Link Spammers

[Bruce Moore]

We occasionally get hit by folks who use forums to spread links around the web. Sometimes the links may pose threats such as malware which can be anywhere from bothersome to dangerously invasive. So, don't click on any link which seems odd, out of context, or otherwise suspicious.

Most of what we see is often referred to as "spamdexing" - an illegitimate effort to fool search engines which index, and rank, web pages. Legitimate SEO (search engine optimization) methods help web pages achieve higher relevance scores so they end up higher on the list of search engine returns. These guys are lazy - they're cheating.

Replying to their posts can only help them. Search engine bots actively scour TugNuts, because we all contribute to a very rich, active, highly contextual source of information. There is almost always one "visiting" at any given moment - GoogleBOT is here as I type this. They pay more attention to active threads. Activity is one indication of possible relevance. Replying "SPAM" or "TROLL" keeps the illegitimate post active.

Every post, every day, is read by an administrator. While the search engine bots can eventually recognize these spammers, we spot them faster. Some of you spot them sooner than we do on the west coast. If you see a "spamdex" post please shoot me a PM or email. Please don't reply and keep their intrusion more active.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[Nellie Too]

Thanks Bruce, well put.
Bob

 

[Lone Star Ranger]

Thanks Bruce. WILCO on sending you a PM.

John Garcia

 

[Gin]

Bruce, helpful to understand all that. I never could see why they waste their time with those posts. Perhaps your advice should be a sticky so that it stays visible to forum members, new and old.

Gini

 

[Levitation]

Rule of thumb I was taught during my very first days on the net - Don't feed the trolls / Silence is golden.

 

[Tug@myHeart]

Thanks, since I had no idea what to do about it. One just popped up a bit ago. Bummer we have to even waste our time on them. Glad you are on it.