What happened?

petrafyde

I have joined several threads/challenges and have been posting my results in my signature so I can keep up-to-date.

I added this link:

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Like this:

Statement Of Affairs Link

Because so many people on DFW need the link (it's probably posted in every 'other' new thread made!) and it was easier to direct them to it.

I've just come onto the forum tonight to see the change in signature below, with no PM or anything?! Surely this isn't right?

I've lost all the information I was storing in my sig!

marleyboy

your not allowed to include links in your sig without prior permission

petrafyde

Well that would be why then! doh.

Thanks

fermi

marleyboy wrote: »

your not allowed to include links in your sig without prior permission

Yep. This rule.

SIGNATURE LINKS

The only links permitted in signatures are those of the MSE team, the Forum team, Board Guides and links to charity (ie they are on the Charities Commission Register of Charities). This includes un-activated links. If in doubt, contact [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]

Posters who have asked and been given permission are listed in this thread:

Members Allowed Signature Links

debtmuncher

i did the same....it was far more easier to direct people to the link in my signature instead of faffing about getting it elsewhere but i got an email asking if i had permission. i was also told about the rule. i made my apologies and said i hadnt known of that. also asked what was the reason for no links in the signature now but sadly i never got a reply back.

anyone know why no links allowed....was it being abused or something?

jo_b_2

debtmuncher wrote: »

also asked what was the reason for no links in the signature now but sadly i never got a reply back.

anyone know why no links allowed....was it being abused or something?

Links used to be allowed in signatures but, yes, there were being abused. Lots of spammers and newbies included links to their own sites (full of affiliate links) and internal links to MSE tended to lead to people's own posts over on the Referrers' Board!

That was basically why a blanket ban was made on all links (other than a few where permission is given by the abuse team.) Everybody who has been given consent should be listed in this thread HERE.

MSE_Martin

The rule is for exactly the reasons Jo B says.

Signature posts get a lot of "web real estate" and by having them in 1,000 posts say on a large site like this its actually both big advertising and strong for search engine optimisation

Sadly that leads to many people doing it for the wrong reasons. As we can't police every signature we chose to allow requested ones only in special circumstances. Generally if people have things to say then they need to go in the posts.

Martin

petrafyde

Hiya guys, thanks for all of the replies.

I can appreciate the reasoning behind it, but was totally unaware (which I do understand is my own fault because it's 'my responsibility to read forum advisory threads' etc) but a PM asking me to remove it would've been nice, that's all.

Sarah

MrsTinks

Hi Sarah,

whilst I appreciate it would have been "nice" for the forum team to PM you then you have to remember that they don't deal with just signatures that not meet the rules set out on here - they deal with a whole lot more... in an ideal world they would have oodles of time and could PM everyone they modify signatures or post from/for but it's just not practical... usually if a BG spots a genuine signature (ie like yours sounds to have been) we'd have PMd you to warn you because they WILL get deleted.
As I've been out and about a lot (and suffering morning sickness LOL) I haven't kept up on your thread so didn't spot it till after the event or I'd have let you know so you could remove it

On the other hand the team always welcomes reports from members about links in signatures if you spot any Just click the report to abuse button and if you think they are just a naive board user drop them a PM to let them know

MrsT

petrafyde

Hey MrsT

It's no problem, at first I was more annoyed because I'd been keeping count of my little thread 'goals' !

Obviously there is more than just a couple threads to look at, I understand your point having managed my own forums in the past. This board is too commercial (for want of a better word!) too busy! to warrant the personal touch - I understand anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to reply - hope the morning sickness eases (try warmed milk - sounds disgusting but worked for me, OR those creamy peppermints you can buy! forget the name)

jo_b_2

MSE_Martin wrote: »

The rule is for exactly the reasons Jo B says.

Woo Hoo! Martin mentioned me by name! And said I was right! :j