Spam reporting thread #76

PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING SPAM

Distinguish between the following, and flag the highest level of the violation:

-- Type 1: Irredeemable commercial spam: make sure to flag the member's profile, as well as the spammy activity. This type includes things selling strollers, pharmaceuticals, live-streaming sports games, porn, and/or trying to create traffic/links to sites for such things. Sufficient profile flags will automatically result in temporary suspension and deletion of the member's activity, so use your profile-flagging powers wisely and carefully.

-- Type 2: Teachable moments: DO NOT flag the member's profile, but DO flag the violating activity (e.g. self-promotional Talk post, group, or local venue). This type includes promotional activity that violates the Terms of Service (TOS), but where the member is potentially redeemable, e.g. overzealous authors, overzealous publishers, or other members with small TOS violations but who are otherwise using the site legitimately. These cases should be reported to staff (by sending a message or email to staff and/or or posting on this thread), so the member can be taught how to use the site.

Specific procedures:
-- Overzealous authors or publishers (these fall under type 2): do NOT flag the member's profile. Report to staff here or privately. You can also send the member a polite message pointing them to the terms, mentioning the "no promoting" language, and pointing them to the Do's and Don't page for authors: http://www.librarything.com/about_authors.php NOTE: Because all profile comments are now private, others cannot tell that you have left a message, so please include that information when you post in this thread.
-- Suspected sock-puppetry to promote a book, write fake reviews, and/or stack ratings: do not flag the profile, but report to staff here or by message, so staff can investigate. This is a serious violation for which members can be permanently banned.
-- Profile flags for commercial spammers only (type 1): On the member's profile page, click on the "report for spam" link, then follow instructions to flag the member. Again, this is only for commercial spam, not for "overzealous" authors, publishers, or booksellers, which should be reported to staff instead. See Talk post: http://www.librarything.com/topic/85810
-- Spam or promotional posts in a Talk topic (type 1 or 2): flag the post as an abuse of the terms of service.
-- Spam or promotional groups (types 1 and 2): flag new groups using the "flag this group" link.
-- Spam lists: report in this thread, and flag the member if it's commercial spam.
-- Spam works (type 1 spam): flag the work as spam on the work's editions page, and then vote on proposed work spam. Make sure to read the guidelines before proposing or voting, especially for what is not spam. Voting page: http://www.librarything.com/spam_works.php
-- Spam in a review (type 1), or an explicitly promotional review (type 2): flag the review as an abuse of the TOS, using the red flag.
-- Spam or promotion in "published reviews," or other CK fields (type 1 or 2): post here and/or delete.
-- Spam or egregious promotion/advertising in venues or events (type 1 or 2): post here and/or delete. Note that authors are permitted to add events for their books.
-- Spam in book links / quick links: post here and/or edit to remove spam.
-- Spam author names listed on a work: No current procedure. Tim has asked us not to change CK to indicate spammers, and not to combine spam authors together.
-- Not sure if it's spam? Post here, and explain why.

Please note that Tim has asked us not to use either CK or the combining system (whether works or authors) for spam fighting.

For more information see these wiki pages:
Procedures for flagging and reporting spam: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/Spam
Spam works, guidelines for flagging and voting: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/HelpThing:Spam_works

(A copy of these guidelines, for pasting in new threads, can be found here or at the top of previous threads.)

Author spam

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343042#n7889792

There is another post in a longer thread, but we’ve offered a chance to edit.
Member has been warned.

>2 2wonderY:. Well, he must have been a fly-by. Please flag

https://www.librarything.com/topic/111260#7889780

Author spam
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343060
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343062

https://www.librarything.com/profile/JasonKalinowski

I’ve left a message

Author spam
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343097
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343098

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Jonathan.Dean
I’ve left a message

For giggles

A translation company:

About Me
We have a professional team who always performs tasks to connect people around the world. We always prefer to give you with excellence and quality.

Question. Why is the number 88 associated with betting and casinos?

>7 2wonderY: The number 8 is lucky in Chinese culture, and 88 is doubly so.

Author Spam
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343143

Profile: https://www.librarything.com/profile/RobertLipkowitz
(I've left a message)

Tee hee. Just zapped a legal practice in the UK that specializes in toe amputation claims.

>11 2wonderY: {insert joke about BigToe industry}

user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/stacaravankopen
works:
https://www.librarything.com/work/27410983/209395281 (what to expect from a chalet)
https://www.librarything.com/work/27410979/209395236 (chalet or mobile home?)
https://www.librarything.com/work/27410989/209395322 (buying a chalet)

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/8315602/reviews/44975970
(we can flag the work afterwards)
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/frclicker13

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343264
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343263

Author spam
https://www.librarything.com/profile/SteveGhentAuthor

(I've left a message)

>16 gilroy:

Also:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343265
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343266

>17 lilithcat: Ah, in two groups I don't follow.

>18 gilroy:

Nor do I. But when someone is posting spam in the forums, I'll usually check adjacent topic #s.

It's also useful to check the groups a spammer has joined.

Well, crap. He moved his entire advertising spiel onto his profile...

>21 gilroy:

That's a better place for it, frankly.

user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/tomryderweddings
works: (covers also flagged -- see https://www.librarything.com/helpers_covers.php)
https://www.librarything.com/work/24672197
https://www.librarything.com/work/24844611
https://www.librarything.com/work/25324284
https://www.librarything.com/work/25735607
https://www.librarything.com/work/25860727
https://www.librarything.com/work/25974874
https://www.librarything.com/work/26146904
https://www.librarything.com/work/26282398
https://www.librarything.com/work/26673398

Author advertising book: https://www.librarything.com/topic/343371
Left message: https://www.librarything.com/profile/sherrychakrabarti

>24 Taphophile13:

Also:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343370
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343372
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343373

Left message: https://www.librarything.com/conversation/Taphophile13/sherrychakrabarti

You do realize that no one else can see that message?

Message deleted.

>25 lilithcat: Thanks. That was supposed to be the profile page:
https://www.librarything.com/profile/sherrychakrabarti

user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/solidgroundca
works:
https://www.librarything.com/work/26830223/203310504
https://www.librarything.com/work/26830223/203310504
https://www.librarything.com/work/26515124/200190466
https://www.librarything.com/work/26381840/198921821

user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/zoeblake
work: https://www.librarything.com/work/26888252/

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/27527533/reviews/210522739
(flag the work after the review is gone)
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/naukrisarkari

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/28442285/reviews/219844628
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/beruangjpgacor
(flag the work after the review is gone)

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/28215438/reviews/217103579
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/beruangmanisdadu

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/28437056/reviews/219770675
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/beruangjpion

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/28382089/reviews/219111063
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/beruanguangasli

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/28436580/reviews/219763208
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/beruangjpsweet

(flag works after the reviews are gone)

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/25975119/reviews/195370069
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/Dealsmm
(flag the work after the review is gone)

These ones have reviews:
https://www.librarything.com/work/26402436/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/27696517/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/27696559/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/27708585/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/27711724/reviews

And these have reviews too:
https://www.librarything.com/work/23841920/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/24178982/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/24183500/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/24183520/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/24186078/reviews
https://www.librarything.com/work/24186089/reviews

more reviews:
https://www.librarything.com/work/14890383/reviews/
https://www.librarything.com/work/14923076/reviews/
https://www.librarything.com/work/14932663/reviews/
https://www.librarything.com/work/14936908/reviews/
https://www.librarything.com/work/14939145/reviews/

work: https://www.librarything.com/work/17668650
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/Dealsyehlo

Author spam
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343508
I haven’t left a message though

>37 yolana:

Profile: https://www.librarything.com/profile/Adzohaibstore

>38 lilithcat: should not have been flagged if it was author spam.

>39 MarthaJeanne: There was nothing to indicate it was. The profile was completely bare. The profile name (note the store ending) didn’t correspond to the author name.

>39 MarthaJeanne:

I did not do so. I posted the profile so folks would know who >37 yolana: was referring to, as that would not be possible once the post disappeared.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343511
https://www.librarything.com/profile/KingBlackCanarsie

porn

>42 amanda4242: Already gone. ;)

This morning’s smile:

“Hi, we are Vietnamese Hair Factory and this is our official Librarything. We specialize in wholesale and export of hair. If you are interested please check our website:” the picture was an astonishing array of colors.

Would y’all prefer I post these occasional sharings on a different thread?

>44 2wonderY:

These are fun! I think, perhaps, a separate thread might actually encourage more people to join in, though!

work: https://www.librarything.com/work/18268209/133529373
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/QataliaFlorist

>46 karenb: The description of the work:
“ Bunga-bunga karangan bunga 20 Kartu Ucapan dalam Buku ruang putih untuk menulis Buku harian Buku catatan kenang-kenangan Dekorasi Hadiah oleh seniman modernis Grace Divine”
Translation:
Flowers wreath 20 Greeting Cards in a Book white space for writing Diary Keepsake Notepad Decoration Gift by modernist artist Grace Divine

Seems to me to be a legitimate work.

The member obviously started with a legitimate book, but edited title and author. The title and author in LT are QF_Karangan Bunga Papan "Happy Wedding" Ukuran 2x1,50m IDR.850.000
by Qatalia Florist

>48 MarthaJeanne: >49 karenb: It's the text from a sign that they're selling, which is also in the cover images.

All flagged away by now, though.

work: https://www.librarything.com/work/15346339/112633990
review: https://www.librarything.com/work/12868438/reviews/111343326
(that work is also in two other libraries, so apparently not spam)

>50 karenb: it was incorrectly combined with the other work. I separated it.

Profile:
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Adaptivesports

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/28381454/reviews/219103848
(flag the work after the review is gone)

>51 2wonderY: Good catch; thanks.

Profile
https://www.librarything.com/profile/taruhandingdong

And now the work: https://www.librarything.com/work/28381454

Work: https://www.librarything.com/work/28681593/223049234
Review: https://www.librarything.com/work/28681593/reviews/223049234

User: https://www.librarything.com/profile/proaccidentlawyers

Work
http://www.librarything.com/work/28707781/editions/

https://www.librarything.com/profile/inesmxith

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343736#n7913415

Left a message on authors profile page MikeBowers

>58 2wonderY: And https://www.librarything.com/topic/337682#7913419

>44 2wonderY:

Joining in on the fun, I give you a bizarre erectile dysfunction remedy spammer:

"Reasons why Cialis 60 mg is the right preference for you inside the USA

"Cialis 60 mg is treating erectile brokenness. Thru that, the treatment of erectile capability is carried out. Cialis 60 mg accepts the most important 1/2 in reestablishing erectile brokenness. Definitely, sudden salts present in Cialis 60 mg assist with raising the phallus. What's greater, it rushes a load of blood to the personal topics of the more youthful guys. Because of the fast bloodstream within the unique areas, there is in addition companion degree exchange of the jogging collection of that organ.

"Consequently, Cialis 60 mg will boom the circulatory device and receives an actual and strong erection. Take this Cialis tablet given that you have erectile brokenness; anyway, don't use it. Cialis 60 mg endless amount of data your essential concept expert can begin the estimations of Cialis 60 mg. Your fundamental idea expert can, at final, endorse the littlest evaluation that gives an ensuing effect."

He also has a spam work here: https://www.librarything.com/work/28623557

A couple more spammers and their works:

https://www.librarything.com/work/28627891
https://www.librarything.com/profile/mariajone

https://www.librarything.com/work/28623534
https://www.librarything.com/profile/drralph01

>60 lilithcat: I took out the member description (including link).

>60 lilithcat: Excellent!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343807#n7915996

Author spam. I've left a message.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/sebourne

Reviews
https://www.librarything.com/reviews/lacetnieuwlacet
Works
http://www.librarything.com/work/28729694
http://www.librarything.com/work/28729688

Profile
https://www.librarything.com/profile/lacetnieuwlacet

And they were here last year as well
Works
http://www.librarything.com/work/27317212
http://www.librarything.com/work/27317211
http://www.librarything.com/work/27317207

Profile
https://www.librarything.com/profile/chaletnieuw

Author post
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343818#n7916445

Profile
https://www.librarything.com/profile/bkookb

I’ve left a message.

>67 2wonderY: They've posted again.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343819

>66 2wonderY: I remember them! Advice about buying chalets.

New member/author, leaving messages all over in The Green Dragon:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/338100#7916657
https://www.librarything.com/topic/341847#7916659
https://www.librarything.com/topic/177029#7916660
https://www.librarything.com/topic/329997#7916661
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343067#7916663
https://www.librarything.com/topic/339395#7916664
https://www.librarything.com/topic/338211#7916666
https://www.librarything.com/topic/338824#7916667

Could someone leave a message on his profile ncholas ?

>70 FAMeulstee: He's been removed as spam.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Franki_books
https://www.librarything.com/topic/343831

Gone. That was fast.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/ProtetoxDiet

https://www.librarything.com/topic/343832

At least as fast. Gone.

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/14823981/reviews/107264948
(work already flagged)
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/diettow001

https://www.librarything.com/topic/344009#n7923557

Author spam not messaged
https://www.librarything.com/profile/jaymiddleton

>76 MarthaJeanne: I send a message

https://www.librarything.com/profile/kidnv1
Posted three spam topics, caught by the spam-catcher, but I clicked on one so now it needs flagging:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344043#n7924980

Author spam
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344071#n7926558

(https://www.librarything.com/profile/SnehashreeMandal)

A troll is stalking the posts of Folio Society Devotees.
tkidcharlemagne is making inflammatory posts and derogatory comments about members and has been flagged innumerable times in the following threads -
- https://www.librarything.com/topic/343410#n7916745
- https://www.librarything.com/topic/344062#unread
- https://www.librarything.com/topic/343919#n7926692

>80 wcarter: That's going to require staff intervention, I recommend emailing them. There's a "contact" link at the bottom of the page.

Author spam: https://www.librarything.com/topic/344085

https://www.librarything.com/profile/stevensommer (Message left)

Any one else get a spammy “review my book” message from Enakpoweri?

I’m afraid I sent him a rather snide comment in return.

>83 lilithcat: See also https://www.librarything.com/topic/26369#7927280

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/27252875/reviews/207819607
(flag the work after the review is gone)

And now
work: https://www.librarything.com/work/27252875
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/moviesflix

Reviews:
https://www.librarything.com/reviews/Ash_king

Profile:
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Ash_king

>88 2wonderY: Reviews are gone, I have now marked the works as spam:

https://www.librarything.com/work/28908764
https://www.librarything.com/work/28908773
https://www.librarything.com/work/28908791

https://www.librarything.com/work/28908792
https://www.librarything.com/work/28908793
https://www.librarything.com/work/28908795

https://www.librarything.com/profile/coolman11
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344202#7932026

Apparently, this is the same guy that keeps trying to do something regarding Elon Musk, because another post and user name of his got spammed away before I could post it here (loljoe456, I think). Funny part is he posted in Bug Collectors and started the post with "Stop Banning Me"

>90 gilroy:

He's gone now.

Work
http://www.librarything.com/work/28926622/editions/
Profile
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Shopliance

>90 gilroy: So he keeps trying. There's a thread in bug collectors where he's been flagged into oblivion already.
Latest user names were coolman445 and looojoe452

And he keeps whining about being banned. Maybe it's time to get admin involved?

>93 gilroy: Maybe it's time to get admin involved?

Yes. Maybe they can explain some things to the next account they register.

>90 gilroy:, >93 gilroy:

These have all already been removed as spam but for the record these accounts have also posted on the same subject:
Campjack0005
Stinkymna2.0
stinkymna4.0
Stinkymna5.0

>94 karenb: I messaged Kristi before I left my bill paying job to come home.

Thread where all these offending posts seem to land at the moment:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344254#unread

Have the rules for spam changed? I admittedly haven't been around as much as I once was, but I remember Tim saying in no uncertain terms that "noise" (like this Musk nonsense) was not spam. I've been blocking the users and threads when I find them, but haven't dared flag any.

>97 lorax: I was wondering the same. Also didn't flag because the causes listed for flagging didn't apply.

The only one I flagged was defamatory to a major public figure. That is not actually on the list, but considering recent developments, probably should be.

>99 MarthaJeanne:

In the U.S., it's pretty hard to defame a major public figure. See Sullivan vs. New York Times: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/376/254/

MarthaJeanne (#99):

I believe Tim said during the previous US presidential administration that so long as said major public figures are not LT members, insulting them is okay.

>97 lorax:

This is a good point. Could Tim (or one of his authorized representatives) clarify this?

Creating "nonsense" topics and multiple accounts for Talk are both against the TOS.

https://www.librarything.com/search.php?search=Stinkymna&searchtype=members&...

Do these actions count as spamming, though...? I think it does when it's all on the same topic, especially when it involves a brand. Elon Musk's name is branding.

There's a few topics caught in the spam filter as well, from accounts that have already been removed. Something is definitely going on but it's probably best left to the staff

He's back:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344323
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344324

ETA: and gone again.

aspirit (#105):

Can you provide a link to where "nonsense" topics were ruled flaggable? I remember Tim saying in no uncertain terms that flagging them was against the TOS, but I'd be delighted if he changed his mind over the years.

"Do not create "pointless," "meaningless" or "random" groups or topics." from the "Community Rules" on the Terms of Service page

>117 norabelle414: Yep, but I don't see anywhere that says those are flaggable offenses. I think what's happening is site vandalism and the member should be banned, but we're only supposed to flag profiles under a very limited set of circumstances.

>118 amanda4242: I was only referring to flagging of the nonsense topics themselves, not profiles

>119 norabelle414: Sorry, I misunderstood.

Is anyone actually flagging the profiles? They seem to be disappearing quickly, I wonder if they are hitting some other kind of trigger that is removing their accounts, like creating too many accounts from the same IP address

I was.

Okay, Kristi has responded to my note and I've asked her to chime in here with regard to what's going on and the flag situation

I got two profile messages - not readable as the members had been suspended before I saw them. Do they think that being more and more obnoxious will get people to stop flagging them?

I would consider these accounts as spamming/TOS violations, they're "shell" accounts, posting pointless material knowingly and repeatedly. Flag away!

>129 kristilabrie: Thanks!

>129 kristilabrie: We hear and obey! Thank you!

Thank you, Kristi.

Can you please point us to clear general guidelines? Is all of the above ("shell" accounts, pointless material, repetition) required, or do two of three suffice? Would the first occurrence, when it was merely pointless without creation of sock-puppet accounts or repetition, have been flaggable?

I have long been utterly terrified of accidentally flagging something I shouldn't and being smacked down with a TOS violation, so I basically never flag anything.

I see he still hasn't learned anything yet...

>129 kristilabrie:

When I click the button to Flag a profile, I get a warning pop-up saying that this is only for commercial spam. If it's not just going to be for commercial spam, maybe we could have that warning reworded.

I believe that's still true for user flagging, it's only post flagging that has been relaxed.

>90 gilroy: When he started all this, it was multiple junk posts to groups that made no sense for the screed he was venting. Now, he's focused on two threads because they don't go away. But the posts are rather limited and innocuous.

ETA - Stand Corrected. He's just posting crap. With the way he's acting, I'm wondering if this is a bored 13 year old.

Kristi, can we lock him into only posting in those two threads and then everyone ignore the threads so no one has to listen? (It's different from a complete IP block. Maybe the PTB will go for it?)

They're at it again.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Stinkymna36.0

I think it's past time for an IP block.

At bare minimum, can we delete all the bug collector threads that they've started?

Please PTB block that IP. Among other things, there's an Elon Musk pic as the group pic now.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Stinymna39.0

That's the profile that changed the group picture.

How do we flag group pic? I don't see any option

I thought it was Pulledpork098. Doesn't matter now, the picture is gone and changed back to the correct one.

>147 amanda4242: Adding another vote for an IP ban. It's getting past ignoring now.

I agree it's well past time. This harassment shouldn't be allowed.

Does anyone why this account was suspened? https://www.librarything.com/profile/planes19
They seemed like a young teen who had the misfortune of having their thread hijacked by one of our more contrarian members. https://www.librarything.com/topic/344261#unread

>157 yolana: It's probably not for anything they did in that thread, but they have been directed to email Kristi to sort things out: https://www.librarything.com/topic/344295

Not sure what's going on here (though obviously related to the earlier issues):
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344517
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344521

>159 norabelle414: Oh please PLEASE tell me it's time for an IP block...

https://www.librarything.com/topic/344528
Author spam. Been here since 2011 so should know better.

>158 norabelle414:, could it be age related? I've seen some accounts flagged before for being underaged. He/she might have revealed their age in a post, or someone made an assumption.

Punblisher spam I guess. https://www.librarything.com/profile/mysterymax

Should know better than to advertise a book even in context of a book conference stand.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Stinkymna47.0

Changed the group picture again.

I see I don't need to say ... they're back
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Stinkymna47.0

https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/23809/GEM
(ETA: gone now, but basically the spammer had created a whole group)

They're now sending me private messages

>163 MarthaJeanne: No, it is author spam. Sorry, somehow my edit didn't take. https://www.librarything.com/topic/344538#n7937117

>185 norabelle414: The group had been killed, but now appears to be resurrected...

>190 gilroy: They're two different groups, they have different numbers. The second one still needs more flags: https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/23811/GEM

I wonder if this attacker is aware that there are a lot more of us to flag than of him to spam.

Suspect he's a bored teen who doesn't care

I would think that this would get very boring after a while.

>198 MarthaJeanne: I think that's probably the whole appeal.

But seriously, they must have something else to do with their time than to attend to spamming a bibliophilic cataloging site. If it is a bored teen then I pity them, my children’s lives were filled with many more interesting things to do at that age.

>200 MarthaJeanne: No one does this could have high standards for entertainment (or for job satisfaction in the case of hostile cyber agents, which the timing has me thinking of).

Anyway, this harassment comes off as both lonely and very desperate.

The frustration is understandable, however we may be keeping this particular troll too well fed with acknowledgements. Best if we simply carry on with business.

Can I suggest starting a new spam reporting thread, so we can all block this one and move on?

>207 lorax: Don’t you think it’s a convenience that they come directly to our attention? Makes their stay briefer.

I’m gonna call this author spam:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/344709#7938825

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Ronnie_K#

I’ve left a message.

>210 2wonderY:

Sure looks like it.

Spam, I think: https://www.librarything.com/work/28986268/226276059
https://www.librarything.com/profile/Ragamusicinfo

Author spam: https://www.librarything.com/topic/344794

https://www.librarything.com/profile/chrisallenweber (Message left)

This one seems mildly author spam, and has a couple flags already: https://www.librarything.com/topic/344812
Author: https://www.librarything.com/profile/MaddieJaneAuthor
I have not left any message in case it is permissible for the Welcome to LT group.

The post is gone. Did anyone else message them? So they know why?

>214 Nevov:

What did it say?

If it was promoting her book, then, no, it is NOT permissible in the Welcome to LT group.

Also, for future reference: if you are not certain whether something is spam, you can post in this thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/338510 to discuss it.

>216 lilithcat:
>What did it say?

It was along the lines of them introducing themselves, mentioning their book, and a giveaway they are planning to hold. No links just plain text, IIRC.

>217 Nevov:

That's author spam. The presence or absence of links is not dispositive. He's promoting his book in a place where that is not permitted.

Flagging the post was appropriate, but a message should have been left on his profile directing him to the "How Authors Can Use LibraryThing" page.

>218 lilithcat:
Thanks, sending a message now.

Author spam:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/345022

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Macabre100 (message left)

The pornguy is back:

https://www.librarything.com/profile/javqq0

Author spam: https://www.librarything.com/topic/345149

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Enakpoweri (message left)

>222 lilithcat: This is a repeat offender. >83 lilithcat: >84 MarthaJeanne:

review: https://www.librarything.com/work/14327031/reviews/102585019
(flag the work after the review is gone)
user: https://www.librarything.com/profile/iklanumroh

None of the links are to anime or anime-related sites.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/344242#7957043
https://www.librarything.com/topic/344759#7957044

>225 aspirit:

So? That first thread is "Teens Talk About Anything", and if we flagged every post that was off-topic, we'd be doing nothing else!

>226 lilithcat: That looks like talking to you?

The links are lies, political and religious promotion (currently but loosely associated offsite with attacks on the media and members the group is for) misrepresented as links to legitimate anime sites.

One is gone and the other is no longer directly linked out in the open. So other people agreed those posts weren't merely off topic.

>227 aspirit: There's not really anything we can do. We're just normal users with normal powers, all this thread does is draw attention to things that need to be flagged to make sure they get enough flags to be hidden.

As the group admin, you can "remove" those messages. You can also ban a member from the group. We can't do that.

If you think the user should be removed from LibraryThing as a whole (i.e. have their profile flagged as spam), you can make that argument but that's a much higher bar to clear. I would recommend banning them from the group (maybe with a warning first, that's up to you)

>228 norabelle414: I was asking for flags.

Thank you to the Spam Fighters who responded normally.

>229 aspirit: Yes, but you're the group admin, you can just "remove" messages without them needing any flags.

One of those messages has since been deleted by the member. I suspect that the sight of several flags is more of a deterrent than just having the message disappear.

Author Spam
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345372

Profile: https://www.librarything.com/profile/TanjaNayak (Message already left)

Author spam: https://www.librarything.com/topic/345412#unread

Do not flag: https://www.librarything.com/profile/brnartist (I left a message)

Author spam: https://www.librarything.com/topic/345428

profile: https://www.librarything.com/profile/Patrick_Abbott

>235 2wonderY:

Something's up. I flagged that one earlier today, and usually when I do they disappear pretty quickly. This shouldn't still be hanging around.

>236 lilithcat: Agreed - I've zapped it too, but it hasn't gone.

>237 rodneyvc: Only recent members go quickly, this one is a member since 2020.

>236 lilithcat: Are they appealing and coming back?

>239 gilroy:

No idea. It's odd they'd wait so long to put up an image.

Nevertheless, it's clearly spam.

"Fast private instant loans at TCADVISORS only need ID card and photo household registration book. Quick loan with money in 30 minutes, no home appraisal, no mortgage."

>240 lilithcat: never fear, already flagged from my end

flagged, and they're still there. weird.

>242 karenb: I’ve just messaged Kristi.

>235 2wonderY: Gone, with assistance from staff.

Author spam:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/345551
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345552
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345553

https://www.librarything.com/profile/chuckjohnsonbook (message left)

More author spam:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/345558
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345556#7967510
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345557
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345555

https://www.librarything.com/profile/deannabussadoribook (Message left)

Three books, two reviews need flagged:

https://www.librarything.com/catalog/ignitedrops

Account:
https://www.librarything.com/profile/ignitedrops

Our buddy has circumvented his block, it seems:
https://www.librarything.com/profile/coolman090

Gone before I finish posting.

Author spam:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/345702

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Sharon_Lamirand (Message left)

Author spam:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/345876
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345877
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345878
https://www.librarything.com/topic/345879

https://www.librarything.com/profile/LeilaBNelsonbook (Message left)

All except the first one are spam profiles and need flagged. 85 of them.

https://www.librarything.com/search.php?search=Clean&searchtype=members&...

I’ve been having happy hunting just searching key words, but my eyes have given out.

>251 2wonderY:

The second, CleanClothesCampaign, also seems fine.

>252 lilithcat: Ah! Yes!

>251 2wonderY: "I’ve been having happy hunting just searching key words, but my eyes have given out."

Welcome to my world. Breaks are important.

Here’s a bunch; likely all of them:

https://www.librarything.com/search.php?search=Broker&searchtype=members&amp...

And these as well:

https://www.librarything.com/search.php?search=Mortgage&searchtype=members&a...

Just about all of these:

https://www.librarything.com/search.php?search=Solution&searchtype=members&a...

>256 2wonderY:

Organized by book count, the top 3 seem to be actual libraries.

Most of the others are unconfirmed accounts, so we have nothing to do. Does this match with what you were posting?

>257 karenb: with the changes to Profile page, I had this exchange with staff about flagging unconfirmed accounts:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/342464#7868020

I flagged this a couple of hours ago. Needs another flag?

https://www.librarything.com/pic/9509925

https://www.librarything.com/profile/nottyboy

>259 2wonderY:

Gone now

>1 lilithcat: Should we continue to another thread?

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

>261 jasbro:

Sure.