On some forums that I visit, I see members who have thousands of forum posts. They make lengthy comments and seem very much emotionally invested in the community. But, they don't have a signature link. These people could be considered the ideal forum members as they are truly on the forum to be part of it and to add value. They don't want anything back except for the chance to communicate with others of like minds. Other times, I wonder if there is a reason these people won't list a site, such as they don't really own a site or maybe they don't want to share.
I suppose as long as they are actively commenting, it's not a real issue.
Those are the type of members I love because that means they're actually there because they want to be.
That doesn't mean someone with a link in their signature can't actually want to be a member of that community but it definitely means that they aren't as invested in the community as the person who is just posting to be an active contributor there.
Most of my forum members don't have a signature link, because I offer other incentives in my community to keep my members active. We do allow signature links though.
I agree that is is a good sign, that the member wishes to stay because he likes the forum/blog/website. It can also mean that he simply doesn't have a link to advertise, or doesn't feel the need to. Most other times members will have images in their signatures as replacement, though.
as long as they're active, then I don't mind if they have a sig link or not. But if they don't have one, it does show they are loyal and fully dedicated to the community.
They also probably don't have a site of their own, so they come to your forum to contribute their content.
I agree that these kinds of members are usually the dedicated ones. I'm certainly not offended if a regular wants people to check out their site or forum.
