As the owners of the Real Estate Tomato and all of the content that appears under the domain name RealEstateTomato.com we reserve the right to protect ourselves, our clients and our audience from content we consider inappropriate.
The following are a list of things that could constitute as inappropriate and are subject to censor by the Real Estate Tomato.
Please note that not all violators of the following will necessarily be censored and/or blocked, and similarly we may choose to censor and/or block users of this site for reasons outside of the following.
1. Drivel
You don’t see it much in the comments on business blogs… it being such an immature act and all, but comments like “First” or other such one-word comments are just dumb.
2. Off Topic
Some people feel that because they have a keyboard and an internet connection they now have the right to discuss whatever they want, wherever they want.
3. Hijacking
When the article takes on a life of its own in the comments, because of a heated, mostly off-topic, discussion between (or among) commentors. Basically, the article loses control of the intended message because the commentors have taken to using it as a platform for their own discussion.
4. Mr. Anonymous
Fake name, fake email addresses, fake web addresses… the sign of a coward. A hit and run. Vermin in the blog world.
5. HTML
Does a comment need styling? Aren’t the words enough?
6. Links
Some links add to the message; support of an idea, proof, resource and reference. Some links are just noise; shameless backlinks, irrelevant articles, weak SEO attempts.
7. Cheap SEO Attempts
Comment left by “San Diego Real Estate”. I’m pretty sure that the text field says “Name”. Not, “What words would you like Google to associate with the backlink you get for posting a comment on my site?”
8. White Noise Compliments
“Great post.” “I agree.” “Thanks.”
*Yawn* If you are going to take the time to figure out that CAPTCHA, least you could do is add to the discussion.
9. Personal Advertisements in a Good Comment
It’s a shame when a n00b makes a solid point followed up with their contact information. The reason I think that novices are responsible is that the exact same contact info is supplied when ‘registering’ for the comment. Just seems foolish to post it in the comment.
10. Spam
You’d be surprised how many people leave spam in their comments. Why? Because they don’t recognize that it is genuine spam. The spam force has got mad skillz. They can generate a complimentary comment based around the topic of the article. It’s ingenious. The tip off: The name URL supplied is for Viagra.
11. Contentious Speech
Some people just like to pick a fight.
12. Dissidents
Not everyone agrees with you. Are you willing to let them take the stage?
13. Ad-HominemAttacks
Red Herring at its worst: attacking the person versus attacking the argument.
14. Profanity.
Is your blog G, PG13, PG, or R?
15. Flame Wars
A bitter, public dispute. Think blog hijacking with rage.
16. Obscenities
Stupid.
17. Hate Speech
Unacceptable.
18. Plagiarism and Copyright Violation
Stupid and Unacceptable
19. Impersonation
Stupid, Unacceptable and Cowardly.
20. Trolling.
Purposefully antagonizing other people.