forum signitures - Page 2

Bingo · #16 (**permalink**) 09-16-2007, 04:22 PM

Dont forget about nofollow on signature links, to me that's pointless.

They way I look at forums is that if I scratch your back then you should scratch mine and other members. In other words, I help to put valuable content on your site so the least you can do is allow me to have a "followed" link in my signature. I've had this debate before with some people and they tend to think that my thoughts were odd but when you think about it, posting in forums takes time and time equals money, so...

Oh did I forget to say, thanks for the links Lisa - they are appreciated.

lisa · #17 (**permalink**) 09-16-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin

Dont forget about nofollow on signature links, to me that's pointless.

They way I look at forums is that if I scratch your back then you should scratch mine and other members. In other words, I help to put valuable content on your site so the least you can do is allow me to have a "followed" link in my signature. I've had this debate before with some people and they tend to think that my thoughts were odd but when you think about it, posting in forums takes time and time equals money, so...

Oh did I forget to say, thanks for the links Lisa - they are appreciated.

No prob, Gavin.

I have never even heard of Webmasters doing no follow links in the sig field on their forum. That sucks. I've always looked at owning a forum as a win/win for both sides. The members help build the forum up with their good content and in return they can subtly promote their site(s) in their sig while building backlinks.

Putting a no-follow link in the sig file field is a bit ruthless if you ask me. I feel that allowing a signature is the least I can do for everyone for participating on my forum and totally agree with your view Gavin.

Trust me, it took me YEARS to even get a forum going and I'm so grateful for what traffic/posts it gets. Adding a no-follow tag to the sig field would just be a slap in the face to everyone here if ya ask me.

Bingo · #18 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

I have never even heard of Webmasters doing no follow links in the sig field on their forum.

A forum that I use has a module installed that controls the follow/nofollow links. It will only allow a certain number of followed sig links per each thread. Apparently the owner has it installed so there isn't too many outbound links on each thread.

Even though people just join a forum to place sig links and move on I think if you have some rules there shouldn't be a need to use nofollow. Some forums you need to have 30+ before you can add a sig link which is fair enough in my view. I cant remember but do you have restrictions for new members? I think I did ten posts on here before even looking to add my sig links.

lisa · #19 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 10:34 AM

I have definitely thought about doing something like that (allowing a minimum number of posts before you can have a sig) I believe that's an option here with vbulleting. I notice a lot of people join, post once or twice and then they're gone. And often it looks like it was only here to drop their sig.

TechieGuy · #20 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 10:36 AM

Either they post their sig or drop in for a bit of spam, which you track and delete.

I wonder how many of the IDs created in this forum are actually active?

mclintst · #21 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 10:43 AM

I think the min post thing is a great idea. I've seen it work on other forums. At the very least it might force the would be spammers to post something useful.

lisa · #22 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechieGuy

I wonder how many of the IDs created in this forum are actually active?

According to my forum stats 400+ members total but only 109 active. And I'm not sure what vbulletin qualifies as "active" but from what I define as "active" I'm pretty sure it's less than that.

I'm really going to look into that post minimum for the sig files. I've noticed a lot of forums use that and I see why.

webdev · #23 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 05:40 PM

minimum post is a good trick. it will ensure only the serious posters get in.

lisa · #24 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 05:57 PM

Unfortunately it won't stop people from posting links in the body but maybe it will help cut down on some of the spamming.

TechieGuy · #25 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 05:57 PM

I agree with the minimum number of posts. Although I have seen forums that use that to also prevent visitors from posting links in the message as well.

I'll just say this about the forum, this is the most active I have ever been in a forum. Must be the ambience.