Okay, here is the scenario, you own/run a forum that is in the same niche as another big forum. You are starting to catch up to them, and are getting more ranking and members than they are recently.
One day you discover, or someone brings it to your attention that the rival forum is spreading slander/gossip and lies about your forum which could harm the membership and/or the reputation of your forum.
If this happened to Christianity Haven, I wouldn't retaliate against the other site because that wouldn't be Christ like. Sometimes it's better to ignore bad behavior like this because it could harm my community to do anything else.
If it happened to Crafter Craze, well, why would I care really since I'm a tiny forum and it's probably flattering to believe that someone thinks my forum is a threat to them so much that they have to take the time to knock me down.
I'd like to simply rely on my own reputation and let members decide on their own whether these accusations are true or not. How does the saying goes... be so kind and reliable that if someone were to speak badly about you, they wouldn't believe it.
the truth will always come out, the end of the day lies never get you anywhere. even if it does upset your forum it will turn around back and better. Plus just think about those idiots
I would release a statement on your forum about the slander. I'd point out anything false and have a detailed explanation of why it was false. I would not slander back and I'd use the most professional language possible.
I'd then send that forum a take down notice. If they didn't take it down. I'd contact the host and ask if they can do something about it.
In my case, my brand name is trademarked. That can help in some ways but if it requires legal response, it does become expensive and it might be a waste of time and money to sue.
The biggest thing though, be professional and don't do what they do. You will look better. They will not.
Let them ramble on as they are the ones most will just laugh at in the end, I would not bother posting anything on my site just let it go.
Chances are people on that site will move away from a toxic site like that and you may be the one picking up better members.🙂
A negative campaign does help. It is very easy to ridicule someone if you have a set of people who will support you. Policies like ignoring or explaining will not help at all. You will know this if you have faced one. And considering a lot of people here are very senior admins, there is no need to explain in detail.
The only method to break it is to do almost the same.
