Community Spam Alert Feature

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   Glenn Stokposted 10 years ago

   I just had a comment in one of my hubs with a self-promotional link, which is against HubPages' terms of service. Of course I denied the comment.
   
   But then I went to that Hubber's profile and checked his activity. He had posted similar comments in dozens of other Hubber's Hubs. When I looked at those hubs I discovered that his comments were visible. That means that those other Hubbers are either approving the comments or they have their comment capsules set to allow everything.
   
   I'd like to suggest a feature where Hubbers can simply click a button in the comment listings to send an alert to the Hubber who is being victimized. I'd call this a Community Spam Alert Feature. It can be just one button at the top of the comments -- No need for a button on each comment.
   
   I think many people don't know that they can set parameters to moderate and approve or deny comments. Or they don't know that having links in comments may hurt their Google ranking if the links go to sites with a low ranking -- or worse, sites with viruses.
   
   The alert could be an email sent to inform the user of the existence of spam in their comments and the risk involved. It would also explain why it is important to moderate comments.

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      Glimmer Twin Fanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      This is interesting information.  I recently approved a comment on one of my hubs from a fellow hubber that had linked one of his hubs.  I never approve comments if they contain links to outside sites, but did not realize we weren't supposed to for inside (hubpages) links as well.  Thanks for letting us know.  I'll have to go back and find that comment and delete it.

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         Glenn Stokposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Glimmer Twin Fan - It says at the bottom of the comments capsule that "Comments are not for promoting your Hubs or other sites."

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            Glimmer Twin Fanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I've been here over 1 1/2 years and have never noticed that under the comments.  Well, I've taken care of it.  Thanks again for bringing this to our attention.

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            Sue B.posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I think the ability of outsiders to flag comments in some way to alert for potential SPAM sounds like a good one.  I have received comments from spammers here and there and have always denied them.  I do not, however, consider all links to hubs or sites as SPAM.  If it is relevant to discussion, I may decide to approve it.

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            1. 95

               Glenn Stokposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Actually I was not saying to allow outsiders to flag spam. That may create a different problem. My idea would require being logged on. As for the rest of your comment, I agree. I have allowed certain links too. It's just those that are against TOS that I deny. And obvious spam.

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      Matthew Meyerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Glenn,
      
      The best practice is to disapprove such comments and mark them as SPAM.
      You can also report the user as well using their profile.
      Each of these reports is reviewed by a moderator.  Marking comments as SPAM helps our system better identify potential account with issue and help the system mark any future comments from that user/IP/etc. based on the comment reported as SPAM by users.

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      1. 95

         Glenn Stokposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Yes Matt. I have done both of these things. I flagged his profile with a note to staff saying to look at his activity feed since he was doing it to many others. And I marked the comment as SPAM.
         
         But you missed my 3rd point - to notify the clueless Hubber who's being abused. I see so much of this that it would take too much time to go and check if each victim allows email via their profile -- and then to send them a note about the abuse with an explanation of what to do about it. And BTW, some Hubbers have email shut off.
         
         Don't you think it would be easier for us to just click a button and it's done. I think more Hubbers, who DO understand this, would be more inclined to notify the clueless Hubbers with this feature.

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            Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I think the spammers just play a numbers game, which is why they post the same comment on multiple Hubs.  They know that a portion of Hubbers will never remove their spam comments, so the HP system works for them and their intent.

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               Glenn Stokposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               That's why I'm suggesting a feature for a way to make it easy to notify the Hubbers who are being hurt by this.

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                  Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I know.

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   tirelesstravelerposted 10 years ago

   This activity drives me crazy.  Had hubs stolen last summer by one of these alleged hubbers.  This is a good idea.

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   paradigmsearchposted 10 years ago

   Interesting. I had 2 spam-o-grams show up in my comments just this morning. That is not usual for me.

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      Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      haha, discount tire ad on my screen now, thanks to you, Im sure.

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   2. 95

      Glenn Stokposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      It might have been the same fellow who spammed me. When I looked at his activity I saw he was spamming a lot of Hubbers. What bothered me is that I was able to see his comments. That means that many Hubbers need an education about this. Too many allow comments like this.

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      Rochelle Frankposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Same here. Two.

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         Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Why don't spammers ever write me?

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   Suzanne Dayposted 10 years ago

   I had a spam comment like this and also a request for me to follow them. I deleted everything from them and checked their profile and they only had 6 followers and a couple of hubs. Must be a newbie.

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   DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years ago

   I had a comment a while back that was actually a nice comment, but sadly, it ended with a link to their site and their full street address.  (It was a business.)
   I denied the comment, but I also went to their Hubber profile, and sent them a private e-mail, thanking them for their nice comment, and explaining why I'd had to deny it.
   I invited them to re-post the comment sans promotion, and that I would be happy at that time to approve same.
   I got a reply that they "had only meant it as a signature," and apologized. (Apparently did not know?????)
   At any rate, a while later, I found that they HAD, indeed commented again minus the ad.
   
   Almost daily, I am astounded by the numbers of people who "don't know" things that are printed right in front of them, and reminded of my grandfather's saying of, "Those who will not read are worse off than those who cannot."
   My father, too, had a saying, a bit more crude, but with the same general meaning about folks who can't or won't follow instructions, "Some people can't pour pee out of a boot with the directions printed on the heel."
   
   SMH, here.....I've written a slew of educational Hubs on everything from spelling to good manners, and it has no effect.  I think they are just not read, or I'm simply 'preaching to the choir.' 
   (I hate that cliché--I wish I could think up a snappy new alternate!)  ;-)

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      Muttfaceposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      How about "Screaming in the mirror"?

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   Marcy Goodfleischposted 10 years ago

   Report the Hubber's profile, and outline the problem. If you see further spammy comments from Hubbers, flag them as spam afb don't delete them permanently.  The staff does check these for repeat offenders.
   
   I've gotten a few from Hubbers (who sign up to skim content, or to get backlinks).  I usually get them from a certain foreign country, and they're all trying to promote a miracle cure for a health condition mentioned in some of my hubs.

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