Do you allow necro-posting on your forum?

[Sharon]

I remember the first time(and only time) I got reprimanded for necro-posting I was completely blown away by the concept. It didn't make sense to me and the person who scolded me for it wasn't able to give me a strong reason as to why it's not allowed. He simply indicated that that post had been dead for six months and should not be revived just because bring back old topics is not allowed.

In my forum communities I welcome members to bring back topics because they have something to say about it and to me it doesn't make sense to make a new thread about a topic if there is one already existing. Apparently it's an 'unspoken universal rule' but I've frequented forums for years before I encountered that problem without ever having an issue. I think it's something that should be highlighted on the forum rules if they are going to be enforced by staff members.

Where do you stand when it comes to necro-posting? What do you consider "too old" to revive? What are the disadvantages of bumping threads with a genuine thought about the topic at hand?

 

[Geoffrey]

I'm okay with necro-posting or bumping old topics if the member is contributing to the topic and it's not spam (which is covered by a spam/off topic rule). Bumping topics such as ads, shops, etc. may require a different policy, but in general, topics that are about discussion should be open for new members to join in later on or for old members to revisit if something new comes up.

 

[Hugop]

I prefer my members to bump threads than duplicate them.

 

[Geoffrey]

I prefer my members to bump threads than duplicate them.

I agree, generally. But if a thread is months (or years) old, I wouldn't be opposed to a member starting a new topic. For one, I probably wouldn't realize it's a duplicate if the first topic is very old. 😛

 

[The Reverend]

I prefer my members to bump threads than duplicate them.

I agree, generally. But if a thread is months (or years) old, I wouldn't be opposed to a member starting a new topic. For one, I probably wouldn't realize it's a duplicate if the first topic is very old. 😛

Exactly, that's the reason it is somewhat of a universal rule, a new topic often gets more attention and therefore more posts which is why a lot of admins would rather a near-duplicate so long as the topic is past a certain age.

I personally don't mind so long as the post is still relevant, but equally i don't mind similar topics as long as the original is quite old.

 

[SarahKik]

I don't mind necro-posting as long as it adds to the discussion. If people are bumping one year old introduction threads though, that's something I probably wouldn't allow.

 

[pandaa]

I guess as long as it's constructive, it's fine. I'd prefer a new discussion to be started at some point, just because members, viewpoints, and other things change over time.

 

[Cosmic]

I'm personally not irritated at all by either duplicating existing topics (that aren't on the first page) or by bumping up old topics. What matters is the discussion, and that can happen anywhere on the forum, you know what I mean? 😛 There's a point where gravebumping becomes spam, but generally that involves bumping up several topics with useless posts. Those types of bumps can weaken discussion in the community, by pushing down active stuff from attention. But a single gravebump is usually not a big deal.

 

[MasterA]

I'm personally not irritated at all by either duplicating existing topics (that aren't on the first page) or by bumping up old topics.

I agree with this. I personally don't mind either because it creates more discussion and as long as the content being discussed is not spam, then I am fine. Furthermore, if you do not allow repeated topics or necro-bumping, this can easily kill a forum because once all topics have been discussed, then there will be no new and fresh content which would essentially kill the forum. Even if a topic was created 5 years ago, if it can create some quality discussion, then why should we not be allowed to bump it?

 

[VirusZero]

I don't mind people posting in older topics if they have something new or useful to add.

I mean I've gone back and revived old topics about games simply because new info about them came about. (Like for one topic about Mighty No. 9... which was started originally when the kickstarter showed up but was revived when the game's release date was announced. Plus a bunch of times when new bits of info trickled out.)

Though one thing I always caution about reviving old topics, especially ones years old, is for those reviving them not to expect replies from previous participants. Sometimes members may post, but then time passes and they are no longer part of the site for whatever reason.

 

[Thomasss]

I do not see an issue with it as long as the post actually contributes to the post and isn't made just for a post count.

I do not understand why owners do not allow neco-posting. If it's not allowed then most boards I have seen just say to create a new topic on the same subject, and I find it very pointless. The topic already exists, why should there be duplicates everywhere just because the topic is old?

When it comes to like a support/feedback board, I can see how it might not be allowed. However on all the other boards I really find it pointless to ban necro-posting. The topic is there for a reason, why are you putting an expiration date on it?

 

[Mistress]

As long as the person bumping the thread has something to actually contribute. If it's just the usual spammy "good information thx" crap then off with their heads. Otherwise I'd rather have them use the same thread than open up a new one.

 

[Sharon]

Oh ok - well, I'm glad to see that it's not generally a bad thing. I thought I was totally in the dark about common knowledge or something. My fear is having too many duplicated topics then again maybe if the threads are old enough then it won't really matter. What constitutes as "too old" anyway? ...or does it mean any thread past the third page (just an example)?

 

[Allenafaith]

I remember the first time(and only time) I got reprimanded for necro-posting I was completely blown away by the concept. It didn't make sense to me and the person who scolded me for it wasn't able to give me a strong reason as to why it's not allowed. He simply indicated that that post had been dead for six months and should not be revived just because bring back old topics is not allowed.

In my forum communities I welcome members to bring back topics because they have something to say about it and to me it doesn't make sense to make a new thread about a topic if there is one already existing. Apparently it's an 'unspoken universal rule' but I've frequented forums for years before I encountered that problem without ever having an issue. I think it's something that should be highlighted on the forum rules if they are going to be enforced by staff members.

Where do you stand when it comes to necro-posting? What do you consider "too old" to revive? What are the disadvantages of bumping threads with a genuine thought about the topic at hand?

That's funny, earlier I actually got in trouble on a forum for replying to old topics even though it wasn't spammy posts and it wasn't to increase my post count. I allow it on mine it seems logical and non spammy then to create a new thread. 😛

 

[LadyAnna]

I don't mind it in general, as mentioned above in certain situations it might not really be desirable though.

If the forum is a support forum it would probably be a lot better to start your own thread even if you think it is something similar, or the same, as the previous old thread discuss, as 1) the case might be there's something totally different causing it and 2) a new thread might give you faster attention.

Necrobumping someones hello I'm here post might not really serve any really good purpose, but I'd not disallow it by rule, rather just say please don't, as there could be cases where it actually makes sense depending on how old the thread actually are and what was discussed previously in it.