Duplicate competitions

CompAddict1

Hi Guys,

Just wondering when you all post competitions, how do you check that it's not already been posted?

Currently using the search function, just wondering if there was another secure way I would know that the competition isn't already on the site.

weeowens

CompAddict1 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Just wondering when you all post competitions, how do you check that it's not already been posted?

Currently using the search function, just wondering if there was another secure way I would know that the competition isn't already on the site.

I just use Advanced Search, often using the short domain or the answer in the search box

HTH
Plus:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1014121

2 How do I search to see if a comp has been posted?
The Forum Search is not foolproof although if you take a couple of easy steps then it can help you not to post duplicate comps.

On any Forum page, just above where the threads are listed you will see the option to ‘Search this Forum’, click this & then select ‘Advanced Search’.

A new screen will open, which is the Advanced Search screen & seems to be more responsive to searches.

Please refer to the image below for numbered steps.

1. Key Words.
   Take the main part of a comp page address (URL) & type / paste it here.
   For Example, if http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/competitions/show/id/2704 is the comp page, use keyword: goodtoknow.co.uk
   Also, for the radio comps, try searching for the part of the url that starts '/Article...' it should bring up the other stations if they have been posted.
   
   I recommend you only use the main part of the comp URL as sometimes comps change location on a site.
   
   If that search brings back too many results, then try using a word from the comp which will have been used if it was posted on MSE to narrow it down slightly.
   For Example, goodtoknow.co.uk watch
   
   You could also use the answer to search again, just to ensure you aren’t about to post a comp that is already on here.
2. Search Forums.
   If Competitions Time is not already highlighted in the list, scroll down the list & click it to highlight.
3. Also search in child forums.
   Ensure box is ticked - the search will also check in Competitions Time sub forums (the I won! Forum, the Game Over Forum & the Regular Competitions Forum).

Click on the 'Search Now' button & it will bring back a list of results. Read through the list carefully to see if the comp has been posted. Repeat the search a couple of times with different search criteria to be more certain that it's a new one.

Something else to be aware of is that it can take a couple of hours for the forum software to include new threads into the search function. Take a quick glance down the last couple of pages of threads to check for comps that sound similar to the one you're about to post.

Another way some MSE Compers use to search for specific comps is to use the Google Search Engine. If you wanted to search for, say, Kung Fu Panda comps in the forum then you would type:
"Kung Fu Panda" "competition" site:forums.moneysavingexpert.com
(Placement of the speech marks as that is very important!)

CompAddict1

Great, Thanks for the detailed response!