Newbie Moderator=newbie questions..... Threads awaiting moderation

[snowmutt]

Okay- I am "getting" posts awaiting moderation. Mostly, they seem to be first or second time posters and we need to be sure they are not spammers or banned accounts trying to get around their bans. But what triggers a "Thread awaiting moderation"? What exactly are we ensuring is or isn't happening? What is the best way to ensure that this thread is kosher and not about to bring about the zombie apocalypse?

 

[Laura Knotek]

I really cannot answer that question. I don't know exactly which words are in the spam filter. Obviously it isn't perfect, since spammers are still able to post without getting into the moderation queue.

 

[Muessig]

I was under the impression that we have a general threshold, which I think is about 8 posts for moderation. Anyone under that threshold, their post needs to be approved by one of us to make sure it's not spam or advertising. I think it's because most of the spam we get is from freshly moderated members and we're more likely to pick it up if we have to approve those members posts.

The best way to ensure a thread is kosher is to go and look at it, check any links - don't just look at a title and assume it's okay - always better to go into a thread to double check.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I was under the impression that we have a general threshold, which I think is about 8 posts for moderation. Anyone under that threshold, their post needs to be approved by one of us to make sure it's not spam or advertising. I think it's because most of the spam we get is from freshly moderated members and we're more likely to pick it up if we have to approve those members posts.

The best way to ensure a thread is kosher is to go and look at it, check any links - don't just look at a title and assume it's okay - always better to go into a thread to double check.

I know there isn't a threshold for ALL new members. I just banned a self promotion spammer. He posted in an old thread he revived and there wasn't any moderation queue for him.

Clicking reply with quote is a great way to find spam links and cookie spam.

 

[Muessig]

It's got to be certain words or key phrases or links that's pulling them up, then. As we've seen though, it's not completely reliable like Laura says.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I also catch a lot of spam when I'm on mobile and use the WPCentral app. The spam links are visible without needing to click reply with quote. I saw the spam few minutes ago and then opened thread in IE11 to complete the ban and clean.

 

[snowmutt]

Okay, so threads awaiting moderation- we are not 100% sure how they end up there. The vast majority of the time, spamming is what we are looking for. Verify the post and any links, proceed from there.

Clicking "Reply with quote" is a easy way to reveal spam cookies and links.
On our WP8 mobile devices, the WP Central app is also an easy way to tip off spam. (Like our app more and more.)

So far, I haven't seen the need to ban or delete from the posts or the threads awaiting moderation. Either I get lucky a ton, or I am worried I am missing the keys to a bad poster/thread. I will keep working on this.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Okay, so threads awaiting moderation- we are not 100% sure how they end up there. The vast majority of the time, spamming is what we are looking for. Verify the post and any links, proceed from there.

Clicking "Reply with quote" is a easy way to reveal spam cookies and links.
On our WP8 mobile devices, the WP Central app is also an easy way to tip off spam. (Like our app more and more.)

So far, I haven't seen the need to ban or delete from the posts or the threads awaiting moderation. Either I get lucky a ton, or I am worried I am missing the keys to a bad poster/thread. I will keep working on this.

Yes, spam. Cookie spam, and self promotion are mainly what we look for. I always do the IP look up and then the reply with quote to check for spam. Most of the time the posts are acceptable.