The Cure

Help us help you (mods)... make flags available

On craigslist, users can flag specific posts for moderators to review based on a few different criteria. Moderators still have control over what gets re-categorized or deleted, but a flagging system could help mods to more quickly take any required actions that meet the rules or terms of use. Of course some people may "overflag", but ultimately, the control remains with the moderators to use their judgment in applying the rules/terms of use.

I've pasted the information from craigslist about how flags are used below. It can also be found at http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/flags_and_community_moderation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

craigslist provides free and nearly instantaneous self-publishing for tens of millions of user postings each month, subject only to craigslist Terms of Use and posting guidelines.

The flagging system allows craigslist users to flag inappropriate postings for speedy removal, while preserving everyone's ability to express themselves freely and in a timely fashion.

Using the flagging feature at the upper right corner of each posting, you can take flag it as:

-miscategorized - wrong category/site, discusses another ad, otherwise misplaced
-prohibited - violates craigslist Terms of Use or other posted guidelines
-spam/overpost - posted too frequently, in multiple cities/categories, or is too commercial

Free classified ads receiving enough negative flags are subject to automatic removal (one flag per person per ad is counted).

Forums postings and paid classified ads receiving enough negative flags are subject to staff review.

Ads reviewed by craigslist (e.g. adult services) suspected of terms of use violations can be forwarded to abuse@craigslist.org.

Posters whose postings are repeatedly flagged are subject to staff review and additional remedial measures.

You can also nominate funny or memorable postings for inclusion in "best of craigslist".

Millions of ads are removed through community flagging each month, of which 98-99% are in violation of craigslist terms of use or posting guidelines.

No moderation system is perfect, and 1-2% of ads removed through flagging are within our terms of use--but without the flagging system, craigslist would quickly become unusable.

If your ad has been flagged down and you'd like help figuring out why, visit our flag help forum and provide detailed information about your posting to the forum participants.

Flagged postings that meet craigslist guidelines and Terms of Use may be reposted, reworded as necessary.

Posted diatribes against flagging tend to get flagged off quickly.

Re: Help us help you (mods)... make flags available

RH & Fevva,

This is the thread I was referring to. If we had a flagging system, we wouldn't have to correspond with/contact the mods so much to keep telling them about things we see that they don't.

What's also interesting to me is that craigslist also has a "remedy" or process in place for users whose posts get removed to be able to find out WHY. That's probably a good thing to have as well. It doesn't have to be the same... I'm just bringing this up as a working example of something that seems to function pretty well.

Re: Help us help you (mods)... make flags available

OK, very interestingMaybe ppl would flag things just cos they didnt like it tho??? Could cause more problems perhaps if used in a vindictive way??

Re: Re: Help us help you (mods)... make flags available

roberts_hairspray wrote:
OK, very interestingMaybe ppl would flag things just cos they didnt like it tho??? Could cause more problems perhaps if used in a vindictive way??

Re: Re: Re: Help us help you (mods)... make flags available

pussycat wrote:

roberts_hairspray wrote:
OK, very interestingMaybe ppl would flag things just cos they didnt like it tho??? Could cause more problems perhaps if used in a vindictive way??

That is what I would be afraid of too. The MODs should be looking for these posts not the members. They should be the ones who decide if the post or thread breaks whatever guidelines are set up for the forum. They also need to notify the member of why it is being deleted before it actually is.

Smooches,
Pussycat

Re: Help us help you (mods)... make flags available

I'm not sure how much moderator coverage there will be in the future, but if it's going to be fairly light or part-time coverage, as in the case of MOD001, then a flagging system may be very helpful.

Also, if we could flag POTENTIAL impersonator profiles for review by a MOD, then that would be good as well. None of us regular "peeps" can really know if someone is impersonating someone else, but we could alert MODs to a profile that they should check out.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Help us help you (mods)... make flags available

LA Lovecat wrote:

pussycat wrote:

roberts_hairspray wrote:
OK, very interestingMaybe ppl would flag things just cos they didnt like it tho??? Could cause more problems perhaps if used in a vindictive way??

That is what I would be afraid of too. The MODs should be looking for these posts not the members. They should be the ones who decide if the post or thread breaks whatever guidelines are set up for the forum. They also need to notify the member of why it is being deleted before it actually is.

Smooches,
Pussycat

I definitely agree with you both that abuse of flags is definitely a possibility... but the power to delete/move/take action still rests with the MODs. Plus, I think people who abused the flags would rapidly lose credibility with the MODs and their flags would probably be ignored... a "Chicken Little" effect, if you will.

I'm just saying that a flagging system might be a lot easier and more effective than having to start your own threads (as people here have done) to draw a MODs attention to things of concern - or leaving tons of messages on the MOD's profile page. It would be difficult for MODs to see every post - there are so many areas: the news, media/discography, photos, and all the individual member profile pages - where sometimes people write abusive or harassing comments to others. MODs aren't going to be able to see ALL that stuff unless someone calls their attention to it, when and if it happens.

I also agree with you, Pussycat, about notifying people about deletions and such. It's only courteous, and I think you have to at least give people the benefit of the doubt that they didn't necessarily intend to break rules/guidelines... unless they've been warned and repeatedly continue. I hope that procedure is something that will be covered in the forthcoming rules or guidelines that were mentioned. It would just make things more clear for everyone, IMO.