So, I admit: I didn't tag your posts as spam.
I did something much meaner: I Blocked you.
Why?
Because, we have had some real issues with unskillful spam on this site.
And I saw a new account, that had posted a few single sentence comments, maybe named itself after a product, and then started posting generic content without really engaging with other users.
And then I Unblocked You.
Why?
You engaged with the site.
Spam, as you defined it, is fine. So long as you contribute to the site in a skillful way.
The bottom line is :the better sense we have of the person behind the account, the more accepting we are of self promotion.
Ah! But that is because we have context! We've formed relationships with each other. If you don't connect the user accounts to the people, it does kinda look like HEY GUYS, CHECK OUT $BLANK: - Biotech business - Album Releases - Literary Journal - Travel Blog - Artworks - Tailoring - Guinness World Record - ETC Everyone on here has something interesting that could be monetized by views if they wished. And that's not bad.It would be like saying that thenewgreen spams Hubski with (or shills for) the Forever Labs. We all know it's not the case.
I had a whole blurb on this. Before Flaru deleted his existing posts and comments. I have it saved for whatever it's worth. Yes, there is a less meaning between spam and endless self-promotion without engagement on here. I'd like to think that this was a fringe case, but what do I know. All I've noticed is that with the latest system, I've seen less and less fresh blood resurfacing much after saying a small comment or hello in the "Welcome to Hubski" thread. I took a leap of faith with a few users over time, discerning they weren't bots. Good news is that they weren't, apparently bad news is that it's somehow spam. That said, I'm glad you brought up blocking here. I'd like to think in this case it's an example of unfamiliarity with the site. Anywho. I'd like to hope granting a trickle of greater access to new users provides the freedom to ask questions rather than what happened here... also on the upside, checking users allowed some retroactive promotions. EDIT: Oh shit, I did end up posting it. Maybe they haven't deactivated their account for whatever reason...
I saw your blurb! I agree. I've promoted a few people as well. To be honest, though, I don't really have a better solution to suggest.All I've noticed is that with the latest system, I've seen less and less fresh blood resurfacing much after saying a small comment or hello in the "Welcome to Hubski" thread.
I took a leap of faith with a few users over time, discerning they weren't bots.
I've promoted people who made thoughtful comments. I blocked the cute animals pic person. The system has worked great to defeat spam, it's also seemed to kill of a large number of new adopters. I don't know if you remember the day global was 5 pages of audio book promotions. That killed the site for new adopters and the rest of us. It's a tricky balance. Talking to others I gather that there was more context to animal posting person than showed up on their home page (I guess he deleted his more profound comments). From where I stand it looks like we shooed away some rif raf that found its way where it didn't belong. I think promotion should he used to include people who have shown they are outstanding community members. Regular old community members can get in the door with a minimal amount of conversational engagement.