Gifs and memes - do you allow your users to post them?

I've seen some forums not allow images at all in forum posts/thread - where others allow it. I'd say that gifs and memes seem to help with the activity flow because you can use one - instead of replying to a thread, especially if something is hard to reply to.

I understand that some owners think its spam, but isn't it also fun for members and staff to post them, too?

Anyways, what's your take on users using images in forum posts? Do you think it helps with the flow of activity? Or are you against gifs and/or memes being posted?

 

I allow members to post them. But once two or three members do it, it becomes annoying. In certain threads they are fine.

 

I'm fine with it but if it got out of hand, we would need to reconsider things.

 

I'm fine with it. If it's relevant to the subject, then they're fine in topic related topics. If general internet memes and stuff, then they're fine in off topic and forum games.

 

Fun fact that I learned the hard way. Pictures of the Pedobear and even mentioning the pedobear makes Adsense shut down on your site.

 

good to know
they got after me for the girly pics we have, I just removed it altogether

 

Sonsabitches! Google doesn't like boobies? Say it isn't so.

 

I think it's okay so long as it doesn't turn into spam and the images don't violate the rules. :p

 

I agree with the comments here. They're okay as long as they're not abused of. GIFs can actually take too long to load for some PCs/connections, so having too many of them is definitely not a good idea. My site ain't Tumblr!

 

I encourage it actually. I want there to be text as well, but images can be fun and I don't think people should be restricted from using them sometimes. If they were to get out of hand, then sure, I would reconsider some rules, but for now, I like the option.

 

That sucks, but I still allow members to post memes on my forum if they choose to do so. I think there good for the growth of the forum, and we display affiliate ads instead of adsense since adsense ads aren't allowed in my niche so I don't have to worry about that.

 

I allow memes, just not the pedobear.

 

I wouldn't allow it either, but here's a good gif for that comment.

 

I allow it including pedobear and shotacat, but the image can't be by itself without discussion.

 

I found the email that stated I can not post pedobear pictures or reference it:

 

Wow. I had no idea that Adsense didn't approve of pedobear. I don't use it anyway, but it's good to know. Do they just shut you down or will they give you a warning to remove it first?

 

Warnings, but they didn't tell me it was specifically the pedobear images and references until after I was banned.

 

Whoa! The Google guys don't have a sense of humor, huh?

This, however, explains why some spammers in a site I was were constantly posting pedobear images and/or jokes that definitely weren't funny (I never found pedobear funny anyway).

By the way, the fact that we're even mentioning the, from now on, P word, means that this site could get blocked too?

 

I believe that forums should have general guidelines, but not allowing the posting of images/memes just damages the forum in my mind. They are fun, and they can make a point. A picture is worth a 1000 words right?

The main point is though - why restrict members in using memes, they will just do it elsewhere then, and isn't it a point to a forum owner for users to spend more time on his/her forum?

 

Yep. It really breaks the ice if your forum is boring.
I make sure that every member follows the house rules on them though.