Later today we will be releasing a new version of SocialSpark that includes a recently implemented code of conduct. This code of conduct is designed to provide a clear guideline for acceptable behavior within the community and is in response to some usage trends we have spotted within the system.
One of the biggest abuses we have seen relates to comment spam and props. Specifically bloggers pouncing new users and leaving comments such as “prop for u” and “luv your blog. I gave you a prop” in hopes of gaining a reciprocal prop, whether or not it is actually deserved. This obviously was not the intent of the comment or prop systems and we have received many complaints from long time IZEA posties and advertisers regarding the need for a better framework and rules.
The new comment system will not allow you to leave comments regarding props (along with other types of comments such as “waiting in line”, “requested this opp”, etc.) without a warning. We now officially consider these types of comments as spam or non-additive at best. They don’t add any value to our community and diminish the quality of the user experience. You will have to go out of your way to leave these types of comments from now on and if you abuse the system you run the risk of being banned.
Let’s look at some examples:
Good:
“We just went to ColdStone over the weekend with my kids. They loved it!” – blm03
Bad:
“Prop for you!” – too many bloggers to mention.
To be fair our code of conduct was not in place in the past. There was nothing that said people couldn’t leave comments on everyone’s profiles to build props and friends. We didn’t know that it would be such a problem.
That being said, we need to get this fixed and move forward.
The only fair way to do this in our minds is to zero out all props and comments relating to props for everyone. If we don’t do so the users who have utilized this method of building props will be at the top of the list for the foreseeable future, creating an unfair advantage the can’t be taken away.
Before implementing such a drastic measure I would like to hear from the community as to why we should or shouldn’t do this. I am sure I will hear a good bit from the people using this method, but my real hope is that we hear from the community at large.
