Robots infecting the forum

If there's anythin' I hate in this world it's robots—filthy devils ...

This is why I try to go out of my way at times to type out a more thoughtful reply. Folks here aren't just looking for "nice pic", they want something of substance. 

I like to point out the things I like, then add one constructive criticism if I feel it's relevant enough (if its  easily overlooked or not) unless the OP seems they don't want any. 

Here is how I see it; the folks here have so much to offer and have learned a lot. I also get a lot of positive reinforcement. I try to give back when I can as a way to say thanks. 

On a final note, I am long winded IRL, so I think my posts reflect that a bit too. There are times when I wish I were a person of fewer words and have to tell myself to shut my face. lol

Hilarious Stefan !!  I pm'd NS about this exact thing a couple weeks ago.  And you know what?  Every "user" I suspect of NOT being a real person...… 
HAS NOT POSTED IN THIS THREAD !!  

Yep.......Every single person I also suspect have not posted, never posted a single thread, never posted a single photo, and have private pages.

click here to get a bride from Russia.

sorry, couldn't resist.  Just a little humor here.

Jeff

Robots infecting the forum...… unless..... maybe ….. the robots ARE THE MODS !!
Maybe there is no one at the controls around here  

hehehe. You never know:)

Stefan-Olsson wrote: hehehe. You never know:)

I guess robots would get the site hits up ... which in turn would generate greater ad revenues.

its rather disingenuous isn't it ?

I'm just goin to protect myself, so don't mind the reflection!

Hey guys... I just got back in town from being in Norway for the last week, so don't mind the delay in responding to this post. 

OK, so no there are no robots.   Not at least from our end.  What is a problem and very likely what are you seeing or could be seeing is what has plagued this site and so many others in our space.  That is spammers. 

We get hammered every day with folks trying to post links and other trash on this site.  We are successful in stopping most of it.  It's the main reason why we don't allow new accounts to post without manual approval first.  Yet, the spammers still make it through.  And they evolve. 

PhotographyTalk has a strong DR (Domain Rank).  So all those SEO spammers who get paid to plant URL's are heavily motivated to find ways around the road blocks we put up.   Often what they will do to make it seem like they are a legit user, is interact in the forum, which looks more like nonsense or meaningless post/comments... then when they think the coast is clear, post their links.  For example, here is one we just noticed today.  This user/spammer has been on this site for over 2 months!   This user was banned and their post removed.

This user had 13 post, and here are 3 that included injected links:



Spammers are a pain in the butt and can be tough detect till they post their URL and someone spots it and reports it.  This is where you can be of HUGE help.  When you spot something like this, please report it.  I want these guys off the site more than anyone.  

Big thanks everyone!

Alex

I don't think we are talking about spammers here  

NewavaMike wrote: I don't think we are talking about spammers here  

Sorry, I can't provide a more clear explanation then.