting is something preventing new users posting a link in their first post. Maybe they have to do an introduction post first.

This could help prevent automatic sign ups coming on posting a dodgy link and then leaving and it would also help partly prevent spamming - the problem currently is while the links do look risky there's a small chance they could be genuine. Having this system means that the users would have had to post stuff earlier, and would help in a way authenticate them.

The two posts are as followed

http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=714209
http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=715905

[Zak]

Maybe require a certain post count in order to add links, as most offenders are new members?

I totally support your idea though, not sure how hard it would be to implement :)

[Jordan:A]

Some people may only make an account on a forum to promote their website though.
Don't most new threads/posts by new members have to be approved though, or has this been removed?

but I do think that's a good idea though, maybe a good few months and a certain number of posts

[peteyt]

I think people who where using an account just to promote their website would be fine with doing an introduction post and a few other posts if need be, as it would be worth it in the end.

[HotelUser]

The people who register to endorse their website only post their website URLs in the Show Off Your Websites section.

However spambots typically don't post (only) in this section when they're wreaking havoc on the forum. If the idea was to be implemented it would make sense to allow any and all members to post links in the Show Off Your Websites and Development forums, but not to allow members with less than X amount of posts to post links in any other forums on the site. That way, the website oriented forums would more or less continue to function normally but spambots would be prohibited from posting links elsewhere on the forum.

[Zak]

The people who register to endorse their website only post their website URLs in the Show Off Your Websites section.

However spambots typically don't post (only) in this section when they're wreaking havoc on the forum. If the idea was to be implemented it would make sense to allow any and all members to post links in the Show Off Your Websites and Development forums, but not to allow members with less than X amount of posts to post links in any other forums on the site. That way, the website oriented forums would more or less continue to function normally but spambots would be prohibited from posting links elsewhere on the forum.

Yeah that sounds good David. :)

[peteyt]

The people who register to endorse their website only post their website URLs in the Show Off Your Websites section.

However spambots typically don't post (only) in this section when they're wreaking havoc on the forum. If the idea was to be implemented it would make sense to allow any and all members to post links in the Show Off Your Websites and Development forums, but not to allow members with less than X amount of posts to post links in any other forums on the site. That way, the website oriented forums would more or less continue to function normally but spambots would be prohibited from posting links elsewhere on the forum.

Although having lets say a setting where they needed lets say a welcome post before they could post any link would in turn get rid of probably all if not most spam bots.

The problem is those 2 links which could be dodgy that I posted earlier are still there. If they are dodgy someone could get scammed because no one seems to be taking action.

It's okay to say new users can only post links in that area, but it would still give spam bots the chance to scam people.

As a website owner myself If I signed up to a forum and needed to write an introduction post before posting a post with a link, I'd be stupid not to do it if it was going to in the end bring me more customers.

[HotelUser]

Although having lets say a setting where they needed lets say a welcome post before they could post any link would in turn get rid of probably all if not most spam bots.

The problem is those 2 links which could be dodgy that I posted earlier are still there. If they are dodgy someone could get scammed because no one seems to be taking action.

It's okay to say new users can only post links in that area, but it would still give spam bots the chance to scam people.

As a website owner myself If I signed up to a forum and needed to write an introduction post before posting a post with a link, I'd be stupid not to do it if it was going to in the end bring me more customers.

Actually, both links you've posted have now been removed (thanks for bringing those to our attention by the way!).

Your idea about a welcome thread before being able to post a link is interesting. I've never seen a plugin to do that though so one would have to be created.

[peteyt]

I've heard of similar stuff so I'm sure it would be possible.

[GoldenMerc]

I personally think 10 posts minimum before posting links, but thats just me, i wouldn't personally visit a site thats been advertised by someone whos got 1 post.