Is it fair to use "nofollow" in this forum

! search-engines-web said: "[CODE]rel="nofollow" [/CODE] [COLOR=DimGray][B]Should not one be allowed to profit from a link - and allow other companies that are being referred to - to also profit Should not descretion be used - Some sites that are referred to are quality sites with important articles and stories - they deserve a link The Webmasters who use their link in their signatures are giving of their time and knowlege freely - so why not allow the credited link - except for those who abuse the privilege[/B][/COLOR] Not everyone wants to or can afford to spend thousands of dollars buying link popularity"

Darren said: "Of course it's fair. As a matter of fact, it's pretty much required to add "nofollow" to all forums, according to the standards, "Nofollow" means "user added the link". That's exactly the case for all links in forums, and for sig files, etc. I can't think of any reason I have to "pay" users to post, even with a link. People contribute because they want to, hopefully, not because they can get a link out of it."

edwin said: "forums should jump their links because they might link to a "bad neighborhood". what is a bad neighborhood? its vaguely defined, but linking to it will get your site banned. a webmaster with a banned site could come here and say "please review [url]http://www.mybanneddomain.com[/url] and you would be linked to them. for safety sake, redirect all forum links, or use the nofollow."

Darren said: "From [url="http://www.google.com/googleblog/2005/01/preventing-comment-spam.html"]Google's Blog about nofollow[/url][b] [quote] Q: What types of links should get this attribute?[/b] A: We encourage you to use the rel="nofollow" attribute anywhere that users can add links by themselves, including within comments, trackbacks, and referrer lists. Comment areas receive the most attention, but securing every location where someone can add a link is the way to keep spammers at bay. [/quote] So this applies to pretty much all forums. Also, I think I should point out, forum links are very weak links in general, Even if you have no money at all, you can trade recip links with people and build links without spending any money."

! search-engines-web said: "[I]Spammers[/I] are [I]Spammers[/I] they do [B]not [/B] reflect others - Some companies can spend Thousands of Dollars [B]BUYING LINKS[/B] Not everyone [I]Can [/I] - but - they can [I]CONTRIBUTE[/I] their time as opposed to money... [I]Users[/I] who contribute - should be allowed to get a real link [I]Abusers[/I] who contribute - should be treated differently [I][U]NOT EVERYONE[/U][/I] should be penalyzed - because of others As far as Google is concerned - after they were outed with their [B]CLOAKED[/B] pages - ([I]after :o preaching to others[/I]) ......"

Darren said: "The thing is, no one is being penalized by not getting a link from me. They just aren't getting the benefit of "link pop". But that's not the same as punishing them."

! search-engines-web said: "But - reward TIME and KNOWLEDGE with a Link POP Some People can contribute [COLOR=DarkGreen]MONEYs[/COLOR] - some, can only Freely share Knowledge every little bit helps in this [I]Link Jungle[/I]"

Heather said: "I know of a lot of forums that charge for membership, and don't allow anyone to post any links. Is that unfair or just how the world operates sometimes?"

! search-engines-web said: "They may be cheating themselves out of very knowledgeable contributors, who simply want [I]Something Back[/I] in return. ([I]especially if it is an SEO Web development forum[/I]) [COLOR=DarkRed][b]But sadly, it is the few rotten apples that ruin it for everyone.[/b] [/COLOR] :mad: When Google first announced the commencement of the [I]nofollow[/I] they used a messageboard that had been badly abused as an example... [url]http://weblog.herald.com/column/davebarry/archives/012729.html[/url] [url]http://www.google.com/googleblog/2005/01/preventing-comment-spam.html[/url] But think of the many many many people who have [B]NOT[/B] abused messageboards and guestbooks and posted ethically."

Heather said: "Webmasters can pretty much decide what parameters to set within their own forums. Some people might not agree, but then it would be a personal choice of whether or not they wanted to stay active in a community based on a silly "no follow" rule. To me it sounds like a petty reason to leave. Links aren't that expensive and as mentioned before a lot of places are happy to do recips with no cash exchanged."

edwin said: "forum sig links are not what they used to be. they will not help your rankings very much."

! search-engines-web said: "no one is talking about leaving - it is just when you have access to so-o-o much important, new information - you do not want to post the same thing on [B]EVERY[/B] forum - you may post it on one or two of your favorites, but you decide [COLOR=DarkOliveGreen][B]which one is also helping you in return the most[/B][/COLOR] Did find out a way to maximize the potential of link sigs, and noticed a [B]DRAMATIC[/B] increase in rankings with the new technique --BUT-- also want to contribute something that would help others... [I][COLOR=DarkSlateGray]In other words, giving freely of knowlege that has taken [I]months[/I] to learn[/COLOR] [/I]"

AngelaCea said: "Why don't you just buy a text link from the forum, I am sure BK will work with you on that. BK, start a link page on the new forum and give your best members a link, damn it the guy is right :p ;) Just make Edwin pay for his :D"

edwin said: "a static link page from would be more valuable."

AngelaCea said: "link page from :confused: Please explain Edwin, we are not mind readers :o"

Darksat said: "Im setting up my forum so users who only advertise get a nofollow link, this should promote increased content quality hopefully."