SPAM removal is a necessity for all websites. Your Internet marketing initiatives can be hindered considerably by SPAM. This is a particular problem for websites with blogs and forums. Make sure your online marketing plan includes resources devoted to SPAM removal.
1) Why SPAM Must Be Removed
SPAM must be removed from blogs and forums because it looks very unprofessional. Consumers do not expect to see SPAM on a corporate blog or forum. If they see that your site has SPAM on it, they will question your commitment to your blog or forum.
Consumers can spot SPAM immediately, so can you. This means that your failure to remove SPAM can be seen as either being lazy or not caring. No business owner wants to be considered either lazy or uncaring.
Your prompt attention to SPAM and keeping it off your blog or forum will be viewed as you showing a commitment to the integrity of your blog.
SPAM can also cause you problems with the search engines. SPAM typically includes a link to a gambling site, porn site or similar type of website. If your blog or forum has many of these links from your site, they may consider your site to be SPAM.
Outbound links from a website are considered a "vote" for the site they are linking to. Unless you want to vote for these SPAM sites, make sure you remove them immediately.
2) How to Remove SPAM
First and foremost you need to delete the SPAM posting. All admin panels for blogs and forums include the ability for you to remove any comments or postings you wish to remove. You should try to remove SPAM postings immediately.
Keep in mind that not all postings that include a link to another website are SPAM. You want to be sure you are removing SPAM postings only. If the link is going to a competitor, you may consider removing those postings as well.
3) Fighting SPAM
Virtually all blog and forum software allows you to create certain settings that are designed to help you fight SPAM. The most effective way to do this is to set your blog and forum up so comments and postings are not visible until you have reviewed and approved them. That means SPAM cannot be posted on your site unless you approve it.
A very busy blog or forum can be very difficult to stay on top of. In this situation you may consider a setting that requires someone to register for your site to post. Then if you find that they post SPAM at any point, you can cancel their registration.
There are varying degrees of SPAM protection including some SPAM plug-ins that are available for some blogs and forums. You will want to explore these options and choose the one that makes the most sense for you.
You must be prepared to combat SPAM on your blog or forum. You can try different systems until you find the one that works for your particular blog or forum. Once you find the right system, try to stay on top of it to avoid SPAM appearing on your site.
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