Competing Sites

What is your policy for linking to and/or discussing of competing sites of your forum? When a user violates this policy, how do you go about handling it?

 

I allow it - just make sure it's a discrete link, and it must be in your signature...

However, if it's a blatant link, I delete the post...

 

Once again it depends on what forum I have but i can allow an discret link but never an own forum post about it.

 

As long as it's presented in a discrete manner (as Tom mentioned), I don't mind.

 

In fact, here is the rule, listed in the Short Version of Forum Rulz;

 

So you allow the link in signatures even if it is a direct competitor - a forum with the same intent and audience as yours?

 

Direct competitors must have a discrete link in their sig, or a sig image. It's not allowed in posts. People don't pay attention to sigs much, so it works out.

 

Basically.

Though, some forums' links are prohibited.

 

We already link to most of our competition at the bottom of every page through our affiliate program. In return, they link to us. Linking to them in posts, however, isn't allowed, as there is a separate forum for that where affiliates or members with over 20 posts can post a thread about their fansite. And of course, it's always allowed in the signature.

 

I don't allow competitive links.

 

We don't really have problems with this, but it isn't allowed. We have censored links to "problem" websites in the past though...

 

Now I have those, Dave, and everyone else.

If they type the link, or the name, for that matter, it'll come as "AnotherBoard" or "RestrictedSite."

 

How about, "[*Prohibited Link*]". :devil:

 

Yes, I saw that come up in the visitor message when we were going back and forth - I like that... Mind if I use it?

Off-topic; you do know the site I was referring to, though, right?

 

Yes, you can use it and yes I know what you were referring to. That's the only site for which I have a censor in place. :unhunh:

 

Oh okay - my new "[*Prohibited Link*]" is AdminAddict - seriously.

I have abandoned "[*Prohibited Link*]."

:lol:

 

I'm glad to hear it. Any particular reason other than the fact that you like working with new communities? If it's not suitable for public viewing, feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

I like being able to get to know everybody and get used to the community and then grow with it.

It's very hard to jump into a site with 1.2 million posts. It'll be almost impossible to get to know everybody, get a sense of community, get caught up on things, etc.

Why do you ask?

 

I wanted to know what you liked about us better than there. I mean, they are obviously a much greater resource (for now) so one who is interested in information would prefer that site (again, for now). I just wanted to know what we were doing right so that we can keep doing it.

 

Well you have original content, an active blog (unlike *ahem*), nice amount and ACTIVE staff members (unlike *ahem*), your staff team is stable (unlike *ahem*), people here are a bit more generous when it comes to graphic requests (unlike *ahem* and it's stingy persons) and generally, this site seems like it'll fly faster than *Ahem* does.

I could go on and on, but that's the basics.