Suggestions and Feedback

**VirtuosiMedia** · 06-02-2008, 02:38 PM

This is partially in jest, but I would love it if it could be implemented. Could we require new members to read a tutorial and take a test (and pass it) about PageRank before they are allowed to post in the Google and SEO forums or to use the terms PR or PageRank in their posts?

**jamestl2** · 06-02-2008, 04:51 PM

I don't know about the quiz

, but maybe if threads with Pagerank, PR, etc. in the titles, they could be pre-moderated, so the admins or mods could approve them or not before they're published.

**VirtuosiMedia** · 06-03-2008, 05:44 PM

I would like to add 'backlink(s)' to the list of moderated words.

**vangogh** · 06-03-2008, 09:46 PM

PR? What's that?

I know you posted partially in jest, but you just have to live with those posts. Requiring people to take a test isn't going to do much to attract new members and in all fairness there's no reason someone new to SEO has to know all the answers. Part of the reason they're here is ask and learn.

I get annoyed by some of them too, but a few things I've learned about people posting at forums over the years. Most won't search the forum to see if their question has already been asked and answered. Most won't even try a search engine before asking.

James I'll make you a deal. If you want to pay my hourly rates I'll happily moderate any post you want. I'll be happy to spend all day here approving and disapproving threads. Until then all the mods are volunteers and moderating is already time consuming enough. I prefer not to add to that time so I can still post on the forum and chat with people.

I do know that some topics seem to get thread after thread with the same questions, but I think it's just part of the usual for most forums. A lot of times there isn't really anything wrong with the question. It's just that after answering it a few dozen times you'd rather not answer them yet again.

There are plenty of valid and good questions I don't want to see anymore from answering them so many times. I generally stay out of those threads now and let someone else answer and on occasion will pop in on one.

I think the best thing is just to ignore them as best you can annoying though it may be.

**jamestl2** · 06-03-2008, 09:52 PM

Actually, I was thinking about applying a vBulletin filter of some sorts. So that all threads with those specific keyword phrases in their titles (PR, Pagerank, etc.) would just be sent to a moderation queue, where mods can approve or disprove them without actually be created in the forum first.

This would be similar to how the Affiliate Programs Forum already works.

**vangogh** · 10:15 PM

But it still requires one of us to have to check each thread and decide what should and shouldn't be allowed. It does add more time and work for mods.

There's a point where you have to allow threads whether you want to see the questions or not. Just because some members don't like to see something being discussed isn't really a reason to prevent people from bringing up the topic. The simple answer is stay out of threads that don't interest you.

There's nothing specifically wrong with the topics. The annoying part is that we've all seen threads about PR so many times it's tiring to see another one. There are also going to be some useless posts where someone says something like get more links. The only real answer is to limit who gets membership and I don't think that's anything Tim or Lee wants to see here. Other than the people who break the rules everyone is welcome.

The simple answer is when you see a thread about PR don't click into it. When you see someone making a useless post just ignore it.