Finding lost discussions on your forum

[Beverly]

On many of my favorite forums, I find orphaned discussions, or those threads which never got answered. These discussions are often tucked way back in the pages of a subforum, where no one visits. Many times, the discussions have great content or pose a question which might really need an answer.

And, it makes me wonder, why did these discussions go unanswered? For every unanswered discussion, you lose a chance to create a bond with a forum member who might really need help. Also lost is the chance to create pages of usable, search engine friendly content which can help your site rank higher.

What are you doing on your forum to ensure there are no unanswered threads? How often do you go over your subforums to ensure there are no orphaned or unanswered discussions which could use input?

 

[Migi]

And, it makes me wonder, why did these discussions go unanswered? For every unanswered discussion, you lose a chance to create a bond with a forum member who might really need help. Also lost is the chance to create pages of usable, search engine friendly content which can help your site rank higher.

Very true. Unfortunately threads with no replies may mean that they are not interesting enough for the community to reply on. I think we can ask for help from staff members to give some love to such lonely threads, and later add on more replies ourselves. Or shamelessly bump it up with new opinion or information which may spark more interest than before.

 

[Ashley]

One way I resolve this issue is that on the past couple forums I've had (Chatting Time and Marie 1988... I was debating about allowing this on Music Fun as well) is that I always allow Necro-posting, which is the act of bumping up old topics. Most forums seem to think it's not cool to bump up old discussions, but with some exceptions, I beg to differ, honestly. As a forum owner myself, I feel that as long as you have something relavent to add to the discussion currently taking place, even if it's a few years old, then go ahead and add your point of view to the topic at hand! I don't care one way or the other if people bump up old topics, as long as they have something to add that's related to what is being discussed. Of course, there are subjects I draw the line on and put my foot down, like say if we're discussing a new update of phpBB that's been out for quite some time now, and especially if mostly everyone has updated already to the latest version available, then I'll lock the topic. I will, however, leave such topics out, especially if a poster explains what features are different from this time around compared to the last version, then I'll leave the topic out for reference purposes, in case anyone needs a reminder or to have their memories refreshed on what some of the new features are, then I'll leave the topic out, but I'll close it to further replies.

 

[Soapbox]

Yes, but they can always be found, and revived through search. I never feel very sorry for them. Some threads get fished out after 3 years again and get a whole new lease of life.