Later today we will be releasing a new version of SocialSpark that includes a recently implemented code of conduct. This code of conduct is designed to provide a clear guideline for acceptable behavior within the community and is in response to some usage trends we have spotted within the system.
One of the biggest abuses we have seen relates to comment spam and props. Specifically bloggers pouncing new users and leaving comments such as "prop for u" and "luv your blog. I gave you a prop" in hopes of gaining a reciprocal prop, whether or not it is actually deserved. This obviously was not the intent of the comment or prop systems and we have received many complaints from long time IZEA posties and advertisers regarding the need for a better framework and rules.
The new comment system will not allow you to leave comments regarding props (along with other types of comments such as "waiting in line", "requested this opp", etc.) without a warning. We now officially consider these types of comments as spam or non-additive at best. They don't add any value to our community and diminish the quality of the user experience. You will have to go out of your way to leave these types of comments from now on and if you abuse the system you run the risk of being banned.
Let's look at some examples:
Good:
"We just went to ColdStone over the weekend with my kids. They loved it!" - blm03
Bad:
"Prop for you!" - too many bloggers to mention.
To be fair our code of conduct was not in place in the past. There was nothing that said people couldn't leave comments on everyone's profiles to build props and friends. We didn't know that it would be such a problem.
That being said, we need to get this fixed and move forward.
The only fair way to do this in our minds is to zero out all props and comments relating to props for everyone. If we don't do so the users who have utilized this method of building props will be at the top of the list for the foreseeable future, creating an unfair advantage the can't be taken away.
Before implementing such a drastic measure I would like to hear from the community as to why we should or shouldn't do this. I am sure I will hear a good bit from the people using this method, but my real hope is that we hear from the community at large.
Technorati Tags: drops, props, socialspark
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Deb@BirdOnAWire said...
Setting all props to zero. Now that's a novel idea. I'm sure it will peeve some folks, but Ted, can I call you Ted? I think that would be the ideal thing to do. Otherwise you have offenders who have props they really haven't earned. Ok, I've made enemies. I'm gone now. Thanks for letting me speak.
Jul 17, 2008 1:21:00 PM
Lisa said...
I have no problem with setting the props back to 0.
Jul 17, 2008 1:21:14 PM
Andy Beard said...
One other thing I noticed was how people were inclined to leave props for bloggers and not blogs (when done naturally), yet blogs were being used for the ratings.
Is there a logical reason to have both?
Plus there is the added problem of being both an advertiser and a blogger, and receiving props on an advertiser account when it really should be for the blogger.
I have no idea how to handle it better though...
Jul 17, 2008 1:26:16 PM
Cass said...
wrkz4me
Jul 17, 2008 1:27:08 PM
Jules said...
Wonderful idea! Reset!!!
I mentioned on the forums that a limit per/day on comments would be helpful also. Is there REALLY a need to leave more than 5-10 comments a day if you are leaving legitimate comments and not just trolling for props?
Jul 17, 2008 1:28:18 PM
Sue said...
I think you should reset, and the comment thing is so true, I had a couple nice comments on my blog but because they fall off as new ones come in all I have are ones that say "prop for you" "Prop you prop me to" and goofy crap. I want props from people I know like me or my blog, and comments that mean something! Thanks
P.S. prop for u Ted (sorry couldn't resist)
Jul 17, 2008 1:35:55 PM
Jules said...
Good point Andy! Most of my props I get are for me as a blogger, while my blog sits with hardly any. What is the reasoning behind having two prop systems?
Jul 17, 2008 1:36:36 PM
Anna said...
I don't see a problem with resetting and like Jules said, I think that limiting the number of comments (or props) you are allowed to give in a day would help also.
Jul 17, 2008 1:37:46 PM
Casey said...
Yes! The vast amount of props given out in the system now are the result of those users spamming for props.
The ordering of the browse users & blogs pages is defaulted to props descending. Right now, the spammiest of the users appear at the top of these lists, which can give false impressions of our network.
All props sent from a blogger to another blogger or to a blog need to be cleared out, and if a blogger wants to re-prop a blog or other blogger then they will have the ability to do that.
I also think the browse blogs page needs to be ordered by RealRank too.
Jul 17, 2008 1:38:58 PM
Rintz said...
I think Karen should put her hair into two pigtails, donate one to Locks of Love and the other to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, so she can help two groups with one haircut.
Jul 17, 2008 1:54:30 PM
mistipurple said...
i'm for it. at least i won't need to feel 'bad' for not returning a prop. it has become more of a nuisance when i need to check the inbox and find it full of 'i prop you, you (should) prop me back' kind of notes.
Jul 17, 2008 1:58:08 PM
Dan... said...
Glad to hear you're continuing to iterate/refine on props. Setting props to zero is one option, but you might consider other options like:
1) net props = total props received - total props given - total drops received; or
2) unique props (ignore reciprocal props) = total non-reciprocal props received - total drops received.
Such calcs would drop most of the prop-spammers to the bottom, even without resetting any well-deserved props. I've always thought a Twitter ranking of "net followers" would uncover some of the better Twits that don't follow 20,000+ to obtain their audience.
Unfortunately, prop calcs are more complicated and could ultimately create incentive to not prop others even when appropriate...
Jul 17, 2008 2:10:08 PM
Cyn said...
Saw this Q on your Twitter feed.
YES please reset the props. Let's just begin again now that expectations are clearly spelled out.
I love Casey's idea that the "browse blogs" feature be in order of Real Rank, too.
cynthialeigh (Twitter)
Caprica (IZEA)
Jul 17, 2008 2:26:46 PM
Lisa Marie Mary said...
I think it's a wonderful idea, Ted! I haven't even gotten my blogs into the system yet and complete strangers are propping me - oh really? You think I'm 'propable' just because you read my super cool name - Lisa Marie Mary? Raiiight!
Jul 17, 2008 2:28:23 PM
sabriena said...
I think the only fair way to start it IS to set the props to zero. I don't see a problem with it in the slightest and think it's a great idea.
Aww..my 16 props will be gone. :P
Jul 17, 2008 2:35:49 PM
Kim said...
Super idea! I think this would help everyone start fresh!!
Jul 17, 2008 2:43:11 PM
oning said...
I admit, I am guilty of doing such a thing. When I signed up for social spark, that's immedietly what I got in my mail and comments..people giving me props and asking that I prop them back. And when I've seen requirements for the opportunities to have "Most Props", I started doing it myself and since I was new to blogging, I also thought that's how the social spark system worked. I apologize.
Having realized thats not how props are supposed to work, I would have no problem resetting all props back to zero.
Cheers!
Jul 17, 2008 2:45:05 PM
Joy Burlinson said...
Yes I admit I am guilty of this kind of behavior... I apologized to everybody! Back to zero fair enough for me! Count me in... Sorry... it wont happen again in the future.
Jul 17, 2008 3:05:01 PM
BenSpark said...
A reset would be a good idea. The bulk of my comments have been the prop 4 a prop from many bloggers who can't string a sentence together. So when it is reset, what will be the order? I mean when you look at the bloggers what order will you see? Also is there a badge that says, "I'm on Social Spark" and when someone clicks it it goes to your public profile.
Jul 17, 2008 3:34:21 PM
Marilyn said...
It's a great idea to reset the props.
Jul 17, 2008 3:38:46 PM
Marilyn said...
It's a great idea to reset the props.
Jul 17, 2008 3:39:09 PM
Marilyn said...
It's a great idea to reset the props.
Jul 17, 2008 3:39:24 PM
Marilyn said...
It's a great idea to reset the props.
Jul 17, 2008 3:45:02 PM
Bree said...
I agree with setting it back to -0-
Jul 17, 2008 3:58:23 PM
Ted Murphy said...
Props have officially been reset. Thanks for all the feedback.
Jul 17, 2008 4:15:52 PM