Minnow PSA: Chat Spam Can Get You Flagged!

patrice(64)

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#ask-patrice

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Spam isn't just a problem on steemit.com. Steemit.chat is also a source of spam in our community. Much of it not that different than the comment spam we see on steemit. Steemian's are sending direct messages containing follow requests and links to posts.

What new chat users may not realize is that most established members in the community do not appreciate these types of unsolicited requests. It could get the person making the request in chat flagged on steemit.com.

Source

I got flagged !?!?!?!

Next time you think it is a good idea to direct message someone you might want to find out if they want to be contacted with requests. A better idea is to find a support group in chat. Your actions outside of steemit.com can get your posts and comments flagged.

And not just for spam. Recently there was a user in #steemitabuse asking for support. The user had several recent posts flagged by another Steemian and they didn't know why. It turns out the reason they were flagged was that they had inadvertently embarrassed their fellow Steemian in chat!

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Mentions & Notifications

Not sure if I've seen anyone flagged for it before but I have been tempted by the @all & @here calls and repeated mentions in chat to flag users posts. Some chat users have even copied & pasted the same request to multiple channels. Some might think it is funny but many of us leave chat open while we work. Even if the "work" is realated to steemit.com you could be interrupting someone.

I welcome anyone to "ping" me by mentioning @patrice in any channel if they have a problem, urgent request, or if someone is flooding the channel with spam comments. This alerts me with an audible and desktop notification that someone needs my help. Direct messages have the same notification.

If you have a question or request specifically for me feel free to direct message me but before you do ask yourself:

Is this a question specifically for @patrice? One that only she can answer or that I want her opinion on?

If your answer to the above question is "yes", continue to ask yourself:

Am I going to chat spam her by posting a follow request,re-blog request, or ask her to look at my post? Even if it is in the guise of asking for advice?
Am I going to harass her about being removed from @cheetah's blacklist?

If your answer to both of those is "no" then please feel free to direct message or ping me.

How I Deal With Chat Spam

If you direct message me or mention me depending on my mood and how much abuse I've had to deal with that day I might politely ask you to not spam me. Or I might just block you. If you are using the @steemcleaners Discord Channel and I've received complaints I just might ban you.