Minimum Word Count

[TIEU]

What would be a good amount for the minimum word count per post?

Currently my forum is set to 10 words per post minimum.

 

[David]

What would be a good amount for the minimum word count per post?

Define "good".

I'd much rather 5 "good" words in a post over 10 "spam" words in a post. Sometimes just posting a link is more helpful then writing up something (would be considered as one word). Or when it comes to welcoming members; 10 words to say "hello" isn't really necessary, although would be nice.

 

[agentmanningctu]

I think a minimum character count is better. What about forum games? Some posts will only be one word.

 

[Nuke]

I have mine set to one character.

 

[Umbreon]

Mine is set to 3 characters, but for the forum games and spam, idk about that ATM

 

[Viper18]

I would set it to like 2-4 because as agent said, some games might be only one word. Unless you could change the minimum post count for each forum...

 

[Loading]

I believe that 10 characters per post is enough to prevent some spam.

 

[Community Member]

I hate word counts. 😛

 

[Nuke]

I hate word counts. 😛

Same.

 

[Setonori]

I have mine set to 3 minimum word count due to forum games.

 

[AnAccount]

Word count has never really bothered me on forums as when it comes to question/response type discussions, I always right it out in complete sentences anyway unless it's a question that just requires a straight yes or no answer, then I'll just reply saying yes or no. So really, it's never bothered me that much.

 

[Acorn]

Best minimum count? 1.

A forum is for discussion. Why should a conversation have a word count? Only hinders the talk IMO.

 

[Kaynil]

I hate word counts. 😛

Same.

I wouldn't apply them on my own boards either, but I have no problem in communities that have a tight rule about it.

 

[DarkRaven]

I hate boards where you are forced to put so many words into a post, before being allowed to post it. If someone is making posts that are bellow the acceptable standard for the forum they are in, I'll generally send them a PM telling them to put more thought into them, and have a chat with them about their posting in general. If that doesn't work, I'll give them a warning and that's usually the end of it. I can understand why on large forums (5k + members, 500k + posts) you often don't have the privilege to deal interact as much with members, so the easiest solution is to block all posts with less than 50-10 words. I wouldn't use it unless I absolutely have to.

 

[Nitro]

I currently have the limit set to 3 characters.

 

[Benjay]

If you have areas such as forum games, then 1 or 2 otherwise 5 or 10.