[nadreg]

Hi All,

We've been receiving some complaints over the last couple of weeks about people joining IM for the sole purpose of promoting their businesses. While we welcome India travel lovers of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ethnicities, we don't want this to turn into a place where people feel uncomfortable accepting travel advice without wondering what the motive is behind it.

Therefore, I am adding the following two items to the Forum Rules:

- Commercial activity of any kind, without the written consent of IndiaMike.com, is strictly forbidden.

- Any solicitation of commercial activity, through user controlled content including, but not limited to user names, signatures, posts, and member profiles, is strictly forbidden without the written content of IndiaMike.com.

Thanks all!

[edwardseco]

Excellent..

[GauhatiBoy]

k I recommended a couple of businesses--that's a no-shoulda-done now right?

[Rama]

With the exception of job postings in the Classifieds section, or are those no longer allowed either? This may be in need of clarification.

GauhatiBoy:
I think business recommendations are fine so long as they are 1) not done by any person affiliated with the business and 2) is directly related to the topic of the thread where the recommendation is given and 3) is not a recommendation in and of itself (that is, a thread started to recommend the specific business). This is my guess as to how the regulations apply, so please do not assume that it is correct.

[jodiac]

Hi Admin- very good.
But can I add site on my siggy that comply with the rules of being non-travel, non-competitive with this forum but commercial in nature? The sole purpose is to get valuable links.

If the answer is NO-- then no problem. But there is a need to change the Signature rules page then.

Hope I am not being intrusive. As for my credentials --well i can talk extensively on tours to whole of North-East India, Uttaranchal, Delhi, Agra, Ajanta-ellora, and ofcourse Gaya,Sarnath --Baransi.

I'll be glad enough to supply my sites for consideration if they qualify for signature rules.

[Rama]

Originally Posted by jodiac

Hi Admin- very good.
But can I add site on my siggy that comply with the rules of being non-travel, non-competitive with this forum but commercial in nature? The sole purpose is to get valuable links.

Jumping the gun, I would say no. Why? To quote one of the items in the new rule:

Any solicitation of commercial activity, through user controlled content including, but not limited to user names, signatures, posts, and member profiles, is strictly forbidden without the written content of IndiaMike.com.

[nadreg]

Hi Rama,

I will be publishing an update for a rule about signatures as well, but links to commercial sites in signatures will not be allowed either. I was fine with this for a while, but it seems like people have been taking advantage of this by posting just to get links to their websites indexed by search engines. And as far as posts go, I much prefer quality to quantity.

Thanks for understanding.

[nadreg]

Originally Posted by GauhatiBoy

k I recommended a couple of businesses--that's a no-shoulda-done now right?

Recommending a business or service is fine as long as you're not personally benefiting from the referral, and as long as you're not directly associated with the business.

[jodiac]

Originally Posted by Rama

Jumping the gun, I would say no. Why? To quote one of the items in the new rule:

Hi Rama.
I quite understand it --but I was referring to the specific Signature Rule that is still there.It seems Admin got my point.
Personally - I have no problem to abide by it.

[hfot2]

Originally Posted by nadreg

Recommending a business or service is fine as long as you're not personally benefiting from the referral, and as long as you're not directly associated with the business.

Thanks for this clarification. I had the same reaction.

It doesn't look like tons of people are finding this thread. Are you planning on posting this information elsewhere - say on the home page - or have you already done so and I missed it?

distaff half

[Nick-H]

Seventy-four members have viewed this thread.

Maybe a thread title saying something like commercial members must read this might be a good idea. Lets try to make sure that the people who may feel most affected get plenty of warning.

Maybe a link to this thread and to the redesign (New features) thread might have temporary prominent place on the front page?

[dzibead]

Maybe having some sort of notice or click-the-box acknowledgment when signing up would work - your registration isn't complete until you click the box indicating you've read and agree to the rules re: commercial activity.

[Nick-H]

I think we do?

But it doesn't help much, because most of us (lawyers excluded ?) never read through terms and EULAs anyway.

It is very hard to miss the big red letters that say NO TRAVEL AGENTS. Funny how travel agents don't seem to see it

[nadreg]

Originally Posted by dzibead

Maybe having some sort of notice or click-the-box acknowledgment when signing up would work - your registration isn't complete until you click the box indicating you've read and agree to the rules re: commercial activity.

There is just such a check box, but like Nick says, most people probably don't even read through it.

[global_yatri]

just wanted to add that it cracks me up that travel agents keep half-answering queries or adding vague comments and then add a line asking you to email them for details - ugh! i mean the point of a forum is to have information out in the public based on travel experiences!!! glad to see the rule; have found much useful info (from non-travel agents!) in just over a week!